Here is the very first episode of the Saturday morning Sonic the Hedgehog series, the pilot that ended up airing at the end of the first season. Looking at it, you can tell this series got off to a rocky start, as this episode is not on par with what came after it, but we have to keep in mind that this was only the pilot and changes could be made, and it's a good thing they were. At the time, the only other series starring the blue hedgehog was Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, which is all kinds of wacky and zany. This show was planning to have a much darker tone, but this first outing does retain some of the wackiness found in the Adventures series. As I watched it, I kept telling myself this was only the first episode and there was plenty of room for growth and the chance to make it less goofy, whereas the Adventures series was made MORE goofy. So, how does this cult classic series begin? We know Sonic and his animal allies have become freedom fighters against the tyrannical Dr. Robotnik and his bid for world domination. There's a lot of story behind this, but this pilot starts off rather simple, and I guess that's a good idea. Lay everything out gradually instead of just hitting the audience over the head with everything all at once. We open on Robotnik returning to Mobius from... somewhere. His weaseling, sniveling assistant Snively is waiting to greet him, and this is guy who even the robots laugh at. First thing on Botsy's agenda is wanting to know of Sonic's whereabouts, but when he can't be located, he spots Tails and orders him to be captured, which would draw the hedgehog out. Actually, Sonic wasn't too far away, because while Tails was picking flowers, Sonic was jamming out a new tune simply called "Way Past Cool", which it most certainly isn't. Just as one of Robotnik's buzz bomber robots, which looks very similar to Zinger from Donkey Kong Country, is about to capture Tails, Sonic saves him and they book it to Knothole Village, where the rest of the freedom fighters have set up their base. You know the gang: Bunny, Sally, useless Antoine, and the somewhat bumbling Rotor. Right away, Sally gets mad at Sonic for screwing around instead of helping them build the catapults, and yeah, he was slacking responsibility, but at the same time, his strengths lie on removing any threats that come their way and rescuing any of them who get captured, so I would cut him just a little slack. The catapults aren't functioning properly because they need metal cotter pins, and in this situation, they can't simply go down to 7-Eleven and buy some. Sonic will have to venture into the big city: Robotropolis, and procure some without getting caught by Swat Bots. Tails wants to tag along, despite Sonic's warnings about the dangers of that evil robot infested city, however the fox guilts him into taking him along. With help from a power ring, an invention of Sonic's beloved Uncle Chuck, they set off, with Tails tucked inside Sonic's backpack, which makes him change size from time to time.
Robotropolis is a dark, dismal place that's controlled entirely by automated factories that pollute the air and cover the streets with sludge and junk, all courtesy of Dr. Robotnik and his quest for power and riches. The citizens were all roboticized and forced to slave away for him. Yeah, instead of trying to take over the world, here, Dr. Robotnik has succeeded. He's a far more dangerous adversary than the one in the Adventures series. Maybe because this one doesn't have two stupid robots like Scratch and Grounder to help him. Anyway, once Sonic and Tails arrive in the city, the former recognizes his dog, Muttsky, now a dangerous robot pooch with a thirst for hedgehog blood. However, Sonic does temporarily manage to fight the heart still inside Muttsky and promises some day he'll return him back to normal. How will be do that? If it was possible to change somebody robotocized back into an organic being, why couldn't they do that for Bunny, who's part robot, and what about Robotnik's arm? You'd think he of all people could find a way to undo that. So after having to leave his poor pooch and bowling over an army of Swat Bots, Sonic and Tails end up in a ventilation shaft, directly over Dr. Robotnik, who was unveiling his evil plans of spraying a deadly toxin over the forests, killing the trees and revealing where the freedom fighters are hidden. Deforestation, definitely not something beneath this man. Sonic begins to regret bringing Tails along, as he kept getting sick with every super spin and now, directly over the villain's head and risking danger of being exposed, Tails says he has to go potty. Oh, and he predictably sneezes, making them fall through the grate and be welcomed by the big man himself. Just like the Adventures series, they make Tails a wimpy, helpless kid. He wasn't like that in the video games, so I can't understand why they have two series showing him in such a capacity. Anyway, with our heroes cornered, Sonic busts out the power ring and after harnessing its energy, they bowl down the Swat Bots and haul ass right out of there. Once back at Knothole, Sonic breaks out the cotter pins, so now their catapults are fully functional. They haven't a second to lose, as a whole swarm of buzz bombers with the tree-killing poison are en route, all being controlled by Snively. Robotnik even invented a hedgehog-seeking missile to turn his enemy into a big, blue stain on the floor. To lure the buzz bombers, Sonic taunts them and even rides the hedgehog-seeking missile like a horse. The others fire the catapults containing water balloons... just go with it- at the robot bees, shorting them out and making them drop their payload into a canyon, far from the trees. Then, they do something I don't know why they programmed for and retreat. Furious that his plan failed, Robotnik goes and beats up Snively, even though it isn't his fault that the doc's worthless machines didn't do what they were supposed to. Well, they foiled Robotnik this time, but you know he'll try again. He'll fail a hundred times before he gives up trying to capture himself that pesky hedgehog and his plucky friends.
Okay, to sum up Heads or Tails, it was a very good effort. The animation is good, even if the characters go off model quite a bit, but again, this was the first episode. The voice acting was really good, and it showed some of the actors were still getting used to their characters. For Jaleel White, this was a walk in the park, but of course, the best performance is Jim Cummings as Dr. Robotnik. I never get tired of hearing that dark, sinister voice. This version of Robotnik is probably the best ever created, and he makes for one of the best animated villains on TV at the time. Those familiar with the Saturday Sonic series can definitely notice how this one differs from the other episodes, as some characters like Sally and Rotor look much different, and while I'm glad Tails got to be a part of this adventure this time, as he's unfortunately downplayed in the rest of the series, he sure was annoying. Look, in the video games and other Sonic lore, Tails may be young and a tad naive, but he's also very handy with gadgets and knows a thing or two about science. How did DiC see that as meaning wimpy little baby for Sonic to constantly rescue? That is a pet peeve of mine with this series and the Adventures one. I've played the original games and the only thing that separates Tails from Sonic is that he isn't as fast. That's it. But, all that aside, this episode is okay, as the writing is pretty good and the music has a good flow, and that opening song is terrific! If you're a Sonic fan and you want to see how the Saturday morning series got started, then check out Heads or Tails, but keep an open mind and remember this was only the first episode. There was room for improvement, which it got.
Robotropolis is a dark, dismal place that's controlled entirely by automated factories that pollute the air and cover the streets with sludge and junk, all courtesy of Dr. Robotnik and his quest for power and riches. The citizens were all roboticized and forced to slave away for him. Yeah, instead of trying to take over the world, here, Dr. Robotnik has succeeded. He's a far more dangerous adversary than the one in the Adventures series. Maybe because this one doesn't have two stupid robots like Scratch and Grounder to help him. Anyway, once Sonic and Tails arrive in the city, the former recognizes his dog, Muttsky, now a dangerous robot pooch with a thirst for hedgehog blood. However, Sonic does temporarily manage to fight the heart still inside Muttsky and promises some day he'll return him back to normal. How will be do that? If it was possible to change somebody robotocized back into an organic being, why couldn't they do that for Bunny, who's part robot, and what about Robotnik's arm? You'd think he of all people could find a way to undo that. So after having to leave his poor pooch and bowling over an army of Swat Bots, Sonic and Tails end up in a ventilation shaft, directly over Dr. Robotnik, who was unveiling his evil plans of spraying a deadly toxin over the forests, killing the trees and revealing where the freedom fighters are hidden. Deforestation, definitely not something beneath this man. Sonic begins to regret bringing Tails along, as he kept getting sick with every super spin and now, directly over the villain's head and risking danger of being exposed, Tails says he has to go potty. Oh, and he predictably sneezes, making them fall through the grate and be welcomed by the big man himself. Just like the Adventures series, they make Tails a wimpy, helpless kid. He wasn't like that in the video games, so I can't understand why they have two series showing him in such a capacity. Anyway, with our heroes cornered, Sonic busts out the power ring and after harnessing its energy, they bowl down the Swat Bots and haul ass right out of there. Once back at Knothole, Sonic breaks out the cotter pins, so now their catapults are fully functional. They haven't a second to lose, as a whole swarm of buzz bombers with the tree-killing poison are en route, all being controlled by Snively. Robotnik even invented a hedgehog-seeking missile to turn his enemy into a big, blue stain on the floor. To lure the buzz bombers, Sonic taunts them and even rides the hedgehog-seeking missile like a horse. The others fire the catapults containing water balloons... just go with it- at the robot bees, shorting them out and making them drop their payload into a canyon, far from the trees. Then, they do something I don't know why they programmed for and retreat. Furious that his plan failed, Robotnik goes and beats up Snively, even though it isn't his fault that the doc's worthless machines didn't do what they were supposed to. Well, they foiled Robotnik this time, but you know he'll try again. He'll fail a hundred times before he gives up trying to capture himself that pesky hedgehog and his plucky friends.
Okay, to sum up Heads or Tails, it was a very good effort. The animation is good, even if the characters go off model quite a bit, but again, this was the first episode. The voice acting was really good, and it showed some of the actors were still getting used to their characters. For Jaleel White, this was a walk in the park, but of course, the best performance is Jim Cummings as Dr. Robotnik. I never get tired of hearing that dark, sinister voice. This version of Robotnik is probably the best ever created, and he makes for one of the best animated villains on TV at the time. Those familiar with the Saturday Sonic series can definitely notice how this one differs from the other episodes, as some characters like Sally and Rotor look much different, and while I'm glad Tails got to be a part of this adventure this time, as he's unfortunately downplayed in the rest of the series, he sure was annoying. Look, in the video games and other Sonic lore, Tails may be young and a tad naive, but he's also very handy with gadgets and knows a thing or two about science. How did DiC see that as meaning wimpy little baby for Sonic to constantly rescue? That is a pet peeve of mine with this series and the Adventures one. I've played the original games and the only thing that separates Tails from Sonic is that he isn't as fast. That's it. But, all that aside, this episode is okay, as the writing is pretty good and the music has a good flow, and that opening song is terrific! If you're a Sonic fan and you want to see how the Saturday morning series got started, then check out Heads or Tails, but keep an open mind and remember this was only the first episode. There was room for improvement, which it got.
