Rapidly Reviewing Sonic SatAM Episode 7: Sonic Racer

We open "Sonic Racer" in the rainy streets of Robotropolis. Sonic, Sally and Bunnie are on another mission. The plan this time is to shut down the main generator plant. Sonic distracts the Swat Bots with his speed and sharp wit. Bunnie and Sally have an issue with a locked door, but since Bunnie is awesome...

she knows how to lock pick her own way. 

Sally hacks into the generator's computer to overload it. They make their escape with Sonic as the generator begins to blow.  This, of course arouses the anger of Dr. Robotnik, who really wasn't paying that much attention before learning the news of the generator's explosion.  While Sonic and Bunnie celebrate, Sally is concerned that there will be a backup generator, which considering the power just goes right back up, she feels that this was all for nothing, despite Sonic's attempt to cheer her up.

Robotnik is still pretty miffed that the freedom fighters and Sonic are causing problems for him. Snively comes up with an idea that they should appeal to his inflated ego. And the best way to do so is to have Sonic compete in a "speed contest". Sonic, having that previously stated inflated ego, is easily up to the challenge, despite the fact that its an obvious trap, and especially despite the fact that him accepting would cut into their mission to destroy the backup generator. He claims he'll just be a diversion for them. He claims he's got the juice. Well, thank goodness there's no drug testing in Mobius. That would explain a lot. Robotnik and Snively test out their robot that already seems to have the speed to match with Sonic.

While Bunnie reads Tails bedtime stories (with questionable "one eyed snake" references), Sally is still moping over Sonic.  But everything will be fine. Sonic will create a diversion while Sally and Bunnie destroy the generator. Everything will be great, so long as they don't bring Antoi...

Spoke too soon. 

Sonic arrives dressed as "Little Red Riding Hog" for some reason, and is met with his super fast competition, the speed bot.  Robotnik mocks Sonic's attire as we begin the race. Snively crontrols the speed bot while also sending some spy drones to keep an eye on the matter. Of course, being on Robotnik' turf means that there are several traps to try and defeat the hedgehog.

But, so far they aren't that effective. 

Sally and company find the location of the backup generator. However, they still don't quite know how to get past the guards without Sonic. They believe that entering through the sky light is the way to go. And of course, while they do that, all Antoine can do is make noises while thinking. Again I ask, why do you keep bringing him? Sonic is still doing well in the race, while having to deal with more obstacles.  He easily passes the other robots in the race, while trying to catch up to the speed bot.  

The next obstacle in Sonic's way is a robotic arm in a swamp that pulls him into the toxic muck.  He easily escapes, while mocking Robotnik, who is already ready to tear Snively apart. But Snively saves the best for last. Meanwhile, the other three make it to the roof, all while Antoine is still being a coward.  Sonic catches up to the speed bot as Snively releases his final trap. 

Uppercuting the crap out of him.

But just like every trap in his way, Sonic survives because he is clearly Blue Jesus. And since he's been cheated multiple times against the speed bot, clearly the only method is to cheat right back as Sonic uses a conveniently held power ring to give him the added boost. Sally and the others make it to the generator, but still need a way to get inside the control center is through the pulley belt. And holy crap, Antoine of all people takes initiative to get it done. Where did that sudden braveness come from? Maybe this will all go well...

WELL OF COURSE IT DOESN'T

Bunnie tries to stop the pulley, but no avail. Sally sends a flare to signal Sonic, who gives up on the race to make the save. He uses the power ring to stop the gear, which conveniently causes the generator to overload. 

Speaking of overloading, Robotnik is about to overload on Snively for failing him. 

We end the episode at Knothole as they are happy for their victory, despite Sonic not winning the race. As this is still a step toward a free Mobius... And a free Cat.

Maybe?

Or at least a step toward a free Mobius until the next episode when none of this will matter. 

This was a really good episode. Perhaps the best so far in the series. Although I will say I was expecting a bit more from the race, but since we had to juggle two plots, while also dealing with the antics of Robotnik and Snively, I can see why this feels muddied. But in terms of episodes with the most action, this is definitely the one with the most since we started. I do feel like we rushed the ending and didn't really get a good moral about Sonic learning not to be so egotistical, but what we got still works. This is definitely the most we've gotten out of Robotnik and Snively, and I like their chemistry of the evil tyrant and the wormy lackey. And with it being Jim Cummings and Charlie Adler voicing, it makes it work so much better. 

Some nitpicks, I do think they overused their "Back to the Future" knockoff music a bit too much in this episode, essentially in every scene where Sonic is saving the day or getting out of peril. The animation was great too, though still some noticeable errors, like Snively having a headset on sporadically. That aside, the complaints are minor when dealing with a solid episode. We're over the halfway point of season 1 and hopefully more good stuff is on the way. Wait, the next episode is more Antoine-centric... forget what I just said.