The 'Plankton Got Served' meme originates from the SpongeBob SquarePants episode 'Krabs vs. Plankton,' where Plankton attempts to sue Mr. Krabs but finds himself on the receiving end of a legal counter-strike. The image typically shows Plankton looking tiny and overwhelmed as he holds a document that usually represents a harsh reality, a legal threat, or an unexpected consequence. It has become a staple for internet users to describe moments of being 'served'—either literally with legal documents or figuratively with a comeback or unavoidable truth. The template is highly versatile for depicting situations where someone's grand plans are immediately halted by a single piece of bad news.