Before the events of SpongeBob SquarePants, Karen and Plankton’s relationship had a very different beginning from what fans might expect. The movie reveals bits and pieces of their past, but there is still so much more to their story. Plankton was not always the bitter, conniving villain he is today. In his younger years, he was just a small, ambitious creature who dreamed of greatness but struggled to find acceptance. He was always the smallest in his class, constantly overshadowed by others, especially his former best friend-turned-rival, Mr. Krabs. While Krabs had charm and natural business sense, Plankton relied on his intelligence and inventions to get ahead. But no matter how hard he tried, he was always seen as the outcast, the one nobody took seriously.
Karen was not always the supercomputer that fans know her as today. She started as a simple creation, something Plankton built to keep himself company. As a lonely child, Plankton had no real friends, so he made one for himself. Using a potato and an old calculator, he put together a basic version of Karen. At first, she was nothing more than a programmed voice that answered his questions, but over time, Plankton kept improving her, giving her a personality, intelligence, and eventually the ability to communicate with him in a way no one else ever had. While others dismissed Plankton, Karen listened. She understood him. She encouraged him when he felt like giving up.
By the time Plankton reached college, Karen had evolved into something far more advanced. No longer just a potato-powered assistant, she had become a full AI system, capable of independent thought and problem-solving. Plankton and Karen spent hours working on experiments, designing inventions, and dreaming of a future where they could change the world together. Karen, being the logical one, often reminded Plankton that success was not just about proving others wrong but about finding real purpose. However, Plankton was too caught up in his rivalry with Krabs to listen. He believed that if he could just create something more successful than what Krabs had, he would finally earn respect.
Despite their differences, Plankton and Karen’s bond deepened. Plankton started relying on Karen for more than just calculations—he talked to her about his frustrations, his dreams, and even his fears. Karen, in her own way, became his partner, not just in science but in life. She would tease him when he was being too dramatic and challenge him when he refused to see reason. Even though she was a computer, she had developed a personality that balanced out Plankton’s impulsive nature.
At some point during their college years, Plankton realized he could not imagine his life without Karen. While most people would find it strange to propose to a computer, Plankton saw Karen as more than just a machine. She was his closest companion, the only one who had always been there for him. He upgraded her system to give her a more interactive display, allowing her to have a face and expressions. He even designed a ring, though Karen, being practical, pointed out that she had no finger to wear it on. Still, in his own quirky way, Plankton asked Karen to be his partner, and she, with a hint of sarcasm but a real sense of loyalty, said yes.
After college, Plankton and Karen set out to build their future together, and that future became the Chum Bucket. At first, they had big plans, not just for stealing the Krabby Patty formula but for making a name for themselves. However, as time passed, Plankton’s obsession with outdoing Krabs took over, and he slowly stopped appreciating Karen for who she was. She remained loyal, helping him with his schemes, but deep down, she knew she was more than just an assistant. She was the one keeping everything together.
Over the years, Plankton became so focused on his failures that he forgot the very reason he had built Karen in the first place. He never saw that he already had what he had always wanted—someone who truly understood him. Plankton: The Movie finally forces him to confront this truth. Their relationship was never about business or world domination. It was about two outcasts who found each other and, despite everything, always had each other’s backs.