Ep 1. Help Wanted/Reef Blowers/Tea at the Treedome

In the first episode of SpongeBob SquarePants season 1, titled "Help Wanted/Reef Blowers/Tea at the Treedome," viewers are introduced to the vibrant undersea world of Bikini Bottom and its beloved protagonist, SpongeBob SquarePants.

The episode opens with SpongeBob eagerly applying for a job at the local fast food joint, the Krusty Krab. Despite his enthusiasm, the miserly owner, Mr. Krabs, initially rejects SpongeBob's application. However, when the Krusty Krab's fry cook suddenly quits, Mr. Krabs begrudgingly hires SpongeBob on the spot. SpongeBob's eagerness to please, paired with his lack of experience and hilarious mishaps, make for a rollicking start to the series.

Next, in "Reef Blowers," SpongeBob and his cranky neighbor, Squidward, engage in a turf war over an errant speck of dirt. The duo's attempts to outdo each other with increasingly elaborate methods of cleaning the speck result in a destructive, yet hilarious, showdown.

Finally, in "Tea at the Treedome," SpongeBob meets Sandy Cheeks, a bikini-clad squirrel from Texas who has taken up residence in a large air-filled dome in the middle of Bikini Bottom. When Sandy invites SpongeBob over for tea, he eagerly accepts, but is soon overwhelmed by the treedome's lack of water and its myriad of dry land customs.

Overall, "Help Wanted/Reef Blowers/Tea at the Treedome" offers a lively mix of humor, adventure, and silly antics that have since become hallmarks of the SpongeBob SquarePants franchise. The episode introduces viewers to a cast of colorful characters and a witty, irreverent tone that has made the show a beloved classic among both children and adults.