If you’re on the fence about getting Paramount Plus for the Sonic spin-off, worry not: the first episode is free to watch on YouTube.
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The first episode of the Sonic spin-off is free on YouTube
I guess if you give someone a sample, they’ll be convinced to buy the whole thing. That’s what’s happened with the Knuckles TV series for Paramount Plus. The first episode of the Sonic spin-off has been made available for free on YouTube, though it isn’t available for viewing in some countries (and that’s heartbreaking).
This first chapter sees the red echidna (played by Idris Elba) getting used to his new life with Sonic, Tails, and their human companions, the Wachowski family, after the ending of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Given that there aren’t any threats for the main character to take on, he’s advised by the literal ghost of an echidna tribe leader to take on an apprentice to strengthen the echidna tribe. That apprentice is one Wade Whipple (Adam Pally), a human deputy sheriff who’s been let go by his bowling team, the Renegades, and is training for a bowling tournament.
The series involves Knuckles taking Wade under his wing (under his spiky glove?) as he teaches the human “the way of the echidna warrior,” all while avoiding agents of GUN (Guardian Units of Nations) that relentlessly pursue them. If you’re interested, the whole series is available on Paramount Plus.
The show takes place before the upcoming Sonic 3 movie, which will have Keanu Reeves (yes, John Wick himself) playing Shadow the Hedgehog.
Who is Knuckles the Echidna?
The strength to Sonic’s speed and Tails’ smarts, Knuckles the Echidna first popped up in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (the game, mind you) back in 1994. Like in the Sonic 2 movie, Knuckles was in cahoots with Dr. Eggman, believing Sonic and Tails wanted to steal the Master Emerald, a giant gem of great power. Eggman capitalized on Knuckles fighting against the duo to steal the Master Emerald. After the echidna realized he’d been duped, the hedgehog joined forces with him, retrieving it at the end of Sonic & Knuckles (the next game after Sonic 3).
The echidna is the last member of a tribe of echidnas, whose duty is to guard the Master Emerald from being misused. Given that he first appeared in one of Sonic’s earliest games, he’s a good friend of the Blue Blur, as well as one of the oldest. He’s serious with a short fuse but is also a loyal companion to have when things go pear-shaped. He’s also strong and can glide, as well as climb walls thanks to the spiked knuckles he has on his gloves.
Just like with Sonic and Tails, Knuckles can transform into a Super state called Super Knuckles that lets him fly, with any damage dealt not affecting him, though he also needs to collect rings to fuel the transformation. He needs the seven Chaos Emeralds to activate this transformation, and if his ring count drops to zero, he reverts to his normal form. A superior form called Hyper Knuckles can also be achieved if a player manages to obtain all seven Super Emeralds (more powerful versions of the Chaos Emeralds). Hyper Knuckles is the Super form, just better in every aspect.
