Sonic X, Episode 1.16: Depths of Danger

Sonic X, Episode 1.16: Depths of Danger

Japanese Title: Aim for It! The Sunken Ship in the Southern Sea

Japanese Air Date: July 20th, 2003

U.S. Air Date: January 17th, 2004

Any long-time readers of this blog will know that I reviewed the Archie "Sonic X" comic quite some time ago. Thus far, during my watch-through of the actual series, I haven't seen too much stuff the comic ran with outside of the generic premise. The perturbed veterinarian that became a member of the evil organization S.O.N.I.C.X. in the comic was taken from a brief cameo in the second episode. That's about it, so far. That changes a little bit with episode 16. The sunken pirate ship that was the setting for the second issue of the comic is taken from this episode. As I watch more of this show, I will presumably see other little nuggets that the comic picked up.

At least the U.S. government has learned its lesson this time. Even though Eggman was seemingly defeated last episode, they are still scanning the oceans for any sign of him. This instinct is wise, as the doctor survives inside his sunken Egg Fort. Meanwhile, the Sonic team decide to go on a vacation to the Grand Sapphire Sea. While overhead, Tails detects another Chaos Emerald. After attempting to deal with Sonic's hydrophobia, the gang eventually rent some scuba gear and investigates. They find the Emerald inside a treasure chest aboard a legendary sunken pirate ship. Eggman, naturally, intervenes at this point.

Once again, my favorite thing about "Sonic X" is the semi-realistic way it explores the premise of Sonic landing on our world. In the first scene in this episode, Chuck presents the furries with something special: Social security cards, pass ports, flight licenses for Tails, and even a pet license for Cheese. (Much to Cream's chagrin, as she insists Cheese is a friend, not a pet.) How Chuck got these documents approved for alien cartoon animals so quickly, when actual human immigrants struggle to achieve these things, presumably has something to do with him being rich. Yes, Sonic, you are now an official person in the eyes of the government. Better start paying your taxes. 

Last review, I mentioned how I sort of like how this show has made a real supporting cast out of its goofy exclusive characters. Yet this has ups and downs. It's nice that Sam Speed and Bokkun aren't just running gags... Which means they are still basically running gags. Here, Bokkun's habit of presenting exploding video messages is accidentally visited on Eggman himself, which is pretty dumb. (Though the Japanese Bokkun is still less annoying than the screechy English version.) Later, Sam Speed swoops in out of nowhere on a jet ski to help Sonic out. Now come on. Is this race car driver/police contractor really just stalking his nephew everywhere and waiting to jump in whenever he can help? That stretches belief and, worst yet, is sloppy writing. 

Despite its flaws, this episode is still pretty amusing. Sonic's inability to swim, and associated fear of water, plays a big role. There's an amusing sequence where Chris tries various half-assed attempts to provide Sonic with oxygen as he traverses the ocean floor. Such as shoving a rubber hose in his mouth or having him carry a bell over his head. Predictably neither of these techniques work very well. The hedgehog's hydrophobia isn't just used for goofy sight gags. It actually increases tension in the last act, after Eggman attacks with a giant jellyfish robot and Sonic discovers he can't run fast underwater. 

Naturally, this aqua-hindrance only slows our hero down so much. After Sam Speed rides up on a jet ski, Sonic grabs a Power Ring and destroys the jellyfish bot in seconds. No, this is not the real challenge Sonic faces in this episode. Instead, this episode presents him with his greatest foe yet... Crab. Yes, this humble crustacean successfully defeats Sonic when he cleaves through his air hose and latches onto his ass. This sends the hedgehog paddling to the surface in a blind frenzy, knowing he's been beat. Yes, this pinching beachcomber accomplishes something Eggman never has: Bring Sonic to his knees. I can only assume this episode is the start of a great arc about Sonic and Crab's rivalry. I mean, it has to be important, because Crab even gets an info-card during the commercial break! Surely, TMS wouldn't throw one of those together for a random, toss-away gag character that does nothing important? 

In all seriousness, this episode is pretty sloppy from a writing perspective. Eggman just inflates some balloons in the Egg Fort and floats it to the surface, the military apparently having moved on, I guess. Maybe nobody just pays attention to this part of the ocean, as it takes Chris and the Sonic team a few minutes of walking to find this legendary sunken pirate wreck. It turns out the owner of the dive shop is the ancestor of the pirate captain, a plot point that has nothing to do with anything. Also, when Chris goes to buy the collection of "Thunderball"-style oxygen masks, we learn the government has passed a bill to pay for anything Sonic needs. That's a not-so-realistic touch there and unnecessary, considering Chris' family is fucking rich as hell. Does this superhero team really need government sponsorship? 

Despite these evident flaws, I can't rate an episode this goofy too harshly. This one made me laugh more than a few times and it actually moves the overall plot forward, as our heroes grab a new Chaos Emerald by the end. So that more than justifies its existence. Any episode that has Sonic getting into a crab battle and definitively loosing can't be all bad, even if it was obviously written in an afternoon. [6/10]