Episode Guide #145 - #152

Tricks of the Trade
The Fire-ing Squad!
No Big Woop!
Tunnel Vision
Hour of the Houndour
The Totodile Duel
Hot Matches!
Love, Totodile Style

Tricks of the Trade

Pokémon seen:  

Pikachu, Togepi, Wobbuffet, Victreebel, Lickitung, Meowth, Snubbull, Tauros, 
Gligar, Marill, Quagsire, Sunflora, Sentret, Stantler, Hoothoot, Scyther, 
Hoppip, Primeape, Pineco, Farfetch’d, Magikarp, Drowzee, Raticate, Nidoran 
Female, Nidoran Male, Sandslash, Voltorb, Doduo, Starmie, Butterfree, Rhyhorn, 
Scizor, Bellsprout, Krabby, Raichu, Oddish, Mareep, Machoke, Venonat, 
Wigglytuff, Ledyba, Donphan, Blissey, Bellossom, Psyduck, Golem, Exeggutor, 
Slowpoke, Chansey, Chikorita

Story:  

Ash and friends arrive in Pompona, where they meet a trainer called Benny, 
trying to trade his Wobbuffet at the Pokémon Swap Meet.  
Ash hastily trades his Heracross in order to retrieve his Tauros from Oak so 
it can battle in a Tauros only tournament, and it surprisingly beats the 
champion.  
Ash will not trade anything for his Tauros, but aims to help Benny find 
someone to trade for Wobbuffet.  
Meanwhile, Team Rocket has built a fake exchange machine that apparently 
raises the level of the Pokémon being traded, but Meowth hides inside and 
swaps the Pokéballs for empties.  
While Ash and the group arrange for a Stantler to be traded, James runs into 
the conman from the St. Anne a long time ago, he realises the familiar 
situation and chases the guy demanding his money back.  
At the last moment, the trainer withdraws the Stantler because he wants a 
Flying Pokémon, and in the chase, James knocks Jessie sky high, and one of her 
Pokéballs lands in the exchange machine and is traded without her realising 
it.  
Team Rocket’s scheme is discovered, and they subdue all the trainers, Ash 
organises for everyone to unleash their Tauros all at once, so that Team 
Rocket goes flying.  
But the trainers are tricked again, Team Rocket dropped some more empties, and 
got away with the real Pokéballs, but Ash and friends catch up.  
Jessie calls on Lickitung, but Wobbuffet is released, and though it surprises 
Chikorita with its counter-attack techniques, Pikachu overwhelms it and Team 
Rocket is defeated.  
Benny is happy with his new Lickitung, as is Lickitung with its new trainer.  

My favourite Quote:  

James (to Victreebel):  “Just remember how well I take care of you the next 
time you decide to bite the head that waters you.”  

Things I’d like to point out:  

It’s Lickitung’s last episode, but today it proves that licking people doesn’t 
result in paralysis unless it’s been instructed to, it licks Jessie but all 
that comes out of it is her getting mad at it.  

Snubbull makes a cameo in this episode but for once doesn’t locate Meowth nor 
bite him on the tail.  

When the group enters the Swat Meet and Ash makes a statement, his mouth 
blatantly opens and closes even after he speaks (even though he seemingly 
speaks slowly in an attempt to match the mouth movements).  

Pokémon should fear being sent to Oak, as 90% of the time they end up staying 
there more or less permanently, like this case with Heracross.  

Ash had an unfair advantage; Fernando’s Tauros battled 10 before him and 
therefore should be fatigued, in terms of experience and level Fernando should 
have won since Ash rarely uses Tauros.  

Ash should have traded the Tauros, for a Pokémon he’s only used twice, he sure 
got attached to it pretty fast, and it’s been at Oak’s for quite a while and 
will remain there for some time.  

Why didn’t Misty want to trade her Psyduck? She was offered a Marill which she 
wanted in “For Crying Out Loud” and she once tried to trade Psyduck for 
Tentacruel and Vulpix (“Bye Bye Psyduck” and “The Ninja Poké-Showdown”).  

For someone who caused such a bad event for James, he should have remembered 
the Magikarp salesman sooner than before the end of his sales speech.  

When Jessie slams into the trading machine and falls down she complains that 
her forehead hurts, she should be a little more concerned about her back, as 
I’m sure that took most of the impact, unless her back has just created a 
natural defence due to her taking so many falls.  

Since James has a book on Pokémon, Team Rocket should really read through the 
whole thing and learn about theirs and their enemies’ Pokémon.  

Wobbuffet’s Counter attack shouldn’t have worked against Vine Whip or Razor 
Leaf, only physical attacks, Grass attacks come under special attacks and 
Mirror Coat is what should have been used to repel them.  
It serves it right that it couldn’t prevent Pikachu’s electricity from getting 
through, as it’s also a special attack.  

Can’t Ash and Misty put 2 and 2 together?  
Jessie was surprised to have a Wobbuffet after she loudly called on Lickitung, 
she even had James look up its moves, therefore it’s pretty obvious she got it 
today, and Benny showed up immediately after the battle with Lickitung before 
explaining in detail who he got it from.  
I know they’re not supposed to know, so that they don’t feel sorry for 
Wobbuffet every time they beat it, but the good guys have never been too 
bright when it comes to these matters.  

Brock says it’s always sad to say goodbye to a real friend, if Benny really 
was a good friend to Wobbuffet, he wouldn’t have traded it like a collector’s 
item.  

Who’s That Pokémon?:  

Wooper

Cameos in Pokémon Journey:  

Not only do Tetsubo’s group and Chad visit Pompona in the second series, but a 
coinciding side story brings Cody, Danielle and Elite Rocket to the event 
where many new Pokémon join up through trades.  

The Fire-ing Squad!

Pokémon seen:  

Heracross, Togepi, Cyndaquil, Chikorita, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Pikachu, 
Psyduck, Wartortle, Poliwhirl, Quagsire, Marill, Poliwag, Golduck, Vaporeon, 
Staryu, Meowth, Muk, Poliwrath, Blastoise

Story:  

Ash checks into a Pokémon Centre and gives Oak his wish of being able to study 
Heracross a bit longer, he sends Tauros back regardless.  
He then learns of the Pokémon Fire and Rescue Grand Prix, a competition for 
fire-fighting Pokémon, he decides to enter but with some of Misty’s Pokémon as 
well, right before Aidan makes his presence known, Misty explains to Brock the 
events that happened in the Orange Island with Team Wartortle but learns that 
Aidan’s team are the returning champions.  
Jenny appears with the Squirtle Squad, looking a little gloomy, but they cheer 
up when they’re reunited with Ash’s Squirtle.  
Team Rocket are hidden away as always and plan another huge heist, while the 
Squirtle Squad and Team Wartortle train.  
The competition starts but Ash chose his team badly and loses to a team of 
Muk.  
The Squirtle Squad don’t fare so well against a group of Golduck, but as done 
before in training, Squirtle shapes them up and helps them catch up and win.  
Team Rocket burst in with a flame spraying robot, the Pokémon attempt to fight 
back but are all caught and captured, all that’s left are the Squirtle, Ash’s 
Squirtle takes command and the group fight together until Team Rocket trip up, 
Squirtle frees the Pokémon, and the robot soon explodes.  
Squirtle has proven it still makes a great leader and joins the Squirtle Squad 
for the rest of the tournament, the finals have the Squirtle and Wartortle 
competing against each other, it’s close but the Squirtle just about manage to 
reach first place in the tournament.  
Ash decides to let Squirtle rejoin its friends permanently, and after the 
goodbyes, it departs with Officer Jenny and its old friends.  

My favourite Quote:  

Meowth:  “We’re gonna have ta do this the ‘charred’ way!”  
Jessie:  “Let’s blast them James.”  
James:  “I believe that’s my cue, to barbecue!”  

Things I’d like to point out:  

Without Heracross and Charizard, Ash is back to having a team of little 
Pokémon, Noctowl is due to join but it’s not that big.  

The title is an obvious pun of “The firing squad”.  

The song played during the training arena is an instrumental of the 
original “PokéRAP”.  

Not so well known a song, but playing during the training session is a tune 
that’s originally from the S.S Aqua from the second set of games.  

When Psyduck is blasted into the fire by Staryu, I joke that it’s no accident, 
but I may be right, my proof is the number of times Psyduck has appeared when 
Misty wanted Staryu, this has effectively given it less time to be with and 
fight with its trainer, so it must have some resentment.  
What was Ash thinking by asking for Psyduck over Poliwag, or even his very own 
Kingler that’s been with Oak for months?  

The Squirtle should not have won considering the time wasted in their freezing 
up, falling over, and the ineffective spraying of water before Ash’s Squirtle 
made them change strategy, the Golduck were blasting their house with 
continuous water and should have been done way before the Squirtle got their 
act together.  

Once again, Ash runs into a dangerous situation without thinking, he always 
has good intentions but not the strength nor smart plan to see things through, 
if Jenny hadn’t been able to save him, Ash would have been a suitable name to 
have.  
Also, when Team Rocket torch the arena, at one point it looks like they flame 
a part of the audience (though it’s probably just above them).  

The dolls that the competitors must carry out the burning house are shaped 
like Clefairy, and are known as Pokédolls, seen in the first set of games.  

It’s nice that after all this time, Squirtle has its goodbyes with Bulbasaur, 
considering they used to work as a team on many occasions early in the 
series.  

This is one of very few episodes that Wobbuffet doesn’t appear in at all, 
although to be fair, it’s only just joined Team Rocket so its character traits 
haven’t quite come into play just yet.  

Who’s That Pokémon?:  

Houndour

Cameos in Pokémon Journey:  

None.  

No Big Woop!

Pokémon seen:  

Pikachu, Togepi, Wooper, Meowth, Wobbuffet, Arbok, Weezing

Story:  

The journey continues, and the group’s path overlooks a nursery, Brock is 
astonished by something that lands on him and takes a fall.  
Alicia sees to him and discovers one of her Wooper on him; Alicia runs a 
school for Wooper and takes care of them.  
Team Rocket are famished for food and go searching for mushrooms.  
Alicia receives a phonecall and must leave to see to her mother who is healing 
from a recent injury, Brock immediately offers to take care of the Wooper, and 
the others share his enthusiasm for the job.  
When they return to the school, the Wooper have disappeared, the group track 
the Wooper into the school building where they are causing trouble.  
Togepi manages to control the Wooper and lead them outside, but Alicia’s 
favourite Wooper is missing.  
Brock stays with the other Wooper while Ash and Misty search for it, they 
discover it but the Wooper is slippery and quick, shows little regard for 
their well-being and soon only Pikachu can catch up with it.  
Wooper eats all Team Rocket’s food but they can’t bring themselves to do 
anything to Wooper, except to capture it and hope its influence can make the 
Boss happy enough to forgive them for their failures.  
Despite the group’s efforts, Wooper is taken away, Alicia arrives with Brock 
while Team escape, and Alicia easily convinces Wooper to jump out and then 
fight, revealing her Wooper can fight really well, and its power is higher 
than anyone else expected.  
The group return to the school where Togepi has the other Wooper under 
control, Alicia reports things are fine with her mother and thanks the group 
for looking after her Wooper, they depart soon after, back on the road to 
Goldenrod City.  

My favourite Quote:  

Jessie (referring to Wooper):  “I can’t do it; I can’t look at that sweet 
little face and stay angry...”  
James:  “It’s absolutely adorable, isn’t it Jessie?”  
Meowth:  “It reminds me of me.”  

Things I’d like to point out:  

Alicia’s Wooper has a heart-shaped marking that defines it from other Wooper.  

Usually Ash and the group can go through a whole day with someone and not find 
out their name, but today, like the second movie, a character’s name is known 
before any information about it has been revealed.  
Brock introduces himself, and somehow knows Alicia’s name even though they’ve 
never met.  

Where did Alicia get her funding to run the school? From the way she talked 
about them just appearing, it seems like the Wooper are wild.  
Unless she comes from a rich family, she shouldn’t be able to afford what she 
does unless she looked after trained Wooper and charged for the service.  

Instead of saying their English name ‘Wooper’, the Wooper instead say their 
Japanese name ‘Upaa’ which I personally prefer.  

While the Wooper raid the school interior, the “Dance of the Bellossom” is 
heard though it’s only previously been associated with Bellossom, maybe one of 
the Wooper turned on the radio?  

Alicia should not be keeping the kind of cutlery she has in a school, they 
only fell off the counter and their sharp areas pierced the floor.  

Team Rocket doesn’t seem to be familiar with the fact that trained and caught 
Pokémon can’t be captured by normal methods like the Pokéball.  

Who’s That Pokémon?:  

Skarmory

Cameos in Pokémon Journey:  

None.  

Tunnel Vision

Pokémon seen:  

Pikachu, Togepi, Jigglypuff, Snubbull, Meowth, Onix, Victreebel, Arbok, 
Wobbuffet, Poliwag, Goldeen, Staryu, Psyduck, Pineco, Pidgey, Bulbasaur, 
Chikorita

Story:  

The group prepare to cut through the Onix Tunnel but will do so in the 
morning, meanwhile, and both Jigglypuff and Snubbull are in the area.  
Team Rocket enter the cave but are driven out by several Onix, they decide to 
steal Misty’s Pokémon to help them get through.  
The group notice Snubbull, but run into Jigglypuff and take an early nap.  
Snubbull catches up to Meowth but is also put to sleep with Team Rocket, when 
she wakes, she’s horrified at what Jigglypuff has done to her face, and sees 
Jigglypuff drawing on another Pokémon and so decides to steal its 
pen/makeshift microphone, upsetting Jigglypuff greatly.  
The group are awake and notice it’s lost its microphone and decide to help 
Jigglypuff find it, Snubbull finds Meowth (while Team Rocket dig holes) and 
bites his tail.  
Team Rocket realise Snubbull has a thing for Meowth, and decide to keep it for 
themselves, but Meowth refuses to be in the same team as Snubbull resulting in 
his getting kicked off Team Rocket.  
Ash and the group enter an area full of traps, but Jigglypuff sets them all 
off, inadvertently saving the group from falling into them.  
Snubbull is reminded of Meowth and leaves Team Rocket to find him, Jigglypuff 
meets Meowth and the two have a talk about their dreams, but Snubbull 
interrupts him and bites down on his tail again, Jigglypuff sees its 
microphone and gets into a fight with Snubbull, the group catches up, and Team 
Rocket start another fight, but with Misty.  
Team Rocket are beaten, Snubbull leaves, and Jigglypuff puts the group to 
sleep after retrieving its prized possession, and soon enough, the Onix in the 
cave as well.  
The group have no problems getting through the caves due to the sleeping Onix 
and continue their journey, Team Rocket attempt to get through but 
inadvertently wake up the Onix and are left to deal with them.  

My favourite Quote:  

(Jigglypuff and Snubbull are currently fighting by slapping each other)  
Jessie:  “Get in there Meowth; can’t you see that Snubbull’s in danger? Quit 
standing around gawking and do something to help out!”  
James:  “What are you waiting for?”  
Meowth:  “I was kinda waitin’ fer Jigglypuff ta slap that Snubbull silly.”  

Things I’d like to point out:  

Ash is slow as ever, and forgets he no longer has Squirtle to take on the 
Onix, normally I’d say to use the 2 Grass Pokémon he owns, but Victreebel’s 
failed Grass attack proves that the series is taking liberties and nullifying 
the Grass weakness from Onix and probably all Rock and Ground-types.  
It’s not like it’s never been told before, as back in “Showdown at the Po-ké 
Corrall”, Gary said that if he were facing Brock’s Rock-types, he’d use a 
Water-type and a Grass-type to get the advantage, and next episode Ash beats 
back a Golem with Chikorita’s Razor Leaf.  

Team Rocket decides to go through Onix Cave to get to the next town, but 
why?!  
All they’re here for is solely to steal Pikachu, and Ash hasn’t even entered 
the cave, Jessie comments that she doesn’t want to climb over the mountain but 
Team Rocket don’t need to, they have a balloon and yet they don’t use it 
today!  

Why didn’t Ash and the group attempt to run, there was plenty of time between 
when Jigglypuff was noticed and when Jigglypuff started singing to them.  

Again a Pokémon is forced to do impressions, Jigglypuff does a Snubbull 
today.  

The pogo stick spade is a flawed design, Jessie proves that it’s an 
ineffective spade when jumped on because although it digs into the ground, it 
won’t lift out any dirt without turning at an angle, and doing so would make 
the user lose balance and fall.  

Jessie doesn’t explain things clearly or wisely, she says that they’ll be 
taking Snubbull to the Boss, but that she’ll finally have a Pokémon she can 
cuddle in order to be more like Misty, but if they were truly giving it to the 
Boss, I doubt he’d let Jessie keep it for herself.  

The music playing while Jigglypuff falls into every trap is from the first 
mini-movie during Pikachu and Raichu’s race (which also included a 
misfortunate Jigglypuff that got stepped on if not this very one).  

Jessie refers to Meowth as an ‘it’, not a ‘he’ as we know he is.  

Why does Jigglypuff slap Meowth? He hates Snubbull and was rooting for 
Jigglypuff, it can’t have been confused or thought she was hitting Snubbull 
because its position never changed; Jigglypuff is just being a little brute.  

Wobbuffet decides to include itself in the Team Rocket motto, with or without 
Meowth it does this several times throughout the series.  

Again, Wobbuffet is able to counter Chikorita’s Grass attacks, but not 
another, this time in the form of a Water Gun; perhaps the writers think that 
Grass attacks are physical and not special attacks?  

Who’s That Pokémon?:  

Azumarill

Cameos in Pokémon Journey:  

None.  

Hour of the Houndour

Pokémon seen:  

Togepi, Pikachu, Chansey, Meowth, Wobbuffet, Houndour, Cyndaquil, Chikorita, 
Psyduck, Onix, Golem, Arbok, Weezing, Victreebel

Story:  

The group take a lunch break and Ash’s backpack goes missing, the Nurse Joy in 
the next town is also a victim of theft, but by Team Rocket, stealing ham from 
her basket, but they squabble and lose it to a mysterious Pokémon.  
The group talk with Nurse Joy about both thefts and track down the thief, Team 
Rocket follows.  
Brock sets up some bait for the thief and it takes the fake food, but returns 
for the real stuff, with friends.  
A pack of Houndour attack and the group matches numbers with their Pokémon.  
The leader confronts them and wants a one-on-one battle, Ash uses Pikachu but 
the Houndour seems to have the advantage.  
Luckily, the Houndour leave suddenly, as one of their own is attacked by a 
Golem, Ash and the group see this and figure the Houndour were stealing to 
help their sick friend.  
Their Fire attacks are ineffective against Golem and Ash saves the leader from 
being crushed and then gets rid of it with Chikorita.  
Brock checks up on the hurt Houndour and cleans its wound, but it must go to a 
Pokémon Centre due to its fever, Ash decides to carry it all the way to the 
Pokémon Centre after the leader gives its permission for him to do so.  
Team Rocket appear but the Houndour hold them off and soon beat them, when Ash 
tires the leader arrives and takes over in carrying its own the rest of the 
way.  
Things go well and the Houndour will be fine, but Team Rocket appear outside 
and capture the Houndour pack, Ash has the leader jump with Pikachu to burn 
the rope, free the Houndour, and shock Team Rocket into defeat.  
Ash and the group leave town but are given a send off by the Houndour pack 
that now consider them friends.  

My favourite Quote:  

Meowth (as he steals food from Nurse Joy):  “Time ta say Ciao to yer chow!”  

Things I’d like to point out:  

Misty’s doing impressions of Team Rocket, much like the style Florinda did it 
back in “Make Room For Gloom”.  

Despite seeming as if he’s stating Houndour’s type, Ash is only repeating the 
Pokédex classification of them.  
Personally I don’t think the term Dark-type Pokémon will be introduced to the 
cartoon in great detail.  

Psyduck is completely useless in this episode, its weak physical attacks 
wouldn’t do the job, it can’t launch effective Water Gun attacks and (unknown 
to the group it would seem) Psychic attacks are completely ineffective against 
Dark-types.  

I’m sorry, but not only does Pikachu not use Leer in the games, but I just 
don’t think it is fierce-looking enough to do it effectively.  
The writers should just have had Ash order Pikachu to stand its ground 
instead.  

As far as I can remember, this is the only time Grass attacks have actually 
proven effective against a Rock-type Pokémon, usually the animators just have 
them bounce off and the Rock-type doesn’t even flinch.  
Does this mean the Grass weakness will become better known and shown in the 
future? Probably not...  

Who’s That Pokémon?:  

Hitmontop

Cameos in Pokémon Journey:  

None.  

The Totodile Duel

Pokémon seen:  

Pikachu, Togepi, Totodile, Starmie, Shellder, Psyduck, Goldeen, Seel, Staryu, 
Slowpoke, Marill, Tentacool, Magikarp, Horsea, Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Quagsire, 
Dewgong, Seaking, Meowth, Wobbuffet, Chikorita, Bulbasaur, Arbok, Weezing

Story:  

The group are fishing in a river for Pokémon, but are unsuccessful, a Totodile 
appears, and Misty and Ash rush to catch it differently, but it escapes.  
Team Rocket enjoys a rare opportunity to eat a delicious snack, but Totodile 
appears, eats their food and blasts them off with Water Gun.  
Misty uses her secret weapon in the form of her Lure Ball, Ash does the same, 
and the Totodile is caught, the only problem is, they don’t know whose Lure 
Ball caught it, and neither are about to agree on who didn’t catch it, so 
Brock makes it easy by making them battle for Totodile in a best of three 
battles.  
Ash wisely chooses Pikachu, but Misty makes a shocking and unexpected choice 
in the form of Togepi.  
Pikachu is put through a guilt trip and can’t bring itself to hurt little 
Togepi, and refuses to fight, giving Misty the first win.  
Ash uses Chikorita next, Staryu does well; beating back Chikorita for a time 
and avoiding her Grass attacks, but a surprise aerial Vine Whip attack defeats 
it.  
Poliwag is her last choice, and Ash wisely chooses Bulbasaur, Team Rocket wash 
up nearby and see the two battling, they decide to wait until the battle’s 
over to steal their Pokémon.  
Bulbasaur seemingly defeats Poliwag, but it evolves there and then into a 
Poliwhirl, and the match goes on, it wears Bulbasaur down, but can’t prevent 
Bulbasaur from charging a Solarbeam that ends the match.  
Team Rocket appear disguised as auxiliary ladies but their disguise is quickly 
seen through thanks to Wobbuffet, their plan is doomed to fail since they 
didn’t reckon on Totodile, who batters Arbok and Weezing, and then Team 
Rocket.  
Misty is happy with the outcome even though she lost, since she’s technically 
got a new Pokémon, and Ash has a very energetic Totodile.  

My favourite Quote:  

Misty (surprised at what she’s fished out):  “I just caught a tea kettle...”  
Ash:  “It put up a pretty good fight though.”  
Brock:  “Could ya throw it back and try for a coffee maker?”  

Things I’d like to point out:  

Ash claims he could have gone out and caught ten Pokémon in the time he’s been 
fishing and gotten nothing.  
Ash hasn’t proven he’s particularly good at literally catching Pokémon because 
he passes many wild Pokémon every day and never even thinks of catching them, 
a Pokémon Master should keep an open mind and catch more Pokémon than Ash 
does.  

I know it’s an old tradition for people fishing to think they’re getting a 
fish but wind up with a boot or old appliance, but how is it that a tea kettle 
dragged the fishing line to the sides as if it were struggling to get away?  

It’s not wise for the whole group to leave their belongings by the river while 
they pursue Totodile, anyone or any Pokémon could just take it away.  

Misty is greedy, she knows Ash is now in need of a Water-type, she already has 
four (though Psyduck barely qualifies), and it’s obvious in their development, 
that she hasn’t trained them as much as she could have, I bet even Psyduck 
could be great if Misty actually put some effort into training it.  

Misty still thinks she’d have won back in Cerulean City, but if not for her 
cheating by using her friendship with Pikachu to blackmail it into not 
battling, Ash would have won hands down, I know Misty used both Staryu and 
Starmie (Pokémon I quite like), but Misty’s ones aren’t all that, they usually 
get low on energy within a minute of battle, including this one.  

About time Misty found an attack Togepi knew and instructed it to use it 
(rather than it secretly using Metronome), Charm attack lowers the foe’s 
attack power a lot, probably in the same way Togepi does by putting the foe in 
Pikachu’s position, in that it’s too guilty to fight at full power, if at 
all.  

Misty instructs Staryu to use its Jump, as if Jump is some sort of technique, 
and not something Staryus can do out of choice.  

Why do Ash and Misty have to be so dramatic, saying their reputation as an 
Orange League Champion plus one of the top sixteen in the Indigo Plateau, and 
a Cerulean City Gym Leader (respectively) are on the line?  
Firstly this isn’t a public event, secondly Misty has less to fight for in 
reputation than Ash, he’s a winner and runner up of top tournaments, while 
Misty, is just a Gym Leader of a town in which her sisters don’t even care 
about running a Gym any more.  

This is the first time any of Misty’s Pokémon evolve, because we never saw her 
old Staryu evolve into Starmie, and since Poliwag evolves in Johto, it’s 
pretty obvious it’s not going to evolve into the traditional Poliwrath given 
that it now has a branched evolution.  

Misty could have won if she truly were a Water Pokémon Master, she should have 
known better than to try and defeat Bulbasaur (in the countdown for Solarbeam 
that would defeat her) with Bubble attack, Misty should have used a 
physical/Normal attack to win.  

Team Rocket’s plan is deeply flawed, not because they didn’t about Totodile, 
but because Pikachu didn’t actually get tired out from its battle, it gave 
up.  

When Wobbuffet is thrown aside by James, it sounds completely different and 
high pitched, maybe it’s the Japanese voice.  

Who’s That Pokémon?:  

Pichu

Cameos in Pokémon Journey:  

None exactly, Tetsubo catches his own Totodile, but its personality flaw is 
that it prefers to bite rather than anything else or use other attacks.  
Also, there hasn’t been a squabble for the same Pokémon among my characters 
since Chapter 4.  

Hot Matches!

Pokémon seen:  

Pikachu, Togepi, Growlithe, Meowth, Wobbuffet, Skarmory, Vulpix, Cyndaquil, 
Beedrill

Story:  

Ash learns of a powerful trainer and the challenge is too great to resist.  
The female trainer Mickey owns a Skarmory, a Steel-type, weak against Fire yet 
she wants to battle Pokémon of that type to improve itself.  
Brock uses Vulpix but Skarmory uses an aerial assault and is too fast to be 
hit by Fire attacks, it hits Vulpix with its Steel Wing attack and defeats 
it.  
Ash steps up with Cyndaquil, but again it can’t yet use its Fire attacks, and 
it is battered before it can, it finally uses Flamethrower, but the Skarmory 
again dodges it and prepares to defeat Cyndaquil the same way.  
Team Rocket intervene and snag both Pokémon in their balloon, Skarmory easily 
frees itself and goes on to hunt down Team Rocket and retrieve Cyndaquil.  
Ash inquires Mickey trained her Skarmory, and in the morning, he takes 
Cyndaquil out for an intense workout.  
They work on Tackle, and then Agility, Ash accidentally disturbs some 
Beedrill, and Cyndaquil forces its flame to light and uses Flamethrower to 
scare them away, Ash is proud of this, but works on Cyndaquil’s aim with 
moving targets.  
Ash requests another battle with Mickey, but Cyndaquil’s flame lights from the 
start, Skarmory still dodges and uses Steel Wing but Cyndaquil is speedy 
enough to dodge it.  
The cycle is soon broken, Skarmory uses Steel Wing, and Cyndaquil hits it with 
Flamethrower, but doesn’t cancel it out and Cyndaquil is hurt, the same thing 
happens but Cyndaquil finally learns to dodge Skarmory’s attacks, and wears it 
down, Skarmory misses and crashes, leaving it vulnerable to Flamethrower and 
Tackle which defeat it.  
Mickey makes a decision to leave the mountains and challenge many Gym Leaders 
to possibly compete in the Johto League, her path is different than the one 
the group takes, and they part ways.  

My favourite Quote:  

Wobbuffet (appearing by choice as usual):  “Wob-buffet!”  
Jessie (to Wobbuffet):  “Must you always butt into our business?!”  
Wobbuffet (nodding):  “Wobba Wobba Wobba Wobba Wobba.”  
Jessie (recalling Wobbuffet):  “I was afraid you’d say that.”  

Things I’d like to point out:  

When Mickey escapes Brock’s grasp and backs away before ordering him to battle 
her, the space between the two isn’t enough to indicate she calmly stepped 
back to the great distance she now stands.  
The only logical way she could have gotten to where she was in 3 seconds would 
be if she ran, but that wouldn’t suit the moment at all.  

Another instance of an attack’s name being altered, just like Sylvester, 
Mickey shortens Fury Attack to just Fury’.  
I can actually understand where the writers are going wrong, because a lot of 
attacks in the series have had the word ‘attack’ added to the end, but certain 
attacks have the word ‘Attack’ as part of their official name, such as Sky 
Attack, Horn Attack, Quick Attack, Tri Attack, Wing Attack, and Fury Attack.  
It’s obviously because of adding ‘attack’ to the end of techniques that this 
confusion occurred, and so Fury Attack was accidentally shortened to just 
Fury’.  

Brock will do anything for a girl, even catching her Pokémon from a great 
height (whether he forgot Skarmory was a Steel-type and therefore heavy, or if 
he was just willing to go that far isn’t certain though).  

I don’t care how much padding she wore, taking an aerial diving beak of a 
Skarmory in the chest is likely to not only cause inner injuries, but the 
sharp beak could easily tear through the padding and impale Mickey.  
And please don’t tell me this is the first time Ash has trained an individual 
Pokémon and worked on its needs but otherwise only trained Pokémon in battle.  

Tackle attack would not normally be effective in any way against a Steel-type 
(or Rock), but since Skarmory was scorched first, I’ll overlook it this time.  

Who’s That Pokémon?:  

Aipom

Cameos in Pokémon Journey:  

None.  

Love, Totodile Style

Pokémon seen:  

Togepi, Pikachu, Poliwhirl, Goldeen, Staryu, Psyduck, Totodile, Magikarp, 
Azumarill, Golduck, Pidgey, Machoke, Marill, Meowth, Weezing, Wobbuffet, 
Arbok, Bulbasaur, Quagsire

Story:  

The group wind up at a lake and decide to take a break there, Totodile strays, 
and falls madly in love with an Azumarill, but he is rejected by her.  
A Golduck appears near the group, and its trainer Trixie shows up and reveals 
she’s searching for her Azumarill; it turns up, pursued by Totodile.  
Trixie trains her Pokémon for performances and puts on shows with them for 
large audiences, but Azumarill has become temperamental lately and runs away a 
lot.  
During a show, Team Rocket watch and plan to steal the Azumarill and Pikachu.  
Brock decides to help Totodile by advising it in the matters of love, but 
Totodile is still rejected, right before Azumarill is captured by Team Rocket 
and Pikachu is provoked into attacking and then caught as well, Totodile swims 
after them while the rest of the group falls behind.  
Team Rocket fail to get Azumarill to perform, Totodile arrives and attacks, 
but Team Rocket bind its mouth shut to nullify it as a threat.  
During the night, Totodile comforts Azumarill, and in the morning, Team Rocket 
decide to instead give all three Pokémon to the Boss, the group spots them and 
Trixie’s Pidgey brings them crashing down.  
They once again fight, but the Pokémon are freed and beat them, Azumarill runs 
to her hero, only, that hero is Golduck, who she has loved ever since it 
joined Trixie’s team, leaving Totodile heartbroken.  
The group prepares to leave, but Totodile has quickly found another female 
Pokémon to chase after, and proves it’s very similar to Brock.  

My favourite Quote:  

Ash (referring to Totodile and Quagsire):  “I think Totodile just found a new 
girlfriend.”  
Pikachu:  “Pika?”  
Misty (groaning):  “Oh great, just what we need...  A Pokémon that acts just 
like Brock...”  

Things I’d like to point out:  

Meowth speaks as if it was Ash’s Totodile that once bit him on the tail but 
this is incorrect, it was Elm’s Totodile back in “Don’t Touch That ‘dile”.  

In one scene before the battle, Meowth’s tail has gone completely white like 
the colour of his body.  

This is one of the few times that Wobbuffet Doesn’t actually say anything when 
Team Rocket gets blasted off.  

If people wondered if Totodile could realistically be with Azumarill, if the 
Egg Groups and breeding guides from the games have anything to do with it, 
then yes they could have as could Azumarill and Golduck (or even Totodile and 
Quagsire); all fall into the Water 1 Egg Group among others.  

Who’s That Pokémon?:  

Furret

Cameos in Pokémon Journey:  

None.  

Episodes #137 - #144
Episodes #153 - #160
Movie and MiniMovie Guide
Back to the Pokézone