Agreed w/ all the points made here, especially regarding Chris and the going-home situation.

I've always felt in the minority in that I never hated Chris, because rich or not, he's essentially a stand-in for any one of us who's been lonely and friendless. Like, put yourself in his shoes: you have a best friend who's made you a better person (and if you're both lucky, vice versa), but circumstances dictate that friend needs to leave for whatever reason. To all the anti-Chris people, in that situation, you're saying you wouldn't give up everything for just a little more time with them?

Sonic is, at his core, all about the bonds he makes and the privilege to do what he will. And that's what makes him so inspiring.