The Clash of Triton explained

Series:SpongeBob SquarePants
Episode:26
Season:6
Production:193-650/193-651[1]
Producer:Stephen Hillenburg
Paul Tibbitt
Prev:Chum Caverns
Next:Tentacle-Vision (Squid-TV)
Season Article:SpongeBob SquarePants (season 6)
Episode List:List of SpongeBob SquarePants episodes

"The Clash of Triton", also known as "Neptune's Party",[2] [3] is the 26th and final episode of the sixth season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, and the 126th episode of the series overall. It originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on July 5, 2010.

The series follows the adventures and endeavors of the title character and his various friends in the underwater city of Bikini Bottom. In this episode, King Neptune wants to celebrate his 5,000th birthday at the Krusty Krab, but he is depressed about his long-disowned son, Triton. Determined to make this the king's happiest birthday ever and save the day, SpongeBob goes to set out and find Triton and bring him back to the party.

The episode was written by Casey Alexander, Zeus Cervas, Aaron Springer, Steven Banks, and Paul Tibbitt, and the animation was directed by Andrew Overtoom and supervising director, Alan Smart. Alexander, Cervas, and Springer also served as storyboard directors on the episode. It features guest appearances by John O'Hurley, Victoria Beckham, and Sebastian Bach. Upon release, the episode was watched by 5.2 million viewers, and met mixed reviews.

Plot summary

King Neptune wants to celebrate his 5,000th birthday at the Krusty Krab. SpongeBob and the crew spare no expense for the gala, rolling out the red carpet to welcome the royal family. Despite the party itself, the king's spirits are brought down in despondent by the absence of his estranged son, Triton, spoiling the festivities for everyone, especially his wife, Queen Amphitrite. Triton was banished to a cage on the deserted Island in the Sky, until he was ready to be a "proper" god, having displeased his father with his growing interests in the mortal world and his desire to benefit them. The event of Triton's exile devastates Neptune before Amphitrite attempts to comfort him.

Determined to make this the king's happiest birthday ever and save the day, SpongeBob sets out to find Triton and bring him to the party. Once found, Triton initially ignores SpongeBob, but after smelling SpongeBob's terrible smell, he tells him to undo the lock. Unable to figure it out, SpongeBob calls his best friend, Patrick, to help out. Patrick unlocks Triton's cage, the prince turning it into a car and offers the two a "ride" to escape the island. No one anticipates Triton's wrath, he rejects SpongeBob and Patrick, leaving Triton alone to destroy Bikini Bottom to get revenge on his father for imprisoning him.

Noticing that something is wrong at the Krusty Krab, SpongeBob, and Patrick enter the building from the back, discovering the guests and staff locked in a cage. King Neptune begs Triton to release everybody else and take him instead, but he ignores him. When SpongeBob and Patrick come to unlock the cage, Triton, in great dismay, attempts to escape from his father, who catches up to him. King Neptune, who angered that he can't tolerate his son's wrongdoings and is about to punish him, but on seeing how Triton destroyed Bikini Bottom, he explains that he's finally using his powers and causing havoc among mortals at last and pleads with his father not to send him back to the cage.

Realizing that he just gave him the best birthday present he has ever received instead of punishing him, the two finally reconcile, with Triton becoming a worthy successor. The family leaves for home, with King Neptune crediting SpongeBob for this development; despite SpongeBob being very happy with himself, the townsfolk of Bikini Bottom see differently, chasing him and Patrick in an angry mob.

Production

"The Clash of Triton" was written by Casey Alexander, Zeus Cervas, Aaron Springer, Steven Banks, and Paul Tibbitt, with Andrew Overtoom and supervising director, Alan Smart serving as animation directors. Alexander, Cervas, and Springer also served as storyboard directors.[4] Writer Banks said that the writing crew "liked the idea of gods and of Triton as an angry teenager dealing with his father. It all goes back to Greek tragedy."[5] The episode originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on July 5, 2010.[6] [7]

In addition to the regular cast, English singer Victoria Beckham guest starred in the episode as the wife of King Neptune, Queen Amphitrite.[8] [9] The writers created the role of a Queen Amphitrite especially for Beckham. The former Spice Girl accepted the role because her sons, Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz, love the show,[10] [11] were excited when their mother told them of the role, and looked forward to watching the episode with her.[12] [13]

Beckham recorded the voice-over in late-2008[14] in a day,[15] [16] and claimed that she was "thrilled" to provide the vocal cameo.[17] [18] [19] Other guests including Seinfeld actor John O'Hurley also made a vocal cameo in the episode as King Neptune, and Skid Row heavy metal vocalist Sebastian Bach as the voice of Triton.[20] [21] [22]

Ideas for casting guest voices often come from the writers and executive producer, said Sarah Noonan, vice president of talent and casting for Nickelodeon.[23] Steven Banks told "But the harder part was for Sebastian. I was so pleased that he really could sound like a pimple-faced, snotty teenager."[5] Nickelodeon animation president Brown Johnson said "We're happy to have such a talented and eclectic group of celebrities lend their voices to this SpongeBob special[...] Victoria [Beckham], John [O'Hurley] and Sebastian [Bach] truly brought Bikini Bottom's royal family to life."[24] [25]

On July 13, 2010, the episode became available on DVD titled Triton's Revenge as Paramount Home Entertainment and Nickelodeon announced its release.[26] The DVD features six other episodes including "Sand Castles in the Sand", "Shell Shocked", "Chum Bucket Supreme", "Single Cell Anniversary", "Tentacle-Vision", and "I Heart Dancing", and special features such as shorts of the episode and Fanboy & Chum Chum episodes.[27] It was also released in the series' season six DVD compilation.[28] [29] On June 4, 2019, "The Clash of Triton" was released on the SpongeBob SquarePants: The Next 100 Episodes DVD, alongside all the episodes of seasons six through nine.[30]

Reception

The premiere of "The Clash of Triton" drew 2.8 million kids 2–11, 2.0 million kids 6–11, 1.5 million teens 9–14 and 5.2 million total viewers age 2+ for Nickelodeon.[31] SpongeBob.com had its most trafficked week in 2010 with 1.4 million unique visitors, 15.1 million page views, and 5.7 million total game sessions. Additionally, the new Nick Game of the Week based on the special generated 1.2 million game sessions.[32] [33]

"The Clash of Triton" received mixed to positive reviews from critics. Steve Earhart called the episode "a hilarious special that runs perfect with the six other quirky and crazy-funny episode."[34] Shannon Gosney of The Mommy-Files said that "you'll love this special[...]"[35] Nancy Basile of the About.com said "it was funny enough and endearing enough to make it well worth watching."[36] Gord Lacey of TV Shows on DVD claimed "I enjoyed 'Clash of the Triton', and the bonus episode of Fanboy & Chum Chum was neat."[37] Ken Tucker of the Entertainment Weekly said "The values of SpongeBob remain intact. The script’s rapid-fire gags, the show's wildly bright color palette, and the series' resolute avoidance of heavy-handed messages combine to give Stephen Hillenburg's SpongeBob its adventurous energy." He added, "[''SpongeBob''] SquarePants just doesn't seem to get old, does it?"[7]

Maxie Zeus of Toon Zone said, "the plot isn't even well structured, being slack and inefficient about getting from one situation to the next." He added, "the whole special is like this: plot points clumsily rolled out to 'motivate' other plot points, which are themselves there only to motivate yet more plot points. But somehow, while they were distracted by all this wheezing machinery, they forgot to put any actual humor in."[38] Paul Mavis of DVD Talk said "'The Clash of Triton' spends way too much time on exposition, setting up the short's premise, while skimping on what should have been a priority: the jokes."[39] In his review for the DVD Verdict, Roy Hrab gave the episode's DVD a negative review and said "loud noises and frantic action fill the screen to little or no purpose. It's all punch lines and no jokes or clever set-ups."[40]

Notes and References

  1. https://www.bcdb.com/cartoons/Other_Studios/N/Nickelodeon/Nicktoons_Productions/SpongeBob_SquarePants/ SpongeBob SquarePants Episode Guide -Nicktoons Prods
  2. Web site: Serpe. Gina. Victoria Beckham Is Sponge(Bob)-Worthy. E!. May 29, 2013. April 8, 2009. April 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160416043839/http://www.eonline.com/news/117686/victoria-beckham-is-sponge-bob-worthy. live.
  3. Web site: Victoria Beckham Heads Under The Sea For 'SpongeBob'. Access Hollywood. May 29, 2013. April 8, 2009. March 8, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160308235302/http://www.accesshollywood.com/victoria-beckham-heads-under-the-sea-for-spongebob_article_16489. live.
  4. December 7, 2010 . SpongeBob SquarePants: Season 6, Vol. 2 ("The Clash of Triton" credits) . DVD. United States . Paramount Home Entertainment/Nickelodeon.
  5. Web site: Hudak. Joseph. SpongeBob Goes Greek!. TV Guide. May 29, 2013. July 5, 2010. September 18, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100918071334/http://www.tvguide.com/News/SpongeBob-Goes-Greek-1020158.aspx. live.
  6. Web site: Nickelodeon debuts SpongeBob SquarePants: The Clash of Triton. Toonbarn. May 3, 2013. June 17, 2010. December 3, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131203014011/http://www.toonbarn.com/spongebob/nickelodeon-debuts-spongebob-squarepants-the-clash-of-triton/. live.
  7. Web site: Tucker. Ken. SpongeBob SquarePants, 'The Clash of Triton': New episodes prove the importance of being SpongeBob. Entertainment Weekly. May 3, 2013. July 6, 2010. June 28, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130628171526/http://watching-tv.ew.com/2010/07/06/spongebob-squarepants-clash-of-triton/. live.
  8. Web site: Thomas. Devon. Victoria Beckham Lends Her Voice to "SpongeBob". CBS News. March 20, 2014. July 17, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20131112081319/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-20008078-10391698.html. November 12, 2013.
  9. Web site: Victoria Beckham to star in a new episode of SpongeBob SquarePants. Daily Mirror. May 29, 2013. July 15, 2010. June 20, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170620145930/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/victoria-beckham-to-star-in-a-new-episode-228859. live.
  10. Web site: Beckham Heads For Bikini Bottom To Play Spongebob Mermaid. Contact Music. May 29, 2013. July 15, 2010. January 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180102191501/http://www.contactmusic.com/news/beckham-heads-for-bikini-bottom-to-play-spongebob-mermaid_1147267. live.
  11. Web site: Duck. Charlotte. Victoria Beckham set for SpongeBob SquarePants role!. Glamour Magazine. May 29, 2013. June 16, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20101226145505/http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/celebrity/celebrity-news/2010/06/16/victoria-beckham-set-for-spongebob-squarepants-role-. December 26, 2010. mdy-all.
  12. Web site: Victoria Beckham has got a new job...in SpongeBob SquarePants. OK!. May 29, 2013. July 15, 2010. July 7, 2013. https://archive.today/20130707045905/http://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/view/22991/Victoria-Beckham-has-got-a-new-job-in-SpongeBob-SquarePants/. live.
  13. Web site: Victoria Beckham turned into queen on SpongeBob SquarePants. Metro. May 29, 2013. July 14, 2010. June 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180610201059/http://metro.co.uk/2010/06/14/victoria-beckham-turned-into-queen-on-spongebob-squarepants-389946/. live.
  14. Web site: Victoria Beckham to play princess in Spongebob Squarepants. Now Daily. May 29, 2013. April 6, 2009. January 4, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180104073134/http://www.nowmagazine.co.uk/tv-news/315302/victoria-beckham-to-play-princess-in-spongebob-squarepants. live.
  15. Web site: Victoria Beckham Lands SpongeBob SquarePants Cameo. Showbiz Spy. May 29, 2013. April 4, 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131112073308/http://www.showbizspy.com/article/183530/victoria-beckham-lands-spongebob-squarepants-cameo.html. November 12, 2013. mdy-all.
  16. Web site: Princess Posh in Spongebob!. https://web.archive.org/web/20131112073423/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-04-05/news-interviews/28010524_1_victoria-beckham-spice-girl-cartoon. dead. November 12, 2013. May 29, 2013. The Times of India. April 5, 2009.
  17. Web site: Fletcher. Alex. Beckham 'thrilled' by SpongeBob cameo. Digital Spy. May 29, 2013. June 15, 2010. January 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170118222425/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a227376/beckham-thrilled-by-spongebob-cameo.html. live.
  18. Web site: Beckham guest stars in Spongebob. BBC News. May 29, 2013. June 15, 2010. November 12, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131112073559/http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_8740000/newsid_8741400/8741427.stm. live.
  19. Web site: Victoria Beckham on SpongeBob SquarePants. Vogue. May 29, 2013. June 15, 2010. January 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180103011753/http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2010/06/15/victoria-beckham-in-spongebob-squarepants. live.
  20. Web site: Sebastian Bach To Clash With SpongeBob SquarePants. Anti Music. May 29, 2013. June 17, 2010. November 12, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131112073346/http://www.antimusic.com/news/10/june/17Sebastian_Bach_To_Clash_With_SpongeBob_SquarePants.shtml. live.
  21. Web site: Sciarretto. Amy. Skid Row's Sebastian Bach to Appear on 'SpongeBob SquarePants'. Noisecreep. March 20, 2014. July 1, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20131112081908/http://noisecreep.com/skid-row-sebastian-bach-spongebob-squarepants/. November 12, 2013.
  22. Web site: Gorman. Bill. SpongeBob's 'The Clash Of Triton' Special Featuring Victoria Beckham Premieres July 5. https://web.archive.org/web/20120927232649/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/06/14/spongebobs-the-clash-of-triton-special-featuring-victoria-beckham-premieres-july-5/54015/. dead. September 27, 2012. TV by the Numbers. May 3, 2013. July 14, 2010.
  23. Web site: Why are Victoria Beckham and Sebastian Bach hanging with 'SpongeBob'?. Los Angeles Times. May 29, 2013. July 15, 2010. June 12, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612135957/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/06/victoria-beckham-joins-adult-wave-into-spongebob-world.html. live.
  24. Web site: SpongeBob star Victoria Beckham. The List. May 29, 2013. July 15, 2010. December 3, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131203082245/http://www.list.co.uk/article/26362-spongebob-star-victoria-beckham/. live.
  25. Web site: Victoria Beckham to Star in SpongeBob. Daily Star. May 29, 2013. June 15, 2010. July 7, 2013. https://archive.today/20130707033733/http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/139884Victoria-Beckham-to-star-in-SpongeBobVictoria-Beckham-to-star-in-SpongeBob. live.
  26. Web site: Lambert. David. SpongeBob SquarePants – 'Triton's Revenge' DVD Includes Day-and-Date Special 'Clash of the Triton'. TV Shows on DVD. June 12, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131203012725/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/SpongeBob-SquarePants-Tritons_Revenge/13632. December 3, 2013. mdy-all.
  27. Web site: Mavis. Paul. SpongeBob SquarePants: Triton's Revenge. DVD Talk. June 12, 2013. July 8, 2010. October 11, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121011101253/http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/44570/spongebob-squarepants-tritons-revenge/. live.
  28. Web site: Lambert. David. SpongeBob SquarePants – Dive Into Season 6, Volume 1 on DVD this December! **UPDATE: PACKAGE ART!**. TV Shows on DVD. May 28, 2013. August 9, 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131110231612/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/SpongeBob-SquarePants-Season-6-Volume-1/12639. November 10, 2013. mdy-all.
  29. Web site: Mavis. Paul. SpongeBob SquarePants: Season 6, Volume 1. DVD Talk. May 28, 2013. December 7, 2009. November 10, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131110235705/http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/39656/spongebob-squarepants-season-6-v1/. live.
  30. Web site: Facebook . June 23, 2019 . September 23, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210923204714/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ftvshowsondvd%2Fphotos%2Fa.10151614436896063%2F10156879245486063%2F%3Ftype%3D3%26theater . live .
  31. Web site: Nickelodeon's "SpongeBob SquarePants" Episode "The Clash Of Triton" Brings In Big Numbers. Nickutopia. May 3, 2013. July 11, 2010. December 2, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20101202043519/http://www.nickutopia.com/2010/07/11/nickelodeons-spongebob-squarepants-episode-the-clash-of-triton-brings-in-big-numbers/. live.
  32. Web site: "SpongeBob and the Clash of Triton" Scores 5.2 Million Viewers. Toonzone. May 3, 2013. July 8, 2010. February 8, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160208190730/http://www.toonzone.net/2010/07/spongebob-and-the-clash-of-triton-scores-5-2-million-viewers/#.UYOPH6L-G5I. live.
  33. Web site: Gorman. Bill. SpongeBob "The Clash Of The Triton" Lands 5.2 Million Total Viewers. https://web.archive.org/web/20121022165520/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2010/07/08/spongebob-the-clash-of-the-triton-lands-5-2-million-total-viewers/56463/. dead. October 22, 2012. TV by the Numbers. May 3, 2013. July 8, 2010.
  34. Web site: Earhart. Steve. DVD Review – "SpongeBob SquarePanrt: Triton's Revenge". https://web.archive.org/web/20131203031027/http://www.steveearhart.info/dvd-review-spongebob-squarepants-tritons-revenge.html. dead. December 3, 2013. May 29, 2013.
  35. Web site: Gosney. Shannon. "SpongeBob Squarepants: Triton's Revenge" DVD Review. The Mommy-Files. May 29, 2013. July 17, 2010. March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075323/http://www.themommy-files.com/2010/07/spongebob-squarepants-tritons-revenge-dvd-review/. live.
  36. Web site: Basile. Nancy. "The Clash of the Triton" on SpongeBob SquarePants. About.com. May 29, 2013. July 5, 2010. May 13, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130513085357/http://animatedtv.about.com/b/2010/07/05/the-clash-of-the-triton-on-spongebob-squarepants.htm. live.
  37. Web site: Lacey. Gord. SpongeBob SquarePants – Triton's Revenge Review. TV Shows on DVD. June 12, 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131203010653/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/reviews/SpongeBob-SquarePants-Volume-Release/9996. December 3, 2013. mdy-all.
  38. Web site: Zeus. Maxie. "The Clash of Triton": Release the Kraken Already!. Toon Zone. May 29, 2013. July 2, 2010. February 8, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160208191012/http://www.toonzone.net/2010/07/the-clash-of-triton-release-the-kraken-already/. live.
  39. Web site: Mavis. Paul. SpongeBob SquarePants – Season Six, Volume 2. DVD Talk. June 27, 2013. December 2, 2010. November 12, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131112073529/http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/46452/spongebob-squarepants-season-six-volume-2/. live.
  40. Web site: Hrab. Roy. SpongeBob Squarepants: Triton's Revenge. DVD Verdict. June 28, 2013. September 11, 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130921122438/https://dvdverdict.com/reviews/tritonsrevenge.php. September 21, 2013. mdy-all.

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