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Encyclopedia SpongeBobia
This is the page about the episode. For other uses, see The Great Patty Caper (disambiguation).

"The Great Patty Caper" is a SpongeBob SquarePants episode from season 7. In this episode, the key to the safety deposit box that holds the Krabby Patty secret recipe goes missing, allowing Plankton to finally realize his dream.

Characters[]

Synopsis[]

Act 1[]

The Great Patty Caper 006

SpongeBob screaming, due to no Krabby Patties being seen in the freezer.

The episode starts with the curtains opening SpongeBob going into the Krusty Krab freezer to find that they have run out of Krabby Patties. He and Mr. Krabs try to make more but cannot remember the recipe. Mr. Krabs gives SpongeBob the key to the vault in which the recipe is hidden, and he and Patrick board a train to the bank for the safety deposit box. Sometime during the ride, the key to the box is stolen and SpongeBob and Patrick must find the thief.

After getting squished a couple of times, Plankton walks up to them, and Patrick searches him but finds him to be clean. The duo stops the train to find the suspect responsible for stealing the key. A nanny and her baby are searched, only to find a stolen jewel in the baby's diaper that was stolen by triplets who pretended to be the nanny and baby. The curtains then close.

Act 2[]

The curtains reopen and the next suspect, the butler, is then revealed to be a thief named Orin J. Ruffy, who stole $75,000 worth of ham sandwiches. SpongeBob cries hopelessly but soon finds Patrick having the key; in fact, he found it while he cleaned SpongeBob's shorts. They head back into the train and are on their way to the bank. Eventually, Plankton bats them out of a window and the best friends must chase the train. It is revealed that Plankton has the key now.

The Great Patty Caper 248

SpongeBob and Patrick running after the train.

As SpongeBob morphs himself into a hang glider, he and Patrick fly back onto the train to pursue him. Once they return, SpongeBob and Patrick chase Plankton through the caboose, the coaches, the tender, and the locomotive before Plankton separates the train by disconnecting the coal tender, coaches, and caboose from the locomotive, leaving SpongeBob and Patrick in its cabin. As the two try to stop the train, Patrick stupidly breaks its brake, causing it to go out of control.

He makes several weird, futile attempts to stop the train, one of which is to put a heavy object on the tracks. This only causes the locomotive to flip and move forward while some of the wheels go off the track. The two manage to bring all of the wheels back in place when they stop in front of a retirement home just in time. Patrick then stupidly breaks the throttle, which he thought said "Break." Meanwhile, as Plankton is caught trying to steal the formula by Mr. Krabs, he still escapes with it, until the locomotive crashes into the bank and stops him before he can leave. Even though Plankton's plan fails again, Mr. Krabs has to pay the damage to the bank with his bank account, causing him to scream in disbelief.

The Great Patty Caper 399

Elderly SpongeBob and his grandson.

Seventy-five years later, an exaggeratedly elderly SpongeBob finishes the story of the "Great Train Caper." His grandson responds by telling him to keep quiet as he is in excitement over his video game, while SpongeBob remarks about kids these days and goes to sleep, as the episode ends.

Production[]

This episode was added onto the US Copyright Office twice; one on March 3, 2010,[3] and the other on September 23, 2010.[4]

"The Great Patty Caper" promo art

Promotional artwork for the episode.

Art[]

Storyboards[]

Music[]

 ) Production music
 ) Original music
 ) SpongeBob music

  Salty Squid Jig 1 - Michael Bolger, Nicolas Carr, Sage Guyton, James King [Title card]
  In the Cooler Tension Build Up - Nicolas Carr [SpongeBob enters the freezer.]
  Dramatic Impact (6) - Ivor Slaney [SpongeBob screams.]
  Dramatic Cue (E) - Ronald Hanmer ["We're all out of Krabby Patties, sir!"]
  Happy Sack Shanty - Michael Bolger, Nicolas Carr [making more patties]
  New Vibe Hits - Nicolas Carr ["What are you on about, boy?"]
  Happy Sack Shanty - Michael Bolger, Nicolas Carr [S.C.A.B.S.]
  Dramatic Cue (B) - Ronald Hanmer [Plankton flies out of Krabs' safe on a rocket.]
  Sneaking About - Phil Green ["Don't you have any respect for tradition?"]
  Hgliss & Bell - Nicolas Carr ["I know!"]
  Salty Krab Jig - Michael Bolger, Nicolas Carr [SpongeBob solves Mr. Krabs' dilemma.]
  Bikini Bottom News Theme - Nicolas Carr [news on TV]
  The Adventurers - Paul Lawler [Mr. Krabs sends the formula away.]
  Danger Sign - Harry Bluestone, Emil Cadkin [Plankton turns off the TV.]
  Terror - Alan Braden [Plankton laughs evilly.]
  Nude Sting - Nicolas Carr [SpongeBob and Mr. Krabs realize they forgot to look at the formula.]
  Steel Licks 78 - Jeremy Wakefield [Mr. Krabs bangs his head against the wall.]
  Against All Odds - Paul Lawler [Mr. Krabs tells SpongeBob where the formula is.]
  Carrol Chimes - Nicolas Carr [Mr. Krabs takes out a key.]
  Synopsis - Frank Harlow [the key to Krabs' heart]
  Bell Tree Gliss - Nicolas Carr [Mr. Krabs takes out the safe deposit key.]
  Hall of Fame [#79] - Harry Bluestone, Emil Cadkin [Mr. Krabs gives SpongeBob the safe deposit box key.]
  Zelle 501 - Gerhard Trede [Plankton listening]
  Puffing Along - Harry Bluestone ["The Oceanic Express."]
  Lap Steel - Nicolas Carr [The bus runs over Plankton.]
  Locomotion - Harry Bluestone, Emil Cadkin ["Your sleeping quarters."]
  Train Ride - Sidney Torch [Plankton on top of the bus]
  Steel Licks 41 - Jeremy Wakefield [Plankton on a windshield]
  Train Ride - Sidney Torch [dining car]
  Drama Link (F) - Hubert Clifford ["The key!"]
  Imminent 1 - Harry Bluestone, Emil Cadkin [SpongeBob accuses Plankton of stealing the key.]
  Befuddled Gent - Phil Green [Patrick puts on rubber gloves.]
  Beware the Ripper (C) - Richard Myhill [Patrick calls the cops.]
  Desperate Situation - Phil Green [Line of suspects/"Mr. Police Commissioner?"]
  Cloak And Dagger [#69] - Phil Green ["...the nanny!"]
  Hgliss & Bell - Nicolas Carr ["The key!"]
  International Law - Peter Yorke [diamond]
  Cocksure Capers - Phil Green ["I told you taking the train was a mistake."]
  Dramatic Bridge 1 - Phil Green ["If they didn't do it, that means the key was stolen by..."]
  Cloak And Dagger [#70] - Phil Green ["...the butler!"]
  Dramatic Bridge 1 - Phil Green ["You may not be a butler, but are you a werewolf?"]
  The Creature (b) - Gregor F. Narholz [Full moon]
  The Creature (a) - Gregor F. Narholz [Guy turns into a werewolf]
  Tragic Bridge 2 - Phil Green ["Okay, butler, you may have hoodwinked the sponge, but I ain't no pushover!"]
  Befuddled Gent - Phil Green [Patrick eating popcorn]
  Bubble Popping Boys - Nicolas Carr, Barry Anthony ["I don't believe either of you."]
  International Law - Peter Yorke [Orin J. Ruffy]
  Solo Steel 1 - Jeremy Wakefield [SpongeBob cries.]
  Birth of the Krabby Patty - Nicolas Carr ["The key!"]
  Gator - Steve Belfer [SpongeBob and Patrick get back on the train.]
  Dramatic Bridge 7 - Phil Green ["Me three."]
  Closing Door Sting - Nicolas Carr [Plankton closes the door.]
  Train Ride - Sidney Torch [Plankton opens a window.]
  Tragic Bridge 4 - Phil Green [Plankton kicks SpongeBob and Patrick out.]
  Steel Licks 22 - Jeremy Wakefield [They get up.]
  Dramatic Bridge 4 - Phil Green ["And thanks for the key!"]
  Grass Skirt Chase - Sage Guyton, Jeremy Wakefield [SpongeBob and Patrick run after the train.]
  Mystery Murder [#60] - Phil Green ["Patrick, hop up on my back."]
  High Hazard - Philippe Pares [They jump off the cliff.]
  The Intruder - Phil Green [SpongeBob and Patrick get back on the train.]
  Panic Patrol - Kenny Graham [SpongeBob and Patrick chase Plankton.]
  Rescue - Cecil Milner ["Over here, choo-choo heads!"]
  Tragic Bridge 3 - Phil Green [passengers complaining]
  Excited Chase 1 - Phil Green [SpongeBob and Patrick panicking]
  Sword Fight - Harry Bluestone, Emil Cadkin [SpongeBob trying to stop the train]
  Maui Beach - Hans Haider [rest home]
  Sword Fight - Harry Bluestone, Emil Cadkin ["And that means..."]
  Boulevard of Dreams 1.6 - Ray Davies [Strip Sounds] [train goes through loop-de-loops]
  New Vibe Hits - Nicolas Carr ["Oh, yeah."]
  Sword Fight - Harry Bluestone, Emil Cadkin [Patrick holds up a stop sign.]
  Steel Licks 35 - Jeremy Wakefield [Patrick selling lemonade]
  Sword Fight - Harry Bluestone, Emil Cadkin [train flips over]
  Maui Beach - Hans Haider ["There's a train behind you."]
  Sword Fight - Harry Bluestone, Emil Cadkin [train stops just in time]
  Maui Beach - Hans Haider ["Hey!"]
  Runaway Train - Harry Bluestone, Emil Cadkin [throttle]
  Mission Improbable - Nicolas Carr, Barry Anthony [Plankton at the bank]
  Light Conversation 1 Full Mix - Nicolas Carr, Barry Anthony ["Well, well."]
  Excited Chase 1 - Phil Green ["Checkmate, Krabs!"]
  Expectant Stab [#28] - Harry Bluestone, Emil Cadkin [The train crashes through the wall.]
  Steel Licks 18 - Jeremy Wakefield [Plankton gets crushed.]
  Sea Shanty in a Minor Key - Michael Bolger, Nicolas Carr, Sage Guyton [giant hole in wall]
  Skipping to School - Sage Guyton, Jeremy Wakefield [ending]

Reception[]

  • When this episode aired on November 11, 2010, it gained an audience of 6.1 million viewers and the most-watched non-sports broadcast on cable for the week of November 14, and second overall only to a Monday Night Football game between the Steelers and the Bengals. It was the most viewed episode in a year after "Truth or Square."[5]

Release[]

Trivia[]

General[]

Mystery with a Twistery

"Mystery With a Twistery."

  • The original name for this episode was "Krabby Patty No More," as seen on some of the original character storyboards on Facebook.[6]
  • This episode is also known as "Mystery With a Twistery." Amazon Prime and iTunes lists the other name of this episode.[7]
  • This is the second episode whose title contains the name of another episode, being "Patty Caper."
  • This is the seventh time Earth is seen in full view, the first is "Sandy's Rocket," the second is "Chocolate with Nuts," the third is The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, the fourth is "Whale of a Birthday," the fifth is "Squidward in Clarinetland," and the sixth is "Back to the Past."
  • The rubber gloves Patrick wears in the episode are the same ones he wore in "Suds."[8]
  • This is said to be the first-ever SpongeBob mystery even though "Patty Caper" was also an episode involving a mystery.
  • In this episode, a few of the Krabby Patty formula ingredients are revealed. They are flour, barnacle shavings, turmeric, and either sea salt or land salt.
  • When Mr. Krabs tries to remember the recipe of Krabby Patty, the abbreviations SCABS and LESIONS appear. Both are actually conditions related to skin and the tissue beneath it.
  • There are three shorts associated with this episode. The shorts are bundled with the episode on iTunes.
  • In this episode, Perch Perkins reveals that the Realistic Fish Head's real name is "Elaine."
  • Plankton is seen reading a book on mitosis, which is the process in which cells make copies of themselves.
  • The process on how the formula went to Far-Out-Ville:
    • A small safe truck.
    • A big safe truck escorted by cops on motorcycles.
    • A Bikini Bottom Movers truck.
    • A bullet train engine with the moving truck on it.
    • A helicopter takes the platform from the train to a big jet.
  • The attempts Patrick makes in an attempt to stop the runaway locomotive are:
    • Putting a stop sign, gets ignored by;
    • Building a lemonade stand, still gets ignored;
    • Putting a rock on the rails, the locomotive does a front flip and then goes "drifting" before it stops just in time before hitting the retirement home
  • This episode marks the second time someone says the line "Cops! I need you!" In this episode, it was said by Patrick. The first time was in the episode "Banned in Bikini Bottom" where the line is said by Plankton.
  • This was the second double-length episode that aired on Remembrance Day. The first one was "Have You Seen This Snail?" in 2005.
  • It is revealed that Patrick knows his letters, but still cannot read.
  • This marks the second double-length episode where SpongeBob wears his Krusty Krab employee hat throughout the majority of the episode, the first was "SpongeBob SquarePants vs. The Big One."
  • The shot of SpongeBob and Patrick running around in the locomotive screaming is used for a 2011-2012 bumper.

Cultural references[]

  • SpongeBob's question "Where were you on the night of January 16th?" is a reference to the courtroom drama play Night of January 16th, where said question was asked to the witnesses.
  • Orin J. Roughy is a pun on an orange roughy fish.
  • Miss McGuffin is named after a "MacGuffin," which is an object that serves as a trigger for the plot, but is otherwise insignificant.

Errors[]

  • The number of passenger cars keeps changing throughout the episode.
  • When Patrick gets knocked over at the lemonade stand, his mouth is closed while he is talking.
  • When SpongeBob and Patrick are chasing Plankton, they pass Incidental 41, who is asleep on the train, but when they call for help, Incidental 41 is at the Railroad Depot, even though he was supposedly on the train.
  • When Mr. Krabs is banging his head on the wall, his lips do not move when he says "it."
  • When the runaway locomotive goes through the tunnel, it flips around when it comes out to the other side.
  • When SpongeBob and Patrick look for Plankton in the train, the people themselves change seats.
  • When the Butler, who was later revealed to be Orin J. Ruffy, was first about to be blamed, a full moon showed up during the daytime. This is not possible since a full moon can only be seen the day the moon rises at sunset, and the whole episode takes place long before sunset.
  • When the werewolf fish appears, he is not wearing a shirt. However, after turning into a werewolf, he strangely has a shirt on.
  • During the scene when the cops arrive after the train stops, the lady in teal is one of the suspects. She was not arrested or searched as the other two suspects were searched first and Plankton was found to be guilty but she disappears after the cops find the Triplets gang.
  • When Plankton uncouples the tender from the locomotive, the steam locomotive still keeps moving. However, by uncoupling the tender, the steam locomotive would come to a complete stop, as it would involve disconnecting the water pipes and vacuum brake pipes between the cabin and the tender, preventing water from coming to the boiler. Furthermore, tender engines do not really store coal behind them: they only store it in their tenders.
  • When the runaway locomotive lands back on the rails after hitting the rock Patrick put in its way, its coupling rods suddenly vanish.
  • When Plankton knocks SpongeBob and Patrick out of the train, he is in the middle of it, but later when he says "Thanks for the key," he is now in the caboose.
Screenshot 2022-07-24 6.39

The driver is missing.

  • There is no driver inside the Bikini Bottom Movers truck.


Videos[]

References[]

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