Episode Guide #097 - #104 A Way Off Day Off The Mandarin Island Miss Match Wherefore Art Thou, Pokémon Get Along Little, Pokémon The Mystery Menace Misty Meets Her Match Bound For Trouble Charizard Chills A Way Off Day Off Pokémon seen: Lapras, Pikachu, Togepi, Jigglypuff, Staryu, Goldeen, Farfetch’d, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Snorlax, Charizard, Venonat, Marill, Scyther, Psyduck, Meowth, Victreebel, Arbok, Weezing Story: The group are getting a little weary during their journeys, and so they end up taking a day off on an island free of people. All the Pokémon are released and everyone gets a chance to meet Scyther, Charizard acts like its usual self, and nearly gets into a scrape with Scyther. Team Rocket are on the same island and discover the Pokémon are here too, and so they make plans to steal them all. Scyther and Charizard avoid a Victreebel Sleep Powder attack at night and save the other Pokémon from being snatched in their sleep, and after defeating them, seem to respect each other’s abilities. My favourite Quote: (Team Rocket ride a line down to a tree during the motto but crash into it) Jessie: “Team Blockit rast off at the lead of spite, tonight...” James: “Surrender now or prepare... to surrender now... surrender now...” Meowth (scratching them): “Meowth! Say the motto right!” Things I’d like to point out: There’s an easy solution to stopping a Snorlax from eating your food when you own it, use the Pokéball and recall it! When Ash caught Snorlax, it wasn’t originally to train it, it was to imprison it and prevent it from eating Grapefruit Island’s grapefruit supplies, he shouldn’t have to defend himself because of it, but then again, he shouldn’t be making out as if his simply owning it is what makes it a better Pokémon. During the recap of the past Orange Gym Leaders, the music track “My Best Friends” is played in the background. Tracey’s dream about the three legendary birds is awfully coincidental when you consider that the Pokémon characters are soon to see them all (in the second movie). Sleep powder against sleeping Pokémon should not work quite so effectively, why can’t Team Rocket use that technique when the group is awake, it’d make stealing Pikachu so much easier. What’s with James’s nose growing when he brags about his Victreebel? Is it supposed to symbolise how snooty he’s being, or that he’s lying like Pinocchio? Team Rocket really should have given up as soon as the Pokémon woke up; Arbok and Weezing were beaten silly and never would have won against the full team of Pokémon. Who’s That Pokémon?: Porygon Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None. The Mandarin Island Miss Match Pokémon seen: Bulbasaur, Butterfree, Pikachu, Togepi, Meowth, Squirtle, Persian, Tauros, Charizard, Slowbro, Machamp, Marowak, Dewgong, Kadabra, Cloyster, Jynx Story: The group is on Mandarin Island, and Ash is battling everyone he can, Tracey discovers that a great trainer and lecturer called Prima is here, Ash gets overconfident in his next battle and Charizard gets out of control and must be stopped by Prima. The group is invited to Prima’s place, where she continues to explain her methods and attempts to get through to Ash. Ash battles against Prima with Pikachu against her Cloyster but ultimately loses, and after a lecture and a brief encounter with Team Rocket, Ash understands that he must have the strength that comes from within and that he must acknowledge his Pokémon for the battles they’ve won for him. My favourite Quote: Prima: “A trainer is as good as his Pokémon.” Things I’d like to point out: Is this meant to be the same Mandarin Island as seen in “Pikachu Re-Volts”? If so, it feels like Ash’s chosen route through the islands is a little flawed to have gone all over the place only to wind up back here. However, from this episode onwards, the group remain on Mandarin Island so maybe it’s a huge island that was easier to sail to the other side than walking there, that or none of this applies and this comes down to a dubbing error. Number one: Lorelai is not a Water-type trainer, her specialty is Ice-type Pokémon, Water just happens comes with the package of certain Ice-types. Why is Lorelai’s name changed to Prima throughout the series? It’s proven later for sure that it’s the same woman from the Elite Four as in the games (“Wired For Battle!”), Bruno got his correct name in the cartoon (“To Master the Onixpected!”), so why not Lorelai? I’ve seen this sort of thing before in the old Super Mario Bros cartoons, in which each one of the villains known as the Koopa Kids’ names were altered as well as the main villain. Tracey can’t believe that Persian can use Electric attacks, he really should, many Pokémon can use different type moves that aren’t their specialty, and Normal-types are the most likely in learning many different types. Hasn’t Ash learned by now? It’s not the experience or badges that will get Charizard’s respect, in the games it’s that simple, but in this scenario, he needs to reach an understanding with Charizard, something he finally does a few episodes later (“Charizard Chills”). I’m hoping Lorelai’s statement about a trainer only being as good as His Pokémon was only said that way because Ash is male, I would think Lorelai would alter the saying in the case of a female because it’s a good phrase. A Pokémon Trainer will only ever be as good as their Pokémon are. Many people will have let this one slip, but the Pokémon fighting Prima’s Cloyster is not an Alakazam contrary to its voice, it’s a Kadabra. Withdraw has been twisted, it usually only does well against physical attacks and so Pikachu’s Electric attack shouldn’t have been so useless against it, only the thick shell should have been the cause of this. Big mistakes happening in the battle, Tracey missed a huge part of explaining Rage attack, it only increases the attack power after a few knocks, Take Down shouldn’t have been so darn effective. Why oh why are Team Rocket complimenting Jynx when it’s coming right for them? They deserve to lose this one. The apparent Ice Beam attack is the wrong name for what Jynx did, she blatantly used Ice Punch against Team Rocket. Who’s That Pokémon?: Machop Cameos in Pokémon Journey: Oh yeah; Prima, or as I’ve decided to call, Lorelai Prima to account for both game and cartoon names, becomes a Gym Leader in Delft Town, and after a rescue in the mountains in Chapter 31, both Tetsubo and Scott take her on, plus, Tetsubo is going through similar problems to Ash with his Charizard at that time. Wherefore Art Thou, Pokémon Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Marill, Nidoran Male, Nidoran Female, Pidgey, Vulpix, Caterpie, Raticate, Oddish, Meowth, Arbok, Victreebel, Staryu, Nidorina, Nidorino Story: The group end up in a quaint little village, and end up helping out two kids, Emily and Ralph, in search of their Nidoran, female and male called Maria and Tony. The two are discovered, but together, and in love, but since Emily and Ralph don’t get on, the two Pokémon are separated. The group learn that Ralph and Emily have known each other since they were little and have been competing for years. Misty is determined to bring the two Nidoran together and the others are roped into it, while Team Rocket aims to bring them together but steal them all the same. Misty’s attempt fails while Team Rocket take the Nidoran by force, but the group, Ralph and Emily track them down and the two Nidoran work together to beat Team Rocket. Misty and Tracey convince Ralph and Emily to let their Nidoran stay together (by building a home for them between their houses), right before their evolution. My favourite Quote: Misty (referring to Ralph and Emily): “They’re not mature enough to admit it, but they really like each other.” Tracey: “You know what? It’s exactly the same thing with you and Ash.” Ash and Misty: “You must be crazy!” Things I’d like to point out: The narrator’s lying again; Ash did not have any sort of victory against Prima. He lost miserably! There’s a mention of England in the cartoon, raising more questions about what of the real world and fictional world makes up the Pokémon world. The Nidoran names, Tony and Maria, are characters from “West Side Story”; the way the Nidoran are kept apart is loosely based on the way this musical’s storyline went; only Pokémon has a happy ending. The title is a pun on a line from Romeo and Juliet (“Wherefore Art Thou Romeo?”); another tragic love story. How is it that Ash doesn’t realise the difference between female and male Nidoran? He’s seen both Nidoking and Nidoqueen. Obviously the laws in trainer licenses are different here, as Ralph and Emily have been catching and training Pokémon since they were very little, while in Pallet Town the minimum age is 10. There’s a mention of Santa Claus, but I don’t think Team Rocket will be receiving any great gifts after their last encounter with him. Again, here’s an opportunity for James to dress like a man, but for some reason, he’s disguised as a bride while Jessie wears the groom suit, and why is Jessie wearing lipstick when she’s supposed to be disguised as a guy? Who made that decision? Knowing his apparent liking for this sort of thing, James probably... Despite Misty’s obvious dislike to admitting her feelings, her statement about having to find out if people change when they’re first kissed to Ash is fairly revealing about the way she feels, not that Ash seems to get it totally. The ending of this episode is strange, aside from the fact that Arbok and Victreebel were recalled to their Pokéballs and then they’re suddenly out again, why is there a bell missing on the church and how did Victreebel end up tied around the structure (to look like a bell itself) with Arbok in its mouth? Who’s That Pokémon?: Venonat Cameos in Pokémon Journey: Nidoran and Nidoran are similar to Tetsubo’s and Emily’s Nidoran that are in love with each other but owned by different trainers, they are separated when Tetsubo and Emily spilt up, and later brought back together in Chapter 41 with their feelings different to before. Get Along Little, Pokémon Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Magnemite, Jolteon, Tauros, Meowth, Arbok, Magneton Story: Still on the large Mandarin Island, the group are now walking down a rugged desert landscape, on the way, a storm starts up, but the group is protected from the lightning by several Magnemite. They are owned by Ethan who, with his Jolteon, has the Magnemite store electricity and power up nearby towns with the energy. Ethan gives the group a ride through the desert on his wagon but Team Rocket are up to their usual schemes and look to take the Magnemite. Ethan is given a message that his services are needed in the next town because of a power failure, and so he looks to hurry there. Team Rocket gets in the way and nab all the Pokémon, they fail as usual but during the fight Ethan is hurt, and so Ash must make the trip alone to make it to town in time. Team Rocket strike again and Pikachu fights in a battle to lure the Magnemite to their side, but the once black sheep of the group Magnemite Number 6 evolves and saves the day. Ash finishes the journey and powers up the town, saving everyone, he’s offered a chance to stay with Ethan but he kindly declines, and continues his journey to the Orange League. My favourite Quote: Meowth: “Pikachu, Magnemite, Jolteon... That’s a real power posse.” James: “Just wait ‘til we bring all of Them back to the Boss.” Jessie: “Oh we’ll bring them to the Boss, but after We get a little currency out of their current.” Things I’d like to point out: To my count, this is the 100th episode of Pokémon, if not for the three episodes that weren’t aired, then “A Way Off Day Off” would have been the 100th episode, which feels more like a 100th episode in its storyline than this one, oh well... The title is pun of a country song “Get Along Little Doggy.” Jolteon’s voice obviously and permanently changes in this episode, from a high pitched voice to a weary low voice. When Misty talks to Ethan but puts on a similar accent, isn’t that kind of mocking him? When you place two magnets in a certain direction next to each other, they repel rather than attract each other, can’t the Magnemite at least try to do this when Team Rocket catch them with the giant magnet? For one of the few times in Pokémon, gravity actually comes into effect when Arbok is summoned from the hot-air balloon. I think Ethan should have been more damaged than just a hurt arm, what with a Jolteon slamming into him with its spiky body. Pikachu seems to have an Ash trait of not taking important orders when it should, Ash tends to stay while others tell him to leave while they take care of a problem, here Pikachu is ordered to flee with the Magnemite, but it stays put and the Magnemite are easily drawn away by Team Rocket. According to certain information, Magnemite only evolve by fusing with two other Magnemite, but not in the video game, and since for once we see a Magnemite evolution as it happens when Number 6 evolves without fusing with any of the other Magnemite, the series is going along with the game’s ways, as they did with Koffing/Weezing. Who’s That Pokémon?: Chansey Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None. The Mystery Menace Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Meowth, Bulbasaur, Weezing, Muk Story: The group near another town but take a fall into one of Team Rocket’s traps gone out of control. They wander around the tunnels and sewers for a way out, but are seemingly attacked by a strange monster and Bulbasaur is snatched away by it. The group is discovered and rescued, but are forbidden to talk of the creature or go back down by the Mayor of the town. The Mayor intends to destroy the creature in order to keep the peace so he can win the upcoming election. Ash, Misty and Tracey re-enter the sewers despite the swat team, while Team Rocket are still stuck there, and quickly discover the creature too. Misty and Togepi are the next ‘victims’ of the creature and are taken as well, while Team Rocket accidentally convince the swat team that they are monsters and distract them. Unfortunately, the Mayor reacts to this by sealing the sewers shut and trapping the group inside. The missing Pokémon are found, along with the creature who is just a huge Bulbasaur who was using Vine Whip, it was abandoned by its trainer and grew up in the sewers. The group get out and bring the Bulbasaur back to the Mayor, its trainer, who threw it away years ago, but the Bulbasaur bears no grudge against it. Still, the Mayor refuses to apologise for what he did to it and nearly has his team attack it, the Bulbasaur retaliates and gets back at the Mayor, who isn’t likely to be voted for after his true colours have been shown. The Bulbasaur will be taken care of by the Nurse Joy of the town, and Ash and the group are very close to the next Orange Crew member on Trovita Island. My favourite Quote: James (using a detonator): “Here goes nothing...” (No explosion happens) Meowth: “Nut’in’ is right.” Things I’d like to point out: Was there really enough rope to tie Ash up so much that it looks more like a cocoon around him?... No. In one scene, Togepi’s blue shape on the front of its shell briefly disappears. What makes the swat team think that Team Rocket are monsters, Jessie has her hair over her eyes, and James is making a face with Meowth over his head, but still, it must have been extremely dark for them not to see it was just two people and a Meowth. This isn’t the first time Meowth has clamped his mouth around James’s head, he did so in “Wake Up Snorlax!” when the group were trudging along tiredly. On the same subject, what’s with the putty guns? I thought the Mayor wanted to wipe out the monsters instead of capturing them and studying them. I know swimming underwater was necessary, but doesn’t Ash or Tracey think what could be in the water of a sewer, but then again, most cartoons do this. Also, they leave Muk behind instead of recalling it, there’s no sign of Muk following them but it appears when Ash comes to in Bulbasaur’s lair. Why did Ash faint, did he pass out from the sight of the Bulbasaur’s large vine or did it knock him out thinking him an intruder? The mystery of the creature is revealed, but not of how the Bulbasaur was able to remain underwater for such a long time when it encountered the group and Team Rocket incognito. What exactly caused the surge of water that got the group out of the sewers and into the Mayor’s bathroom? Also, there’s an obvious reference to Surfing Pikachu when Pikachu mysteriously gets a pink surfboard from out of nowhere and rides on it during the flood. Apparently the Mayor is extremely quick in making himself decent with a towel within the time it took for his bath to float outside and catapult him. He’s also wearing some underwear when thrown into the air by his Bulbasaur. It makes little sense, but it’s preferable to the alternative. The Mayor is horrible, how could he throw away such a cute little Bulbasaur? Hearing it call out while drifting into the sewers just breaks your heart a little. I know the Mayor did bad things, and having the team attack a Pokémon wasn’t right, but aren’t Ash and the group breaking the law by having Pikachu and Bulbasaur attack the swat team? It’s just a good thing that Officer Jenny is on their side in this episode. Who’s That Pokémon?: Zapdos Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None. Misty Meets Her Match Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Seel, Staryu, Lapras, Meowth, Charizard, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, Exeggutor, Electabuzz, Starmie, Hitmonchan, Golem, Alakazam, Pidgeot, Rhydon, Venomoth, Ninetales Story: On the way to Trovita Island, Misty saves a little girl from drowning, while Team Rocket have a problem and get washed away by the whirlpools, and run into several problems throughout the next two days and don’t come close to stealing Ash’s Pokémon. The little girl is the sister of the Trovita Gym Leader Rudy, who showers his attention and affections on Misty. Ash takes a trial test before he can battle Rudy, not that he pays too much attention to Ash. During the night before the battle of matching type Pokémon, Rudy dines and dances with Misty before asking her if she’d like to stay with him. Rudy matches types against Ash in battle, and Pikachu falls flat against Electabuzz, Exeggutor uses rhythm to get around Bulbasaur’s attacks, but a last minute Sleep Powder brings the scores to one win a piece. Finally it’s Starmie Versus Squirtle, and a dancing evasion and a surprising Thunderbolt attack looks to give Rudy the victory. But Misty shouts out to Ash with advice, and in the process, reveals to Rudy who she wants to be with. Squirtle learns Hydro Pump and beats Starmie, winning the match, and winning Ash the Spike Shell Badge. Rudy accepts Misty’s decision and mentions to Ash that he’s a lucky guy to have Misty’s affections, even though he doesn’t realise it as yet. My favourite Quote: Rudy (after Pikachu attacks his Electabuzz with Thunderbolt): “It’s very nice of you to recharge my Electabuzz’s batteries, Ash.” Things I’d like to point out: Any true Pokémon fan will make out the Pokémon on Tracey’s sketchpad as Elekid; the unevolved form of Electabuzz that stars in the second mini-movie. How can Jessie have made Meowth sneeze by rubbing her hair against his nose, when he technically doesn’t have a nose? Rudy’s a smart one, his rules are to match his Pokémon to whatever his opponents use, he even has a Pokémon of each basic type, Bug and Poison are covered by Venomoth, Normal/Flying by Pidgeot, Rock and Ground by Golem, Electric by Electabuzz, Psychic by Alakazam, Fire by Ninetales, and finally, Water and Grass with Starmie and Exeggutor, but these two Pokémon (along with Electabuzz) are the ones that battle Ash, and they ever so sneakily have a Psychic-type side that opens up their range of moves to take advantage of their opponents, Exeggutor Could have used Psychic attacks against Bulbasaur, who is a Grass/Poison-type, and Starmie did take advantage by using Thunderbolt against Squirtle. Flirting and dancing aside, I think I relate a lot to Rudy in terms of Pokémon Training. Finally, Squirtle learns its final attack, but it doesn’t evolve, just as Bulbasaur didn’t, which is a shame really, as Wartortle is a cool looking and great Pokémon. Who’s That Pokémon?: Scyther Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None, but I have Rudy to thank for my discovery of a Starmie’s range of taught attacks, which led it to become my favourite Pokémon of the first 151 Pokémon, which is why the main character of Pokémon Journey, Tetsubo, gets one. Bound For Trouble Pokémon seen: Togepi, Pikachu, Meowth, Arbok, Weezing, Pidgeot, Bulbasaur, Staryu, Marill, Rhydon, Snorlax, Victreebel, Psyduck Story: After the victory at Trovita Island, the group stops off at another island known for supersized Pokémon. Team Rocket traps them and wins over Pikachu, ending things by connecting Pikachu to a belt that’s connected to Meowth. But before they can return to the Boss, a giant Pidgeot makes off with Meowth and Pikachu, it’s defeated by Pikachu, but the two are separated from the trainers and wander around the island together. It’s a race between the group and Team Rocket to find Meowth and Pikachu first, but Team Rocket seemingly have the advantage. While Ash comes across a Pidgeot that may have taken Pikachu in the first place, Pikachu and Meowth come across a Rhydon, but together, they defeat it. Meowth and Pikachu come to somewhat of an understanding and work together for now, but in the morning they are ambushed by the Pidgeot and Rhydon again. Ash and Team Rocket appear to save them, but a fight ensues between them for Pikachu. The key is taken from Jessie and Pikachu and Meowth are separated, Team Rocket try one last weapon, but while Psyduck stares at it, Togepi performs another secret rescue and defeats Team Rocket. Ash and Pikachu are reunited while Meowth is disappointed at the lack of care his ‘friends’ give him compared to Pikachu. My favourite Quote: Meowth (running to Team Rocket): “Jessie! James!!!... T’anks a lot fer coming ta find me, fer a while there I t’ought ya didn’t care about me!” Jessie: “We were Really trying to catch that Pikachu and You were just part of the package Meowth.” James: “Sorry to burst your bubble.” Meowth (saddened): “The painful truth...” Things I’d like to point out: What does the X on the map represent? No one seems to notice Pikachu pointing to it and so it’s not a plot that gets pursued. Hats off to Team Rocket, to trap Ash and the group with reverse psychology and then go on to defeat Pikachu in battle. It’s a real shame they’re the bad guys and that they ultimately lose Pikachu and blast off as always this episode, and even worse that no matter how much better they were this episode, they revert back to their rubbish ways afterwards. I’m sorry, but to roll backwards down a small mountain should really result in either broken bones or death, how can Ash just stand up after a fall like that and claim he’s just fine? Perhaps Pokémon should join the rest of the other cartoons in sticking a warning not to copy the actions of the people (and Pokémon) seen in the show. Again Meowth brings up the fact that he has no nose, but he claims that because of this he can’t smell, this isn’t true if past episodes like “Pokémon Scent-sation!” have anything to say on the matter. I admit shocking Rhydon’s insides to defeat it was smart, but just as shocking a Rhydon’s horn in the Cinnabar Gym shouldn’t work, Electric attacks should be absolutely useless against Ground-types. The act of splitting the apple in half to share with Meowth is heart-warming, but farfetched, how can Pikachu so effortlessly pull an apple into two pieces? During the night, the instrumental to the soundtrack song “You Can Do It (If You Really Try)” is played, which is as best as this song gets to having a part in the actual series. Everyone who’s seen the wild Pokémon battle has offered nothing but good comments, especially Snorlax’s part in it, and when you consider that Mega Punch is a Normal attack and should be weak against Rock-types, Snorlax is an amazingly strong Pokémon to take out a Giant Rhydon like it does. Once again Togepi uses Metronome to blow something up (see “Pikachu Re- Volts”), I still don’t know which official attack it’s meant to be replicating. Who’s That Pokémon?: Charizard Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None, but a future story will be pairing up Tetsubo and one of his enemies much like this storyline. Charizard Chills Pokémon seen: Lapras, Pikachu, Togepi, Tentacruel, Meowth, Poliwrath, Charizard Story: On the journey, the group is encountered by a trainer called Tad who has heard about Ash’s latest victory and wishes to battle him. Pikachu ultimately loses to Poliwrath and Ash chooses Charizard to follow, but he’s as out of control as ever and because he refuses to listen to Ash, he’s frozen by Poliwrath. Tad is disappointed, but offers Ash a rematch in the future, and Ash must help his Charizard recover. During that night, Ash and Charizard seem to come to an understanding, and when Team Rocket steal Pikachu once more in the morning, Ash has Charizard’s full support and teamwork in getting it back. Tad sees this and gives Ash his rematch right away, but this time, Ash and Charizard work together perfectly and win. Ash accidentally angers Charizard afterwards, but despite its short temper, Charizard is a team player now. My favourite Quote: Meowth: “Look there’s a boat comin’.” Jessie: “What kind of losers would come here?” James: “We came here, didn’t we?” Things I’d like to point out: While on Tad’s boat, for one shot Tracey’s headband turns green like the one Tad wears. Tad’s Poliwrath wears the P-1 Championship belt, but since a Poliwrath was briefly seen losing in the tournament Ash competed in back in “The Punchy Pokémon”, was this the same Poliwrath we saw getting beaten in a still frame back then? Charizard finally remembers the old days when it was a Charmander and worked side by side with Ash, couldn’t it have remembered these things sooner instead of lashing out at Ash for all this time? I guess not, but Charizard redeems itself over the next few seasons and movies of Pokémon. From a certain perspective, Team Rocket’s drill robot looks a little like part of a Poliwag/Whirl/Wrath, but was this intentional or an accident? Why is Ash so surprised at Rage attack, when he’s seen it used before by the same Pokémon (as a Charmander), and once again, the attack isn’t accurate, as damage must be taken into the Pokémon before anything can be enhanced. There’s a definite error in that Ash isn’t wearing his jacket or cap during the night or against Team Rocket, however, after beating them he’s suddenly wearing them again, when confirming he’ll battle Tad again, the items are gone, and finally they reappear and stay on during the battle. Another count for the ‘Round the Moon’ Seismic Toss attack from Charizard, and there’s more to come in the future. A big mistake, as Tad wishes to battle again with Ash in the Orange League, but as we discover, in the Orange League, trainers don’t battle among each other, they only battle against the current Orange League Champion. Who’s That Pokémon?: Caterpie Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None, but Tetsubo and his Charizard follow along the same path, for similar yet different reasons (“Diary of a Champion”). Episodes #089 - #096 Episodes #105 - #112 Movie and MiniMovie Guide Back to the Pokézone