Episode Guide #193 - #200 Ring Masters The Poké Spokesman Control Freak! The Art of Pokémon The Heartbreak of Brock Current Events Turning Over A New Bayleef Doin’ What Comes Natu-rally Ring Masters Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Feraligatr, Nidoking, Heracross, Granbull, Totodile, Poliwrath, Nidoking, Ursaring, Golduck, Kangaskhan, Blastoise, Chansey, Wobbuffet, Meowth, Snorlax, Lickitung, Machamp, Golem Story: The group enter a village and come across some Pokémon battling like sumo wrestlers; Ash and the group greet a powerful Feraligatr and its trainer Raiden along with Shunosuke, executive director of the sumo society. Raiden allows them to watch his Feraligatr work out and Ash decides to bring out Totodile and show it what it’s going to evolve into someday. In the upcoming tournament, Pokémon can only use their physical strength and no attack techniques; Ash quickly decides he wants to compete. Raiden originally was going for the League but he decided to remain here and train this way, Ash discovers only heavy Pokémon are applicable so he quickly calls for Oak to send his Snorlax. Oak wishes to study Noctowl so Ash trades its place for Snorlax. Team Rocket enter under the aliases Jessiaki and Jamiesosupe, with Wobbuffet stuffed in a Miltank costume, Ash’s Snorlax smashes the scales proving it meets the weight minimum. The tournament begins and the prize is announced; a King’s Rock and a year’s supply of Pokémon Food, which wakes Snorlax and drives it to do its best in the tournament. Wobbuffet uses Counter to beat Ursaring outright, but Shunosuke has doubts and points out an attack was used and disqualifies Team Rocket. Team Rocket reveal themselves in anger but before they can make a move, Raiden has his Feraligatr Hydro Pump them away. Feraligatr battles Golem afterwards and it uses Golem’s massive weight against itself to win, Poliwrath battles Snorlax next but its large belly easily wins. Team Rocket find souvenir Pokémon prints in a market and decide to make fakes to sell at the match. Feraligatr and tough looking Blastoise bash heads next, Feraligatr dodges a crushing attack but fails to push it out, Blastoise attacks but Feraligatr dodges and hurls Blastoise out the ring, and Snorlax easily beats Machamp in the same way as its first match. Raiden and Ash are now against each other; Snorlax misses and nearly tumbles forward out of the ring but it recovers and makes some speedy dodges, Feraligatr starts smacking away and nearly pushes Snorlax out but Ash comes up with a sneaky method, Snorlax breathes in and exhales to push Feraligatr away. It tries to hurl Snorlax but it lands within the ring and pushes Feraligatr out and wins the match. Ash is awarded the King’s Rock but the year’s supply of food is instantly consumed by Snorlax before it takes a long nap, it will soon return to Oak. Raiden congratulates Ash for his victory and wishes him success, while Team Rocket have finished making their fake prints but arrive too late to sell them as the wrestling is all over. My favourite Quote: Jessie: “Don’t you understand what it means to have pride and self respect and a sense of worth and value and dignity?!” Meowth: “I used ta... Before I met you!” Things I’d like to point out: The group sort of distances themselves from interacting with the narrator, in a sense, Brock repeats the narrator’s description of the village straight after he says it to the viewer. Noctowl should consider itself lucky, out of all the Pokémon Ash has sent to Oak’s place (Krabby/Kingler, Muk, Tauros, Snorlax, Heracross and Noctowl), it’s the only Pokémon that has returned to his team and remained on it for a worthwhile amount of time afterwards (with the exception of Bayleef in “Dueling Heroes” and “The Perfect Match!” because she’s a Starter Pokémon). According to the posters decorating the arena, there’s an Arbok competing, but without arms or legs I’m sure it was at a complete disadvantage, why use it at all in a sumo tournament (and how did it meet the weight minimum)? Wobbuffet blatantly said its own name; Shunosuke should have pointed that out first since countering is all Wobbuffets can do in battle. And surely someone should have seen that the ‘Miltank’ was clearly a Wobbuffet, maybe if Team Rocket had hidden its eyes, its jagged mouth might have looked like blue teeth... Just a thought. Wobbuffet’s counter-attack technique is apparently versatile since Pokémon in the tournament are prohibited from using their natural attacks, that means Wobbuffet can also counter any aggressive hits from Pokémon (and people as well according to “The Wayward Wobbuffet”). I’m aware the sung introductions of the Pokémon are used in real life tournaments but I’m curious, if two Pokémon in the finals happened to be from the same place (East or West) would one of them be changed depending on what side of the field they are put on? The same applies to the Kanto Pokémon League’s giving trainers red and green colours to represent them. At the end of the tournament, we see pictures spelling out who ranked where, but including Ash, there’s only fourteen, does this mean someone else other than Team Rocket were disqualified to bring the total to a tournament-like sixteen? Ash admits that the reason he no longer travels with Snorlax is because he simply can’t afford to feed it. The only explanation as to how he used to be able to do so can only be Tracey’s theory that Snorlax expends less energy when inside its Pokéball, which it doesn’t seem to do in Oak’s lab (Oak must be rich to be able to feed it given how much it eats in one go this episode). Who’s That Pokémon?: (This Pokémon is very timid and likes to travel in groups!) Ledyba Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None. The Poké Spokesman Pokémon seen: Togepi, Pikachu, Meowth, Wobbuffet, Pidgey, Rattata, Oddish, Magnemite, Magneton Story: Pikachu is unusually tired out and an old man explains the mineral in the soil here absorbs electrical energy, and then seemingly starts talking to Pikachu in its own language. Simon suggests they take it to his rest stop and explains he can speak fluently to Pokémon and understand what they are saying. Team Rocket are resting and eating there disguised as old men, they see the group and hide at the rest stop. Simon has a device so Ash can cycle to regenerate Pikachu’s electricity but he plans on charging for it along with his interpreting fee, but ends up waving it out of guilt for not telling the group sooner. Team Rocket reveal themselves and aim to grab Pikachu while it’s low on energy, but Meowth calls for a huddle and they question Simon about his ability, Jenny appears and arrests Simon, claiming he’s a swindler. Team Rocket are also in trouble before smoke bombs cloud the area and they use the chance to escape, Simon is gone too and the group assume Jenny’s claims were true. Pikachu is rushed to the Pokémon Centre after inhaling smoke, Team Rocket notice Simon with some shady figures. He is brought to the boss of the phoney interpreters Jenny is looking for, they accuse him of being as fake like they are (they say what trainers want to hear and charge them a lot for it), Simon only charges to keep his rest stop open. Team Rocket spy and Meowth is outraged, what with his efforts in learning human speech and genuinely being able to translate Pokémon language. Simon rejects the offer to join the swindlers but won’t be able to leave as a result, Team Rocket decide to help rescue him. Pikachu is recharged at the Pokémon Centre and will be fully recovered by morning, Ash speaks with Professor Oak who tells of the complete rarity of Pokémon interpreters, Simon (headed to give himself up to the police) isn’t completely sure himself if he can translate or not because in his heart he believes he can communicate with them. He explains that 60 years ago he was sheltered in a basement from a tornado, as he waited alone for his father to return, a Pidgey, Rattata, Oddish came to him and he was able to understand them and so talked with them for hours. The Pokémon mysteriously vanished after the storm and he’s doubted the event actually happened but he’s never stopped trying to communicate with Pokémon and believes he has a gift despite the many doubts. Pikachu comes out of bed despite its weariness and thanks Simon, before several Magnemite and Magneton appear and the con artists threaten to absorb the electricity in the Centre unless Simon gives himself up to them and keeps silent about the group to the police. He speaks out to the Pokémon in human talk and pleads to them to stop what they’re doing; despite the fact the crime boss has starved them of electricity. The Pokémon stand down as Simon has spoken from the heart and got through to them. The boss threatens to hurt the Magnemite and Magneton if they don’t obey but Pikachu recharges them and they attack the swindlers, just in time for the police to arrest them. Simon is still willing to give himself up, but Jenny has heard from Joy what he did and believes that he’s innocent and genuinely has a gift. Team Rocket are happy not have been involved but are instead struck down by a sudden storm. In the morning, Simon says goodbye and considers giving up on interpreting, but the group tell him to keep working at it so that maybe he’ll be able to perfect it. The group leave, and while Simon soon passes Meowth who he speaks to in Pokémon and human language, Meowth answers in human talk but claims he understands Simon and vice versa before running away, in order to keep his hopes up in truly perfecting this talent. My favourite Quote: Meowth (disappointed in himself and close to crying): “I guess I am a liar, but before I learned how ta talk human I was honest an’ trustworthy jus’ like every udder Pokémon. Sometimes I wish I was never coised with such intelligence an’ ability...” Things I’d like to point out: Why are the group asking questions to do with how Simon knew things about Pikachu’s mood, surely the “Pika Pika” dialogue should have been self- explanatory, the question they should have been asking is how he can speak the language; it’s not as dumb and pointless a question. Team Rocket wear the old people beards and robes (minus the staffs) that were last seen in “To Master the Onixpected!” solely for the purpose of getting a discount on food. People keep saying that Pokémon can’t speak or understand human speech throughout this episode; the latter is a total lie. If Pokémon couldn’t understand people, they wouldn’t be able to tell apart the attacks and techniques the trainers wanted them to do, nor perform unofficial moves and strategies on the trainer’s order as has been done, and it’s obvious that Pokémon can understand people by the way they answer or react to the things they do and say, and some can eventually get people to understand what they are saying. If Jenny doesn’t recognise Jessie and James right away and has to flip through several cards, just how many criminal organisations that make a point of wearing costumes are there in Johto?! And yes, that is Butch and Cassidy she’s looking at, posed and in the same shrouded fashion as Jessie and James’s wanted poster back in “Pokémon Emergency!”. Why does Jessie suggest a Pokémon interpretation scam of their own (and why do they consider using Simon to do it for them)? They’ve got Meowth, a certified translator who can tell people exactly what a Pokémon is saying, and their proof is the simple fact that Meowth can speak like a human. The only trouble is, based on Team Rocket’s past deeds; people might not believe what he says. Is it Simon’s interpretation of the innocent Pokémon at risk in the Centre or are the exact same kinds of Pokémon that Simon apparently met 60 years ago inside and next to each other. The ending of the episode shows a noble act from Meowth restoring Simon’s belief in his ability. That’s all well and good but there’s an obvious contradiction, surely he must have heard Meowth speak in the earlier encounter. Even if we ignore everything Meowth said in unison with Jessie and James, the part where Meowth couldn’t hear Simon and probably vice versa, and the gasps and one word sentences that could be misinterpreted as normal Meowth speech, Meowth speaks loudly enough when he calls Team Rocket to have a huddle, he also says “See ya!” pretty loudly before the smoke bombs hit and Simon is dragged away probably before Meowth spoke some more in that scene. Still, there were enough opportunities for Simon to hear Meowth speaking like a human, unless Simon is old to the point of having a low range sense of hearing. Who’s That Pokémon?: (On land, this Pokémon is coated with a slimy, poisonous film!) Wooper Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None. Control Freak! Pokémon seen: Golbat, Pikachu, Togepi, Charizard, Pidgeotto, Butterfree, Meowth, Geodude, Victreebel, Onix, Dragonite, Beedrill, Gengar, Noctowl, Crobat, Wobbuffet Story: The group get down to another of Brock’s brilliant meals, and Golbat eats first but is drawn away towards a girl passed out in some ruins. Tierra is upset that her supersonic detector is destroyed (which attracted Golbat) but Brock quickly helps to fix it. Tierra is researching a legend about a queen that could control Pokémon with a golden mask and staff and that the artefacts may be hidden in a temple around here, Team Rocket listen in and find this very appealing. Brock fixes Tierra’s problem by modifying her laptop software in order to use Golbat’s supersonic waves to replace her broken equipment in locating the temple. Tierra’s digging equipment is also broken but Brock fixes that with Geodude. Team Rocket use Meowth’s Dugtrio robot to make their way down while the group close in on the temple but are beaten to it. Team Rocket manage to find the artefacts right away, Jessie snatches the mask and puts it on, soon taking the staff as well and proving their abilities by controlling Victreebel and Meowth. Ash and the others reach the temple and confront Jessie, since Tierra wants the artefacts in a museum. Jessie easily seizes control of Pikachu and has it shock Ash before Team Rocket attempt to leave, Brock has his Pokémon attack but they are taken control of... except Golbat who frees itself and repels her spell with its own sonic waves. But Jessie has Geodude fight Golbat and Onix to drag their robot to the surface, a cave in occurs and everyone is okay (including Geodude) except for Golbat, who Brock stays behind to find. He stops and listens for Golbat’s supersonic waves despite Tierra’s theory that normal people can’t pick up on it this way. Brock locates Golbat, digs it out and the group escape as the room is buried, meanwhile Team Rocket are at the surface but Jessie wants more revenge through Pikachu. Her control appears to fade as Pikachu shocks her, but it’s soon discovered that the artefact’s power only works within the range of the village, marked by a boundary line. Jessie decides living here isn’t worth the control of Pokémon so Team Rocket jumps into their robot and fly away, deciding to sell the golden relics, and the machine outflies Noctowl and Golbat, until it evolves... into Crobat. Its new form allows it to fly much faster, and to cut the rocket to pieces, Team Rocket crash and the artefacts are blocked off by Crobat until the group catches up and shocks Team Rocket into defeat. The temple is destroyed but Tierra is pleased she was able to recover the artefacts, and as the group make their way to their next destination, they decide that training Pokémon traditionally is far better than forcibly controlling their actions. My favourite Quote: Jessie: “Pikachu... I... Rule... YOU!...” Things I’d like to point out: Anna’s technique of using supersonic waves for digital mapping has been passed on to Brock, that and the castle from “Hassle in the Castle” are referred to by the others. Sorry, but Geodude’s simple movements and rotations can’t surely have dug the huge tunnel the group are walking through in one go, even if it stretches out Geodude simply doesn’t have the size to do this. Meowth claims he didn’t put seatbelts in the Dugtrio Diggertron, but Team Rocket blatantly wear belts around their shoulders, so either Team Rocket simply got out of the robot awkwardly and fell, or the belts weren’t actually that strong and snapped. Um, Jessie should have chosen her words more specifically, telling Victreebel to attack its master when she had full control of all its actions could have easily been misinterpreted so Victreebel attacked her instead. Also, Meowth proves that the staff controls Pokémon’s bodies and actions, but doesn’t control their will, seeing as he openly admits he doesn’t want to do a dance but his body does what Jessie wants. So why does Pikachu smile when it shocks Ash, its emotions shouldn’t be subject to that sort of change unless it’s been ordered specifically to do so, it should otherwise always be in a trance. If someone can control all Pokémon, then throwing Onix at them is the Last thing to do, all the other Pokémon might hurt the group but Onix could easily kill them. And it’s not like Jessie took Onix from Brock’s Pokéball like she did with Victreebel. Was Geodude knocked on the head? Because this is only explanation as to why it’s not under Jessie’s control anymore since the other Pokémon remain under her control even after she orders them to do certain tasks. If it’s because Jessie was out of range, then that’s a pretty big flaw in that the controlled Pokémon not only have to be in range of the ruins but constantly be near the staff. One final point, what happened to Geodude when the temple caved in? It was last mentioned to have survived the cave in but it’s not seen or heard being recalled and Brock’s attention goes fully to finding and saving Golbat and then escaping as the temple is buried completely. If the rocks could have been moved so easily, the others could have been overturning rocks instead of standing around despite Brock’s request for them to save themselves from the risk of being crushed. Don’t even suggest the sounds would have distracted Brock, as they talked plenty throughout all of this and that’s plenty of distraction. Why does Jessie thank Onix for bringing them up when it was her staff that forced it to? Maybe she’s genuinely grateful Team Rocket managed to get out of the cave, but I just reckon this was an oversight by the writers/translators. Please tell me the hole outside the range of the staff is the one that Geodude made, or an entry path made by the robot that wasn’t used to exit the ruins and it would otherwise make no sense that Team Rocket managed to get out that hole but keep the Pokémon under control given the explanation for the staff’s short range. The third shocking from Pikachu is mistakenly pre-empted, Jessie’s lower legs rise to the sides and her whole body lifts into the air a second before Pikachu shocks her. At least the Diggertron having jets explains how Meowth originally planned to get it out, even if turned upside-down it’s unlikely it could have dug upwards without weighing itself down and losing balance unless it had something like the jets to push it along. What does Ash mean by saying they’ll battle Team Rocket instead of Crobat? Why, blowing them up with electricity of course, instead of a Pokémon Battle like Team Rocket were again aiming to do (“Ariados, Amigos” for instance). Misty’s a little insensitive about using Brock’s lack of a girlfriend as a joke, maybe if she didn’t drag him away by the ear so early on within his efforts to woo a girl, he might get a positive response given a little time. Funny how the only episode without Misty around Brock was the one he got close to a girl and seemed to be liked back, but he had to give her up to continue travelling with the group (“For Crying Out Loud”). Who’s That Pokémon?: (This Pokémon always has the ultimate beverage for the sick or weary!) Miltank Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None. The Art of Pokémon Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Meowth, Smeargle, Wobbuffet, Arbok Story: The group enter a small town called Whitestone, where a trio of Smeargle are leaving their marks on Whitestone’s white buildings. The group is blamed for the Smeargle since they cower behind them, and they defend them before an artist called Jack Pollockson announces his ownership of the Pokémon and that the paint smears are art. Still, he hands one of the angry citizens a cheque to restore the walls and pay for any damages. Reporters try to get his art on film but Jack feels it’s not the same as seeing art in person. The Smeargle start painting over people and Jack claims this is also their art, but then that this hasn’t worked as art because they’re not inspired. Team Rocket read up on Pollockson’s work and plan to steal a painting to sell. Pollockson invites the group to his home to wash up and eat, the reporters are not since he stands by the opinion he voiced earlier, and surprisingly the reporter agrees there’s nothing like seeing a painting in person rather than a copy or an image on TV. At his home, Pollockson also explains the mood of the Smeargle affect their work and they paint whenever they’re inspired, but he’s not impressed with the recent works (though he attempts to make a collage with pieces of them). He shows a huge early abstract work of his and the reporter and cameraman have to see it, though they promise not to broadcast it. Wobbuffet appears, followed by Team Rocket who although like the painting realise they’d never be able to legally sell a painting this big without being caught, so they take pictures with a digital camera and run. Jack is okay since the pictures won’t capture the real mood and essence, and Team Rocket come to the same conclusion and decide to steal the Smeargle and make original artworks. Jack worries that he’s losing his talent as an artist before his Smeargle are netted and carried away, but they leave a trail of paint for the group to follow. They are forced to paint but the group quickly catch up, before Arbok and Pikachu fight, the sun rises, giving Jack and the Smeargle a fix of inspiration, they simply run, followed by the others. Jessie decides not to run, thinking she can complete the paintings the Smeargle left unfinished. The Smeargle paint a beautiful portrait of Whitestone bathed in beautiful colours of the sun, and the whole town comes to see it, Jack is moved by it but rain follows and the paint runs off the large wall. Jack reminds Ash that doing it again wouldn’t be the same, that every painting he and the Smeargle make is unique, but that he thought he had lost the ability to create art but now he can be inspired again and continue to make art with his Pokémon. As the group moves on with new appreciation of art and creativity, while Jessie’s idea to create a collage is ruined by Wobbuffet who causes her to lose all the unfinished art. My favourite Quote: Ash (to Team Rocket): “Are you gonna let those Smeargle go free?!” Smeargle (at different times): “Smeargle...” Jessie: “No way!” James: “We’re not in favour of That kind of artistic freedom!” Things I’d like to point out: Of all people to be able to name a new Pokémon, why Ash? Ash doesn’t do research into Pokémon, it’s easy to tell from his character and responses to previous situations, he only seems to learn through experience and shouldn’t have known about Smeargle if the more knowledgeable Brock didn’t. Jack Pollockson is clearly based on the famous artist Jackson Pollock, a famous abstract artist (whose abstract paintings are similar to the paintings that the Smeargle are seen doing). But real artists are mentioned by Team Rocket without any modifications to their names like Picasso and Rembrandt, but there seems to be a play on words with the sculptor Rodin and the Japanese monster Rodan, finally Andy Warhol is mentioned as part of a joke when Team Rocket try duplicating art and refer to the famous artist’s method. As for Jessie’s claiming that copies of artwork are worthless, there are many postcards in several galleries that would say otherwise. Though not worth as much as the original, they’d fetch a price if they sold enough, but I suppose not with Jack’s known views about copies not capturing the essence of a painting. The Who’s That Pokémon clue makes a slight error, the evolved form of a Weedle is Kakuna, the fully evolved form is Beedrill, the wording is just incorrect. How can Team Rocket afford all the canvases for the Smeargle (much less a photocopier)?! Having studied art myself, I know how much these things can cost and Team Rocket have proved time and time again how little money they have. I don’t think the paper sheet Jessie holds at the end could be the same as the materials on the canvas, as the stuff used on them are more cloth-like than basic sheets of paper, unless she cut them up and stuck them on paper. Who’s That Pokémon?: (This Pokémon is the evolved form of a Weedle!) Beedrill Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None but someone gets a similarly artistic Smeargle who doesn’t care for the law so much as its art. The Heartbreak of Brock Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Nidorina, Cubone, Azumarill, Venonat, Raticate, Rattata, Sentret, Kingler, Shellder, Wooper, Nidorino, Meowth, Totodile, Arbok, Weezing, Poliwhirl, Noctowl, Wobbuffet, Chikorita Story: The group are searching for a Pokémon Centre and Brock does the usual thing towards a girl, who reveals there is no Pokémon Centre here. Brock saves the trainer of a Nidorina from falling into a fountain, and for a change, this girl falls head over heels in love with him. Her name is Temacu and she invites the group back to her place after gaining permission from her father. She cooks dinner and makes the group feel welcome, especially Brock, but he’s nervous having been given a taste of his own medicine, Misty promotes Brock’s good points and many talents, but has to talk with him in private and urges him to return the feelings Temacu is throwing at him. In the morning Temacu’s father shows the group around the lab and Temacu suggests Brock would make a great assistant and so they could be together, Misty drags Brock away again and tries to force him to make an effort and that Temacu is his only hope for a love, Temacu interrupts with a talk about Nidorina and introduces a Nidorino she wants Brock to have. Team Rocket appear and net the lab’s Pokémon, during the following battle a smokescreen clouds everything and Team Rocket accidentally bungle up the capture and wind up with Temacu, who falls for James in a heartbeat after he literally catches her, but due to his past with Jessabelle, James is unnerved at the prospects of marriage, but Jessie figures marrying Temacu would give James ownership of the Pokémon in the lab. Several of the townsfolk plus the group search for Temacu in the forest, Noctowl spots the balloon and alerts Ash to its location. Temacu returns home with James and Jessie who she introduces her father to, while the balloon is still moving and turns out to be a decoy. The group is alerted that Temacu has made it home and gotten a fiancé; Jessie and Meowth bag the many Pokémon and then eat dinner with Temacu and James. The group returns to the house but Misty recognises and uncovers Jessie and accuses James of tricking Temacu into marrying him, but the worse side of the scheme is revealed when Jessie accidentally spills the stolen Pokéballs onto the floor and Team Rocket flee. Temacu chases the Rockets too but defends James, Arbok and Chikorita fight while Poliwhirl uncovers Weezing through its smoke. The Pokéballs are dropped as Arbok falls and Chikorita also defeats Weezing, but Temacu comes between everyone and has her Nidorina tackle Poliwhirl, Misty has it use Water Gun which Weezing dodges and goes for James, but Temacu dives in the way and is knocked out. In retaliation, Ash has Chikorita use Vine Whip to slam the two enemy Pokémon together, and Water Gun plus Pikachu’s element expel the Rockets from the area. As Temacu recovers under the watch of a doctor, her father figures her recent behaviour is because they attended her cousin’s wedding and Temacu has been obsessed about them ever since, Brock admits he loves her and that despite his reluctance he’s ready to accept the love she’s showered him with. Unfortunately, she falls in love with the doctor who feels the same way about her and proposes there and then. Brock is saddened as the group leave, but his spirits are quickly raised and his hopes of meeting someone in the next location push everyone forward. My favourite Quote: Misty: “You’ve done some low things but this is the lowest! Tricking an innocent girl into getting engaged!” James: “It wasn’t me, it was Her!” Things I’d like to point out: When Brock saves Temacu from falling, the bowl of water he drops makes no sound at all nor is it seen crashing/splashing. It’s great that Brock’s not the only one with immediate feelings for the opposite sex, although Temacu takes it to the next level by daydreaming about a wedding with a guy she just met (talking like that to certain guys would scare them off). Misty just got a heck of a lot less subtle about her feelings towards Ash, claiming she and he will be married someday right in front of his face! Yet in the second movie, Melody suggested Misty and Ash would get married and this really got under Misty’s skin, so either continuity’s gone off or Misty’s feelings have grown stronger since. However, the same might not apply in the original version since later on in the episode, Meowth reacts exactly the same way Ash does from something Jessie mentions to him, maybe something different was said regarding the way Temacu was acting with Brock and James. Misty’s theory to Brock about falling for someone who loves them back or not probably again refers to Ash but doesn’t that mean she should have gone for Rudy’s affections (“Misty Meets Her Match”) instead of staying with Ash who doesn’t even notice her that way? There appears to be a huge Sentret in the lab, it’s clearly behind the group as they walk through the room and it’s half as big as they are rather than smaller as the Sentrets we’ve seen, it could probably match them if it stood up on its tail. The image of Brock in Temacu’s vision shows him in the exact same white tuxedo he wore for Suzie in “Beauty and the Breeder”. Temacu clearly insults James with the name she gives him, or at least the first part, giving him the first letters ‘Ma’ because it apparently has the potential of a Magikarp. Unless evolving into Gyarados counts as potential, this is clearly a negative comment, no matter how positive Temacu is when saying it. I would hope Brock isn’t like Temacu in that she promised him so much only to fall for James moments later and completely forget about and disregard Brock. Especially since Brock has seen so many failures, once he finds someone who likes him back he should do all he could not to blow it. The only excuse for Temacu would be if she realised she wasn’t getting very far with Brock (since he was resisting her charm and affection) and decided to grab James and take a shot at him. I’m not sure if this was a script error but when Misty claims she thought Brock didn’t like Temacu he basically agrees with her before suggesting that he could be with her since she’s desperate (because James is good enough for her). Great moment of a flashback, as James remembers Jessabelle from “Holy Matrimony!” at the mere mention of the word ‘fiancé’. But how is it that the sound of that word spooks James but he can stand to look at Jessie’s face everyday (the two girls are look-a-likes, that or separated at birth). At least Temacu’s father thinks it’s strange for her daughter to get to the point of marriage so soon after meeting a guy. Why does Temacu stand there while Jessie lies about how she and James met, especially since James openly admitted he was a member of Team Rocket and now Jessie is speaking as if he wasn’t, and why does Temacu defend James after he and the others blatantly reveal their true colours? Unless she’s so desperate for a husband that she’ll block out obvious factors about the men she’s chasing. How is it that Misty recognises Jessie with her hair tied up but doesn’t speak up or recognise her when her hair within the disguises is exactly as is normally is? It looks like the original script had Misty’s Poliwhirl attack Weezing, but it dodges and so the Water Guns aims for James who is then blocked by Temacu herself. Why did the English script call for Misty to specifically aim at James (and why did Weezing dodge the attack apparently meant for its trainer)? Who’s That Pokémon?: (Just touching this Pokémon is shocking!) Mareep Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None, though Temacu’s behaviour is very much like regular Pokémon Journey character Danielle, I could have said Brock’s, but a male character acting much like him in the flirting department has already been introduced in Series 3 in the form of Vincent. Current Events Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Bulbasaur, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Chikorita, Meowth, Jigglypuff, Magnemite, Magneton, Wobbuffet, Electrode, Electabuzz, Arbok, Victreebel, Bayleef Story: En-route to Olivine, the group cross a clearing where several windmills are generating electricity. They decide to take a break and Ash releases his Pokémon, Chikorita is as affectionate towards Ash as always. Team Rocket are famished again and enter a nearby power plant looking for food, with Jigglypuff not far behind, the place is locked but Meowth manages to pick and open it (though the group is shocked as a result). Brock suggests a picnic lunch and Ash volunteers to find firewood, since Pikachu and the others are asleep Chikorita gets to have his full attention for now. Meanwhile, Team Rocket are shocked (metaphorically) by the security Magnemite, Ash notices the open door and looks inside, but the wind blows the door shut and it locks. Pikachu picks up on Ash’s calls for help and the group follow, while Team Rocket are backed in a corner but the Magnemite leave as they detect the second group of intruders Ash and Chikorita. She points out a floor plan and Ash figures he can open the door from a control room, but both are soon running away from the security Pokémon, Team Rocket spot Ash being chased and plan to swipe his current Pokémon. Chikorita’s Razor Leaf manages to fend off the Magnemite one by one but they are quickly replaced, and upgraded by a Magneton squad who Ash saves his Pokémon from. Jigglypuff appears but Team Rocket throw its pen away and run, Ash ends up within range of it but runs with Chikorita through a passage leading to a staircase, Jigglypuff retrieves its possession and puts the robotic Pokémon to sleep. Meanwhile, Brock notifies someone who will arrive shortly to get the door open, and Team Rocket descend into the plant to pursue Ash. Electrode are the next levels of security, blocking off all available paths before charging forward and deliberately exploding, Ash escapes but ends up directly in front of Jigglypuff, Chikorita hurls its pen away and the two descend again. Jigglypuff gets its pen back after Team Rocket chuck it again and it ends up putting the remaining Electrode to sleep, Team Rocket encounter the security chief Electabuzz and convince it that Ash is the trespasser and they are not. The Head of Security arrives and begins fixing the door but fears for Ash’s safety, he now meets the Electabuzz who attacks, Chikorita defends and battles but she is eventually bested in the first bout. Before the second fight kicks in, both Pokémon are caged by Team Rocket and wheeled away. Ash follows them with the others not far behind, he blocks off Team Rocket but doesn’t appear to have any other Pokémon to defend himself with, and Arbok and Victreebel literally attack him and damage him again and again, Chikorita cries out and evolves into order to gain the strength to break the cage. She, Electabuzz and Pikachu team up to send Team Rocket away once again. The Head of Security apologises for the trouble Ash has been through and Ash thanks his Bayleef for all her help, unfortunately Jigglypuff finally catches up and successfully sings for Ash and the group, with the usual results. My favourite Quote: Head of Security: “I’m the Head of Security, have you been waiting long?” Brock (grabbing her hand): “For you? I’ve been waiting my whole life for you.” Misty (pulling him back by the ear): “Cool it Brock, she’s here to save Ash, not your love life.” Things I’d like to point out: Meowth didn’t actually break his claw like he says; he just bent it out of shape, still that’s got to hurt. When Team Rocket throw away Jigglypuff’s pen twice, the same animation sequence is used both times. After being attacked by Magnemite, Magneton and Electrode, why was Ash happy to see Electabuzz? Did he honestly think it wouldn’t act differently to the other Pokémon? Why does the Electabuzz get described all of a sudden as the evolved form of Elekid on the Pokédex? Ash hasn’t even encountered an Elekid yet and it was only recently discovered that Elekids even exist I would think. If Ash didn’t bring out Noctowl with all his other Pokémon to enjoy the relaxing environment, then why didn’t he use it to save his caged Chikorita and battle Arbok and Victreebel instead of getting beaten up by the Pokémon? Unless he was stupid enough to leave all his Pokéballs behind (either way it looks like the Starter Pokémon getting priority over others thing is starting again along with writers forgetting about current Pokémon that could come to the rescue). Who’s That Pokémon?: (This magical Pokémon has the ability to change the weather!) Dragonair Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None. Turning Over A New Bayleef Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Cyndaquil, Noctowl, Bulbasaur, Bayleef, Totodile, Beedrill, Meowth, Machoke, Bellossom, Skiploom, Wobbuffet Story: The group stop for another break and Ash’s Pokémon are brought out, Bayleef leaps at Ash in its usual way of showing affection but her now larger form causes her to hit Ash hard. Ash’s Pokémon play a catching game but Bayleef easily overpowers the Pokémon and knocks Ash into the lake. Ash is angry that it’s tackling him but the others defend her saying she’s only showing affection but hasn’t adjusted to her new strength. Lunch is soon served but Bayleef predicts what will happen if she tackles Ash, so she moves forward carefully but is yelled at regardless because Ash doesn’t trust her not to hit him and spill the food. As a result her feelings are hurt and she wanders away while the other Pokémon eat. She accidentally angers some Beedrill and is chased until she falls into a rushing river, Ash and the group soon realise she’s missing because of what Ash said and begin a search for her. An old lady and her Machoke discover Bayleef and have it rest at her cottage and take care of it, so much so that Bayleef appears to not want to look for her trainer, so the old lady lets it stay with her. Ash finds Bayleef but she’s still angry and hurt, Ash apologises but she rejects him completely. The group drinks tea with the old lady and she allows them to stay until Ash and Bayleef work things out, while her Pokémon and Bayleef help with the gardening. Ash tries to win Bayleef over by showing an interest in the gardening that she enjoys and then tries to bribe her with food and a grooming, but nothing works. The old lady tells Ash that a trainer’s moods affects that of their Pokémon, and is certain that Bayleef will surely come around and forgive Ash. Team Rocket make their move with a gigantic Bayleef-shaped robot to steal Pikachu and the old lady’s Pokémon, everyone tries to run but its vines seizes several Pokémon and drops them into a container. Machoke saves its master from being crushed and Team Rocket soon turn and leave. Ash manages to keep up and takes a short cut to get on top of the robot, he ends up near the container and tackles it several times to no avail, while Bayleef watches and joins in, her faith in Ash’s love for her restored. The screws are shaken loose and the Pokémon freed, Team Rocket aim to retreat in the robot but Razor Leaf followed by Thunderbolt stops it in its tracks, Ash and the Pokémon escape and join the others. Vine Whip cords are countered by Razor Leaf and another Thunderbolt gets the job done. The group say their goodbyes to the old lady, who urges Ash to make a fresh start with Bayleef, he apologises and even invites her to tackle him, she holds herself back and apologises herself, and their friendship is restored. My favourite Quote: Brock: “If Bayleef is like a girl in love, Logical explanations won’t work!” Things I’d like to point out: An obvious title pun comes from the phrase “Turning over a new leaf”. I love Bayleef’s simplified styles of Ash and herself in her mind, is this just her predicting the situation or do she and other Pokémon perceive others in this way? Apart from milking the sad situation, it wasn’t necessary to show the scene of Ash yelling at Bayleef since we saw it no more than a minute ago. But if it was Bayleef’s memory of it, then the angle should have been from her eyes, meaning a side angle of herself shouldn’t have been shown, this is a common mistake in cartoons dealing with previous footage for flashbacks. Ash is so insensitive; he was as rude as he could be when yelling at Bayleef, so why was he surprised that Bayleef ran away from him? How did the old lady know Bayleef was a trained Pokémon, unless she knows the types of wild Pokémon in the area or even tried to catch it herself (the latter suggestion is doubtful). I don’t want to seem rude in asking but for what reason did Ash mention his home town along with his name, not only is it unnecessary but I doubt the old lady even knows where Pallet Town is. The way the path is set up it’s doubtful Ash would have stepped on the flowers to get to Bayleef; Skiploom should have simply jumped in front of him rather than into him before notifying him of the precious flowers. Is that simple pushing over of Ash honestly meant to be the first time Bayleef uses Body Slam? It’s not what I would call it since this is supposed to be a heart-warming affectionate move rather than it’s learning an attack, it’s not like Ash doesn’t have his Pokémon use new attacks out of the blue and needed Bayleef for it to learn the latest attack this episode. Who’s That Pokémon?: (This vain Pokémon likes watching itself in the mirror!) Machoke Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None. Doin’ What Comes Natu-rally Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Natu, Aipom, Machoke, Cubone, Exeggutor, Meowth, Magikarp, Persian, Hitmontop, Weezing, Poliwhirl, Bayleef, Arbok, Victreebel, Wobbuffet Story: The group are hungry as they approach the next town, they meet a boy and his Natu Naughty, but he runs away from them. The group enter town on the day of an annual street performing festival; there they see a man with a Natu which can apparently look into the future (using a combination of a series of rituals and Future Sight). When Misty opts to have her fortune read, the man calls out his son McKenzie to do it, the boy from earlier, but the nervous boy mixes up the steps in the process and soon leaves. The group find him in a park and he explains he gets nervous in front of an audience (so much so that the conversation is done facing away from the group); they introduce themselves to him and offer to help. Meanwhile James wanders around town, he again runs into the Magikarp salesman he’s encountered twice before, but the man escapes once again, and the rest of Team Rocket plan on stealing the performing Pokémon and starting a show of their own. McKenzie is given a mask to wear in order to help him overcome his fear and practices a performance, but his Natu fails because it apparently hasn’t practiced Future Sight enough. McKenzie’s father appears and thinks the mask might not only help him perform but entertain the crowd. He tries again with the mask on but his Natu is difficult, and before he can finish the act Team Rocket appear and capture the performing Pokémon including Naughty. Team Rocket plan out their schemes for the performing Pokémon but the Machoke frees itself from its ropes and escapes, soon alerting the group to Team Rocket’s location but they’re rising in the balloon. Bayleef frees all the Pokémon except for McKenzie’s Natu, and shoots down the balloon into a local school. McKenzie has his Natu battle Arbok and Victreebel and Ash has Bayleef help it, the Natu confuses Arbok so that it approaches Team Rocket, Bayleef hurls Victreebel into it and the rest of the team and Pikachu sends the whole group away with electricity. Brock apologises to the teacher for the disturbance and she asks if a performance can be arranged since the school is too far away from where the other street performers are currently located, McKenzie is asked to do so by his father and his performance is done without a hitch which raises McKenzie’s confidence and for him to discard the mask, the group say their goodbyes and carry on with the journey. My favourite Quote: (Victreebel bites/consumes James as usual while Team Rocket battle in a school) James: “Victreebel! Please! Not in front of the children!” Things I’d like to point out: This is the 200th episode of Pokémon (to UK viewers anyway since I heard two of the missing episodes were eventually broadcast out of sync elsewhere). Another obvious title pun comes from the phrase “Doin’/Doing what comes naturally”. Is there actually such thing as a Pizza Burger? Americans please let me know if there is. Machoke should be more careful with its escape act; the shattered shards of chain could easily fly into the audience and injure someone. The Magikarp salesman gets around; this is his third appearance in his slowly increasing appearances on the show. Can’t James recognise the con man’s face right away after his experience, and then the meeting in Pompona (“Battle Aboard The St. Anne” and “Tricks of the Trade”) rather than after hearing the entire sales speech first? He even replies to this in the exact way he does in Pompona with only one different word (‘that’ to ‘who’): “You’re the same old charlatan who swindled me before!” And again the salesman is able to somehow undo his entire stall and run off with it even though a tank of water is involved. Some of the kids in the school along with the teacher bear a resemblance to the kids and teacher seen in “The Purr-fect Hero”. Ash should talk! Saying 2 Pokémon against 1 isn’t fair, there have been plenty of times when he’s bent the rules while battling Team Rocket or other evils, what about Ash and Misty using two Pokémon solely to beat Wobbuffet through trickery in the past? In the games, Future Sight is used to activate a delayed Psychic attack, maybe the obvious naming of it gave the writers the idea of using it as a form of looking into the future but surely the telekinetic opening of shutters and the floating of the scroll should have been done through more responsive Psychic attacks like Confusion or Psychic. Who’s That Pokémon?: (This Pokémon sings a sweet lullaby for all to hear!) Jigglypuff Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None. Episodes #185 - #192 Episodes #201 - #208 Back to the Episode Guide Movie and Mini-movie Guide Back to the Pokézone