SpongeBob's Pest of the West told the story of SpongeBob's ancestor, SpongeBuck SquarePants, and how he saved Bikini Gulch from Plankton's ancestor, Dead-Eye Plankton. I know that Pest of the West was an origin story set in the Old West; but could it have also worked as an alternate origin story for SpongeBob, by telling the story of how he became the fry-cook for the Krusty Kantina, which would later become the Krusty Krab?
The Pilot episode, Help Wanted, told the story of how SpongeBob got his job at the Krusty Krab; and the episode, Plankton, told the story of how SpongeBob met Plankton (although, Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years might've changed that a little). I know that both of these episodes are set in the modern era; but what if Pest of the West served not only as an alternate retelling of Help Wanted and Plankton; but also as an alternate origin story for SpongeBob's rivalry with Plankton? True, it might seem far-fetched; but let's look at Pest of the West from this perspective:
SpongeBuck comes to Bikini Gulch to get a job as a frycook at the Krusty Kantina, and he ends up getting tricked into being sheriff. SpongBuck then meets the ancestors of Squidward, Mr. Krabs, Patrick, and Plankton. Dead-Eye Plankton then challenges SpongBuck to a Western fight "at high noon", which SpongeBuck wins by stepping on Plankton.
To honor SpongeBuck for beating Dead-Eye Plankton, and saving the town, the townspeople make a gold statue of him, and they give him a new badge, which says "Fry-cook". Dead-Eye Plankton said, "History will vindicate me!" Indicating that he (as Plankton) will get his revenge, foreshadowing future events with Plankton. SpongeBob ends the episode by saying, "Maybe someday, people will know the name, SpongeBob SquarePants!" Thereby, setting up the events of the entire SpongeBob series.
What do you think? Could Pest of the West have served as the true origin story for SpongeBob SquarePants? Or Could it have served better as an alternate origin story/retelling of the episodes, Help Wanted and Plankton by explaining how SpongeBob became the Krusty Krab's fry-cook, how he met Plankton, and how their rivalry got started?
(References: SpongeBob SquarePants- Help Wanted; Plankton; Pest of the West; by Stephen HillenBurg; Google Images- SpongeBob Galaxy Wiki- SpongeBuck SquarePants)
