Bubble Buddy Returns (SpongeBob SquarePants)

Bubble Buddy Returns is the 27th episode of the eight season of SpongeBob SquarePants.

Summary
SpongeBob attempts to keep Bubble Buddy's son out of danger after he is put in charge of taking care of him.

Bad Qualities

 * 1) The episode lacks the charm that the original "Bubble Buddy" episode had as the episode only focuses on SpongeBob taking care of Bubble Buddy's son, Shiny. While it is a well-executed idea, its just so utterly pointless.
 * 2) Misleading title: Bubble Buddy does not even appear at all that much in the episode, he only appears in the beginning & end of the episode, so this should've been called Bubble Buddy's Son instead. At least that title would make some sense compared to the official title of the episode that we got, even if the episode's plot is no different.
 * 3) The title card is lazy. It is just the original Bubble Buddy title card, but with the word Returns slapped onto it. Not to mention, the word "Returns" is not even in the bubble font.
 * 4) * This title card is also an excuse from Nickelodeon to advertise an episode bringing back an old character that has not been seen long after Season 2, not only does the false advertising itself feel completely insulting to fans of the show, as well as the original "Bubble Buddy" episode, and the intelligence of fans in general.
 * 5) Speaking of excuses, this episode is also another excuse to grab in more ratings for SpongeBob, as well as showing signs of being very desperate for the fans' attention and also the audience's attention. What makes them think SpongeBob hasn't had that many ratings back in 2011? The show was doing fine that year in terms of TV ratings. Even in 2010 during the crappy seventh season and to an lesser extent the sixth season, SpongeBob was still doing fine TV ratings-wise.
 * 6) * That feels like fixing something that wasn't broken.
 * 7) Shiny is an unlikable, but useless character. He goes by ruining the Bikini Bottomites' stuff, even going as far as by popping the Krusty Krab, even when SpongeBob is trying to take care of him. That's all he does!
 * 8) Plot hole: When Shiny gets inside one of Squidward's cabinets, SpongeBob checks, but he isn't even there. He might've popped or something, but strangely, he is still alive despite some of the sharp objects from inside all the cabinets.
 * 9) * How did everything in Squidward's house get messed up by Shiny? Bubbles can't even mess anything up, because usually when they land on something, they pop.
 * 10) Shiny may have gotten scolded by SpongeBob, but even scolding isn't enough to discipline Shiny since he keeps letting SpongeBob go through his shenanigans.

Good Qualities

 * 1) The rest of the characters are likable, like SpongeBob, Squidward, & the Bikini Bottomites.
 * 2) The idea of returning Bubble Buddy is a nice idea, despite appearing only in the beginning & end of the episode let alone treat his "return" to Bikini Bottom look like a joke to most people.
 * 3) Though it was for only a moment, Shiny did at least receive some comeuppance when he was inadvertently popped by SpongeBob.
 * 4) There is one nice bit of continuity of Mr. Krabs remembering Bubble Buddy and says that he still owes him money which recalls back to the episode "Bubble Buddy".

Reception
The episode received mixed to negative reception from reviewers & fans, most notable due to Bubble Buddy not appearing that much. It has a 6.4/10 on IMDb, along with The Krabby Patty that ate Bikini Bottom.

Trivia

 * This is Bubble Buddy's 2nd appearance in SpongeBob after years in the original Bubble Buddy.
 * This is the last episode to air in 2011.