 | |
| Series | Sonic Underground (DiC, 1999) |
| Season | Season 1 (the only season) |
| Episode | Episode 1 of 40 (production order) · production no. 401 · WildBrain no. 101 |
| French title | L’union fait la farce |
| First aired (France) | 6 January 1999 · TF1 |
| First aired (US) | 4 October 1999 · BKN Kids II (syndication) · 26th in US broadcast order |
| Written by | Ben Hurst and Pat Allee |
| Directed by | Marc Boreal, François Hemmen and Daniel Sarriet; Tom Smith (US) |
| Song | “When Tomorrow Comes” |
| Previous episode | – (first episode in production order; the story starts in Beginnings) |
| Next episode | To Catch a Queen (S01E02) |
Robotnik’s weddingSonia & BartlebyQueen Aleena sighting
Wedding Bell Blues is episode 1 of Sonic Underground, DiC’s 1999 cartoon about Sonic, Sonia and Manic, the hedgehog triplets of Queen Aleena. It is number 1 in production order – the order TF1 first showed the series in France, where it premiered on 6 January 1999 – and it was the 26th episode to air in the United States, on 4 October 1999. It was written by Ben Hurst and Pat Allee, and its song is “When Tomorrow Comes”.
Synopsis
Robotnik stuns Mobius with the news that he is to marry Queen Aleena, a match that would make him king and the triplets’ stepfather. It smells like a trap, but Sonic, Sonia and Manic cannot ignore it. Their way in is Bartleby, Sonia’s posh old flame: while Manic quietly helps himself to the silverware, Sleet and Dingo turn up demanding a “wedding donation”, and Bartleby talks them into taking a band for the reception instead.
Playing their way into the palace, the siblings hunt for their mother, but Sonia is caught. Robotnik reveals the real scheme: with the Queen missing, he will have Sonia crowned in her place and then adopt her, which would make him king by the back door. Manic dresses up as Queen Aleena to cause a diversion, only to land in a cell, which he promptly picks his way out of.
Just as the ceremony is about to go through, a hooded woman appears on the balcony and tells the crowd that Queen Aleena has never abandoned her people. The nobles cheer, Robotnik fumes and Sonic snatches Sonia away in the chaos. Comparing notes afterwards, the three realise that none of them was on that balcony. Their mother really is alive.
The Song: “When Tomorrow Comes”
Like nearly every Sonic Underground episode, this one stops for a song from the band. “When Tomorrow Comes” is about holding on to hope for the future, a fitting theme for an episode that ends with proof that the Queen is out there.
Key Moments
- Robotnik plans to become king, first by marriage and then by adoption.
- Manic goes undercover in a dress as Queen Aleena.
- The real Queen Aleena addresses the crowd and slips away before her children can reach her.
Trivia
- First in production order (no. 401) and first on TF1 in France, but the 26th episode to air in the United States. US viewers saw it on 4 October 1999, five weeks after the premiere.
- The French title, L’union fait la farce, plays on the saying “l’union fait la force” (unity is strength).
Watch the Episode
The full episode, uploaded by WildBrain’s official Sonic The Hedgehog – WildBrain YouTube channel (checked 6 November 2026).
Part of our Sonic Underground episode guide. The series page covers the characters, the songs, the prophecy and the show’s history.
Sources: titles, writers, songs and air dates from Luke’s original Sonic Scene guide, cross-checked with Wikipedia, Sonic Wiki Zone and Sonic Retro (Wayback copy); synopsis written for Sonic Scene from the episode, its official description and several fan references; title card and screenshots via Sonic Wiki Zone, copied to our media library.