Sonic Prime, Episode 1.02: The Yoke’s on You

Sonic Prime, Episode 1.02: The Yoke’s on You

Original Release Date: December 15th, 2022

The second episode of “Sonic Prime” has a title that I’m really surprised a previous “Sonic” cartoon hasn’t used already. You’d think “Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog,” with its love of egg puns, would’ve gotten to this one. Anyway, “The Yoke’s on You” begins with another flashback to Green Hill Zone. Shadow is becomes aware of the dimensional shatter somehow and tries to stop it before it happens. Back in New Yoke City, the Chaos Council attempt to extract the Paradox Prism energy from Sonic. That’s when Rebel Rouge and Renegade Knucks – this universe’s version of Rouge and Knuckles and leaders of an underground resistance – decide to sneak in and rescue Sonic. Robot smashing ensues. 

I’m happy to say this episode is an improvement over the first. Now that the general premise is established, “Prime” can work a little more on its cast… Sort of. See, the opening scene with Shadow is an interesting choice. It’s already clear that Shadow exists outside the shattered universe set-up. He’s probably going to be weaving in and out of the episodes, trying to unravel what has happened overall. Its a little odd to put that front-and-center, when there’s still so much other stuff that needs to be established… 

But I get it. Shadow is popular! The Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy rival thing is an evergreen dynamic in action cartoons for a reason. I like Ian Hanlin’s vocal performance, as he sounds suitably broody and gruff but not in an exaggerated, silly way. He still has that unsteady relationship with Sonic and little patience for the other hedgehog’s jokes and japes. Watching these two bounce off each other, literally and figuratively, is amusing. The side-to-side motions his legs make when using his “air shoes” looks goofy though. Not the best decision in a show that is otherwise well animated. 

More compelling to me are the other introductions in this episode. After their brief appearances last time, “Rebel” Rouge and “Renegade Knocks” get more screen time here. What makes these scenes really delightful is that Rouge and Knuckles’ flirtatious relationship is maintained. Even though “Prime’s” Rouge is clearly not the morally gray character she’s been portrayed as in the past, I like that she still teases Knuckles. The scene of them talking on a rooftop or sneaking through the interior of Eggman’s base are adorable. For whatever reason, Renegade Knocks has a different voice actor from Prime Knuckles. Vincent Tong gives him a slight Brooklyn accent, which matches his tough guy exterior. Gives me Raphael vibes, which I dig.

I didn’t really get into my thoughts on the Chaos Council last time, because the review was already running long. The exact motivation and machinations behind there being a cadre of Eggmen have yet to be explained. On paper, the idea of an evil council made of Eggman from different stages in his life is amusing. This means we have Baby Eggman, Teenage Gamer Eggman with colored tips, Twenty-Something Hipster Eggman with tattoos and a goatee, Middle-Aged Eggman who seems most similar to the classic variety but wears an ugly toupee, and Old Eggman who has a white beard and hobbles around with a cane. Whether or not these variations emerge as notable characters in their own right, or even intimidating villains, remains to be seen. I already get the impression that this show finds the idea of a blabbering Babby Eggman and a doddering Elderly Eggman much funnier than I do. 

And that last point is what's sticking in my teeth the most about this show, so far: The comic relief is distracting. During Sonic's fight with Shadow, the blue hedgehog is cracking jokes and doing goofy faces. There's even a Deadpoolian fourth wall break. Sure, that's in-character for Sonic. These characters directly addressing the audience is nothing new. but it also deflates any tension in the scene. Later, while bound and about to be de-energized, Sonic acts slightly drunk and makes a lot of goofy quips. Far too much winking ensues. This especially makes it hard to take a rather grim moment seriously. Not to mention it makes Sonic – very passive in this episode – kind of annoying. The wise cracks only make him cool and fun if they are actually amusing and paired with a can-do, superpowered hero. 

Maybe the writers felt the need to include some much intrusive comedy because the setting of New Yoke City is actually effectively grim. We get a better grip on what an Orwellian hellscape this is in "The Yoke's On You." Citizens are constantly observed by robotic drones, who also pump digitally manipulated propaganda into the air. A brief glimpse at an apartment complex suggests the city’s residents are brainwashed by a deluge of Eggman-centric signals. That makes this one of the darker versions of the Eggman Empire and I hope future episodes lean into that more. A citywide blackout Sonic causes seems to wake up a lot of people, so hopefully rebellion and resistance continue to be a big theme going forward. 

By the way, Chaos Emeralds do exist in this show. Shadow finds one inside a rock and uses it to Chaos Control. What purpose – if any – they have in the show beyond that remains to be seen. And though this show skips an opening, owing to Netflix’s format making such things obsolete, the music is decent. The end credits theme has an exciting, pop-punk feel to it that suits Sonic. Needs some lyrics about gotta-going-fast or Blue Streaks speeding by to really sell it though… “Sonic Prime” still hasn’t found its footing, to me. Yet episode two is definitely an improvement over the premiere, if only because the characters and their conflicts are a little more fleshed out now. [6.5/10]