The Archie comics and SatAM introduced many new characters like Rotor, Sally, Bunnie, etc. But one character I want to focus on is one who also showed up in Sonic Underground, Sonic’s Uncle Chuck. He was mentioned in the very first episode of SatAM as someone who Sonic held dearly but was roboticized along with his dog Muttski. We see more of Sonic’s dearly loved uncle in the next episode of SatAM that we are going to discuss, “Ultra Sonic” written by David Villaire. The episode was aired on Oct. 2, 1993.
The episode begins with Sonic and Sally Acorn inside one of Robotnik’s bases where the roboticizer is held. They manage to get inside one of the vents right above the machine and attempt to get into its software and deactivate it. Sally first unplugs the wire that may cause an alarm but worries that there might be a backup. Sonic dismisses it and Sally places a disc into the control panel of the roboticizer which causes an alarm. Robotnik notices that the roboticizer is in sabotage mode and tells Snively to check if there is anyone in the room. Snively notices the two in the vents and fills it with fire extinguisher gas. The two then jump off the building and land on the foam of the fire extinguisher. They then reach the hover pad and make their escape.
As they are flying through Robotropolis, they are then chased by stealthbots. Just as they reach the rendezvous point, a subway station, their hover pad is shot by the stealthbots and they crash land near the entrance.
As they enter the station, they notice some robots entering a train which is heading for the Crystal Mines. One of the robots happens to be Uncle Chuck. Sonic notices and the two plan on following the train but before they do, Rotor, Antoine, and Bunnie arrive and said that they couldn’t find any used roboticizer parts in the junkyard. They all hop on an unused vehicle and follow the tracks.
Once Sonic and the gang find Uncle Chuck, Sonic tries to talk to his uncle but the roboticized hedgehog sounds the alarm and attacks Sonic. Bunnie grabs Chuck and Sonic deactivates the alarm. In order for Uncle Chuck to be his normal self, Sally gives the roboticized hedgehog one of the power rings he invented. This manages to bring him back and we see him interact with the other characters for the first time in this show. Uncle Chuck is voiced by William Windom. Just as the gang was about to leave with Chuck, he tells them that there is something very important he has to show to them.
As they follow Uncle Chuck to the crystal mines, they see a giant energy crystal. Robotnik is planning to use it as a replacement for his oil supply. This will also destroy the ecosystem of Mobius. The evil doctor plans on hoisting it that day. The team splits up into two groups. Sally, Antoine, and Rotor go to the control center to cut the main power circuits while Sonic, Chuck, and Bunnie take down one of Robotnik’s most powerful robots: the dino-bot.
In order for the Sonic and company to get inside the control panel for the dino-bot, they have to enter the robot’s body by being eaten. Bunnie jams the robot’s jaw with her robotic arm so it stays open for them and they then enter inside.
Meanwhile, Sally and company reach the control panel which is guarded by a robot who happens to have a toggle switch on his foot. While Rotor distracts the robot, Sally shuts it off and now has control over the panel.
Once Sonic and the others reach the controls for the dino-bot, Uncle Chuck calls Sally from the dino-bot to the control panel and tells her to shut off the crane’s main circuits. The princess can’t seem to find it so Uncle Chuck controls the dino-bot to destroy the ropes surrounding the crystal that is being lifted through the mine. But just as it was about to destroy the ropes with its arm, swatbots use grapple guns to take it down. Uncle Chuck tries shooting a laser at the crystal but it absorbs the energy. He then takes two shots at the cables carrying the crystal and it falls back to the ground. They celebrate and get off the robot to meet up with the others.
Sally shuts everything down except the emergency power and her team leaves to meet up with the others. As the gang runs to the subway station while being chased by robots, Uncle Chuck begins to return to his evil mindless self and returns the power ring to Sonic. Sonic tries to bring his uncle with him but to no avail, they don’t have time for this. Everyone leaves Uncle Chuck and go inside the train. While Sonic cries losing his beloved uncle once again, Sally tells him she copied some of the data for the roboticizer and says that someday they will be able to change him back permanently.
This is the end of episode four of SatAM.
At a Glance: SatAM Episode 4: Ultra Sonic
Summary: Sonic and company find Uncle Chuck and try to stop Robotnik from taking the giant energy crystal from the crystal mines. Will they be able to stop him? Or will they fail and destroy the ecosystem of Mobius?
Air Date: Oct. 2, 1993