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Sonic Wiki Zone
Sonic Wiki Zone
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{{Tab
{{Future release}}
 
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|title1 = Main page
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|tab2 = Gallery
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|tab3 = Transcript
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|bg = MSBluetab
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}}
 
{{Episode order
 
{{Episode order
 
|previous =
 
|previous =
|next = Can an Evil Genius Crash on Your Couch for a Few Weeks
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|next = Can an Evil Genius Crash on Your Couch for a Few Days?
|series = Sonic Boom (TV series){{!}}Sonic Boom
+
|series = Sonic Boom (TV series){{!}}Sonic Boom
|current = Sidekick
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|current = The Sidekick
 
}}
 
}}
{{TV Episode
+
{{Infobox TV episode
|title = Sidekick
+
|title = The Sidekick
|image =
+
|image = Sonic Boom Ep1 Title.png
|caption =
+
|caption = The title card for "The Sidekick"
|series = Sonic Boom
+
|series = [[Sonic Boom (TV series)|Sonic Boom]]
  +
|season = 1
|series link = Sonic Boom (TV series)
 
|number = 1
+
|number = 1
|writer =
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|writer =
  +
*[[Mark Banker]] {{C|story, teleplay}}
|date = 8 November 2014<ref>http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/cnschedule/servlet/ScheduleServlet?action=viewAll&showID=314800&show=Sonic+Boom</ref>
 
  +
*[[Doug Lieblich]] {{C|teleplay}}
|episode list = Season 1
 
  +
|date = 8 November 2014<ref name="Zap2it">{{Cite web|url=http://tvschedule.zap2it.com/tv/sonic-boom-the-sidekick/EP020402810002?aid=tvschedule |title= Sonic Boom: ''The Sidekick'' |publisher=Zap2it.com |accessdate= 1 May 2015}}</ref>
|prev =
 
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|int date = {{Scroll box|content=
|prev number =
 
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*4 April 2015 {{C|AUS}}
|next = Can an Evil Genius Crash on Your Couch for a Few Weeks
 
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*4 April 2015 {{C|BE}}
|next number = 2
 
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*5 June 2015 {{C|BR}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Rh9U99TcRjaePYzR3a_VcyUFqWVBAgM4J0j3fcoaet4/edit?pref=2&pli=1#gid=538177487 |title=Cartoon Network Junho - ANMTV.COM.BR |publisher= |accessdate=13 July 2016}}</ref>
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*5 September 2016 {{C|FI}}
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*19 November 2014 {{C|FR}}
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*4 July 2016 {{C|GER}}
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*6 November 2015 {{C|HUN}}
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*1 June 2015 {{C|IE}}
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*9 November 2015 {{C|ITA}}
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*1 July 2017 {{C|JP}}
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*12 October 2015 {{C|KO}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cartoonnetworkkorea.com/program/schedule.html?ymd=20151012 |title=Cartoon Network - Schedule (2015/10/12) |publisher= |accessdate=26 Feburary 2017}}</ref>
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*5 June 2015 {{C|LATAM}}
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*4 April 2015 {{C|NZ}}
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*14 December 2015 {{C|PL}}
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*12 September 2015 {{C|PT}}
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*6 November 2015 {{C|RO}}
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*5 March 2016 {{C|RU}}
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*1 April 2016 {{C|TR}}
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*1 June 2015 {{C|UK}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
|next = [[Can an Evil Genius Crash on Your Couch for a Few Days?]]
'''"Sidekick"''' is the first episode in the ''[[Sonic Boom (TV series)|Sonic Boom]]'' television series. It is set to air on 8 November 2014.
 
  +
}}
 
"'''The Sidekick'''" is the first episode in the ''[[Sonic Boom (TV series)|Sonic Boom]]'' television series. It first aired on 8 November 2014 in the United States and on 19 November 2014 in France.
   
==Characters==
+
==Synopsis==
  +
During a particularly dangerous encounter with Eggman, Tails is injured. Sonic decides that being his sidekick is too dangerous for Tails and fires him for his own safety. Auditions are held for a new sidekick. Eggman applies for the job.<!--This synopsis was taken from the official Cartoon Network website, meaning it is officially written material. As such, it must not be changed unless it is entirely replaced by another synopsis written by an official media.-->
*[[Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonic Boom)|Sonic the Hedgehog]] {{1st}}
 
  +
*[[Miles "Tails" Prower (Sonic Boom)|Miles "Tails" Prower]] {{1st}}
 
  +
==Appearances==
*[[Knuckles the Echidna (Sonic Boom)|Knuckles the Echidna]] {{1st}}
 
  +
'''Characters''':
*[[Amy Rose (Sonic Boom)|Amy Rose]] {{1st}}
 
*[[Doctor Eggman (Sonic Boom)|Dr. Eggman]] {{1st}}
 
 
*[[Burnbot]] {{1st}}
 
*[[Burnbot]] {{1st}}
*[[Orbot (Sonic Boom)|Orbot]] {{1st}}
+
*[[Cubot (Sonic Boom)|Cubot]]
*[[Cubot (Sonic Boom)|Cubot]] {{1st}}
+
*[[Doctor Eggman (Sonic Boom)|Dr. Eggman]]
 
*[[Fastidious Beaver]] {{1st}}
 
*[[Fastidious Beaver]] {{1st}}
  +
*[[Mike the Ox]] {{1st}}
  +
*[[Orbot (Sonic Boom)|Orbot]]
  +
*[[Stratford]] {{1st}}
  +
*[[Team Sonic (Sonic Boom)|Team Sonic]]
 
**[[Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonic Boom)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]
 
**[[Amy Rose (Sonic Boom)|Amy Rose]]
 
**[[Miles "Tails" Prower (Sonic Boom)|Miles "Tails" Prower]]
 
**[[Knuckles the Echidna (Sonic Boom)|Knuckles the Echidna]]
  +
*[[Wild Cat]] {{1st}}
  +
*[[Wolfie]] {{1st}}
  +
  +
'''Locations''':
  +
*[[Sonic Boom World]]
 
**[[Doctor Eggman's Lair|Dr. Eggman's Lair]]
  +
**[[Seaside Island]]
  +
***[[Mount Safety]] {{1st}}
  +
***[[Sonic's Shack]]
  +
***[[Tails' House (Sonic Boom)|Tails' House]]
  +
  +
'''Items''':
  +
*[[Communicator (Sonic Boom)|Communicator]]
  +
*[[Enerbeam]]
  +
*[[Wrist controller]]
  +
  +
'''Vehicles''':
  +
*[[Eggmobile (Sonic Boom)|Eggmobile]]
  +
*[[Hoverboard]] {{1st}}
  +
*[[Tornado (Sonic Boom)|Tornado]]
   
 
==Plot==
 
==Plot==
The episode starts off in a canyon-filled area where [[Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonic Boom)|Sonic]] is chasing [[Doctor Eggman (Sonic Boom)|Dr. Eggman]] in his [[Egg Mobile]] through the canyons while taunting Eggman with his name, much to the doctor's annoyance. The pair enters a corkscrew-shaped mineshaft where Dr. Eggman summons [[Burnbot]] to destroy Sonic, but Sonic mocks the doctor on the inconsistency of Burnbot's name as it does not actually use fire. Furious, Eggman unleashes Burnbot, and Sonic and Burnbot chase each other towards the bottom of the mineshaft. [[Miles "Tails" Prower (Sonic Boom)|Tails]] then arrives in the [[Tornado (Sonic Boom)|Tornado]], where he contacts Sonic over their communicators where they initiate the "speedy swing surprise"-maneuver. As Sonic and Burnbot are about to clash in the shaft, Tails flies in and helps Sonic counterattack Burnbot, where Sonic swings into the robot with an [[EnerBeam]] from Tails, knocking it into a wall. However, Burnbot gets up and pierced the Tornado's wing, causing Tails to fall (while his ejector seat fails). Sonic and Burnbot then face each other again, but Sonic knocks a boulder loose which smashes Burnbot. Sonic then gets out of the shaft, only to see Tails crash and he runs to the crash site. Sonic finds Tails knocked out and fears the worst. He puts his ear to Tails's chest and is relieved to hear that he is still alive. He then decides that he does not want Tails to get hurt any more.
+
Within the crevasses of a canyon, [[Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonic Boom)|Sonic the Hedgehog]] pursues his arch-nemesis [[Doctor Eggman (Sonic Boom)|Dr. Eggman]], who is trying to escape in his [[Eggmobile (Sonic Boom)|Eggmobile]]. The pair enters a corkscrew-shaped mineshaft where Dr. Eggman summons [[Burnbot]] to destroy Sonic, but Sonic mocks the inconsistency of Burnbot's name, as its only weapons are a pair of pincer claws. Regardless, Sonic and Burnbot chase each other around the the mineshaft. [[Miles "Tails" Prower (Sonic Boom)|Tails]] then arrives in the [[Tornado (Sonic Boom)|Tornado]], where he contacts Sonic over his [[Communicator (Sonic Boom)|Communicator]] to set up their [[Speeding Swing Surprise]]. As Sonic and Burnbot are about to clash in the shaft, Tails flies in and helps Sonic by providing an Enerbeam for him to grasp, allowing Sonic to swing around and kick the robot into a wall. However, Burnbot gets up and clips the Tornado's wing, causing Tails to fall; Sonic pleads for Tails to eject, but faulty equipment leaves him stuck in the plane. Sonic rushes to help, but gets into another skirmish with Burnbot. With haste, he knocks a boulder onto it and exits the shaft, only to see Tails crash. As Sonic runs over to the wreckage, Eggman decides to retreat as well, taking Burnbot with him. Sonic finds Tails unconscious and in bad shape, but alive; as he carries him back home, Sonic vows to never put his friend in any more danger.
  +
  +
Back at [[Tails' House (Sonic Boom)|Tails' House]], Tails awakens to Sonic's joy. Tails is ready to get back in action, but Sonic instead tells him that he is entering early retirement from his job as sidekick. This explanation only leaves Tails confused, so Sonic tells him bluntly that he has been fired. Despite feeling guilty about his decision, Sonic begins advertising for his "sidekick try-outs," where all qualified candidates are welcome, so that Tails can stay in retirement. At [[Doctor Eggman's Lair|Dr. Eggman's lair]], Eggman, [[Orbot (Sonic Boom)|Orbot]] and [[Cubot (Sonic Boom)|Cubot]] learn about Sonic's try-outs. While Eggman finds this unbelievable (despite showing some interest in being Sonic's friend), it makes him hatch an evil scheme.
  +
  +
At [[Sonic's Shack]], the sidekick try-outs are at full swing, with Sonic as the interviewer and several participants awaiting. The first participant shown is an eager [[Amy Rose (Sonic Boom)|Amy Rose]], who attempts to impress Sonic by juggling and singing "[[Wikipedia:When the Saints Go Marching In|When the Saints Go Marching In]]" but fails twice. The next candidate is [[Fastidious Beaver]], who he admits that he is a coward. Finally, [[Knuckles the Echidna (Sonic Boom)|Knuckles the Echidna]] enters the try-outs, though he believes Sonic is qualified to be ''his'' sidekick instead.
  +
  +
At the end of the try-outs, a cloaked figure applies and Sonic is impressed by his answers to the questions. However, the figure then clumsily uncloaks himself and reveals himself to be Tails, who is attempting to reclaim his role. Sonic refuses, but Tails notes that the poster never excluded him from applying. Eggman then shows up to apply for the job too, but while Sonic is against it, Eggman uses the same argument as Tails. Despite his disapproval of the idea, Sonic begrudgingly lets them move on to the next round and additionally accepts the Fastidious Beaver as a third candidate and alternative.
  +
  +
To test his candidates, Sonic has them race on [[hoverboard]]s to [[Mount Safety]] to capture a red flag there. While Eggman gives Fastidious an early start to shut him up, Tails and Eggman soon take the lead. Eggman then tries to use his board's weapons against Tails, but the latter manages to avoid them while accidentally knocking Fastidious out of the race. As Sonic watches on, Tails and Eggman move onto the next part of it and fly towards the flag in their Tornado and Eggmobile. As they fly towards the flag, Eggman reveals that his real reason for joining the try-outs was to get rid of both Tails and Sonic, and picks up Burnbot from the jungle.
  +
  +
Despite Tails' best efforts, Burnbot manages to clip the Tornado's wing again and he crashes in a frozen lake, now unable to leave the plane. However, Sonic comes to his aid and pulls him out just before the Tornado sinks. Then he apologizes to Tails by confessing to him that he fired him in order to protect him. Eggman and Burnbot then face the duo again, except this time the robot has been upgraded with fire weaponry, which is used to crack the ice around them. Sonic falls into the water, and since he cannot swim, Tails is forced to pull Sonic out. Sonic tries to get Tails to escape on his own when recovery proves to be too difficult, but Tails adamantly refuses, and both plummet underwater. Though Sonic resigns to his fate, Tails perseveres, and the duo manage to not only resurface, but go airborne. From there, Sonic lands a hard hit on Burnbot, causing it to break through the ice and sink. Sonic and Tails then fly back to solid ground while Eggman retreats, promising to return with a better robot.
  +
  +
As the sun sets, Sonic and Tails reconcile and Sonic re-hires Tails as his sidekick due to his earlier actions. Back at Sonic's Shack, Amy demands a callback when Knuckles passes by and notes that finding his own sidekick has been unsuccessful. Noticing an opportunity, Amy auditions for Knuckles on the spot, sparking his interest.
   
  +
==Continuity==
Tails awakens later on and Sonic is glad to see he is up, only to let him know that he is "fired." Surprisingly, Tails takes it casually enough. With Tails gone, Sonic begins basically advertising through pamphlets that he is looking for a new sidekick and says that anyone can compete. Eggman catches wind of this and decides to try out to lure Sonic into a trap and he talks with [[Orbot (Sonic Boom)|Orbot]] and [[Cubot (Sonic Boom)|Cubot]] about it.
 
  +
*[[Burnbot]] is introduced.
  +
*[[Miles "Tails" Prower (Sonic Boom)|Tails]] still has the [[Tornado (Sonic Boom)|Tornado]] which he and his team acquired in ''[[Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric]]''/''[[Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal]]''.
  +
*[[Doctor Eggman (Sonic Boom)|Dr. Eggman]] mentions that he is not a real doctor. This would be validated in "[[Mister Eggman]]".
   
  +
==Goofs==
Later, while Sonic hosts the tryouts, he meets [[Amy Rose (Sonic Boom)|Amy]] who tells him that she wants to try out as his sidekick and Amy starts juggling and singing, but Sonic is unimpressed. [[Fastidious Beaver]] is the next to appear, though he admits he is a coward. [[Knuckles the Echidna (Sonic Boom)|Knuckles]] then arrives and tries to convince Sonic to be his sidekick. However, Sonic is apathetic about it and Knuckles states he would name him "Knuckles Jr.". Amy then tries the tryouts again, with the same act as before, but again, this has no luck. After that, Eggman appears at the tryouts and even though Sonic refuses, the doctor is allowed as he said anyone could compete. Along the way, a cloaked figure appears at the tryouts who Sonic asks for questions and likes his answers. The person then uncloaks himself and reveals himself to be Tails, who is attempting to become Sonic's sidekick again since everyone can compete.
 
  +
*When [[Mike the Ox]] is seen in the line to [[Sonic's Shack]], his attire, horns and ears are all colored grey.
   
  +
==Regional differences==
In the end, Sonic has chosen Tails, Eggman and Fastidious Beaver as candidates, though the later just wanted to ask Sonic about something. To test them, Sonic has set up a race for the candidates on [[Extreme Gear]]-like boards to Mount Safety to capture the red flag he has placed there. Along the way, Tails goes in the Tornado and Eggman goes in the Egg Mobile while picking up an updated Burnbot along the way. Sonic sees as he runs past. However, Fastidious Beaver does not finish and just lies there and sucks his thumb after he crashes.
 
  +
*In the Brazilian dub of this episode, Eggman is referred to as "Robotnik". That was the name given to Eggman and all his incarnations in the western territories during the ''Sonic'' series' first years.
   
  +
==Productions==
Eventually they reach a snowy area with a frozen lake. Sonic fights Burnbot again, except this time, the updated Burnbot actually uses fire. Eggman thanks Sonic for the idea although Sonic told him off for not giving [[Burnbot]] a different name earlier and for not using the fire idea for the robot. Tails comes in again and helps out. Burnbot is defeated, but Sonic falls through the cracks and Tails cannot get him out of the water as he is water logged. Sonic falls in, but Tails swims in and saves him. Sonic then basically rehires Tails on the spot for his actions, while Eggman flies away promising to be back with a better robot.
 
  +
According to [[Bill Freiberger]], early drafts of the episode included [[Sticks the Badger]]. However, since there was so much that needed to be done in this episode, it was decided to remove Sticks from it entirely rather than bothering themselves with the work in including her.<ref name="Boostcast">{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKlgnKbm-3g |title=Sonic Boomcast Episode 8: Welcome to Freibergers |publisher=Sonic Boomcast |date=25 March 2015|accessdate=26 March 2015}}</ref>
   
  +
==Title in other languages==
Back at Sonic's house, Amy wants Sonic to reconsider, while Knuckles depressingly notes that it was not going well having his own sidekick, and Amy complains. However, Amy realizes Knuckles needs a sidekick and starts her act again, and Knuckles gets another name idea for his sidekick: Knuckalina.
 
  +
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 500px;"
  +
|-
  +
!Language
  +
!Title
  +
!Translation
  +
|-
  +
|Brazilian portuguese
  +
|O Assistente
  +
|The Assistant
  +
|-
  +
|Chinese
  +
|助手
  +
|Assistant
  +
|-
  +
|Finnish
  +
|Apupoika
  +
|The assistant
  +
|-
  +
|French
  +
|Le Coéquipier
  +
|The Teammate
  +
|-
  +
|German
  +
|Der Sidekick
  +
|The Sidekick
  +
|-
  +
|Hungarian
  +
|A társ
  +
|The companion
  +
|-
  +
|Italian
  +
|Cercasi assistente
  +
|Help wanted
  +
|-
  +
|Japanese
  +
|相棒オーディション
  +
|Partner Audition
  +
|-
  +
|Korean
  +
|조수를 구합니다
  +
|Assistant Wanted
  +
|-
  +
|Polish
  +
|Pomocnik
  +
|Helper
  +
|-
  +
|Portuguese
  +
|O Parceiro
  +
|The Partner
  +
|-
  +
|Romanian
  +
|Partenerul
  +
|The partner
  +
|-
  +
|Russian
  +
|Напарник
  +
|The sidekick
  +
|-
  +
|Spanish (Latin America)
  +
|El Compañero
  +
|The Companion
  +
|-
  +
|Turkish
  +
|Yardımcı Aranıyor
  +
|Help Wanted
  +
|-
  +
|Ukrainian
  +
|Напарник
  +
|The Partner
  +
|}
   
==Gallery==
+
==Trivia==
  +
*This episode contains the first footage shown of the series back in February 2014.
{{Gallery start}}
 
  +
*The beginning of "The Sidekick" was used as the pilot presentation for the ''[[Sonic Boom (TV series)|Sonic Boom]]'' television series.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://twitter.com/BillFreiberger/status/781857179091341312 |title=Bill Freiberger on Twitter |work= Twitter |date=30 September 2016 |accessdate=15 October 2016 |quote='''Alexander Soerensen''': Is there a pilot episode for Sonic Boom? / '''Bill Freiberger''': The pilot presentation for Sonic Boom was the beginning of "The Sidekick." }}</ref>
<gallery>
 
  +
*Like the [[Chaos Control Freaks|first episode]] of ''[[Sonic X]]'', this episode showed Sonic's weakness that he cannot swim and is saved by his close friend (In this episode, Tails saved him while in ''Sonic X'', he was saved by [[Christopher Thorndyke]]).
SONIC BOOM SONIC.jpeg
 
  +
*The [[fourth wall]] is broken, coincidentally enough, four times:
Sonic Boom Trailer Sonic.png
 
  +
**When Tails attempts to eject from his falling plane the first time, the lever breaks, after which Tails looks at the viewer in confusion.
Sonic Boom Trailer Rolling Around... You Know It.png
 
  +
**When the camera takes a close up of Eggman, it immediately tilts to the floor, Eggman focuses the camera back to him, remarking, "Lousy security camera!"
Doctor Eggman Sonic Boom.png
 
  +
**When Knuckles tries to change Sonic's name to 'Knuckles Jr.", Sonic looks at the viewer with an annoyed look on his face.
Burn-Bot.png
 
  +
**When Sonic announces to Tails that he has "Early Retirement", Tails says to the viewer, "Wait, what just happened?"
SONIC-BOOM-TV-SERIES---PICTURE 05 1391691354.jpg
 
  +
*When Eggman shows his application form for sidekick auditions, his picture is similar to one of his released concept art.
SONIC-BOOM-TV-SERIES.jpeg
 
  +
*[[Sticks the Badger|Sticks]] did not appear in this episode, therefore making it the first episode where a main character does not appear, as well as the first episode where Sticks does not appear in.
Sonic Boom Sonic Communicating.png
 
  +
*This is the only episode where the [[Tornado (Sonic Boom)|Tornado]] aircraft appears.
Snapshot - 1.png
 
  +
*The DVD set ''[[Sonic Boom: The Sidekick]]'' borrows this episode's title.
Sonic Boom Sonic Clash.png
 
  +
*The plot of this episode was adapted for ''[[Sonic Boom 01 - Le partenaire ideal]]''.
Sonic Boom Grabbing On Tether.png
 
  +
*In Finland, this episode was first published in Ruutu.fi on April 5, 2016.
Sem título.png
 
  +
*The design for [[Fastidious Beaver]]'s parking ticket would be used for the [[Sonic Dash 2: Sonic Boom#Events|Event]] [[ticket]] in ''[[Sonic Dash 2: Sonic Boom]]''.
SONIC-BOOM-TV-SANIC.jpeg
 
  +
*This episode, along with the "[[Can an Evil Genius Crash on Your Couch for a Few Days?]]", "[[Sole Power]]", "[[Chili Dog Day Afternoon]]" and "[[It Takes a Village to Defeat a Hedgehog]]", were the only ones during the first season of ''Sonic Boom'' to be released in their production order in the United States.
EggmanSBTVE32014 2.png
 
  +
*Concept artwork for this episode appeared in ''[[Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice]]''.
</gallery>
 
{{Gallery end}}
 
   
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Sonic Boom episodes}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE: ''{{PAGENAME}}''}}
 
  +
[[fr:Le coéquipier]]
[[Category:Sonic Boom (TV series) episodes]]
 
  +
[[Category:2014]]
  +
[[Category:Sonic Boom season one episodes]]

Revision as of 22:51, 22 January 2019

Sonic Boom
The Sidekick
Next episode >>

"The Sidekick" is the first episode in the Sonic Boom television series. It first aired on 8 November 2014 in the United States and on 19 November 2014 in France.

Synopsis

During a particularly dangerous encounter with Eggman, Tails is injured. Sonic decides that being his sidekick is too dangerous for Tails and fires him for his own safety. Auditions are held for a new sidekick. Eggman applies for the job.

Appearances

Characters:

Locations:

Items:

Vehicles:

Plot

Within the crevasses of a canyon, Sonic the Hedgehog pursues his arch-nemesis Dr. Eggman, who is trying to escape in his Eggmobile. The pair enters a corkscrew-shaped mineshaft where Dr. Eggman summons Burnbot to destroy Sonic, but Sonic mocks the inconsistency of Burnbot's name, as its only weapons are a pair of pincer claws. Regardless, Sonic and Burnbot chase each other around the the mineshaft. Tails then arrives in the Tornado, where he contacts Sonic over his Communicator to set up their Speeding Swing Surprise. As Sonic and Burnbot are about to clash in the shaft, Tails flies in and helps Sonic by providing an Enerbeam for him to grasp, allowing Sonic to swing around and kick the robot into a wall. However, Burnbot gets up and clips the Tornado's wing, causing Tails to fall; Sonic pleads for Tails to eject, but faulty equipment leaves him stuck in the plane. Sonic rushes to help, but gets into another skirmish with Burnbot. With haste, he knocks a boulder onto it and exits the shaft, only to see Tails crash. As Sonic runs over to the wreckage, Eggman decides to retreat as well, taking Burnbot with him. Sonic finds Tails unconscious and in bad shape, but alive; as he carries him back home, Sonic vows to never put his friend in any more danger.

Back at Tails' House, Tails awakens to Sonic's joy. Tails is ready to get back in action, but Sonic instead tells him that he is entering early retirement from his job as sidekick. This explanation only leaves Tails confused, so Sonic tells him bluntly that he has been fired. Despite feeling guilty about his decision, Sonic begins advertising for his "sidekick try-outs," where all qualified candidates are welcome, so that Tails can stay in retirement. At Dr. Eggman's lair, Eggman, Orbot and Cubot learn about Sonic's try-outs. While Eggman finds this unbelievable (despite showing some interest in being Sonic's friend), it makes him hatch an evil scheme.

At Sonic's Shack, the sidekick try-outs are at full swing, with Sonic as the interviewer and several participants awaiting. The first participant shown is an eager Amy Rose, who attempts to impress Sonic by juggling and singing "When the Saints Go Marching In" but fails twice. The next candidate is Fastidious Beaver, who he admits that he is a coward. Finally, Knuckles the Echidna enters the try-outs, though he believes Sonic is qualified to be his sidekick instead.

At the end of the try-outs, a cloaked figure applies and Sonic is impressed by his answers to the questions. However, the figure then clumsily uncloaks himself and reveals himself to be Tails, who is attempting to reclaim his role. Sonic refuses, but Tails notes that the poster never excluded him from applying. Eggman then shows up to apply for the job too, but while Sonic is against it, Eggman uses the same argument as Tails. Despite his disapproval of the idea, Sonic begrudgingly lets them move on to the next round and additionally accepts the Fastidious Beaver as a third candidate and alternative.

To test his candidates, Sonic has them race on hoverboards to Mount Safety to capture a red flag there. While Eggman gives Fastidious an early start to shut him up, Tails and Eggman soon take the lead. Eggman then tries to use his board's weapons against Tails, but the latter manages to avoid them while accidentally knocking Fastidious out of the race. As Sonic watches on, Tails and Eggman move onto the next part of it and fly towards the flag in their Tornado and Eggmobile. As they fly towards the flag, Eggman reveals that his real reason for joining the try-outs was to get rid of both Tails and Sonic, and picks up Burnbot from the jungle.

Despite Tails' best efforts, Burnbot manages to clip the Tornado's wing again and he crashes in a frozen lake, now unable to leave the plane. However, Sonic comes to his aid and pulls him out just before the Tornado sinks. Then he apologizes to Tails by confessing to him that he fired him in order to protect him. Eggman and Burnbot then face the duo again, except this time the robot has been upgraded with fire weaponry, which is used to crack the ice around them. Sonic falls into the water, and since he cannot swim, Tails is forced to pull Sonic out. Sonic tries to get Tails to escape on his own when recovery proves to be too difficult, but Tails adamantly refuses, and both plummet underwater. Though Sonic resigns to his fate, Tails perseveres, and the duo manage to not only resurface, but go airborne. From there, Sonic lands a hard hit on Burnbot, causing it to break through the ice and sink. Sonic and Tails then fly back to solid ground while Eggman retreats, promising to return with a better robot.

As the sun sets, Sonic and Tails reconcile and Sonic re-hires Tails as his sidekick due to his earlier actions. Back at Sonic's Shack, Amy demands a callback when Knuckles passes by and notes that finding his own sidekick has been unsuccessful. Noticing an opportunity, Amy auditions for Knuckles on the spot, sparking his interest.

Continuity

Goofs

Regional differences

  • In the Brazilian dub of this episode, Eggman is referred to as "Robotnik". That was the name given to Eggman and all his incarnations in the western territories during the Sonic series' first years.

Productions

According to Bill Freiberger, early drafts of the episode included Sticks the Badger. However, since there was so much that needed to be done in this episode, it was decided to remove Sticks from it entirely rather than bothering themselves with the work in including her.[4]

Title in other languages

Language Title Translation
Brazilian portuguese O Assistente The Assistant
Chinese 助手 Assistant
Finnish Apupoika The assistant
French Le Coéquipier The Teammate
German Der Sidekick The Sidekick
Hungarian A társ The companion
Italian Cercasi assistente Help wanted
Japanese 相棒オーディション Partner Audition
Korean 조수를 구합니다 Assistant Wanted
Polish Pomocnik Helper
Portuguese O Parceiro The Partner
Romanian Partenerul The partner
Russian Напарник The sidekick
Spanish (Latin America) El Compañero The Companion
Turkish Yardımcı Aranıyor Help Wanted
Ukrainian Напарник The Partner

Trivia

  • This episode contains the first footage shown of the series back in February 2014.
  • The beginning of "The Sidekick" was used as the pilot presentation for the Sonic Boom television series.[5]
  • Like the first episode of Sonic X, this episode showed Sonic's weakness that he cannot swim and is saved by his close friend (In this episode, Tails saved him while in Sonic X, he was saved by Christopher Thorndyke).
  • The fourth wall is broken, coincidentally enough, four times:
    • When Tails attempts to eject from his falling plane the first time, the lever breaks, after which Tails looks at the viewer in confusion.
    • When the camera takes a close up of Eggman, it immediately tilts to the floor, Eggman focuses the camera back to him, remarking, "Lousy security camera!"
    • When Knuckles tries to change Sonic's name to 'Knuckles Jr.", Sonic looks at the viewer with an annoyed look on his face.
    • When Sonic announces to Tails that he has "Early Retirement", Tails says to the viewer, "Wait, what just happened?"
  • When Eggman shows his application form for sidekick auditions, his picture is similar to one of his released concept art.
  • Sticks did not appear in this episode, therefore making it the first episode where a main character does not appear, as well as the first episode where Sticks does not appear in.
  • This is the only episode where the Tornado aircraft appears.
  • The DVD set Sonic Boom: The Sidekick borrows this episode's title.
  • The plot of this episode was adapted for Sonic Boom 01 - Le partenaire ideal.
  • In Finland, this episode was first published in Ruutu.fi on April 5, 2016.
  • The design for Fastidious Beaver's parking ticket would be used for the Event ticket in Sonic Dash 2: Sonic Boom.
  • This episode, along with the "Can an Evil Genius Crash on Your Couch for a Few Days?", "Sole Power", "Chili Dog Day Afternoon" and "It Takes a Village to Defeat a Hedgehog", were the only ones during the first season of Sonic Boom to be released in their production order in the United States.
  • Concept artwork for this episode appeared in Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice.

References

  1. Sonic Boom: The Sidekick. Zap2it.com. Retrieved on 1 May 2015.
  2. Cartoon Network Junho - ANMTV.COM.BR. Retrieved on 13 July 2016.
  3. Cartoon Network - Schedule (2015/10/12). Retrieved on 26 Feburary 2017.
  4. Sonic Boomcast Episode 8: Welcome to Freibergers. Sonic Boomcast (25 March 2015). Retrieved on 26 March 2015.
  5. Bill Freiberger on Twitter. Twitter (30 September 2016). Retrieved on 15 October 2016. "Alexander Soerensen: Is there a pilot episode for Sonic Boom? / Bill Freiberger: The pilot presentation for Sonic Boom was the beginning of "The Sidekick.""