Episode Guide #161 - #168 Type Casting Fossil Fools Carrying On! Hassle in the Castle Two Hits and a Miss A Hot Water Battle Hook, Line, and Stinker Beauty and the Breeder Type Casting Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Meowth, Psyduck, Sudowoodo, Graveler, Geodude, Golem, Onix, Noctowl, Chikorita, Totodile, Weezing, Wobbuffet, Arbok, Cyndaquil, Poliwhirl Story: Ecruteak-bound and the group come across a river currently without its bridges, they ask a man in his boat for a ride but he requests they catch him a Sudowoodo first. Team Rocket overhears as always and plan on catching it themselves, the group comes across one but it escapes, and they find a pair of scientists arguing over different methods in conducting research. Pierre and Marie are both searching for Sudowoodo to prove once and for all what type of Pokémon it is, it’s believed to be a Rock Pokémon but it’s been known to use other types of attacks, Ash and the group step in to help locate the Sudowoodo. It fakes several Grass attacks but when Chikorita battles it, it performs a genuine Vine Whip, leading the group to believe it could be a Grass-type. It’s caught by Team Rocket before anything can be confirmed, but the old man at the river doesn’t believe what they have is a genuine Sudowoodo having never seen one before. It’s terrified of water so when James attempts to use his Squirtbottle to sprinkle Sudowoodo, it frantically frees itself and runs away. The group find it and escort it to a research lab, Sudowoodo co-operates in exchange for food but it fails to do anything until Pikachu shocks it, sending a Thundershock right back at it. Pierre discovers that Sudowoodo uses the attack Mimic, and the mystery is solved, but Pierre takes drastic measures to prove his point about its type, scaring Sudowoodo away by trying to spray it with water. Team Rocket appears, and the old man does too, he’s Marie’s grandfather who was just trying to help her out with her research. The Rockets attack Ash but Sudowoodo intervenes, using sneaky attacks on Team Rocket’s Pokémon. After it mimics Cyndaquil, Wobbuffet is called in, countering Cyndaquil once, before it can do so again, Misty’s plan to distract and hit it from the side with Poliwhirl results in a victory for the group, and a loss for the Rockets. But the water used in the attack scares the Sudowoodo away, Marie doesn’t mind as the research has been proven correct, but her methods in finding things out first hand are acknowledged as are Pierre’s reading up on the facts. While the group get their boat ride and move on with their journey, Team Rocket encounters Sudowoodo again while scaling a cliff, and take another fall as a result. My favourite Quote: Meowth (to Sudowoodo): “We’ll eat; jus’ tell us what type ya are.” Sudowoodo: “Su-do-woo-do!” (Meowth sighs) Meowth: “Accordin’ ta Sudowoodo it’s the type that wants ta eat.” Things I’d like to point out: The Pokédex has all the information on Sudowoodo before Ash scans one, in the games one would only get a name and picture of a Pokémon they saw and all the information upon capture, but Ash has does neither of these two. Psyduck gets no credit when for once it does something right in locating Sudowoodo, it doesn’t even get another mention when the group chase after their prey. The scientists in this episode are based on the famous scientist couple Marie and Pierre Curie. How did Chikorita know to chase Sudowoodo without instruction? Guess the whole symbiotic relationship with its trainer is the only answer. Just because Sudowoodo uses any kind of attack, its type shouldn’t be assumed through the moves it uses, many Pokémon naturally use attacks which aren’t the same as their type (mostly of the Normal-type but still...). When Sudowoodo uses Low Kick and Faint Attack, it’s not claimed to be a Fighting or Dark-type, and it’s now using moves it actually knows, not mimicking them. Doesn’t the mallet Misty uses on Brock belong to Team Rocket? Maybe they dropped it during one of the many times they’ve been blasted off. What’s wrong with this picture? A Lot. Team Rocket first said Sudowoodo was for the Boss, and then after catching it they attempt to trade it for the boat ride (and then again change their mind and wish to catch it for their team). Okay, their balloon was burned up, but what use is crossing the river? Even if there’s a Rocket base down the line they certainly can’t go back empty handed. Also, Team Rocket claim the man said he’d take Them across if they brought him Sudowoodo, but the invitation was for Ash and his friends to do it. The Squirtbottle James uses is based on the ones used in the games, but it’s nice to see it properly visualised, with the shower cap positioned where the Squirtle’s mouth should be. The last time we saw James spraying down his Victreebel; it was done with a hose. Now the old man runs off to catch Sudowoodo before Team Rocket, did he figure out they’re evil and therefore didn’t want them to catch it even though they showed interest in the trade? No one seems able to make up their mind this episode. I so wonder what the original translation was to explain Brock’s licking of Sudowoodo, pretending to be a Lickitung just doesn’t cut it for me. And technically wouldn’t the moisture from his tongue hurt Sudowoodo because it’s a form of water? Sudowoodo’s Low Kick is literally low, Arbok was dazed and gets kicked from behind, personally I think Sudowoodo would have made a great Team Rocket Pokémon. Counter wouldn’t and shouldn’t have been able to handle Flamethrower, but we’ll not find out for certain this time since Misty used dirty tactics to hit Wobbuffet with Water Gun that shouldn’t be counterable with Counter either. Finally, an interesting fact, in Pokémon Stadium 2 if you fight against or with a Sudowoodo, wait a while and you can hear that it’s the only game Pokémon that says its name (Pikachu of Pokémon Yellow doesn’t count because it’s based on the series Pikachu)! Who’s That Pokémon?: (This Pokémon can steal the heat from its surroundings.) Gengar Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None, but at least two Sudowoodo will be in the series on the good and bad sides, but not necessarily the one seen today. Fossil Fools Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Aerodactyl, Meowth, Wobbuffet, Omastar, Omanyte, Noctowl, Arbok, Weezing Story: The group arrives at the ruins of Alph where they’ve arranged to meet Professor Oak to view a discovery made by an old student of his, Foster, but the group must promise not to spread word of it. Problems are experienced by stoppages in the water supply, but it’s Team Rocket’s doing, stealing from the reservoir to sell as drinking water, while doing so, a jam occurs in their pump. The group are shown around an area resembling a landscape from prehistoric times, complete with extinct Pokémon robots. Omanyte and Omastar turn up and the group is shocked to find they’re not robots; they’re real, and seem to have appeared due to the authentic look of the recreational area. Oak’s opinion is conflicting, the park should be open to public but the amount of people will scare the Pokémon plus risk their getting captured. Team Rocket finds the clog is due to an Omanyte, so they continue to pump the lake for these Pokémon. More Omanyte and Omastar appear, and Foster explains they started arriving at the same time they had problems with their water. No more water comes to the researchers, so the group investigate the reservoir, where Team Rocket are full on Pokémon. It’s discovered that they are the only reason the Pokémon came to Foster’s place, because their own home was disturbed, Ash comes out on top in the following battle and Team Rocket’s truck is destroyed, flushing the water back into the reservoir, but he can’t make a move without shocking the Omanyte and Omastar, Team Rocket don’t get far though as their load is too heavy for the balloon. With Noctowl’s help they are brought back down, Pikachu plus the Omanyte and Omastar send the Rockets flying and the Pokémon return to their home deep beneath the reservoir. Oak decides it’s for the best, although the chance to study the Pokémon first hand would be beneficial, it’s unfair to have any of them live as a specimen, Oak remains behind for the moment and the group move on. My favourite Quote: Ash: “When are we gonna see Your big discovery?” Foster: “Let’s finish this first, then we’ll see.” Oak: “That’s what I used to say to get you off My back.” Things I’d like to point out: The ruins of Alph in the games are more about ancient tombs that are home to the mysterious Unown Pokémon. The title pun is from “Fossil fuels”. Is this a first? Brock pulling Misty by the ear? She was a bit full on towards Foster due to Water Pokémon being involved, so it’s kind of like Brock being full on about his feelings towards girls. Ash says he’ll tell the kids in Pallet Town about his private tour of the prehistoric park, but didn’t he promise not to tell anyone anything about what he saw in the facility as a whole? I don’t know why Ash is so shocked about the Omanyte and Omastar being real, he’s seen a group of so-called ‘extinct’ Pokémon in “Attack of the Prehistoric Pokémon” and again in “Shell Shock!”. The same goes for Team Rocket who should know that Omanyte aren’t actually extinct. Oak claims an Omanyte shell sparked his interest in Pokémon research when he was 6, but perhaps revelations from the forth movie and this episode brings about a continuity error, I’ll explain it in better detail in that movie guide. Just because they’re here now and have been since ancient times Ash shouldn’t assume the Pokémon have been around that long, it Is possible that they have just bred and reproduced throughout the centuries rather than having a stupidly long lifespan. What’s to stop Team Rocket from returning and grabbing the Omanyte and Omastar? Or from telling the Boss so he can send Rockets to do so instead? Even if Foster placed guards at the lake, wouldn’t that make it obvious that there’s something there worth protecting? The one thing Foster is trying to avoid doing is letting anyone find out about the Pokémon. Who’s That Pokémon?: (This is the PRE-evolved form of everyone’s favourite Pokémon.) Pichu Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None, although a different area of the Ruins of Alph will be discovered, and three trained Omastar have already made public appearances in the fanfic which is something of a continuity problem. Carrying On! Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Pidgey, Fearow, Noctowl, Charizard, Meowth, Wobbuffet, Muk, Poliwag, Caterpie, Lickitung, Bellsprout, Geodude, Scyther, Ekans, Arbok Story: While continuing the journey, the group see a Pidgey chased by a Fearow, with Noctowl’s illusions the Fearow retreats and the Pidgey called Ken is saved but takes a fall. After retrieving and healing it, the group escort Ken back to town and return it to the grandson of a man who started and runs a carrier Pidgey business, Team Rocket spy and plan yet another scheme. Malachi wishes to take over the business but his grandfather tells the group that the business ends when he retires, due to the more advanced methods of delivery and the fact he’s devoted his life to the job and made many sacrifices he doesn’t want Malachi to make in kind. Malachi’s grandfather receives a call from Nurse Joy regarding a medicinal delivery that was meant to reach her. Malachi sets out on his grandfather’s blimp with Ken and the group to search for the other Pidgey. His grandfather doesn’t think he’s ready for the task but that doesn’t stop him. His grandfather doesn’t think he’s ready for the task but that doesn’t stop him. Team Rocket are behind the problem, capturing Pidgey for the Boss but with plans to keep anything the Pidgey are carrying. They plan a retreat as soon as Ash is seen, and Meowth activates a device to cover their balloon in smoke, but Noctowl and Ken aren’t fooled, and the Rockets are exposed. Arbok attempts to gun them down but Noctowl’s illusions put a stop to it, the other Pidgey are soon freed and Team Rocket defeated again. The medicine is delivered and Malachi and Ken manage to prove themselves in the eyes of his grandfather. He decides to give Malachi a chance to prove he can take over the business, and on that light note, the group say their goodbyes and leave. My favourite Quote: Jessie: “Oh as bad as that was; it taught us all an important lesson.” James: “It may be cloudy but our motto always shines through.” Wobbuffet (appearing on its own as always): “Wobba-fet!” Jessie: “Yes that’s right Wobbuffet I- Hey! Who asked you for your opinion? You’re never right!” Things I’d like to point out: In virtually every occurrence of this episode in the UK, after the episode name, it goes black, a little fuzzy and then returns to normal within two/three seconds, leading me to believe the episode that Sky One got their hands on was faulty, not the broadcast. I know I’m usually strict with real and fake Pokémon in the Pokémon Count, but the Charizard illusion is real enough to get in, just as Dragonite made the list in “Illusion Confusion!” though it was a Ghost Pokémon illusion. Pointing to a map in my opinion isn’t a very thorough approach to giving directions; Malachi’s grandfather could at least tell the Pidgey who they’re delivering mail to, despite his methods of travelling around and showing the routes beforehand. A Who’s That Pokémon tradition is officially broken, rather than say its name (like it did last time in “Bye Bye Psyduck”), Mewtwo instead says “Prepare to battle.” in his new voice from the latest movie it seems. Just my opinion, but it looks like the spy goggles Meowth uses and then Jessie, shrinks a little between shots, the main part covers the distance between both sides of Meowth’s eyes, and that just seems a little more than the width of Jessie’s face, is it a ‘one size fits all’ device? About time the laws of gravity worked on Arbok, it’s slithered its way around them in the past and for it not to today makes for a quick laugh when it notices this in the classic cartoon fashion. Noctowl seems to play around with all uses of Hypnosis, Team Rocket aren’t only mesmerised into attacking in the opposite direction but seem to be drifting to sleep as well. Kind of an obvious mistake, but all of the Pidgey’s colouring changes at the finale of the Team Rocket encounter to a shade of dark red. Maybe they ran out of orange and brown, there are a lot of Pidgey in this episode after all. Ash and Malachi are just being cruel, Team Rocket were running away, and again Ash’s idea of not letting Team Rocket get away is not turning them over to the police but to shock and hurt them until they go flying away and eventually crash. My personal opinion, but the Muk doesn’t look as well as the other Pokémon when they’re cured, it’s all lumpy and flat compared to other Muk. Who’s That Pokémon?: (This Pokémon was created in a lab by Team Rocket scientists!) Mewtwo Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None. Hassle in the Castle Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Machoke, Spinarak, Mareep, Zubat, Meowth, Wobbuffet, Geodude, Pineco, Weezing, Arbok, Golbat Story: A storm starts so the group seek shelter from the lightning; they take refuge in a seemingly abandoned castle and rush towards the sounds of screaming to find various Pokémon treating people with their abilities. The group meet Doctor Anna, who’s Zubat Mimi uses its sound waves as an ultrasound check-up, Brock desperately brings out his own Zubat in an attempt to get closer to Anna. The reason the clinic is here is because a patient of Anna’s used to own it and let her set up here after she moved away. Team Rocket sneak in and help themselves to some food, but are soon forced to eat and run. They retreat from Pikachu down an unsafe route of the castle and they, Anna, Brock and the Zubat fall down a secret trap door of which the route closes afterwards. The group is trapped in the booby trapped catacombs of the castle, but Anna and Brock’s Zubat use their abilities coupled with Anna’s computer to create a map of the place in order to locate the exit, while Ash, Misty and an assistant dig their way in from the outside. Jessie manages to trip all the traps while her Wobbuffet blindly follows her but gets off lightly compared to poor Jessie. Brock has high hopes for he and Anna, and plans out what he’ll do after they escape, while Team Rocket has plans of their own to steal the Zubat but they don’t get far, Pineco blasts its way in and the path out is secured but Pikachu is caught. The Zubat clear Weezing’s smoke and confuse Arbok, and all the action causes Brock’s to evolve into Golbat, who goes on to defeat the Rocket Pokémon with Pikachu doing the same for Team Rocket. Sadly for Brock, Golbat’s power is now too great for Anna’s purposes, which shatters his dreams of being with her, she congratulates him on the strength of his Pokémon due to his breeding, and the group continue on... much to Brock’s regret. My favourite Quote: Jessie: “To protect us from all that chaffing and itching.” James: “It might finally stop all of Jessie’s- Complaining.” Things I’d like to point out: Sneaky; in the Team Rocket motto, Jessie’s final word in her line is ‘itching’, to which James alters his next one at the last moment to ‘Complaining’. What word is like complaining, rhymes with itching and has a reason for getting replaced with a word that doesn’t rhyme?... And yes, in the end, this was decided to be the favourite quote of the episode. The food that James carries all throughout the episode since grabbing it is forgotten about after the explosion and the capture of Pikachu, and seemingly by everyone else even though they chased Team Rocket to get it back. Zubat is the first of Brock’s Pokémon to evolve, funny how Geodude has been Brock’s Pokémon for longer (since he was a Gym Leader at least) and yet has never become a Graveler. Who’s That Pokémon?: (This Pokémon uses “growl attack” to lower its opponent’s strength!) Persian Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None. Two Hits and a Miss Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Tauros, Bulbasaur, Machop, Mankey, Hitmonchan, Primeape, Hitmontop, Meowth, Wobbuffet, Hitmonlee, Machoke, Weezing, Arbok, Victreebel Story: While crossing a twisting path down hills, a Tauros rushes by and endangers an old man, Ash rushes to his rescue and, with Bulbasaur, brings it down so its trainer can recall it (even though the man wasn’t fazed and was prepared to deal with the problem himself). Kenzo invites the group to his dojo, impressed with Ash and his Bulbasaur’s skill, but not with the methods his granddaughter uses (her Hitmontop’s fancy moves), and reveals he wants Ash to take over after him rather than her. Chigusa challenges Ash to a battle in retaliation and Kenzo allows Bulbasaur to fight even though it’s not a Fighting Pokémon. Before it takes off, a trainer called Shiro (otherwise known as the dojo destroyer) appears and challenges Kenzo to a battle for his dojo plaque, with plans to open his own dojo and display those he’s won in order to have the highest respect from his students. Kenzo realises he’s out of practice (and shape) so Chigusa takes his place in battling Hitmonlee, Hitmontop holds up but Shiro predicts the directions of its attacks when Triple Kick occurs. They’re all blocked and Hitmontop is toppled, but before Shiro can be decided as the victor, Team Rocket intervene and capture the two combatants. They’re easily broken loose by Bulbasaur, but Hitmonlee is soon victim to Sleep Powder and so Bulbasaur does the rest in winning the battle. Shiro postpones the match until the next day, Chigusa is certain she’ll win but her grandfather doesn’t think so and has Ash train with her. Bulbasaur imitates Hitmonlee’s kicks with spinning vines, and even Ash second guesses Hitmontop’s kick directions, Bulbasaur dodges them all and knocks down Hitmontop before restraining and defeating it. Chigusa orders Ash to reveal how he won, Kenzo reckons it’s because Ash and Bulbasaur are a true team, and if Chigusa was that she’d realise that spinning makes it difficult for Hitmontop to sense its opponent’s next attack and therefore it’s put in danger due to Chigusa’s preference to graceful attacks. She and Hitmontop pledge to do things right, and train with Ash throughout the night. The next day, the battle is concluded, Shiro figures Hitmontop can’t sense his Pokémon’s attacks while spinning but Chigusa guides it around them, Hitmontop blocks a Double Kick, and the pair try something new. Hitmontop tilts to one side before using Triple Kick so that Shiro can’t guess all kick directions, and Chigusa finishes the battle with a spinning drop kick. Shiro accepts his defeat and Team Rocket try again but in a giant boxing Meowth robot, Bulbasaur and Hitmontop defend each other from being captured and the robot accidentally deals itself a big hit and Pikachu does the rest. Kenzo agrees to train Chigusa to be a Shihan so she can assume the role after him, and the group continue their journey. My favourite Quote: Misty: “Why did all those trainers bow to you?” Kenzo: “Because I am the Shihan of this dojo.” (Misty and Brock gasp) Ash: “Shihan, I think I had that once in a Chinese restaurant.” (Misty, Brock and Kenzo fall in disbelief, Brock and Misty get up first) Brock: “Don’t you know anything?! A Shihan is the master teacher in a dojo!” Ash: “I thought it was chicken in a garlic sauce.” Things I’d like to point out: Maybe it’s me being picky, but since Bulbasaur lands no more than two steps from Ash, and then dodges, Ash and the old man should have been hit long before Ash gave the order for Bulbasaur to stop the Tauros. Ash has never heard of a Pokémon dojo before, doesn’t Muramasa’s count (“Wired For Battle!”)? Again the fact there’s no time limit is mentioned before the match. There’s Never Ever been a time limit in Pokémon Battles throughout the length of the series. Surely what with Kenzo doing this sort of thing for years, his Pokémon should be a fully evolved Machamp. It seems incorrect for Shiro to say the kicks were coming in the directions he stated, because they are Hitmontop’s left and right, not Hitmonlee’s or Shiro’s, he should have at least said to dodge to its left and right. Hitmontop I can understand, but why does Chigusa have a plaster on her face, what did she do in the training to give her a bruise or cut? Maybe in any other anime it’d be valid for her to have some bruises from training, but it was her Hitmontop that was meant to train and who has to fight. Who’s That Pokémon?: (This Pokémon’s power was unleashed when it was bitten on the head!) Slowking Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None, old drafts to have Tetsubo own a Hitmontop (just due to my liking them because of this episode and because of the Capoeira traits) fell through, but one of the many Rocket regulars will. A Hot Water Battle Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Mankey, Aipom, Totodile, Chikorita, Noctowl, Bulbasaur, Cyndaquil, Psyduck, Golbat, Goldeen, Onix, Poliwhirl, Pineco, Geodude, Vulpix, Staryu, Meowth, Wobbuffet, Snorlax Story: The group cross a hot tropical jungle, where Ash and Brock accidentally discover a hot spring. All the Pokémon are brought out for a day of fun. Chikorita and Totodile play too rough for Cyndaquil and their beach ball gets lost as a result, a fight almost breaks out but they stop to look for the ball together and find a group of Aipom keeping it for themselves, and a chase ensues. Team Rocket gather fruit for themselves and plan a trip to the hot spring when they are rudely trampled by the Aipom and Ash’s Pokémon, they immediately follow them. The Pokémon dash into a cave and Team Rocket’s food is eaten by a Snorlax who then traps everyone inside by blocking the entrance with its body when it decides to take a nap. Inside, Meowth accidentally becomes separated from his team, and finds Totodile. Snorlax starts moving and causes quakes in the caves, Totodile saves Meowth and the rest of Team Rocket become trapped as do Meowth and Totodile. Chikorita and Cyndaquil navigate through more falling rocks and assist in freeing their ally and enemy. Jessie and James find their way out and discover a hot spring but are warded away by the same Aipom. The group of Pokémon apologise for the fight they had, and Chikorita discovers a way out which must be cleared first of rocks. Ash and Pikachu meanwhile are concerned about the absence of the three Pokémon, who are currently back at the entrance Snorlax is blocking. Chikorita tickles it, Totodile bites and with a burst of fire from Cyndaquil the Snorlax is forced aside, it isn’t happy with the rude awakening but blames Meowth, which ruins his betrayal and capture of the Pokémon. Snorlax’s chase of Meowth results in another quake which brings down a tsunami of water onto the Rockets, it also floods the caves that Meowth takes refuge in. The three other Pokémon hang on for dear life on the buoyant Snorlax but a waterfall is soon apparent. The three Pokémon use their abilities to topple a tree and cling hold until Ash can retrieve them. They return to the beach and their ball returns to their possession, they play a little more before setting out, while Team Rocket are stranded on Snorlax until it decides to swim away and leave them washed up and soon washed away. My favourite Quote: Meowth: “Look, Snorlax is blocking the exit. Ain’t that illegal?” Things I’d like to point out: I think the title pun is meant to be from “A hot water bottle”. For once Ash recognises a new Pokémon, seeing as this is Aipom’s first appearance in the series, it seems that he remembered it from his battle with Lisa in the third movie. When Ash and Brock end up in the hot spring, they shouldn’t be so happy, they made out as if the problem was the heat, and yet here they are drenched in hot water and not complaining. The blue Pokébeachball the group use is based on a Master Ball and it’s kind of similar to a mini-game in Pokémon Stadium 2 in which Furret (and Girafarig if you own one) try to knock inflated Pokéballs into their goals (apparently it was also present in the missing episode “Beauty and the Beach”). Jessie should have looked a little more thoroughly before claiming their fruit was gone, James still had a full basket at the time of her saying it. The concept of this episode was kind of needed, as Ash’s newest starter Pokémon hadn’t really interacted with one another like Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle used to on a regular basis. Chikorita and Totodile seem to rival at everything, Chikorita’s hot headed, Totodile seems a little oblivious to others’ feelings, and Cyndaquil is timid and shy and afraid to get involved but Chikorita seems willing to help it in that department. It might look like Bide to the Rockets, but in truth, Wobbuffet like some other Pokémon is incapable of learning from TMs, all it can use is Counter, Mirror Coat, Safeguard and Destiny Bond (unless it’s grown from Wynaut but even they don’t have Bide). This goes without saying, but a Pokémon with no bag or carrier shouldn’t be able to pull out a net (let alone one that’s longer than they are) from thin air, no matter how swift Meowth is. The first thing that would come to my mind if I saw my Pokémon being washed away would probably be to use their Pokéballs to recall them, but luckily, I don’t think like Ash, who figures recklessly diving in after them is a better approach. How dare Ash moan at all about the Pokémon going off on their own, it was His idea for them to go look for the beach ball. So it’s okay for Team Rocket to fall down the waterfall but not Ash’s Pokémon, sometimes I wish the same rules applied for villains as they do for heroes. Who’s That Pokémon?: (This Pokémon inflates its body like a balloon when it gets angry!) Wigglytuff Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None. Hook, Line, and Stinker Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Totodile, Staryu, Poliwhirl, Bulbasaur, Psyduck, Goldeen, Vulpix, Togepi, Poliwrath, Krabby, Poliwag, Wooper, Seadra, Marill, Starmie, Wartortle, Golduck, Slowpoke, Cloyster, Kingler, Tentacool, Squirtle, Meowth, Wobbuffet Story: The group rest at a mountain spring in the shade, a Poliwrath appears and beats up on Misty’s Poliwhirl, it belongs to a mean trainer called Andreas, who insults Misty’s other Pokémon too but refuses a battle with her when he pushes her too far. The group discover a group of fishers heading out for an annual Seaking catching competition, similar to the rules of the Bug competition some time back. Andreas turns out to be a well known winner so Misty dives into the contest herself to prove her superiority. Andreas scores early but lets this Seaking go as it was just a warm up and too light to win. Team Rocket have also entered the contest but solely for the year’s chocolate prize, they hurl Meowth in the drink and Misty accidentally catches him, Team Rocket escape before they are recognised though. The group move out on Misty’s direction but Andreas is headed there too, the group’s racing capsizes Team Rocket’s boat but they manage to hide their identity again. Ash catches a Seaking but Andreas catches a larger one, and with ten minutes left, Misty must hurry, and resorts to using her brand of lures to locate an equally big fish. After a struggle, her Poliwhirl wears it down and Misty manages to catch it moments before the boats are called back and the losers given commemorative badges, Team Rocket blame Ash’s group for their defeat. Andreas’s and Misty’s Seaking weigh the same so the winner will be decided by a Pokémon Battle between the partners used in the competition. Before a successful hit is dealt, Team Rocket intervene and Meowth bags the chocolate, Poliwhirl and Poliwrath knock it away, Bulbasaur retrieves it and Pikachu defeats the trio. The battle continues and Poliwrath’s Fighting attacks get the better of Poliwhirl, its fellow Pokémon appear to offer support and Misty reminds Poliwhirl that Andreas insulted them as well, Poliwhirl’s confidence is restored and it strikes back with several blows and wins. Surprisingly Andreas is noble about his defeat and apologises for his behaviour. Rather than keep the chocolate for herself, Misty sends the chocolate out to the people she knows and keeps some for the Pokémon before the group continues onward. My favourite Quote: Misty: “Sign up this Poliwhirl as my partner please!” Lady: “Alright.” Ash: “I want Pikachu to be my partner...” Pikachu: “Pika-chu!” Brock: “And I’ve decided I want You to be my partner!” Lady (gasps): “What?...” Misty (dragging Brock by the ear): “Nice try Brock, but I think you missed the boat again...” Things I’d like to point out: Whether a Pokémon is good or not doesn’t to apply to stone-induced evolutions, contrary to what Andreas says, it’s the trainer’s choice whether these kind of Pokémon evolve or not. How does Andreas know which Pokémon belonged to Misty? Although he’s right about them, how is he so sure when they could easily belong to Ash or Brock who have their Pokémon out and scattered about? The title pun is from the phrase “Hook, line and sinker”. Ash compares the fishing contest and Lake Balls to the bug catching contest and their Park Balls. However, the fishing contest does not appear in the games. What’s with the human shaped lures? It was one thing when just Misty did it but now Jessie’s at it too, wouldn’t fish be more likely to head towards a lure they thought was food rather than a female they shouldn’t be interested in that way? Also Misty claims this is the Mark 4 model, I remember one in “Bye Bye Psyduck” and another in “The Totodile Duel” but not a third. When used as a lure Meowth doesn’t seem to have a problem with water but it goes against previous claims that he hates the water, particularly in “Pokémon Shipwreck” plus it was brought up just last episode (“A Hot Water Battle”). Andreas has got some nerve, we blatantly see that his boat, with the green top, moves to the side to bash Misty’s, and yet he shouts about her hitting him. Technically she and he both do, but not before Andreas makes false claims. Meowth’s apparently quite skilled, that or the contest associates are stingy, in five swipes he throws an apparent year’s supply of chocolate into a bag, though from the amount Misty describes later, it seems at best their idea of a year’s supply of chocolate is just 365 bars. Misty should have phrased things better, she explains that Andreas insulted them for being wimps, not that Andreas insulted them By calling them wimps. This is the first time that a Pokémon has defeated its evolved state in a Pokémon Battle since “Electric Shock Showdown” when Pikachu defeated Raichu. Who’s That Pokémon?: (This beetlelike Pokémon has long been extinct!) Kabuto Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None. Beauty and the Breeder Pokémon seen: Oddish, Nidoran Female, Poliwhirl, Togepi, Pikachu, Heracross, Marowak, Caterpie, Bellsprout, Lickitung, Marill, Hoppip, Venonat, Vulpix, Wooper, Sunflora, Growlithe, Weepinbell, Sandshrew, Meowth, Wobbuffet, Goldeen, Tangela, Primeape, Jynx, Drowsee, Pidgeot, Pinsir, Persian, Exeggutor, Starmie, Hitmonlee, Wigglytuff, Hitmonchan, Raichu, Dodrio, Krabby, Psyduck, Ninetales, Electrode, Blissey, Machamp, Clefable, Hypno, Onix, Gengar, Dugtrio, Chansey, Slowpoke, Weezing, Victreebel, Arbok, Machoke, Tauros, Geodude, Noctowl, Charizard Story: At the local Pokémon Centre the group relax, but Brock frantically checks his e-mail, something he’s apparently done quite a lot lately, he gets a reply from Suzie of Scissor Street. She’s headed to Bonitaville for a contest and Brock pretty much forces the group out of their way to see her again. In the town, Pokémon are all dressed up for the beauty contest and Brock prepares Vulpix before their reunion with Suzie. Team Rocket notices the hype around town and plan on entering the contest themselves. Vulpix dashes off and locates Suzie, and Brock reveals to Ash that he always planned on giving Vulpix back and thought it’d be a good idea for her to enter her Pokémon in the contest, but she invites Brock to join her. Misty meanwhile locates a Ninetales, which belongs to Suzie’s childhood friend and rival Zane; they have differing opinions on beauty, with Suzie sticking to her inside beauty preference and Zane favouring the outside. Suzie thinks deep down he’s sweet which makes Brock jealous and eager to beat him, while Team Rocket groom Meowth into contest material. The first contestant is apprehended and replaced by the impatient Team Rocket, Zane genuinely congratulates them on their methods but Suzie has doubts. Jenny bursts in and soon throws Team Rocket out literally, Jessie and James are bitter but Meowth has a plan. They soon burst into the waiting room disguised as doctors and force the trainers to hand over their Pokémon for ‘examination’, threatening to disqualify anyone who doesn’t comply, before revealing that the room they’re going into is a container and locking the doors behind them. Geodude bursts through but Team Rocket are in the air with the Pokémon, Noctowl easily brings them down and the Pokémon are soon freed, but the Rocket Pokémon retaliate. Before Victreebel’s attack gets close to Pikachu, it’s incinerated by Vulpix and Ninetales, Suzie and Zane claim Team Rocket are a disgrace to trainers and breeders and they’ll be the ones to teach them a lesson, before Arbok can attack, a Fire Spin deals with all of Team Rocket. Zane realises from Team Rocket the importance of teamwork, and due to their different methods to bring out both inside and outside beauty, he and Suzie agree to open a salon together where they’ll combine their techniques, Brock willingly decides to step aside despite his feelings. Suzie is called out for the contest but Zane reveals to Brock that he’s jealous, because of Suzie’s high regard of him, Brock goes out happy to participate alongside Suzie but it’s not revealed to us the winner. My favourite Quote: Jessie: “And there you have it, another masterpiece of Pokémon perfection!” Meowth: “Yes and True Artists can even take a pathetically repulsive Pokémon and bring out its beauty, or at least cover up the ugly.” Things I’d like to point out: It makes sense that Brock and Suzie would trade e-mail addresses considering he received a treasured Pokémon from her, but does that mean Brock gets e-mail addresses of all the girls Ash, Misty and he befriend? Knowing him, probably so. For the second time the title is a pun of “Beauty and the Beast” (the first was the missing episode “Beauty and the Beach”). How dense are Ash and Misty both, Ash assumes it’s a catching kind of contest due to the ones he’s been in lately but Misty is more clueless, she comments on how stylish the Pokémon are and then has to ask what kind of contest is being held. Beauty Contest spring to mind even at the mention of Suzie, anyone? This is one of the few times James makes any effort to change his hairstyle for disguise; Jessie tries sometimes, but not often, and she’s got the most distinguishable hair. Jessie says she and James will both enter the contest so one of them can win but they end up entering together. Ash should be ashamed, Suzie remembers him but he didn’t remember her, although there’s a chance that Brock mentioned him several times while e- mailing Suzie. True fans will realise the voice actress behind Suzie has seemingly moved on and been replaced. Suzie’s entry number is 37, the same as Vulpix’s Pokédex number, the same applies to Zane who is 38 which is Ninetales’s Pokédex number. There appears to be a very odd looking Slowpoke to be seen when Zane glances at Suzie, if it’s another Pokémon I’d be relieved to be wrong about it on the Pokémon Count. Team Rocket scold Meowth and make him keep silent for fear of revealing them, but then they come out with the motto (though altered) on stage, they’re not smart to let their addiction risk exposing them. Oh, but using all of their Pokémon should be a dead giveaway to Ash, for once can’t he act on instinct? There Is always something weird about them because it’s almost always Team Rocket! Surely Team Rocket didn’t get ALL the Pokémon considering how little time occurred when they were moving them out, the size of the crate, the ten visible Pokémon we see and the fact that there are at least 258 entrants. Maybe the room Team Rocket stole from only housed entry numbers between 21 to 40 or so considering Brock, Suzie and Zane were here and the fact the commentator is asking for entry number 25 to go on stage while he and the audience speak as if no one has come on stage for a while. There’s a whole lot of banter about the patheticness of Team Rocket, but I guess Suzie doesn’t realise Team Rocket are so much more than the trio she’s gotten to know. Personally, judging by the similar methods of contestants, I think had Team Rocket just waited their turn instead of getting big-headed, they might have stood a chance to win the contest, they should really quit being thieves and get into the world of fashion as they definitely have a talent and a passion for it. Who’s That Pokémon?: (These Pokémon collect spherical objects for a Festival!) Quagsire Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None, but official game-related beauty contests will be written about in the third series. Episodes #153 - #160 Episodes #169 - #176 Movie and MiniMovie Guide Back to the Pokézone