The Warrior – As the opening episode of Knuckles begins, we learn how Knuckles (Idris Elba) got duped into helping Dr. Robotnik before getting into a fight with Sonic. They teamed up, found the emerald, and saved the universe. Knuckles is now rooming with Sonic (Ben Schwartz) and Tails (Colleen O’Shaughnessey). Knuckles ends up taking out a handful of construction workers believing House Wachowski is under attack. Maddie Wachowski explains that her son thinks he’s a warrior. They warn Maddie that she’ll hear from their lawyers. Once the construction workers leave, she finds Knuckles eating potato chips. Sonic tells Tails that’s the fourth crew this week although Knuckles is in incredible shape.

Maddie tells them she is going to need help with Knuckles. Sonic argues that Knuckles is just getting accustomed to his new home. They have to be patient enough to let Knuckles figure things out. Once they see Knuckles on the roof with the dog, Sonic admits now might be a good time for their talk. Sonic tries to speak to Knuckles who just keeps repeating “no”. Knuckles explains he only remains on earth because he made a vow to Sonic and the fox. Sonic reminds him they won and there’s no battle to fight so Knuckles can take a break from being a warrior. Earth is the perfect place to do that. Knuckles meditates on it before deciding to make himself at home. In the morning, Maddie finds Knuckles sitting on an iron throne at the breakfast table.

Knuckles tells everyone it designates his role as family champion. If they want to claim it, they’ll have to beat him in trial by combat. Maddie isn’t happy when she learns he’s turned the living room into a gladiator fighting pit. Maddie grounds him. Knuckles reluctantly accepts it. Maddie has to call Wade Whipple (Adam Pally) to see if he’ll give her a ride to work. Wade is busy training for the upcoming bowling tournament so he doesn’t answer. Susie distracts him causing him to throw his ball in the wrong direction. Wade’s teammate gives him a pep talk. Jack Sinclair introduces himself to another bowler who tries to stop him from speaking badly to Susie. Wade almost gets a strike but misses one pin so Susie’s team wins. Jack tells him he failed the Renegades. Wade insists he’ll up his game at the tournament of champions.

Jack kicks him off the team and replaces him with Susie. He explains her parents are loaded so they’re going to rent a stretch Hummer. Wade offers to go as an alternate. Jack takes his jacket and gives it to Susie. Jack gives Wade his card before leaving. Sonic tries to cheer up Knuckles. Once Knuckles is alone, he asks for guidance from the Echidna Elders. He gets a visit from Chief Pachacamac who tells him his quest has only begun. The legacy of their people is in Knuckles’s hands. The Chief wants Knuckles to train an apprentice in the ways of the Echidnas. He shows Knuckles a picture of Wade who seeks to compete in the tournament of champions in Reno, Nevada. Knuckles finds Wade trying to lift weights and saves his life. Knuckles will take Wade to the tournament. Wade believes Jack was right about him not being a warrior.

Knuckles offers to make him a warrior if he takes him to Reno. Wade accepts his offer. They begin heading to Reno. They talk briefly before Wade puts on one of his classic mixes. At GUN Headquarters in London, Agent Willoughby realizes they have a runner. She’s told Knuckles has left the Green Hills Zone. They should inform Commander Walters. She tells Agent Fairley not to worry because she is in control of the situation. Willoughby is the only one who can track Knuckles now. She dismissed Fairley who is sent to Mushroom Planet. Willoughby calls The Buyer (Rory McCann) who learns one of the aliens is in the wild. He believes Knuckles is vulnerable without his friends. The quills are the key to everything he’s building. Willoughby offers to bring him Knuckles in 24 hours.

The Buyer offers to send her something to even the odds. Meanwhile, Wade asks Knuckles about the training. Knuckles tells him they need to know the battleground first. Wade takes him to a bowling alley. He admits he loves bowling because his dad taught him everything he knows about it. Wade tells him how his dad abandoned his family. Bowling makes him feel like he’s with his dad again. Wade is shocked when he finds out how good Knuckles is at bowling. Before long, Willoughby and her parent arrive. Mason (Scott Mescudi) and Willoughby begin shooting at them. Mason and Knuckles get into a scuffle. Once Mason is knocked down, it’s Willoughby’s turn. Wade throws him bowling balls to help. Knuckles ends up getting trapped in a box. Wade sees one of the weapons and says he has an incredibly dumb idea to help Knuckles.

 

Knuckles Review

The first episode of Knuckles was a pretty good starting point for fans of the movies. Knuckles is tasked with training Wade who is going to need all the help he can get. Wade is interested in going to Reno, Nevada to compete in the Tournament of Champions after being kicked off his bowling team. Before their training can commence, they’re attacked by Agent Willoughby and Agent Mason who want to sell Knuckles to The Buyer.

Knuckles is taken captive at the end of the episode. The series actually looks great as a modern adaptation of the video game franchise. Idris Elba settled in pretty quickly although the character of Knuckles seems a bit out of place surrounded by so much goofiness. That’s pretty much what the series is all about so it’s clearly made for younger audiences. The Wade character fits it better, but viewers may find the whole thing a little obnoxious.

Again, younger viewers will likely enjoy it because it looks great and the silly humor will probably connect better with teens. The whole bowling angle feels pretty cheap considering how many times that has been done before. A better story could’ve made this an even bigger hit. It’s an easy watch that requires very little from viewers and it’ll be over before they know it. Just don’t expect Knuckles to remain in the spotlight.

The episode scores a 6 out of 10. Recaps of Knuckles will be available on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link. Learn more about advertising with us here. Discuss this show and others at the Reel Mockery Forum.