Dr. Smart Science

Characters

• Patrick Star
• Sandy Cheeks
• Squidward Tentacles
• GrandPat Star
• Squidina Star ^(cameo)
• Template:Data:Links ^(pictured)
• Eugene H. Krabs ^(pictured)
• Sheldon J. Plankton ^(pictured)
• Bubble Bass ^(pictured)
• Realistic Fish Head ^(pictured)
• Gold-throated singer ^(pictured)
• Slappy
• Rock with face Template:Single appearance
• Fish model Template:Single appearance
• Plant control big Template:Single appearance
• Template:Data:Links
  • Incidental 1Apron
  • Carol
  • Incidental 30 ^(pictured)
  • Incidental 30A ^(pictured)
  • Incidental 82
  • Old Man Walker
  • Incidental 182Naked

Synopsis

The episode opens with Patrick doing a show called Dr. Smart Science with Prof. Patrick. Wearing a lab coat, Patrick gets behind a table and advertises his own healing crystals. However, one is a simple rock, which he throws out the window. Meanwhile, Sandy is researching plants outside the Star house when she catches the rock. Her pseudoscience detector goes off, pointing her in Patrick's direction. Patrick presents an astrology lecture as another vehicle to sell his crystals, until Sandy interrupts him. She explains that astrology is not legitimate, and decides to show him some real science.

File:Dr. Smart Science 061.png

Sandy shows Patrick a model volcano.

Sandy first tries to teach Patrick how a radio works. When she suggests they look inside, Patrick smashes it with a hammer. Next, she takes an X-ray of his body. Patrick sticks his head into his belly button and eats the food already in his stomach, causing it to reappear. The next experiment is a baking soda volcano, which Patrick adds too much baking soda to, and it floods the house.

The next topic is scientific electricity, demonstrated by GrandPat shuffling his feet on the carpet rapidly. In the meantime, they show how music can affect plant growth. A plant listening to classical music is proving scientific theorems, while another is rocking out to punk music. The control plant has yet to grow, since no music has been played for it. Patrick decides to bring in Squidward, because his playing is "not music at all." Squidward's clarinet playing causes the plant to grow quickly, but only so it can eat him and stop the music.

Next, Patrick goes into space to explain astronomy. He shows off some stars and then eats the ring around Saturn, catching the attention of Pat-Tron and Quasar. However, Patrick manages to eat their ship whole. Sandy flies up to space and tries to spray water at Patrick as punishment, but once she says that there is no water in space, Patrick dries up and explodes into a star.

Patrick and Sandy are suddenly struck by electricity, from GrandPat building up a static charge. He gets supercharged and becomes a being of pure electricity, breaking out of the house and causing chaos downtown. Sandy quickly supercharges Patrick with the aid of a carpet and treadmill, and they go out into the city to battle. Patrick gets knocked down by a blast from GrandPat, who laughs that the day is going just as his horoscope predicted.

File:Dr. Smart Science 196.png

Patrick spritzes GrandPat.

At the mention of GrandPat's horoscope, Patrick regains the energy to fly up to him and punish him for believing in pseudoscience. GrandPat is crushed by the giant mass of objects he is holding, and Patrick gives up his superpowers. While he and Sandy celebrate the power of science, GrandPat bursts from the rubble. Sandy uses one of Patrick's crystals to sap GrandPat energy, making him fall asleep. Realizing that pseudoscience can be useful as well, Sandy begins advertising her own power crystals.

Production

This episode was in production during 2022.

This episode was first seen on Nickelodeon's press schedule listings - unknowingly as episode "205b" on October 2, 2023, at 3:44 PM EDT, although the title and plot were unconfirmed.

Its title and plot were confirmed later in the day.

Promotional art

• Created by Eliza Herndon, the Patrick Star Instagram account, and Kenny Pittenger.

• File:30-31 Patstagram.jpg
• File:31b Patstagram.jpg
• File:31b promo art.jpeg
• File:TPSS Nov 2023 promotional art.jpg

Art

Model sheets

• Designed by Chris DeRose.

• Incidental 22
  Incidental 22
• Patrick in his mo-cap suit
  Patrick in his mo-cap suit
• Incidental 83 with a tin foil hat
  Incidental 83 with a tin foil hat
• Patrick with an X-Ray over him
  Patrick with an X-Ray over him
• Fish model
  Fish model
• Big control plant
  Big control plant
• Super Charged GrandPat
  Super Charged GrandPat
• Super Charged Patrick
  Super Charged Patrick
• Naked Inc182
  Naked Inc182
• Fred with an apron
  Fred with an apron
• Fred with a burnt chicken bone leg
  Fred with a burnt chicken bone leg
• Patrick unzipping his supercharged suit
  Patrick unzipping his supercharged suit

Prop design

• Designed by David Brueggeman.

• Sandy's eye through a magnifying glass
  Sandy's eye through a magnifying glass
• The S.S. Super Minnow with its attachments
  The S.S. Super Minnow with its attachments
• Electricity around a boatmobile being lifted
  Electricity around a boatmobile being lifted

Background design

• Traditionally painted by Amy Lewis but in watercolors, then line drawn in digitally on top. Art direction by Marta Knudsen and layouts by George Nachev, Tim Allen, and Rebekie Bennington.

• Old Man Walker's Patrick-themed room
  Old Man Walker's Patrick-themed room
• A chalkboard
  A chalkboard
• Process photos
  Process photos

Storyboards

• Rough boarded by Stephen Herczeg and Charlie Jackson, plussed by various storyboard artists, and revised by Eliza Herndon.

• File:325-210!.png
• File:210 storyboard 1.jpeg
• File:210 storyboard 6.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 2.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 1.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 5.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 6.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 7.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 8.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 9.jpeg
• File:210 storyboard 2.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 11.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 10.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 12.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 13.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 14.jpeg
• File:PAT "Dr. Smart Science with Prof. Patrick"
• File:210 storyboard 7.jpeg
• File:210 storyboard 8.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 19.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 20.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 22.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 23.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 24.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 25.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 26.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 27.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 28.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 29.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 30.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 31.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 32.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 33.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 34.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 35.jpeg

File:PAT210 storyboards.mp4

• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 36.jpeg
• File:Ssstwitter.com 1700432837204.gif
• File:210 storyboard 3.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 37.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 21.jpeg
• File:210 storyboard 4.jpeg
• File:210 storyboard 5.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 38.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 39.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 40.jpeg
• File:210 storyboard 9.jpeg

Deleted scenes

• According to Herndon, "this episode was *JAM PACKED*, so any fat had to be trimmed when necessary because there's just so much!" This scene where Patrick goes into his belly button and out his bottom was cut for time.

• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 15.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 16.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 17.jpeg
• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 17 and a half.jpeg

Thumbnails

• Drawn by Eliza Herndon. "This is usually how I approach scoping out the acting... just opening a blank page and scribbling anything that comes to mind as fast as possible to take the pressure off. My thumbs have gotten 100% more incoherent since...!"

• File:Dr Smart Science storyboard 18.png

Production notes

Eliza Herndon:

• Herndon said "to say this one put hair on my chest as an artist is an understatement!!" and that she "could *not* be more proud of our crew and how this [episode] came out."
  • She said she had been waiting a long time for it to air and it was one of the most fun episodes she'd been a part of.
• "This episode holds a particularly strong soft spot in my heart, since I was still on the tail end of my time at Kamp Koral and initially just pulled on as extra help. Since Patrick was the first show I started on, it was really extra special to be reunited with its unique world!"
• "I love all of the shows for different reasons, but TPSS holds an extra special niche in my heart for its oddball whimsy and innocence. Especially because it allows such a great contrast for more character-driven episodes (like this one!) where those moments feel extra special!"
• "I'm a sucker for character foils, so working with Pat/Sandy and seeing them play off of each other was super important. Sandy's knowledge is a little (a lot) above Pat's threshold, but you can still feel the gears turning! She's almost like a sister figure, which I think is sweet[.]"
  • "Patrick's love and obedience to the illogical is such a great contrast to Sandy's religious obedience of logic. I love that she preaches to the audience instead of Patrick, just resigning herself to acceptance HAHA. There is no stopping a hungry starfish!"
• "This episode was an entire learning experience from start to finish! [Tim Prendergast] really got me to develop a new love of FX animation--tracking all the trails and flickers and bits and bobs is cathartic to my detail oriented heart. I'm glad to still be learning new tricks to this day!"
• "I think these were my first (of many!) electricity scenes, which, again, was made much less daunting with Tim's thorough notes. Electric effects are still my favorite to do!"
• "I enjoyed leaning a bit more into Patrick's oblivious but well intentioned acting--you can tell everything Sandy is saying goes in one ear and out the other, but is important enough for him to know he should be paying attention."
• Herndon said she learned a ton from the climax. "It was definitely a "If I can do this then anything else will be a piece of cake"; that has both proven true and false! I don't know how we keep topping the madness, but I hope it never stops."
• "Again, I couldn't be more proud of our crew from start to finish. Everyone put their all into it and it absolutely shows! I'm incredibly lucky to be surrounded by so many talented artists. This show is really something special."

Chris DeRose:

• DeRose said this was "one of [his] personal favorite episodes to work on!!" and [hoped the audience] all enjoyed it too!!" He said he "[loved] how [it] all came out!!"

Trivia

General

File:NickVsNicktoonsDSC.png

Simulcasting. By the time Nick had started the episode, Nicktoons was already airing it.

• This episode's premiere, alongside the other three in its premiere week were simulcasted on Nicktoons. Due to Nicktoons' spacings of commercial breaks, the episode effectively debuted on that network first.
• This episode and its sister episode were uploaded onto the Nickelodeon UK YouTube channel on August 14, 2024. It was originally region-locked, so it can be viewed in the United Kingdom and Ireland only, but as of October 2024, it got changed so that it's now viewable to anyone outside of these countries.
• Going by the title card, the full title of this episode is "Dr. Smart Science with Prof. Patrick."
• The words seen in Patrick's intro are "E = MC^2," "Space-Time Continuum," "Flatulence," and "Gravity."
• The music played on Squidward's clarinet to make the giant plant grow is the same music that Gary plays in "The Paper." It is also used in the "Astrology with Squidward" shorts, which are referenced elsewhere in the episode.
• Squidina has a very small role in this episode, as she only gets one line at the beginning.
• Patrick switches out of his supercharged form by unzipping his entire body like a suit. This is also how he changes clothes in "FitzPatrick."
• A photo of Klopnod can be seen in the background when the plant grows and eats Squidward.
• Rock Bottom is mentioned briefly during Patrick's advertisement for his astrology book, as it is not available for purchase there.

Episode references

• Patrick has a wheel with various SpongeBob characters representing the astrology signs, referencing "Astrology with Squidward." Some of the signs, such as Leo, are even the same.
• Patrick's How Does That Work?! intro includes graphics reading "Wumbology," referencing "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy IV," and "Chum/Fun^2," referencing Plankton's "Chum is Fum" slogan in "Chum Bucket Supreme." There is also a reference to the episode "Salsa Imbecilicus."

Cultural references

• Crystal healing is an actual pseudo-scientific practice in which different types of crystals and stones are placed on or around the user's body as a means of improving their "energy," or general wellbeing. The practice is often capitalized on in a similar manner to how Patrick does in this episode, by means of selling specific types of crystals with alleged health benefits.
• A television screen featuring Patrick's spinning head is seen flying through space, referencing the opening to the 1993 educational show, Bill Nye the Science Guy.
  • Later in the episode, Patrick makes a reference to the "Did You Know That..." segment from the series, an occasional thing Bill does in select episodes.
• When Patrick goes into his belly button to eat the food inside his stomach and it is viewed on an X-ray, it is an allusion to the 1940 Looney Tunes cartoon "Patient Porky," where a cat looks at a cake in his stomach with an X-ray.
• Patrick is dressed up like Carl Sagan right before he gets shriveled up in space and says that is how a star is made.
• The plant that ate Squidward looks very similar to Audrey II from the Broadway musical and 1986 film, Little Shop of Horrors.

Videos

• File:The Patrick Star Show - New Episodes - Official Promo (Starting November 6, 2023)
• File:Catch Up Now on Your DVR or Nick OnDemand Promo (November 9, 2023)
• File:The Patrick Star Show FULL EPISODE - Movie Stars + Dr. Smart Science - Nickelodeon UK

Names in other languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Italian	La scienza secondo Patrick	Science According to Patrick
Russian	Ай да наука Ay da nauka	What a Science
Spanish (American)	Dr. Ciencia Inteligente	Dr. Smart Science
Spanish (European)	El Dr. ciencia con cabeza	Dr. Science with Head