Sonic the Hedgehog, Episode 1.06: Sonic Racer

Sonic the Hedgehog, Episode 1.06: Sonic Racer
Original Air Date: October 23rd, 1993

As I mentioned in the previous review, I had several episodes of “SatAM” on VHS tapes as a kid. Looking it up, it seems six episodes were released across three tapes through the “DiC Toon Time Video” label. The first tape highlighted upcoming episode “Hooked on Sonics,” the third highlighted the previously reviewed “Super Sonic,” while the third release promoted “Sonic Racer” on the box. Upon looking at them, I'm fairly certain I had all three tapes. During those long years in-between “SatAM” disappearing from the airways and Shout Factory releasing the entire series on DVD in 2007, I definitely watched these tapes over and over again. And of the six collected episodes, “Sonic Racer” was definitely my favorite.

Once again, we must observe the formula. “Sonic Racer” is another episode that begins with Sonic and Sally (and also Bunnie) sneaking into Robotropolis to destroy one of Robotnik's generators. The mission is a success... But Robotnik just activates his back-up generator, voiding the Freedom Fighters' efforts. Nevertheless, the robotic tyrant is infuriated that Sonic got one over on him. He formulates a scheme with Snively to appeal to Sonic's ego: Throw a race to determine the fastest thing on Mobius, have Sonic naturally show to such an event, and throw as many pitfalls at him as possible. This includes a super-fast new robot specifically designed to match Sonic's speed. This is obviously a trap but Sonic shows up to the race anyway, claiming he'll be a distraction while the others work on destroying that back-up generator.

I have no doubt that “Sonic Racer” must've been among the earliest episode Len Jansen pitched. The premise is pretty much inevitable, isn't it? Sonic goes super fast. Eventually, we were going to get an episode structured around a race. What I especially appreciate about “Sonic Racer” though is how it plays up Sonic's flaws, not just his strengths. Obviously, he recognizes the race is a trap, as does everyone else. But he can't resist a chance to showboat. There's something like a moral here. Sonic ultimately sacrifices his chance at winning to save his friend, showing his heroism ultimately does outweigh his ego.

It's not exactly a humbling experience for the hedgehog though. Yes, he nearly dies a few times during the race. What racing through what is clearly last episode's Forbidden Zone, he nearly gets dragged into one of those bumbling sulfur pits by one of those mechanical crab claws. However, he remains especially quip-filled throughout the entire episode, both before and after. The opening sequence has him taunting one SWATBot after another, being super annoying in that typically Sonic way. After the super-fast Cheetah robot tosses Sonic into the air with an arm that extends from its back – an image that has been seared into my memory since childhood – he simply swings down from a conveniently placed flagpole, never breaking a sweat. But I guess that's in keeping with Sonic's personality.

Yet I suspect Sonic's lack of sweating over his tight situation probably isn't what drew me to this episode as a kid. More likely, it was the pretty cool action scenes the race sequence sets up. Sonic weaving in and around the Hover Units as they race through a tight canal is cool, as it that scene ending with one of the Units crashing directly into a wall. The Cheetah Bot – it's never given an official name – is a pretty cool one-off enemy. I really like the design, which invokes a skeleton and a reptile in addition to a cheetah. A villain that can match Sonic's speed certainly ups the tension through the episode, as Sonic is surprised and tangles with the robotic beastie.

Sonic and the race is obviously the star attraction here but there are other elements that work for me. Once again, the scenes of the Freedom Fighters sneaking around Robotropolis are surprisingly tense. As intelligent as Sally is, as strong as Bunnie is, there's always this lingering sense they really could be captured at any time. The very first minute of the episode is an evocative shot of Hover Units floating through the sludge-clogged, darkened areas of Robotropolis. That pulsating music plays as Sally and Bunnie attempt to overload the generator's computer, making what probably could've been simple kid's stuff in other hands into something more serious.

This is also a quality episode for Robotnik and Snively fans. Robotnik seems to especially relish his villainy here. I'm just now noticing that Robotnik almost never calls Sonic by his name, instead referring to him as “the hedgehog.” As if to show the hero is so beneath him, he can hardly be bothered to remember his name. Though he's also not self-aware enough to realize that his own ego is something he has in common with Sonic. There are two separate moments where Robotnik's eyes glow red, making him appear even more sinister. Snively is certainly sympathetic, up to a point. He sweats and panics as Robotnik gets increasingly pissed at him, as his schemes fail. Yet Robotnik's number one toady also seems to really enjoy plotting villainously.

(Though Robotnik's villainy is still chained by the standards of children's broadcasting. When Sonic shows up to the race in a red cloak, Robotnik goes up to the starting line and talks with him briefly... Instead of just, ya know, shooting him dead right then and there. Best I can fan-wank this is Robotnik's own ego insist he see Sonic fall to one of his plans, instead of opportunistically poppin' a cap in his hedgehog ass.)

And if you are into “SatAM” for the shipping – consider me guilty as charged - “Sonic Racer” provides some serious grist for the SonAlly crowd. When Sonic gets the notice about the race, Sally tells him its absolutely a trap. She expresses some concern about this – Kath Soucie's delivery of this dialogue is so goddamn good and genuine – that is a little more than just the sort of worry you express over a friend or teammate. After he heads off to the race, Sally is kept up at night, looking longingly out the window of a hut while Bunnie reads Tails a bedtime story. Okay, duh, there's no doubt Sonic and Sally are clearly a romantic couple. She gives him a kiss during the theme song of every episode, after all. But it makes this dead husk of a heart of my pump again when I see these cartoon characters expressing feelings for each other.

This is in general a good episode for the Freedom Fighters, with the exception of Rotor who is literally reduced to a background role here. Bunnie is so friggin' adorable here, Christina Cavanaugh's performance rarely sounding more warm and loving. Her dialogue with Sally during the first mission, her teasing of Antoine during the second mission, her reading “Little Red Riding Hood” to Tails (which features a reference to, uh, a “one-eyed snake”): They are all endearing as hell. Tails, though his part is minor, is pretty cute too, cheering Sonic on when he decides to participate in the race. And, of course, there's Antoine who is a cowardly buffoon all throughout the episode and nearly gets killed at the end. Really makes you wonder why he's ever invited along on missions.

The episode concludes on a striking note. The back-up generator is destroyed, presumably setting Robotnik's various machinations back quite a while. Sally delivers a rousing speech to the residents of Knothole around a campfire, assuring them that Mobius will be free of Robotnik's tyranny soon enough. It's a triumphant moment but one that you really feel like the heroes have earned. Probably because Sally's disappointment earlier in the episode was so palatable. Also, look around that fireplace for likely inspirations for Archie's Dylan the Porcupine, and Geoffrey St. John, as well as the second appearance of the pig that definitely became Hamlin.

The episode has its flaws. That Sonic never actually gets to defeat the Cheetah Bot is disappointing. There's some janky animation, including a really weird close-up on Robotnik's clenching and unclenching fist. Overall, however, “Sonic Racer” is a really strong episode. Is nostalgia clouding my judgment? Probably no more than usual! Therefore my opinion is totally objective and unquestionable. [8/10]