Knuckles (TV series)

Knuckles is an American television miniseries created by John Whittington and Toby Ascher for the streaming service Paramount+, based on characters from Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog video game series. It is a spin-off of the Sonic the Hedgehog film series and the first live-action Sonic television series.

The Warrior

Sonic: (narrating) I know what you're thinking, "What type of maniac wakes up at dawn to punch boulders?" I'll tell you who - my good pal, Knuckles the Echidna. ["Our House" by Madness begins playing as the scene rewinds to a recap of the second film.] It all began on the Mushroom Planet, where old Knucks got tricked into helping the very evil and very filthy Dr. Mustache escape. He came to Earth in search of a magic emerald and picked a fight with moi, which went very badly for him, by the way. [The scene shows Sonic losing his fight with Knuckles at the Wachowskis' home.] Hey, wait a minute! This is the wrong footage! Why are we showing this?! [The scene speeds to the fight in the Labyrinth] [♪ Our house... ♪] Eventually, we punched out our differences and teamed up to defeat Robotnik's giant robot, and recovered the Master Emerald, hence saving the universe. Hooray, and you're welcome. [Cut to Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles living together in the attic. Sonic is playing air guitar, Tails is working on some gadgets, and Knuckles is doing upside-down sit-ups.] And then, Knuckles, Tails, and I became friends and roommates! Now with all the hero stuff out of the way, Knuckles' only mission is to relax and enjoy Earth, which might be harder than it sounds.

---

[Knuckles has attacked and scared off another construction contractor to fix the Wachowski house. Sonic and Tails watch the truck drive off]

Sonic: Oh, boy, poor guys. That's the fourth crew this month. But, I have to say, Knuckles is in incredible shape. Do you think he's more cardio or weight-focused? Eh, doesn't matter, doesn't matter, he looks fantastic.

Tails: Do you think the house is ever going to get fixed? The living room's getting pretty cold at night with that giant hole in the wall.

Maddie: [approaches them] Boys, we need to talk about our little red barbarian friend; I could use some backup.

Sonic: Knuckles is just having a little trouble adjusting to his new home. It wasn't easy for me to understand this planet first, either.

Maddie: When did you start getting so wise?

Sonic: I read a lot of cereal boxes. Also, I had a family who was patient enough to let me figure things out. We have to do the same with Knuckles. Let me talk to him when the time is right.

Maddie: Alright, Sonic. [notices something on the roof] But, in the meantime, do you mind asking him to get our dog off the roof?

[Knuckles has Ozzy on the roof with him]

Knuckles: Concentrate, wolf. An attack can come from anywhere at any time. You must have steely focus. [Ozzy just looks back at him] Steelier...steelier, steelier...steelier! [Ozzy just licks his jowls]

Sonic: You know what? I think now is a good time for that talk.

Maddie: Yeah, I think so, too.

---

Knuckles: [praying] O wise echidna elders, I seek your guidance in my hour of need. Please, send me a sign.

[Nothing happens. Giving a disappointed sigh, Knuckles turns away, not noticing the ghost of Chief Pachacamac manifesting himself on the beanbag reading a newspaper.]

Pachacamac: Are you kidding me? The Mets lost again?

Knuckles: AH! ASSASSIN!!! [brandishes a rubber chicken, which deflates]

Pachacamac: Relax, Knuckles. [lowers the newspaper] It's me.

Knuckles: [gasps] Chief Pachacamac?

Pachacamac: It's good to see you, my boy. Now, put down the rubber chicken and give your old chief a--

[He goes in for a hug, but since he's a ghost, he phases through Knuckles and falls through the attic screaming, crashing into several objects off-screen and disturbing Ozzy in the process.]

Pachacamac: [phases back into the attic] Oh, right. [spookily] I'm a ghost...

Knuckles: Thank goodness you're here. I have completed my quest and found the Master Emerald, but with my work complete, what becomes of me?

Pachacamac: Knuckles, your quest is not complete. It's only begun! You are the last of the echidnas, and so the legacy of our people is in your hands.

Knuckles: Guide me, o great chief.

Pachacamac: I want you to train an apprentice in the ways of the echidna. Teach him our customs, show him our traditions, and soon our tribe will grow once again.

Knuckles: But where will I found such a student?

Pachacamac: Right here.

[He shows a newspaper article of Wade. The headline reads, "LOCAL MAN WINS HOT POCKET EATING CONTEST"]

Knuckles: Wade Whipple? I know this man. He's no great warrior.

Pachacamac: Neither were you when we first met. He may not look like much, but he's special... in here. [touches his chest] He seeks to compete in a Tournament of Champions, in a mystical place called... Reno, Nevada.

Knuckles: A Tournament of Champions? There is much glory to be found in such a contest!

Pachacamac: [starts rising] Train him as a warrior! The fate of the echidna is in your-- [accidentally hits the window; Knuckles winces] Stupid window. [keeps hitting the window] How does this ghost stuff even work? [The window slides open] Oh, there we go. [leaves] Our fate is in your hands!

Knuckles: I won't let you down.

Don't Ever Say I Wasn't There For You

Knuckles: Oh, how your screams are a symphony to my ears as I crush your skulls into a fine powder and--

Willoughby: Sorry, don't mean to interrupt, but, uh, you almost finished here?

Knuckles: No! [realizes] Okay, now I am finished.

Willoughby: Do you know, I'm sorry we haven't gotten a chance to get to know each other yet. I'm actually quite an admirer of your work.

Knuckles: What could you possibly know about my life of battles and quests?

Willoughby: Oh... [stands up] I know all about you, Knuckles. Studying creatures like you, your abilities, where you're from. That was my job for a long time.

Knuckles: I see. Then, you know about my tribe's victory over the vile Dr. Robotnik!

Willoughby: Of course.

Knuckles: So, if you know how I destroyed someone as dangerous as him, then you know how easily I can destroy someone like you.

Willoughby: Is that what you think? That I'm nothing? That I'm no one compared to the great Ivo Robotnik? Well, let me assure you, you're wrong. 'Cause while I know everything about you, I promise, you know nothing about me. But when this is all over... you will.

The Shabbat Dinner

Knuckles: Wade, what is happening?

Wade: [whispering] We gotta get outta here. For the last few decades, every single Whipple family Shabbat dinner has been nothing but deceit, betrayal, and violence.

The Flames of Disaster

[Wade wakes up in the Great Battleground in the Sky, which looks exactly like Neon Nightz.]

Wade: Where am I?

Pachacamac: I'll tell where you are, Wade. [Wade screams upon encountering Pachacamac, as he does too.] Woah, woah, woah, woah! Calm down! [Wade stops screaming.] Here, let me make you more comfortable.

[Pachacamac transforms into a bowling alley employee.]

Wade: Woah.

Pachacamac: Let's try again. I'll tell you where you are, Wade. The Great Battleground in the Sky!

Wade: The Great Battleground in the Sky is... a bowling alley?

Pachacamac: Well, for you it is. For most people, this place has more of a Florida feel, with all-you-can-eat shrimp. But this... is your battleground.

Wade: Okay. Who are you?

Pachacamac: My name's Pachacamac.

Wade: Wait. Knuckles told me about you. You're the legendary leader of the Echidna tribe.

Pachacamac: In the flesh, baby.

Wade: Well, it's an honor to meet you, Chief, um...

Pachacamac: Pachacamac.

Wade: Yeah. Chief... Pamachacaw.

Pachacamac: Pachacamac.

Wade: Parmesan.

Pachacamac: Pa...

Wade: Peh...

Pachacamac: ...cha...

Wade: ...jor...

Pachacamac: ...ca...

Wade: ...mar...

Pachacamac: ...mac.

Wade: ...za.

Pachacamac: Y'know what? Mac's fine.

Wade: Okay. If that's... easier for you. I certainly have no problem with the correct pronunciation.

Pachacamac: Yeah, right.

Wade: Things are starting to make some obviously clear and logical sense. Knuckles must've sent me here because this is my next lesson. Hold on. Are you gonna teach me something amazing and essential to my real-life predicament?

Pachacamac: I'm not just going to teach it to you, Wade. I'm going to have it sung to you as part of a low-budget rock opera. Now, please open your mouth. [he takes out a wand.]

Wade: Um, I'm not really comfortable with that. [nervous laugh]

Pachacamac: Just do it, man. Rainbow! [his wand shoots an animated rainbow inside Wade's mouth.]

Reno, Baby

[Wade and Knuckles enter the lobby and see many people having fun.]

Wade: Did you see the sign? Kevin James is headlining here.

Knuckles: The mall cop?

Wade: That means you know it's top-notch.

What Happens in Reno, Stays in Reno

[Knuckles and Wade return to Green Hills on their motorcycle.]

Wade: Hey, Knuckles! How about some new road trip music? I call this mix "Knuckles and Wade Warrior Jammerz."

[Wade presses his phone and "The Warrior" by Scandal starts to play.]

Knuckles: What is this amazing song? Could this be? Yes. This is... [singing tune] my jam!

[They both ride on the sunset. The rest of the end credits continue normally.]