REEF BLOWER

Episode Title: "Reef Blower"

Episode Airing Number: 1

Episode Production Number: 1

Original Airdate: May 1, 1999

Season: 1

On DVD: "SpongeBob SquarePants: The Complete First Season"

On VHS: (none)

Aired With Episodes: "Help Wanted" and "Tea at the Treedome"

Running Time: 2:48 (shortest episode in series)

In Brief: In this silent episode, SpongeBob tries using a reef blower to remove a shell from his yard.

Story: Squidward steps outside on a beautiful day and notices that his otherwise sparkly-clean yard has a seashell in it. He kicks it into SpongeBob's yard and SpongeBob immediately takes notice. He slides into his garage to get his reef blower and starts blowing at the shell. The noise irritates Squidward, and SpongeBob blows all the sand into the air and down on Squidward. SpongeBob blows all the sand off him but it makes a big pile in his own yard. He sucks up the sand. Later, he ends up sucking up the entire ocean into his reef blower. The reef blower explodes and the water and piles of sand land all over the place. For some reason, SpongeBob thinks his job is done and goes inside. Squidward is trapped in a pile of sand, and the seashell that started the whole reef blower situation lands on his nose.

Observations:

Silent Episode This episode contains no dialogue, only groans and sounds from Squidward and SpongeBob. SpongeBob says "You!" through an on-screen subtitle but doesn't speak it. It is believed that the show crew did record audio but it didn't work, but this episode was likely intended to contain no dialogue.

Hammock Squidward's hammock hangs from two coral plants. The hammock has a pillow on it.

Quick Switch In about 15 seconds, Squidward goes from relaxing on his hammock to sitting at a table eating.

Squid's Food Squidward appears to be eating seaweed.

Reef Blower The reef blower sneezes and its handle spins in a loop as it does so.

First Appearance The fish known as Fred in "Patty Hype" is seen in one of the cars SpongeBob whizzes past on the reef blower handle.

Step The wooden step Squidward sits on as the water gets sucked up and he runs out of breath is only there in that scene. It's not seen in front of his door any other time. The flower seen in the beginning also disappears later on.