The Clash of Triton
King Neptune's birthday party turns into a family reconciliation.
"The Clash of Triton" is the 126th episode of the American animated series SpongeBob SquarePants, serving as the sixth season's finale. It originally aired on Nickelodeon on July 5, 2010, and features guest voices from John O'Hurley, Victoria Beckham, and Sebastian Bach.
Quick Facts
- Series
- SpongeBob SquarePants
- Episode
- 26
- Season
- 6
- Production
- 193-650/193-651
- Air date
- 5 July 2010
- Guests
- John O'Hurley as King Neptune
- Victoria Beckham as Queen Amphitrite
- Sebastian Bach as Triton
- Writer
- Casey Alexander
- Zeus Cervas
- Aaron Springer
- Steven Banks
- Paul Tibbitt
Facts from the source article.
Plot summary
King Neptune plans to celebrate his 5,000th birthday at the Krusty Krab, and SpongeBob and the crew prepare an elaborate gala. Despite the festivities, the king is despondent over his estranged son, Triton, who was banished to a cage on the deserted Island in the Sky for displeasing his father with his interest in mortals. Queen Amphitrite tries to comfort Neptune. SpongeBob sets out to find Triton and bring him to the party.
After locating him, Triton initially ignores SpongeBob but eventually orders him to undo the lock. SpongeBob calls Patrick, who unlocks the cage; Triton turns it into a car and offers them a ride off the island. Once free, Triton rejects SpongeBob and Patrick and proceeds to destroy Bikini Bottom to get revenge on his father. At the Krusty Krab, the guests and staff are locked in a cage.
Neptune begs Triton to release them, but Triton ignores him. SpongeBob and Patrick unlock the cage, and Triton tries to escape but is caught by his father. Neptune, angered, is about to punish him, but Triton pleads not to be sent back, pointing out that he is finally using his powers and causing havoc among mortals. Neptune realizes this is the best birthday present he could receive, and the two reconcile, with Triton becoming a worthy successor. The family leaves, crediting SpongeBob, though the townsfolk chase him and Patrick in an angry mob.
Production
The episode was written by Casey Alexander, Zeus Cervas, Aaron Springer, Steven Banks, and Paul Tibbitt, with Andrew Overtoom and supervising director Alan Smart as animation directors. Alexander, Cervas, and Springer also served as storyboard directors. Victoria Beckham guest starred as Queen Amphitrite, a role created especially for her. She accepted because her sons loved the show and were excited to watch the episode with her.
Beckham recorded her voice-over in late 2008 in a single day. John O'Hurley voiced King Neptune, and Sebastian Bach voiced Triton. Nickelodeon vice president of talent and casting Sarah Noonan said ideas for guest voices often come from the writers and executive producer. Banks remarked that the harder part was for Bach, who he felt sounded like a pimple-faced, snotty teenager.
Nickelodeon animation president Brown Johnson praised the guest cast for bringing Bikini Bottom's royal family to life. The episode was released on DVD on July 13, 2010, under the title Triton's Revenge, featuring six other episodes and special features. It was also included in the season six DVD compilation and later in the SpongeBob SquarePants: The Next 100 Episodes DVD.
Reception
The premiere drew 5.2 million total viewers age 2 and older, including 2.8 million kids 2–11, 2.0 million kids 6–11, and 1.5 million teens 9–14. SpongeBob.com had its most trafficked week of 2010, with 1.4 million unique visitors, 15.1 million page views, and 5.7 million game sessions. Critical reception was mixed to positive. Steve Earhart called it a hilarious special.
Shannon Gosney said viewers would love it. Nancy Basile found it funny and endearing enough to be worth watching. Gord Lacey enjoyed the episode and its bonus content. Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly stated that the show's values remained intact, praising the rapid-fire gags, bright color palette, and avoidance of heavy-handed messages.
Maxie Zeus of Toon Zone criticized the plot as poorly structured and slack, lacking humor. Paul Mavis of DVD Talk said the episode spent too much time on exposition and not enough on jokes. Roy Hrab of DVD Verdict gave a negative review, describing it as loud and frantic with punch lines but no clever set-ups.
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