Don’t Go Into Knuckles Expecting Much
At the same time, though, even those low expectations get surpassed sooner or later.
In late April, Paramount released the Knuckles spin-off series to Paramount+ ahead of the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Early on, the show was poised to expand the cinematic universe of the blue blur, with a focus on how his monotreme rival Knuckles would adapt to his new life in Green Hills following his journey to Earth in the second film. However, upon release, critics and fans alike were a bit disappointed in the series, finding that the titular echidna was hardly even a focal point. Instead, the series follows him training Wade Whipple, a supporting character from the films—yes, the same Wade Whipple who Robotnik held at gunpoint in the first film—to summon his strength and win a bowling championship while fighting off danger along the way. Some found the writing to be cheesy and its character progression to be lackluster, while others have found charm in how the series expands the Sonic movie universe in its own direction yet familiar sense of style. Unfortunately, when watching through the series myself finally, I found the latter to be true.
Don’t get me wrong, Knuckles has problems. I could go all day about how none of the antagonists have any staying power or that the plot without Knuckles isn’t all that compelling or, again, the fact that Knuckles doesn’t show up all that much in his own series. This narrative, though, has been done to death already by this point, so I feel there’s merit in exploring what the series actually does right. This isn’t like trying to find a silver lining in an absolutely unsalvageable situation either. There are LEGITIMATELY good moments in the series, and while cheesy at times as some will point out, it does have some charm in that regard. This is mainly due to how passionate the series feels, going full steam ahead on any outlandish ideas it cooks up. The VFX is shockingly good for a streaming spin-off series, and the inclusion of Chief Pachacamac and G.U.N. doesn’t make the series feel entirely out of place in the Sonic movie universe. While the villains could be doing better at selling their roles, those who do fit into their roles REALLY sell their lines and make their characters feel worth it. Every member of Wade’s family is eccentric like he is in their own ways, and I occasionally got a kick out of the sports commentators in the bowling championship sequence. Of course, Adam Pally does a great job as Wade himself, and Idris Elba is always absolutely electric as Knuckles.
Though, it would be a sin to talk about the strong points of Knuckles without going over the best episode of the series. It’s a bit polarizing, but I feel that those who get it will get it. Let’s talk about The Flames of Disaster.
When Wade is captured by his adversary Jack Sinclair to turn him in for a cash reward, Knuckles trusts Wade will break himself free and won’t need any outside help. In a comatose state in the back of Sinclair’s truck, Wade finally has a vision of and meets the Chief Pachacamac of echidna legend. Pachacamac advises Wade that he has the power to break free on his own, he just has to unlock it. This kickstarts a multi-act theatrical rock opera epic during which Wade is dressed as Knuckles and sees things his way. He watches his father die (or a puppet version of him, rather), runs through multiple sets resembling stages from the Sonic the Hedgehog games, all culminating in Wade breaking himself free from the back of the truck.
This episode is directed by Jorma Taccone of The Lonely Island fame, and it REALLY shows throughout the entire rock opera sequence. There’s so much vibrance and passion emanating from every shot that the series’ usual cheesiness overflows in a hilariously good time. There is nothing boring to look at in this episode, as it packs so many of the crucial steps of Wade’s journey into a half-hour time slot with so much charisma and flair that it makes me wonder what the whole series would have been like had Taccone directed the whole thing.
Again, though, this isn’t to say the rest of the series is devoid of hope. Much like the Sonic movies are a bit less focused on direct adaptation sometimes, the same can be said for the bulk of Knuckles. However, the cast has charisma as they always do and there wasn’t much of an indication that things were so serious to begin with. If you sit back and coast along with the show, I think you’ll find you’re having a great time along with the characters in that world. Though, that may also depend on how many degrees you yourself separate Montana from your own reality.
Knuckles is now streaming on Paramount+.