Recap: The Ghost of the Old Castle

Hello again. Halloween has come and gone; and I decided I shall do something a bit different. I shall recap an episode of Sonic X. While I liked the series fine when I was younger, my appreciation of it has grown from both official and unofficial subtitled versions. No bizarre edits, no miscommunication about concepts from the games; and much less focus on Chris Thorndyke as opposed to the blue hedgehog whose name is in the title.

Regarding him: I have openly admitted my stance as a Sonic fan with a “try it before I buy it” mindset. I try to keep an open mind about experiments to the usual speed and platforming formula; as long as they work from a gameplay standpoint as well as a conceptual one. The most recent case of this is the upcoming Sonic Boom; which seems to have a team-based gameplay system similar to Sonic Heroes; and an animated series that has a sort of balance between the campy, over-the-top Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog and the grittier SatAM; but that’s beside the point. Right now, let’s open up “The Ghost of the Old Castle!”

We open on the Japanese theme, “Sonic Drive;” which employs one of the styles of music that I admire the franchise for: driving rock. I’m posting a link of it so you can hear.

Of course, we open proper on the eponymous old castle; which seems to be an unused set from a proposed remake of The Beast of Yucca Flats. 

Sonic, of course, is resting up for his next run. 

Drama bores me.

Of course, Chris is right by his side. The intention, as with Transformers Armada, was apparently to give an audience surrogate that kids could relate to; but let’s face it: I’ve always been the most eager to see the blue hedgehog. Besides, I’ve merely found Chris to be bland.

The family maid, who is not voiced by my good friend Mike Pollock; is playing an extra due to a lack of other candidates. I mean, it’s only a movie shoot! They’ve been doing those in these parts since Boris Karloff!

Also, the director looks kind of like Michael Bay. Yet, he’s depicted as favoring storytelling as well as spectacle! I guess the Japanese really do have him mixed up as my recap of “Lights, Camera, Destruction” suggested. Just as well, they were reportedly unprepared for his take on Transformers (apparently, sapient mecha are seen as childish in Japan; and their media reflect it, thus they were surprised by his gritty movie.). 

It seems Mrs. Thorndyke is shooting a movie at the castle. She’s no Natalie Portman. 

Then, she asks Chris about his friends.

Are they as bland as you?

She insinuates Tails is merely a special effect. It can’t be, it’s nowhere near as creepy as the Tails doll!

Chris winces at this; and asks where Cream and Cheese are.

Apparently, they got into the shot, and Bay’s assistant director says they can be erased digitally later. 

OK, but add in some product placement for the Xbox One!

Sonic ventures into the castle. That’s my boy!Not paying any heed to danger when there’s evil about! 


Apparently, this rune was speculated in both versions to be the cause of the problem. Can you guess what was cut for the states?

Aah! A symbol! Take it away!

The shoot continues through nightfall. Hopefully the Master isn’t around the place.

There is a scene with Mrs. Thorndyke guiding her way with candles; as if this were suddenly an old horror film. 

After the director decides to pick it up in the morning, Chris comes to see his mother. Even though these are the official subs (meaning Sega had to sign off on them); there are still many errors about.

Never predicate shall I put before subject.

That night, the sound tech decides to search through the castle.

Are you menstruating, by any chance?

Chris asks Tails about Sonic. I was wondering the same thing. Chris then ponders over the situation. He’s like that kid in Pod People. 

Or where Trumpy went!

Naturally, he’s outside; taking a run in the night sky.

Just stepping around, staying far way from Assassin's Creed and Call of Duty!

The sound tech then scans the wall for anything weird. Ghosts! That’s what it is! Ghosts!

The ghost then decides to spook Mrs. Thorndyke! 

Your mother plays Sonic 2006 in Hell!

Sonic finds the artifact, and notices the sun is on the other side.

Everyone starts calling for Lindsey!

Remember what your parole officer said!

The ghosts then start working a number 6 on the place; much to the dismay of Amy and Cream.

Well, that's the end of those shorts!

Sonic then arrives on the scene.

Who you gonna call?

Also, something that is somewhat amusing, as Sonic laments that his punches won’t harm the ghosts with a resounding “damn.”

I need that damn 4th Chaos Emerald!

Tails then gets sucked in! 

Wow, my shoes aren't helping!

Sonic, despite his best efforts, gets sucked in as well!

The search continues into the next day; as Chris and Amy find an old chamber downstairs!

Amy gets possessed by the ghosts, as the King, Boom Boo; starts showboating like Audrey II. 

Does this look inanimate to you, punk?!

Her face looks surprisingly freaky, both from the perspective of an 11-year-old and a 22-year-old. 

Free your mind! The rest will follow!

Chris of course, is overwhelmed and realizes he needs Sonic’s help!

The instructions to reverse the curse were edited out in the dub; thus bringing me to a new segment I call “Shit CEOs Say;” with the justification included in the caption.

"Kids today don't read, they actually read less."-Alfred R. Khan

As you can tell; this attitude, along with many other he held; is one of the key reasons why the company is bankrupt, with what’s left of it now a subsidiary of Saban Brands.

Sonic is freed, and prepares to take on King Boo.

If you're strong, you can fly, you can reach the other side of the rainbow!

Even so, King Boom Boo tries to eat everyone! Sonic just barely manages to get everyone out by daylight!

Blinded by the light!

Sonic then tells Chris and the others “don’t mind.” Gratuitous English is very funny!

Lindsey wonders if the whole thing was another movie shoot.

We end on the police being strangely receptive to the idea of ghosts, thanks to the officer’s grandfather telling him stories about them.

“The Ghost of the Old Castle” is an entertaining little entry in the Sonic X canon. The animation is quite nice, and the spooky setting is perfect to end my Halloween hangover (little Butterfinger crisps and pumpkin cheesecake go a long way). I apologize for the lateness of this recap, and I do have a surprise planned next. You’ll just have to wait and see what it is.