Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Episode 1.23: Grounder the Genius

Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Episode 1.23: Grounder the Genius

Original Air Date: September 17th, 1993

It might be hard to remember, now that we all carry the internet in our pockets, but computers were once thought of as a very exotic commodity. In the early nineties, home computers were just entrenched enough to be common place. The next wave of computer technology was fast approach. Words like “virtual reality,” “microchips,” and “the world wide web” were on everyone's lips, though most people didn't actually understand what these things could realistically do. In this environment, hack TV writers thought computers and the associated jargon were essentially magic. Considering the role robotics play in the “Sonic” universe, it's not surprising that “Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog” would put its stamp on the “computers can do anything!” genre.

As the title suggests, “Grounder the Genius” has Robotnik's most dim-witted robotic henchman suddenly becoming brilliant. However, that change doesn't actually take place until eight minutes into this 22 minute cartoon. The first third of the episode is devoted to Robotnik's new invention, a microchip powered helmet that should make him even smarter. Through some vaguely defined computer magic, Hacker – a mole friend of Sonic's who is, yes, a computer hacker – hijacks the program. Robotnik sends Scratch and Grounder to retrieve it and, through a mix-up, Grounder ends up getting a hold of the intelligence-boosting microchip. Grounder quickly captures Sonic, turns Scratch against Robotnik, and imprisons his former boss. But he didn't count on the power of friendship, as Tails arrives to free Sonic.

Even though I'm only ten episodes deep into my watch-through of “Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog,” some of the episode's have had pretty sweaty premises. “Sonic plays in the Olympics' or “Sonic helps a merman get laid” are barely stories. In this company, “Grounder becomes super-smart and turns the table on everyone” actually qualifies as a decent concept. Watching Gounder successfully outsmart everyone, turning Sonic to stone and locking up Robotnik, is satisfying to watch. At one point, Sonic tries on a disguise and attempts to hand Grounder a bomb but the newly super-smart robot sees right through the scheme. Garry Chalk, being a versatile performer, can easily play both a doofus and an erudite genius. 

Yet there's a little bit of a problem here. If “Adventures” was a serious show, this story probably would've made for a really strong episode. Sonic actually being challenged, outsmarted, and even defeated by a formerly foolish foe could've generate a lot of suspense and satisfying action. But “Adventures” is a comedy show. And the jokes just aren't here this time. Weirdly, Scratch gets most of the laughs. After the super-smart Grounder denounces Scratch's intelligence, the chicken bot says “I don't what that meant but I know it's an insult!” Which made me laugh a little. So did a scene where the chicken just assumes his new boss is making fun of him. A moment where Scratch and Grounder, pre-microchip, are pleased that they weren't crushed in their own trap – only for it to fall atop them – is recognizable as a gag. A sequence where Robotnik is transformed into a series of various balls – a tennis ball, a basketball, a football – is memorably bizarre, if nothing else.

I can't believe I'm saying this but this episode of “Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog” might be too story-driven to actually be funny. A lot of the gags here – Robotnik getting his intelligence zapped at the end, Scratch smacked with his own hammer, a misunderstanding of the phrase “bait” – all come and go without even generating a groan. There are moments that almost seem to be jokes, like Grounder bickering with Robotnik about what his new job title should be. Or the bad guys almost tricking Sonic with a Tails-resembling doll. (That is not, I must stress, Tails Doll.) Yet the punchlines never quite manifest.

What truly sticks out about this episode are the things that are just.. Weird. After Robotnik's brain-enhancing helmet is introduced, there's a weird scene transition. When Scratch is ranting at Grounder, there's a weird focus on the robot chicken's teeth. Why does a robot have teeth? When trying to escape the dungeon, Robotnik runs and dodges laser blasts in a surprisingly graceful manner. I can't tell if that's sloppy animation or an actual joke. The character of Hacker, never seen before or since despite Sonic and Tails treating him like an old friend, has the exact same voice as Lucas from “Best Hedgehog.” (Ian James Corlett voices Hacker. Lucas' voice actor was uncredited but, considering Corlett also voices Coconuts, I assume it's him.) It's a little distracting and the whole computer hacking element of the story makes no sense anyway.

Once again, the “Sonic Sez” segment forgoes any schtick or jokes. Sonic addresses the audience by pointing out that real people can't get a brain upgrade like Grounder did. You have to study hard and stay focused on learning if you hope to have academic success. Sonic stops just shy of saying “It's cool to stay in school!” (Or maybe “it's way past cool to stay in school!” would've been more his style.) As far as “Sonic Sez” segments go, it's not too cringey, though this moral is still kind of weird coming from Sonic. Again, Sonic is associated with going fast and his snarky attitude, not academics. 

So it's another middling episode of “Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog,” though less actively annoying than some episodes I've seen. It's a bummer because, with a little fine-tuning, this probably could've been a lot stronger. Also, I have no proof of this but I assume Sonic being turned into stone probably spring-boarded some poor furry deviant's fetish somewhere. Let's close the review on that thought. [5/10]