SpongeBob SquarePants [s7:e09A]

Back to the Past

by Casey Alexander, Zedus Cervas, and Dani Michaeli, directed by Casey Alexander et al.

Release: 15 February 2010
Format: Cartoon
Genres: Superhero, Comedy
Audience: Children
Content: Definite Time Travel
Original Language: English

SpongeBob, Patrick, and their two superhero friends head back to the days when the old superheroes were young. Can you guess who it was back in that past who ate all of Mermaid Man’s tartar sauce, unintentionally altering the future? Note: The old superheroes were voiced by Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conway; their young counterparts were Adam West and Burt Ward.

— Michael Main

This device allows us to transport into the future or past, at a date or destination of our choosing. Unfortunately, the consequences of altering the order of history are so dangerous [thunder], we’ve chosen to leave it alone. So you mustn’t touch!

DEBUT

“Back to the Past” (Nickelodeon (USA, 15 February 2010).

VARIANTS

1 English variant

DERIVATIVE WORKS

“And Krabs Saves the Day” [writer and director unknown], (SpongeBob SquarePants Mini 69, Nickelodean (USA, 14 June 2011).

TAGS(SPOILERS!)

Time Periods

Circa AD 1960 to 1969: a guess at the earlier time, based on the use of Adam West and Burt Ward’s voices
Circa AD 2000 to 2099: presumed time period

Timeline Models

Fragile Timeline: It all starts when Patrick eats all of young Mermain Man’s tartar sauce.

Time Travel Methods

Time Habitats: Mermaid Man and Barnacle Bob’s Locker of Memories, which is about the size of a double garage

Themes

Caution! Do Not Destroy Spacetime Continuum!: —Unfortunately, the consequences of altering the order of history are so dangerous [thunder!] we’ve chosen to leave it alone.
Fix Your Time Travel Screw-Up!
Repeat until You Get It Right
Self-Visitation
Selves-Visitation

Groupings

TIME TRAVEL ITINERARY (SPOILERS!)

From Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy’s house in Bikini Bottom, present day ⋙ to Bikini Bottom, when the superheroes were in their prime. Note: MM, BB, SS, and Patrick.
From an unknown time ⋙ to Bikini Bottom, now Man-Ray-Opolis!, present day. Note: Only SS and Patrick return.
From an unknown time ⋙ to Bikini Bottom, back to try fixing their foul up. Note: SS and Patrick.
From unspecified times and locations at an unknown time ⋙ to Bikini Bottom, back to the foul-up again. Multiple trips. Note: Everybody, including Man Ray!

INDEXER NOTES (SPOILERS!)

Credits—Are taken from the opening credits rather than the end credits.