Twenty-three years after its premiere episode, SpongeBob SquarePants is still one of television's most popular cartoon creations. Beloved by millions, the show is still relevant in the pop culture landscape, thanks in large part to its cast of memorable and hilarious characters.
Plankton, the series' defacto antagonist, is one such character. One percent evil and 99 percent hot gas, Plankton is more foolish than anything, and his plans often backfire due to his inadequacy. However, he is still a considerable threat to SpongeBob and his friends, and these quotes are the perfect way to prove it.
"F Is For Fire, That Burns Down The Whole Town!"
Season 1, Episode 10b, "F.U.N."
The "F.U.N." episode features SpongeBob forming a feeble friendship with Plankton. The two seem to get along great, but it's all a ruse for Plankton to steal the Krabby Patty formula.
Still, SpongeBob tries to help Plankton overcome his evil ways through a silly song, but Plankton's mind immediately goes to a dark place. Whereas SpongeBob sings about "friends who do stuff together," Plankton can only think of "fire that burns down the whole town." At one point, he even mentions uranium and bombs. For someone so small, Plankton sure packs a lot of rage in his body.
"Do Instruments Of Torture Count?"
Season 2, Episode 15b, "Band Geeks."
"Band Geeks" is arguably the best episode in SpongeBob SquarePants. It sees Squidward assemble a makeshift band to play at the famous Bubble Bowl, struggling to make the group sound like anything other than clumsy and inexperienced musicians.
In a surprisingly dark moment, Plankton asks if playing "instruments of torture" counts as having experience with "musical instruments." The idea of Plankton torturing anyone might seem farfetched, but he is an evil genius and comes up with multiple elaborate inventions throughout the show. It's not too far-fetched to believe he has engaged in a fair amount of torture.
"I Command You To Help Me Be A Nicer Person!"
Season 10, Episode 209b, "Plankton Gets The Boot."
In the pantheon of great Plankton episodes in SpongeBob SquarePants, "Plankton Gets The Boot" has a place of honor. It features Plankton getting kicked out of the Chum Bucket by Karen, his computer wife, prompting him to seek help from SpongeBob to become a better person.
However, Plankton is who he is, and his approach to "good" is wrong in every possible way. Even the prospect of losing his wife isn't enough to compel him to change; he stays selfish and rude even as the episode ends, proving that some people are just too stubborn.
"No, I'm Not On My Way To The Grand Opening Ceremony. I'm Busy Planning To Rule The World!"
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
SpongeBob SquarePants is one of several great animated shows to also get a movie. It follows SpongeBob and Patrick on a journey to recover King Neptune's crown after Plankton frames his old rival.
The movie is one of the few times Plankton's plan succeeds, making it clear that he is more than capable of fulfilling his world domination ambitions. Indeed, Plankton not only steals the Krabby Patty formula but enslaves all Bikini Bottom. His claims of "ruling the world" might sound ridiculous at first, but Plankton can make them a reality with enough hard work, and the film is the perfect proof.
"That's It, Mister! You Just Lost Your Brain Privileges!"
Season 2, Episode 14a, "Welcome To The Chum Bucket."
SpongeBob is an acquired taste. Not everyone can stand him, let alone deal with him, and Plankton learns it the hard way. When SpongeBob goes to work at the Chum Bucket, Plankton tries to charm the Krabby Patty formula away from him. However, SpongeBob becomes lazy and rude, prompting Plankton to take his brain out of his body and place it in a robot.
Unfortunately, robot SpongeBob is as annoying as actual SpongeBob. Still, Plankton went as far as actually killing SpongeBob. The moment is very dark when thinking about it, proving that Plankton is genuinely capable of the evilest deeds in his pursuit of the Krabby Patty formula.
"I'm As Evil As Ever. I'll Prove It Right Now By Stealing The Krabby Patty Secret Formula."
Season 8, Episode 163b, "Plankton's Good Eye."
SpongeBob SquarePants is full of important life lessons, like the dangers of obsession. Plankton is overcome by jealousy for Mr. Krabs' empire, expressed through his desire to steal the Krabby Patty formula. He seldomly thinks about anything else, and while his most ambitious plans include taking over Bikini Bottom eventually, his main concern is always the Krabby Patty.
Even when he seems to be about to change, Plankton reverts to his old ways. The season 8 episode "Plankton's Good Eye" sees him experience a change of heart after acquiring a second eye. However, it's all for naught, and he returns to his usual self, claiming he is "as evil as ever." Some things never change.
"I'm An Evil Genius. And You're Just A Kid! A Stupid Kid!"
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
SpongeBob goes through a life-changing journey in The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. Maturing and becoming more confident with his childish ways, SpongeBob learns that courage and innocence are not mutually exclusive.
Plankton, evil as ever, tries to make SpongeBob feel inadequate by insulting him and diminishing his achievements. However, SpongeBob still succeeds, thanks to his wholesome ways and can-do attitude. The movie features one of Plankton's few victories, but his glory is short-lived because his evil ways blind him to what is truly important.
"No Resting! This Monument Celebrating My glory Isn't Gonna Build Itself."
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
Plankton has severe self-esteem issues. Because of his tiny size, Plankton always finds himself crushed by someone larger. Few people notice he is even there, and when they do, they laugh at him and take him for granted.
It's no surprise that Plankton's dream is to dominate everyone who ever ignored or discarded him. In the movie, he submits everyone to his will, making them build monuments in his honor in his new city, Planktopolis. In one of his evilest moments, Plankton treats Bikini Bottom's citizens as animals, denying them any rest and forcing them to build one monument after another.
"It's Evil. It's Diabolical. It's Lemmon-Scented."
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie
Plankton's plans always backfire. Whether they are too elaborate to ever be feasible or because Plankton himself is too incompetent, his schemes never turn out the way he plans them. In The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, Plankton's Plan Z seems to be the ultimate solution to his problems. In his words, the plan is "evil," "diabolical," and "lemmon-scented."
Although things go sour in the end, Plan Z is the closest thing Plankton ever gets to a win. The fact that he had enough evil plans to fill the alphabet is concerning enough, but Plan Z's detail and extent prove that Plankton is genuinely intelligent.
"I See You. ZAP!"
Season 1, Episode 15a, "Sleepy Time."
One of Plankton's most memorable moments occurs in season one. SpongeBob gains the ability to enter other people's dreams and visits Plankton's, seeing him as a giant stomping over Bikini Bottom and destroying it with a laser from his one eye.
The fact that Plankton's fantasy is to tower over everyone and destroy everything speaks to his inferiority complex. It also cements his evil ways, confirming he is truly dangerous. If he could, he would have no problem with killing everyone in Bikini Bottom. Good thing it was only a dream.