Sonic X, Episode 1.07: Party Hardly

Sonic X, Episode 1.07: Party Hardly

Japanese Title: Giant Free-for-All! Chris' House Party

Japanese Air Date: May 18th, 2003

U.S. Air Date: October 18th, 2003

"Sonic X" remains in a goofy mood as we head into the seventh episode. Chris' mom is still at home and, feeling guilty for never being there for her son, decides to throw a big party for him. In hopes of gathering some intel, Mr. Stewart also invites himself to the party. Chris' uncle – eventually revealed to be Sam Speed – will also be there. Chris' mom then suddenly leaves home again. Meanwhile, Cream is missing her mom and decides to make flower crowns to remind herself of home. Sonic races off to gather some prime flowers for her. Once the party starts, Chris and Chuck will have trouble hiding their furry friends from the visitors. Especially after Cream has an outburst.

It's becoming clear to me that "Sonic X's" early episodes are definitely closer in tone to "Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog" than "SatAM." Which is to say that "Party Hardly" is the third episode in a row where really nothing happens. Sonic is only in a few scenes and the story arc of collecting the Chaos Emeralds is no closer to being resolved. Eggman isn't even in this one! Well, actually, one thing of importance does happen here: The Thorndyke house staff learns that Sonic and the gang are living with them now. This will presumably mean fewer wacky sitcom-like shenanigans going forward. Which is good, as I don't think the charade could have believably been kept going much longer.

Granted, this only happens at the very end of the episode. Meaning "Party Hardly" is still largely devoted to aggressively wacky scenarios. Chris and Chuck have to perform goofy hand gestures to keep Mrs. Thorndyke from seeing Cream. Later, the little bunny fucks shit up in the kitchen for Ella. After the party starts, things get really ridiculous. Cream steps out into the open, Sonic taunts Sam Speed from a tree, and Tails and Amy go running through the room. Chris and Chuck attempt to gaslight Ella and Sam, saying they were just hallucinating the talking animals, which is pretty funny. Also Mr, Tanaka nonchalantly reveals he's been aware of Sonic and the others the entire time, presumably because Mr. Tanaka is aware of everything that goes on at the Thorndyke residence.

I'll admit, the increasingly absurd circumstances around Chris' deception did make me laugh. Sam Speed rattling off a list of the things he does fast, and everyone clearly finding this insufferable, is a decent gag. Especially when it's followed up with him saying he forgets things fast too. Another round of gaslighting ending with Tails and Amy's sudden intrusion, ruining the previous effort, is some madcap goofball fun. But one of the funniest moments in the episode is probably unintentional. We know he's doing it because he's a spy but Mr. Stewart imposing himself on Chris' personal life suggests he's too invested in this student. But don't worry, guys, he's not a pedophile. He's just a huge fanboy of Chris' mom, as he arrives with a bundle of roses and is genuinely disappointed when he learns she's not at home. 

Speaking of Chris' mom! The episode begins with her attempting to cook a huge meal for Chris and burning every single item. Chris pretends not to be disappointed, presumably to protect his celebrity parent's fragile ego. But this is not the reason Lindsey Thorndyke is a shitty mother. Mere hours before Chris' party is set to start, Lindsey gets a phone call from her agent. She's been offered a movie role. Filming starts tomorrow and she has to do a press conference that night. She tearfully bemoans that she has to leave Chris behind again. Ya know, Lindsey, you could just... turn the offer down? I mean, you haven't read the script. Do you even know what the movie is about? Why are you accepting this job sight unseen? It's not like you need the money. You're married to Jeff Bezos, for fucks' sake. I can only conclude that being around her child is so painfully uncomfortable for Lindsey that she takes any excuse to leave him at home. All the tears and guilt are a façade. She is an actress, after all. 

Being abandoned once again by parents that clearly hate him leaves Chris crestfallen. At one point, he verbalizes his disappointment that mom isn't around. This causes Cream to launch into a rant at the boy, prompting her to say she hates him. If that seems like an overreaction, it's because Cream misses her own mom so much. This little bunny's mom is so sacred to her, that besmirching the name of any mother anywhere is blasphemous to her. Cream is basically a toddler, so she can be forgiven for this. Though you'd think she'd relate to Chris' plight, instead of criticizing him for it. He's even forced to apologize to her at the end, which seems pretty unfair to the kid. I'm honestly starting to feel sorry for the poor little rich boy. His life is so fucked-up. 

By the way, I love how hilariously melodramatic the Japanese title is for this episode. Describing this small gathering, even one that sinks into chaos, as a "Giant Free-For-All" seems to be overstating it a bit, don't you think? Anyway, it's another very dumb and mildly useless episode but it made me laugh a few times, so I guess its existence is justified. My patience is starting to run out but, for the time being, I still don't hate "Sonic X" yet. [6/10]