Episode Guide #201 - #208 The Big Balloon Blow-Up The Screen Actor’s Guilt Right On, Rhydon! The Kecleon Caper The Joy Of Water Pokémon Got Miltank? Fight For The Light! Machoke, Machoke Man! The Big Balloon Blow-Up Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Fearow, Noctowl, Meowth, Hoppip, Magmar, Azumarill, Heracross, Weezing, Arbok, Cyndaquil, Wobbuffet Story: The group discover a target in the middle of a field, and nearly get hit by a spherical marker; they meet Skyler, his Fearow and his father who are into making and flying balloons. Soon enough they are provided with a Pikachu balloon to use for the upcoming balloon race, where they have to race to the target and drop a marker as close as possible to the centre from a thousand feet above. They’re also taught that a Pokémon can help to pull the balloon, how to use the burner and how to catch air currents to assist them. Team Rocket spot them and are soon alerted to the contest and the prize of a high tech balloon engine. Although Meowth pledges to win fairly due to his pride as a balloon pilot, Jessie and James aim to secure the victory by sabotaging over half of the other balloons, and Meowth has no idea of it. The group recognise their balloon before the race begins and confront Team Rocket where Meowth defends his skill and honour. As the race begins, several of the balloons or their attachments break and collapse, Ash is warned by Skyler’s father to check his balloon for damage, their balloon checks out and the group quickly deduct the sabotage is Team Rocket’s doing. Weezing is next called to cloud the area which causes three more balloons to fall and blatantly reveals Team Rocket’s true colours, Arbok next uses Poison Sting and brings down another balloon. Meowth is outraged at this and is soon tied up by his team-mates right before a storm starts and James activates some illegal jets in their balloon. The group navigate their way through the storm but the burner in Ash’s balloon breaks due to Arbok’s earlier interference, the group are instructed to use a Fire Pokémon as a substitute and Cyndaquil is just about up to the task, who barely manages to raise the balloon over an incoming mountain. As the group catch up to Team Rocket, James activates a secondary use for the jets and missiles are fired at the remaining two competitors. Cyndaquil nearly takes a fall and resumes its duties soon enough while Pikachu is angered at Ash’s getting hurt from his rescue of it, Team Rocket try to escape but Noctowl swiftly escorts Pikachu towards the cheaters, with Fearow’s help to destroy the launcher, Pikachu gets a shot in and ejects Team Rocket from the contest. The two balloons reach the target barely within the time limit and their markers hit the middle at the same time, but the group quickly step aside from claiming the one engine for Skyler and his dad due to not needing it and as thanks for their teaching them so much. My favourite Quote: (Team Rocket are at the entry form desk) Jessie: “Don’t forget to put my name in James.” James: “Yes and Meowth’s too.” Guy: “You don’t have to put down the name of the Pokémon you’re using.” Meowth: “Whadda ya mean Usin’?!” (The guy gasps in surprise) Meowth: “Nobody’s usin’ me Pal! I’m the balloon pilot here; these two are just along fer the ride!” Things I’d like to point out: The Pikachu balloon looks a lot like the one Ash and the group obtained in “Mewtwo Returns”. When the balloons drop out of the smog, the red and white balloon, the Blissey balloon and the Diglett balloon drop, but in the next shot, we see only the Blissey and Diglett balloon, plus the Wigglytuff balloon dropping, whatever happened to the other balloon? It was right next to the Diglett balloon. When the two balloons swerve out of Arbok’s way, they are clearly out of range of Arbok’s Poison Sting barrage, but seconds after, some of the needles suddenly hit a burner, so unless Team Rocket struck both the flame coloured balloon’s burner and the balloon itself (and hit Ash’s at some point before he dodged), this can be seen as a timing error. Only that since the obvious sabotage ruined the other balloons, shouldn’t the race be done over what with only two balloons making it anywhere near the end of the race? How fast was the repair work on the balloons? All but Ash and Skyler’s balloons came out intact but barely after the race has ended pretty much all of them are floating in the air as they leave the area. Who’s That Pokémon?: (This Pokémon can strike moving prey from 300 feet away!) Remoraid Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None. The Screen Actor’s Guilt Pokémon seen: Togepi, Pikachu, Smoochum, Meowth, Bayleef, Totodile, Charizard, Houndoom, Weezing, Wobbuffet, Arbok, Noctowl Story: The group reach a town and after a group of fans storm by they are asked by a mysterious man to hold onto an item for him, it’s a Smoochum and though he said he’d come back for it the group have their doubts. As a crowd bombard the group thinking momentarily that Brock is someone else called Brad, a Skiploom robot lures Smoochum and Togepi away, with Pikachu following. The group see a movie trailer and recognise the actor as the man who gave them the Smoochum, before realising the Pokémon are gone. The group catch up and Pikachu is freed by Bayleef and the others by Totodile, the Skiploom robot hovers forward but it doused down and its following electric explosion sends Team Rocket literally through the roof. Brad Van Darn returns to the spot he asked the group to wait at but finds them gone, his agent Vitzo arrives in a car to escort him off the streets and the group see him driving by and follow him to an arena. Meanwhile Brad considers cancelling his upcoming show because of his worries about Smoochum, his agent questions him about what would happen to his ratings if people knew he had such a cute Pokémon despite his tough image, but he refuses to give up on Smoochum due to her commitment and faith in him before he became famous, throughout which he worked through tough jobs and teachings to get where he is now. Twice his agent stops the group’s attempts to return his Smoochum, but eventually Brad notices and reclaims his Pokémon, the group are pushed into a room before anyone can see him with it and acting so lovingly towards it. Brad is called to prepare for his show so he once again asks the group to babysit Smoochum, Team Rocket tie up and replace two security guards but Brad’s agent mistakenly asks them to throw out the group and Smoochum. They are led out to the stage where they are caught in a net and harassed, Brad confronts his agent and soon runs off when he finds out what he’s done. Team Rocket accidentally raise the curtain to the audience and Jessie fails to captivate the crowd with his acting. Brad rushes out to save his Smoochum and is confronted by Weezing and Arbok, he nimbly dodges the attacks with great acrobatic agility and Smoochum is soon freed but Brad’s true colours are now revealed to his fans. The group are freed and battle but Brad states it could be hazardous to the audience, and uses his Smoochum’s techniques to distract Team Rocket so Pikachu can end the show with Thunderbolt. Brad takes the time to inform his fans that this was not an acted performance and that his Smoochum is his Pokémon and partner, the fans are surprisingly very accepting of this and Brad’s sensitive side. He thanks them and later when the group leave town, they see Smoochum appearing in the movies with Brad and she’s an instant hit with the crowds. My favourite Quote: (The group have just viewed a movie trailer with Brad Van Darn, a man they met earlier) Brad (in the trailer): “I’ll take you to the Ultra Maximum.” Ash: “He doesn’t act like a movie star in person...” Brock: “He doesn’t act like a person in the movies!” Things I’d like to point out: The title is a pun of “The Screen Actor’s Guild”, an organization that consists of movie and television actors. I think this is the first time Pikachu has used an Electric attack while being held by rubber gloves, but since Pikachu has been able to aim Electric attacks in the past, why doesn’t it prevent itself from shocking the gloves and aim an arc at Jessie’s head and body instead? More impressions from Pikachu: Noctowl, Wobbuffet, Cyndaquil and Totodile are showcased today. After Ash falls down the stage stairs, the joke that he’d make a better stuntman than movie star is pointed out, it’s just a funny thought but Team Rocket are better suited, seeing as they take far worse falls and get off fine, Ash has done the same but has more so been said to be in danger of certain situations. Who’s That Pokémon?: (This Pokémon loves to collect shiny objects!) Murkrow Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None. Right On, Rhydon! Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Rhydon, Marill, Dugtrio, Graveler, Sandslash, Onix, Meowth, Wobbuffet, Totodile, Staryu, Goldeen, Poliwhirl, Crobat, Bulbasaur Story: The group awaken one morning near a lakeshore and Pikachu and Togepi spot a strange figure under the water’s surface; a Rhydon! Ash isn’t believed over this but a girl named Pietra confirms that this Rhydon has learned the Surf technique, Ash directs her where it was headed and the group follow. Pietra explains that her grandmother has to cross a mountain to get to town, and that she’s building a tunnel to make this easier for her. Though she has some Rock and Ground Pokémon, water is now leaking through which scares them away because they hate it, and if Pietra can catch the swimming Rhydon, it could finish the tunnel without being bothered by the water. Brock attempts to help with his Onix, but it’s just as terrified of the water and evacuates the task before long. Team Rocket overhear the group offering their help to find the Rhydon and of course plan on nabbing it themselves. The group try to track down the Rhydon and learn it likes apples, Team Rocket attempt to use this to their advantage but end up snacking on the apples themselves and leading the group to them, and Rhydon too. This is its feeding ground and it sends Team Rocket away, Pietra requests a battle with it, but it leaves via the lake and after Water Pokémon are deployed, Pietra takes the group out on her boat. Rhydon is soon uncovered and the Water Pokémon give chase, but its spinning horn creates a whirlpool to defeat its pursuers. It’s seen reaching a little island in the centre of the lake, where more apples grow which explains why it got over its fear of water and learned to swim. Team Rocket set another trap and relax until Rhydon shows up, but Wobbuffet falls in instead, the group also lie in wait but Rhydon refuses another battle, right before Team Rocket net it. Crobat sends the balloon plummeting but Team Rocket are prepared this time with a Wobbuffet raft, a vehicle which is no challenge for Pietra’s motorboat to catch up with, Rhydon is soon freed with Bulbasaur’s help and Team Rocket are blasted. Pietra grabs hold of Rhydon and refuses to let go even when it drags her through the water and even deep below the surface, but it lets up and rises before she drowns. She finally drops from it on land and Rhydon finally accepts to fight, Pietra uses her Marill but its Water attacks aren’t as effective as they normally would be at first but despite its ability to swim they do actually work on Rhydon, Marill weakens it down but not enough to keep it inside a Pokéball, Rhydon blocks the following Water attacks with its horn every time and lunges forward for some big hits, but a surprise Iron Tail attack from Marill topples it and the Pokéball catch is successful. With Rhydon in her possession, Pietra has Rhydon finish the tunnel and the group continue their journey by going through the new route. My favourite Quote: Jessie: “Well, now that we know what that Rhydon likes to eat...” James: “... We’ll just find where it feeds and lie in wait.” Meowth: “Heh! Lyin’ an’ waitin’ happens ta be my specialty!” Things I’d like to point out: For any disbelievers, this episode is correct in that Rhydon can learn the technique Surf, just not naturally. Although it is a little strange that Rhydon can swim in deep waters and yet be damaged by Water attacks. They’re not being completely thorough about the differences in Rock and Ground- types, but at least they’re correct about it, referring to Rhydon as a Rock- type and Graveler, Sandslash and Onix as Ground-types is good enough, and it’s understandable here that there isn’t time to explain in full who is part Rock- type and who isn’t. I’m convinced that to achieve the hilarious and realistic Team Rocket motto while eating/choking on apples, the voice actors must have brought food into the sound booth and stuffed their faces with them. Electric attacks might get Rhydon’s attention but if it’s ever experienced electricity it should show no fear at all from Pikachu’s ‘threat’. Pietra took a huge chance by holding onto Rhydon, but had it not shown mercy and value for her life then her tunnel project would have been for nothing, the tunnel would still be incomplete, and her grandmother would be minus one grandchild. When Rhydon threatens to stomp Marill, and its foot looms over it, how is it that it looks like it has leapt up for its Bubblebeam attack, surely there shouldn’t be room. Maybe it isn’t actually leaping, but the zooming background and its slight movement from the right suggests it is. This is the first time a Steel attack has been used by a non-Steel Pokémon, but Iron Tail visually looks the same as attacks such as Skarmory’s Steel Wing (it glows white rather than gains metallic properties like in the games but it’s forgiven since there’s no logical or feasible explanation to explain how Steel attacks work on non-Steel Pokémon). This could have been pointed out plenty of times in the past but in the games a basic red Pokéball would never be good enough to catch a high level evolved Pokémon like Rhydon. A shame Kurt’s Pokéballs are the only ones that differ from the red ones we see in the cartoon all the time (in the games red default Pokéballs are basic, then blue Great Balls are better, followed by black Ultra Balls). Um, after everything Pietra went through to catch the Rhydon, its ability to resist water isn’t really used that much, after a couple of initial drips before it begins it breaks the tunnel but water doesn’t pour out this time, which makes it clear that any Rhydon or Pokémon with Horn Drill would have been suitable to finish the tunnel had they just timed their digging with the cycle of water drips, this Rhydon seems to have lost its freedom for nothing, unless Pietra has other plans/goals in mind or plans on releasing Rhydon. Who’s That Pokémon?: (When the sun sets, this Pokémon comes to a complete stop!) Sunflora Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None, but the theory about this Rhydon and Water is similar to a strategy conducted by Abby back in Chapter 17 in which her Rhyhorn took several direct Grass attacks but didn’t appear to take damage, this weakened her opponent’s faith in winning until it was discovered that all attacks were taking damage, the Rhyhorn just wasn’t showing its pain and weakness. The Kecleon Caper Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Kecleon, Meowth, Pineco, Totodile, Poliwhirl, Wobbuffet, Weezing, Noctowl, Arbok, Bayleef, Victreebel Story: The group see a blimp passing over them en-route to the air station, the group arrive there to see it and learn it carries rich passengers around the world. The group get their wish to look inside when a pilot calls for a Pokémon Doctor and Brock is made an exception being a breeder. He meets the sisters Madison and Alexa and their Pokémon (Greenie and Reddy), a green and purple Kecleon with motion sickness, easily curable by Brock. Team Rocket are outside and form a ridiculous plan to hijack and acquire the blimp as a base of operations and replacement for their balloon but none can pilot it so they instead decide to steal everything valuable on the blimp. The Kecleon are feeling better and are taken to the girls’ rooms, they soon camouflage themselves as Team Rocket attempt to rob from the room, they discover a jewel box which is quickly stored in Greenie’s mouth for safekeeping. Team Rocket are discovered and run off while the Kecleon disappear and leave the room. Meanwhile Ash and Misty show off their Pokémon to the girls, but Brock’s either fail to impress or are unsuitable to be within the blimp. The girls are informed of the situation, while another attendant informs them that another Kecleon has taken and consumed a first aid kit from a man’s room and run off. The group has two hours to find them before the blimp refuels, restocks provisions and then takes off. Team Rocket dress in staff uniforms and Meowth plans on giving both the Kecleon and jewellery to the Boss. Pikachu finds the Kecleon due to their front stripe being visible but they evade the group easily, meanwhile Team Rocket find Reddy but find it’s only got the first aid kit, they chase after Greenie but soon hide from the group. Greenie appears on top of the blimp and Brock recklessly goes after it, Team Rocket do the same but quickly slip down the side while the Kecleon sticks to the slippery surface. It soon gets down to the ground and runs into a building, Team Rocket find both of them in a warehouse but they pass the similar boxes to each other so the jewel box’s location isn’t known, Team Rocket are soon engaged in a brief skirmish against Ash, but Weezing’s Smokescreen allows both they and the Kecleon to disappear. Brock finds them and they exit the building but are blocked off and surrounded by virtually all of the air staff and passengers, but Team Rocket appear again. During the following battle, the sisters have their Kecleon join the fight, Reddy drops the box to perform Lick attack on Arbok and Greenie does the same with Victreebel. As the boxes are retrieved, both Kecleon finish up with Psybeam and Bayleef sends Team Rocket airborne. The box is returned to its owner, the blimp soon continues its voyage and the group continue on their journey in their preferred mode of travelling. My favourite Quote: (Brock climbs a ladder and prepares to dangerously scale a blimp to get a Pokémon back for a couple of sisters) Brock: “This is for Madison and Alexa! I’ve got to do something to win their love! Or at least their pity!” Things I’d like to point out: Misty’s pulling of Brock’s ear is especially hard today, in real life his ear might have been torn off with a pull that strong. This is the first of the third game Pokémon to be shown within the Johto series, it’s not the last but these appearances are a little sparse considering none of the new Pokémon become regulars in this region like Togepi and Marill did in Kanto and the Orange Islands. When Reddy first appears, there’s a break in its red stripe that seems hidden by its arm which is a part of its body that can camouflage, if that’s so, Kecleon should try to cover as much of their stripe with their limbs as they can to remain completely hidden. Greenie is a given but why is the purple Kecleon named Reddy? Surely Violet would be a better choice of nickname. Despite the obvious assumption, Shiny Kecleon are neither red nor purple in colour, just a different shade of green. How has Brock seen a Kecleon in a Pokédex if Ash is the only companion of his that has a non-Kanto version? And no, he shouldn’t have found it by looking through Ash’s Pokédex, because it currently doesn’t have data on Pokémon from Hoenn until its next upgrade in “The Ties that Bind”. Team Rocket’s idea of stealing the blimp to turn into a personal base is generally flawed because it can’t land in small areas and if people knew the Rockets owned the blimp they’d get early warning of it and the police could easily track it down as they could probably see it a mile away. Another flaw is that Team Rocket are unable to pilot the blimp, yet they have previously flown blimps (regardless of how badly) in previous episodes (“A Scare in the Air” and “Pokéball Peril”), the only explanation would be if the controls were completely different from conventional blimps, and what’s up with security? A blimp this big carrying such important (rich) passengers shouldn’t leave its control centre unguarded. The man who owns the first aid box looks exactly like the leader of the insomniac group from “Hypno’s Naptime”. Here begins a running theme in which Meowth generally visualises a use for Pokémon in the Boss’s life, and then impersonates what the Boss would say and how he would reward them. It’s been done in the past but with the whole of Team Rocket imagining presenting a rare Pokémon but now it usually falls to Meowth to explain and imagine these ideas. Today Meowth imagines giving the two Kecleon to the Boss and surprising him with the jewellery box in its mouth. To make things easier, this theme will be referred to as Meowth’s Dream Moments in the episode guide. To be honest, I don’t think the Boss needs jewellery, he comes off as a very rich man and rare Pokémon are all he really needs. However, if the efforts of Jessie and James and other regular Rockets are anything to go by, he may very well need whatever riches he can get. “How could it get away so fast?” Ash asks, well I’m sure it doesn’t help when the group are clearly running ridiculously slow when chasing the Kecleon, their legs barely make away real movement and it takes a while for them to get out of the big hall. Looks like Brock gave up on climbing after the Kecleon, he went up to a great height, grabbed the side of the blimp (though it seems unlikely it’s actually possible) then the Kecleon climbed to the top and encountered Team Rocket, and when it drops to ground level Brock is just standing around with the rest of the group. Again Misty is able to tell it’s Team Rocket behind the costumes, but it doesn’t last. What is James implying when he says Team Rocket have never been accused of having any kind of character? Is this possible joke meant to say that in the eyes of some, Team Rocket are just your typical villains with no personality or depth? Now Brock is daydreaming, but unlike Meowth’s visions, it’s a little more believable that the girls would be grateful towards Brock for finding their Pokémon than the Boss being so grateful after everything Jessie, James and Meowth have lost him. It doesn’t sound very hygienic to keep toenail clippers in a first aid kit or at least not when a Kecleon stores it in its mouth, what if someone else needed immediate first aid but acquired this useless box for the task? Who’s That Pokémon?: (This Pokémon is often mistaken for a mermaid!) Vaporeon Cameos in Pokémon Journey: A big yes in the third series, as some already know Ellie’s first Pokémon is a Kecleon, but with an awkward personality. Since I saw this episode before the movie, this was the first time seeing an animated Kecleon and indeed the inspiration to include a Kecleon as an important Pokémon; it’s the conventional green colour though an appearance from a Shiny Kecleon is planned. The Joy Of Water Pokémon Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Goldeen, Chansey, Grimer, Muk, Tentacool, Dewgong, Gyarados, Starmie, Seel, Magikarp, Seaking, Seadra, Meowth, Wobbuffet, Tentacruel, Staryu, Remoraid Story: The group arrive at a famous lake called Lake Lucid where many Water Pokémon Trainers dream of visiting. Nurse Joy appears in a high tech underwater suit, Misty treats her like a celebrity and everyone is soon invited back to the Pokémon Centre. Misty’s reasons for her admiration is because of Joy’s work in purifying the lake and some famous books that were published, but this Joy is a descendant of the Nurse Joys who begin cleansing the once-polluted lake and wrote the books, and this Nurse Joy has yet to write one herself. Team Rocket arrive in a Tentacruel submarine but challenged to a practice duel with a real Tentacruel. The Lake Lucid Pokémon are given famous check-ups by the line of Joys as are Pokémon brought to them by trainers even though they’re not hurt, and Misty asks for a check-up of her Pokémon. When Misty mentions that they are of the Water-type, Joy backs away in panic and reveals she fears and hates them. Team Rocket enter the Centre via an underwater tunnel while Misty’s dream is broken, Joy is willing to examine Misty’s Pokémon in her special suit and explains that her personal opinion doesn’t stop her doing her work and treating the Pokémon as equals, but Misty is greatly saddened by the revelation and doesn’t want her to do it if her heart’s not in it. Several Pokémon are being treated in special tanks including a Gyarados with neck pains, Misty is bitter towards Joy who explains that a long time ago she fell off her mother’s boat and was surrounded by playful Remoraid but she didn’t realise that and has feared Water Pokémon since. The Tentacruel sub emerges and Team Rocket leap out, they jump right back in after the motto and Pikachu is snared by cables, though the Tentacruel is made of rubber, Team Rocket’s leaping into the water as part of the motto negates the protective effect on them, they accidentally send the tentacles flailing around and hit the drainage switch which flushes them out of the Centre. Unfortunately the glass on the Gyarados’s tank is cracked and it falls out hurt and confused, and with Joy’s suit having been washed away as well and the group being ill-equipped to calm down a Gyarados, Joy is forced to do so despite her feelings. She blocks it out and focuses instead on her duties as a nurse, and touches it in a certain way to calm it down while her Chansey reapply its neck brace and prepare to move it to another tank, she offers to treat Misty’s Pokémon but soon faints after her fears and traumas catch up with her. Joy checks Misty’s Pokémon later in her suit and Misty lets up on Joy after seeing her confront her fears to do what had to be done, and the group move on after promising to buy the book that Joy will someday write. My favourite Quote: Joy: “There’s no Pokémon that’s better than any other, there’s no Pokémon that’s worse than any other, they are all precious creatures...” Things I’d like to point out: Deadly obvious, especially after it just said its name correctly, but when the two Dewgong bash into each other, they yell out what a Seel would say, even though Ash is clearly stating that they are Dewgong. Misty has no right to badmouth Joy; the day she faces her fear of Bug Pokémon like Caterpie and Weedle and touch them is the day she can complain to Nurse Joy about not touching and understanding Water Pokémon. We know why Joy has her fear, so what caused Misty to despise the majority of Bug Pokémon so much? The way Nurse Joy speaks about the past and honouring her ancestors suggests that both her grandmother and mother may not be around anymore. The Tentacruel sub upon opening seems a little small for three people, and usually Team Rocket would complain if they were cramped. Again Meowth goes against past sayings that he hates the water by diving in and joining Team Rocket in their underwater version of the motto. If the Tentacruel sub were really made of rubber then electricity shouldn’t be getting inside and small sparking bolts shouldn’t be shooting around the interior, unless it’s the water getting inside that is conducting it but that would be fairly useless for a Pikachu catching submarine. Who’s That Pokémon?: (This Pokémon can trap and eat bugs like a Venus Flytrap!) Bellsprout Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None. Got Miltank? Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Meowth, Wobbuffet, Weezing, Cyndaquil, Sentret, Sandshrew, Butterfree, Dugtrio, Onix, Quagsire, Crobat, Noctowl, Exeggutor, Wooper, Poliwag, Poliwrath, Bellsprout, Weedle, Caterpie, Paras, Mankey, Aipom, Sunflora, Bellossom, Miltank, Beedrill, Pidgeotto, Krabby, Arbok, Victreebel, Bayleef Story: The group reach a sandy rocky desert that comes between them and Olivine, and Pikachu is swiftly caught by Team Rocket. Cyndaquil takes a fall in the following battle and ends up with a massive bump on its nose and its flame starting to die, as Team Rocket laugh at this Ash protects Cyndaquil from Sludge attack while urging his Cyndaquil to fight on. Cyndaquil’s Flamethrower combines with the gases of Smokescreen sends Team Rocket flying and Pikachu down to Ash, but Cyndaquil takes a massive fall and becomes separated from the group. As it makes its way forward through the barren land, various Pokémon come to its aid, the group check the Pokémon Centre for it but are instead informed of a possible secret oasis used in situations like this to heal lost Pokémon. Team Rocket notice Cyndaquil being carried and aim to grab it to lure the group and Pikachu to them, Meowth takes a fall and is also carried around by Dugtrio. The group enter the desert and head towards a particular mountain but it’s guarded by Pokémon who escort Meowth and Cyndaquil into a secret grassy area full of various Pokémon, and a Miltank who heals the two with a touch. Team Rocket attempt to enter but are hypnotised by a massive herd of Exeggutor and are turned around, this leads Ash to suggest getting past them underground. Meowth is grateful for Miltank’s help while the group reaches the entrance and Team Rocket plan on entering from above after they patch up the balloon. The group aren’t welcome and Meowth explains that while Cyndaquil defends them, before Ash can get through to Miltank and the Pokémon blocking him off from his Cyndaquil, Team Rocket appear and soon so do their Pokémon. Despite being ordered to, Meowth refuses to fight with them due to his gratefulness and his principles because Miltank has turned this place into a Pokémon-only healing oasis, even the rest of Team Rocket’s Pokémon are convinced not to fight. They are soon recalled but Jessie and James net the special Miltank, Meowth scales the balloon but is tied up for his rebelling. Pikachu’s power will be useless against the net so Cyndaquil must take charge, it frees Miltank and Bayleef cuts the net so Miltank can emerge from the landing in the oasis. Pikachu finishes Team Rocket off and the group are accepted, they thank Miltank and promise to keep this place secret from the world. My favourite Quote: Ash: “Team Rocket, before you ruin everything you should know that Miltank healed Meowth’s injuries too!” Pikachu: “Pika!” Jessie: “Well isn’t that sweet... But I don’t remember asking it to!” Things I’d like to point out: The opening conversation of the episode soon loses something in its dialogue, it conversations and events are quick, threats jump back and forth but it’s like the characters are either not fully listening to each other or are just replying thoughtlessly. The title pun of this episode is a reference to “Got Milk?”, a famous advertising campaign of which adverts had Pikachu appear in once among other characters. When Jessie seemingly wears or imitates a red nose to mock Cyndaquil, since she doesn’t wear anything else on her face (like a clown), it reminds me of the symbol of the charitable Red Nose Day/Comic Relief. Cyndaquil couldn’t have flown that far away, chances are it was at the bottom of the cliff and would have been found had it just waited for Ash. This episode has got to be the one with the longest recovery times for Pokémon- related damages, both Meowth and Cyndaquil keep their bruises/lumps until healed by Miltank when usually damages even after a battle seem to fade away before long (particularly in the case of Pikachu). As did Whitney’s Miltank in “A Goldenrod Opportunity” and “A Dairy Tale Ending”, the Miltank in this episode uses its original Japanese voice due to similar naming; Miltank’s original name is Mirutanku. The series opts with an alternative use of Heal Bell, in the game it cures status changes of Pokémon in the party even from inside their Pokéballs, the series has chosen it to heal Hit Points probably because the technique that previously does so (Milk Drink) might be hard to explain and I heard a scene was cut involving Cyndaquil and Meowth drinking Miltank’s milk. When Victreebel first appears, its lip is coloured brown but changes back and stays pink afterwards. Who’s That Pokémon?: (When scared, this Pokémon shoots flames out of its back!) Cyndaquil Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None, although Misty’s asking if Team Rocket can bother someone else reminds me of the two cameos they had in Chapters 9 and 10, before deciding to go back to bugging Ash and Pikachu. Fight For The Light! Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Meowth, Onix, Totodile, Magnemite, Ampharos, Weezing, Arbok, Wobbuffet Story: At last the group arrive at Olivine City and immediate hit the Gym, while Team Rocket appear to be looking for work, they mistake a place called the Battle Tower for an office building and aren’t allowed in. The group are guided to the arena by a young girl claiming to be Jasmine, she uses an Onix but Totodile’s Water attacks are resisted by the shiny opponent, Totodile is taken out and Ash foolishly uses Pikachu. The match is interrupted by the real Jasmine who scolds Jenina for imitating her, while Ash wonders why he wasn’t able to beat the Onix. Jasmine questions Jenina about coating Onix with water-repellent wax, it is explained that this is an illegitimate move and she is told to leave the Gym and spend some time alone with her Pokémon to understand it better. Jasmine isn’t able to battle Ash due to her Ampharos Sparkle not feeling well which affects her physically and mentally. Ash forgets to ask when she’ll feel better right before the group sees Jenina cleaning off the wax, her deception is exposed and Brock teaches Jenina a lesson. The group enters one of Olivine’s lighthouses and finds Jasmine there with her grandfather Myron; he explains that the first lighthouse used Ampharos’s electricity to function and has remained even after a high tech lighthouse was built next to it. Jasmine’s Ampharos isn’t well and medicine has been ordered from a pharmacy in Cianwood City, Jenina was meant to go before she tricked Ash and the group opts to help. Team Rocket gaze through the glass windows but are soon spotted, they shoot a missile through the roof and Weezing appears from it. Brock and Ampharos followed by the others make a run for it but the former two are caught in a cage that is airlifted by Team Rocket. Jenina has noticed and confronts Team Rocket, it’s not long before she’s attacked but Onix protects her, the Rockets get away from the pier and out over the ocean so that Onix can’t follow. Jenina thinks about her Onix’s strengths and uses its long length to reach out and wrap Arbok with its tail while its mouth clings to the tsunami barrier (shaped like several large concrete jacks) around the docks. Jenina climbs Onix and uses a rock to break the lock so that Brock and Ampharos can escape the cage, Pikachu attacks what with Onix being immune to its shocks and Onix swings its tail and sends Team Rocket flying. Jenina is congratulated for her achievements and she discovers that she’s not only allowed back at the Gym but was never expelled in the first place, Jenina is asked by Jasmine to run the errand and after hearing there’s a Gym at Cianwood City, the group join her for the trip, with Team Rocket not far behind... My favourite Quote: Brock: “Instead of trying to erase a Pokémon’s weaknesses, you have to encourage its natural strengths!” Things I’d like to point out: The Battle Tower is introduced but neither Team Rocket nor the good guys enter it, the Battle Tower was added close to Olivine City in the spin off game Pokémon Crystal, but it barely gets a worthy mention in the series. As proven within the episode, Misty calling Onix Shiny is because it’s literally shining from the wax, it’s far from a rare coloured Pokémon. What was Ash thinking?! Pikachu can do three things; move quickly, use powerful shocks and use physical attacks, the latter two are useless against Pokémon like Onix and the first isn’t a physical attack, Ash should have learned something from his first battle with Brock and used one of the two Grass Pokémon he now has, it’s a good thing the match was cancelled. To answer Misty’s question, yes there are girls that Brock doesn’t love: Very old ladies, girls too young for him, and herself, Jessie and hopefully Ash’s mother. Jasmine’s mobile phone looks a lot like a Pokégear device from the games, which serves as a mobile phone among other uses. I know Brock was carrying the sick Ampharos and all but that shouldn’t have stopped him from using his own Pokémon to break the lock and the opportunity to use his own Onix and Jenina’s technique to escape. Who’s That Pokémon?: (This Pokémon is so big, it has a hard time standing on its hind legs!) Feraligatr Cameos in Pokémon Journey: None. Machoke, Machoke Man! Pokémon seen: Pikachu, Togepi, Machoke, Machamp, Machop, Mankey, Hitmontop, Meowth, Wobbuffet, Poliwrath, Bayleef Story: The group are bound for Cianwood City and quickly arrive and receive the medicine, Jenina leaves on the express ferry and the group remain here for now to challenge the Gym Leader. They overhear a Machoke training with its owner (literally); he even allows it to use attacks like Karate Chop and the powerful Submission attack on him. The group warn him of the dangers of taking such attacks with absolutely no protection but the man seems fine and congratulates his Pokémon on pulling it off so well. When Chuck is right in Ash being interested in the Gym he marches the group there, not only do Ash and the group get worn out but Chuck as well who despite his appearance is a little out of shape, several students greet him and he soon reveals himself to be the Gym Leader. He has everyone eat a whole lot of food in order to keep their strength up; and Chuck’s wife figures Ash will have no trouble beating her flabby husband. The battle begins soon after with Chuck starting with Poliwrath, Ash predictably uses Pikachu. The Electric attacks are dodged save the last one, Pikachu uses Quick Attack but Poliwrath uses Focus Energy to brace the attack and beats Pikachu with Doubleslap, which depletes all of Pikachu’s strength. Meanwhile, Team Rocket spot some of the food at the Gym and help themselves to it, Ash ends up having to use Bayleef in the hopes it can beat Poliwrath and have the strength to defeat Machoke. Razor Leaf and Vine Whip daze the Poliwrath and Body Slam defeats Poliwrath without a single hit being dealt to Bayleef. Before the next fight, Chuck has Machoke Karate Chop him to psych it up and make himself focus, so Ash tries the same with Bayleef’s Body Slam. Team Rocket are stuffed but are spotted by Chuck’s wife who assumes they are new students, she has them do several arduous chores to work up an appetite for an afternoon snack of dumplings, so they happily get on with it. Machoke starts out with Karate Chop attacks but Bayleef stops its Cross Chop attack by tying up its arms, both Pokémon struggle to pull the other towards them but Machoke begins to reel Bayleef in. Brock suggests Bayleef loosen its hold briefly to break away from Machoke but Ash would rather have Bayleef hold on and win the tug, she loses and Machoke seizes an opportunity to use Submission. Bayleef recovers in mid-air and wraps Machoke in her vines, lifting it over her and crashing it down to earth, Ash doesn’t hold back and has Bayleef use Body Slam, followed by Razor Leaf. Though urged to get back up Machoke is defeated, this is a little disappointing for Chuck but he is proud of it and prouder of Ash when he passes over the Storm Badge. That evening, Ash phones Jenina in Olivine City but although Ampharos is starting to feel better, it’ll take some more time for Jasmine to feel up to battling. Overhearing this, Chuck and his wife suggest the group take the time to visit the Whirl Islands where many myths and legends plus mysterious Pokémon reside, and travel there is even paid for by them as thanks for the awesome battle. As Chuck begins training once again, and the group prepare to leave, Team Rocket are enjoying the lifestyle here, the group leave in the morning towards their brand new destination. My favourite Quote: (Chuck has his Machoke Karate Chop him multiple times to psyche itself up for battle) Chuck (to Machoke): “Come on! Focus your energy! Focus on winning! It’s All about the focus Machoke!” Things I’d like to point out: The Cianwood pharmacy man is not only based in concept from the games but in the way he looks too. The title is based on the famous Village People song “Macho Man”. If the Ash repeating his name thing is just because Chuck briefly called him Sport again, then he’s got to get out more, or at least pick up on nicknames and stuff. Since the trainers barely move at all (despite the dramatic lines), is Chuck’s idea of losing calories in the Pokémon Battle down to the fact trainers tend to shout loudly and pull dramatic pointing poses from time to time? Probably not and probably the reason he has a large gut. Why is Ash pondering the risk of using Bayleef too early? It’s a 2-on-2 battle and he doesn’t have much of a choice, it’s his own fault for throwing Pikachu in to battle Poliwrath without thinking things through, Pikachu and Bayleef weren’t the only Pokémon that are strong against Poliwrath, Noctowl would have been a far better choice what with type advantage and its Confusion attack (on Poliwrath and Machoke both). Chuck uses a Poliwrath in the games but instead of Machoke as his Fighting- type only Pokémon he has a Primeape. How come all of a sudden Ash has the strength to brace Bayleef’s power and weight, he didn’t fare so well against it in “Turning Over A New Bayleef”. With the words, “Focus Energy!” and “Focus your energy!”, it’s too hard to tell if and when the official technique Focus Energy is used to raise the critical hit ratio (though possibly just strength alone in the series) or if simple focus on the fight is what is meant to be happening. Who’s That Pokémon?: (The shining tail tip of this Pokémon can be seen from far away!) Ampharos Cameos in Pokémon Journey: Chuck makes a couple of appearances what with him being a pivotal Gym Leader. Episodes #193 - #200 Episodes #209 - #216 Back to the Episode Guide Movie and Mini-movie Guide Back to the Pokézone