Critics frequently label this as a "ScumBob" era low point due to what they perceive as mean-spirited writing.
According to reviewers on platforms like SpongeBuddy Mania and TV Tropes , the consensus is split: [S9E30] Restraining SpongeBob
: Many viewers found Patrick's "protection" of SpongeBob genuinely funny. After SpongeBob is legally barred from approaching Squidward, Patrick steps in as a middleman, only to end up being even more obnoxious to Squidward than SpongeBob ever was. Critics frequently label this as a "ScumBob" era
“This episode is very boring... the scene where Squidward is deep fried and eaten by a customer is very mean-spirited.” ScumBob Wiki Patrick steps in as a middleman