We open in Robotropolis as Robotnik's latest invention is a virtual reality plane, which he can control from the comfort of his own chair, because he's that lazy. Snively however, isn't as thrilled. In fact, Snively's doing a lot more back talking than he was last season. But considering how many times Robotnik nearly killed him last season, that's kind of understandable. Sonic and Sally arrive to see Robotnik's plane being built. Sally (now sporting a blue vest), tells him that they should return to Knothole, but Sonic spots Uncle Chuck working on the plane.
Sonic goes to confront Uncle Chuck, but since Robotnik can see through the plane, he fires at Sonic, forcing the hedgehog to make a retreat. The plane gives chase, but Sonic uses the power ring to make it out. Robotnik's pretty pissed that the plane wasn't faster than Sonic and takes his anger out on Snively.
Tails shows up to meet with Sonic and Sally, but gets stopped by Dulcy. She- Oh right. New character. Dulcy the Dragon. Voiced by Cree Summer. Formalities done. She tells Tails that Sonic and Sally are busy with some experiments. Those experiments are, as usual, on Bunnie. They're trying to de-roboticize her.
And surprisingly enough, it actually works, giving her back her original limbs. That's comforting. You already get the bad feeling that it's temporary, but still comforting.
Also, what happened to Rotor? Of all the character changes from the new animation, he definitely got hit the hardest.
Sonic nabs a power ring to go save Uncle Chuck, despite Sally's concerns. Since even she knows the de-roboticizer might not work perfect. Despite her request to wait 24 hours, Sonic goes anyway to give Uncle Chuck the ring to bring him back to his senses.
It doesn't go as planned.
With the de-roboticizer on the fritz, Sonic needs to get the parts from the actual roboticizer. And his only way to do so is to get himself intentionally captured. But even Robotnik realizes that the hedgehog is up to something. Sonic easily defeats robotnik and grabs the part.
The second attempt actually succeeds. With Uncle Chuck back to his old self, he quickly helps the freedom fighters in their projects. In fact, everything looks to be going okay..
Until obvious unfortunate situations arise.
And wouldn't you know it?
The re-botted Uncle Chuck captures Antoine and Tails. Sally, Bunnie and Dulcy see him heading to the swamp and go back to get Sonic. When he's informed, he's still focused on saving Uncle Chuck, but does finally apologize for not thinking clearly, but then again it's well established that the Uncle Chuck situation does that to him.
However Uncle Chuck prepared for Sonic's arrival, trapping Sonic in some mega muck. He boards a ship and escapes to Robotropolis. Sonic ends up saved by Dulcy... kinda. Turns out she's kind of a bad flier.
Sonic arrives at Robotropolis to confront Uncle Chuck. He tells him to fight the control of Robotnik, which finally causes a break from the control. He manages to finally regain his mentality. Swat Bots arrive on the scene as Sonic tries to get Uncle Chuck to leave with him. However, Uncle Chuck has other plans. He'll stay in Robotropolis as a spy for the freedom fighters and get the de-roboticizer parts. The two pretend to let Chuck capture him as Robotnik launches his plane. This gives time for Sonic to make a run for it, destroying the plane (which didn't figure for tight corners. Robotnik plans to kill Snively as Sonic and the others make it back to Knothole.
Sonic returns to Knothole, still bothered about Uncle Chuck. He feels bad for what's happened, and even despite the fact that Uncle Chuck is a spy. He feels he should have waited. But all isn't lost as know they know they can break the mind control, and with Uncle Chuck on their side again, they're an actual step closer to winning this war.
For the season premiere, Sonic Conversion is a really good episode. A far stronger use of the 20 minutes than most episodes in season 1. The first thing I have to bring up is the new animation does see some drastic changes. Some okay like Sally's vest, and others a bit rough like the new designs for Rotor and Antoine. Everything else however looks really good. I also like the new character in Dulcy. But what feels the best about this episode is that it's the first where the consequences within actually seem to matter with Uncle Chuck finally regaining his freedom. I also like that we see this more vulnerable, and less headstrong side of Sonic, who often doesn't think about his actions when the issue of family comes up. It shows that he's still a kid in the middle of a war. That's good character building. Sonic Conversion gets the season off and running and I'm definitely more intrigured to see what directions we're headed.