Episode Guide #273 - #280

Get the Show on the Road!
A Ruin with a View
There’s no Place Like Hoenn
You Never Can Taillow
In the Knicker of Time!
A Poached Ego!
Tree’s a Crowd
A Tail with a Twist

Get the Show on the Road!

Pokémon seen:  

Duskull, Pikachu, Meowth, Wobbuffet, Wingull, Beautifly, Poochyena, Mudkip, 
Treecko, Torchic

Story:  

The story begins with an introduction of a ten year old girl called May who is 
on her way to Littleroot Town to collect her first Pokémon, after a Duskull 
scares her she admits she doesn’t exactly like Pokémon and is going on a 
journey more for the travelling.  
Ash has nearly arrived at Littleroot Town and Pikachu is still not feeling 
well, Team Rocket are on the boat where Jessie’s morale appears to have 
lowered all of a sudden.  
Ash arrives and phones Professor Birch’s laboratory immediately after finding 
no Pokémon Centre here, his assistant Joshua says he’ll try to get in touch 
with him and Birch arrives in his jeep in fast time.  
They drive towards the lab and Birch diagnoses that Pikachu isn’t able to 
release its energy regularly because of its exposure to the electromagnet; it 
gets worse as Pikachu’s fever is confusing it.  
Birch drives recklessly to get to his place quickly, there he and Joshua 
connect Pikachu to a device that will rid it of excess electricity but there’s 
too much, the machine explodes and a confused Pikachu leaves the lab.  
Ash chases after it and Birch takes three Pokéballs set aside for May to 
choose from, while Team Rocket watch, Birch warns Ash that any disturbance 
could cause Pikachu to explode.  
They split up, meanwhile May reaches the lab but decides to look for Birch 
rather than wait for him to get back.  
Birch accidentally falls down a hill which results in his angering a Poochyena 
who calls for two of its friends to attack, while he’s chased around and then 
driven up a tree, May arrives.  
Birch asks her to use a Pokéball inside his bag and she eventually does so 
randomly, a Mudkip appears but it misunderstands and blasts May with water, 
Birch requests its help and is more specific in having it attack the Poochyena 
so that they leave.  
Pikachu is confronted by Ash but its vision and hearing are distorted so it 
shocks him, Ash is warned to keep his distance as Birch catches up but 
Pikachu’s confusion sends it over a cliff.  
Ash takes a dive to grab it and it helped back up by a rope, on the way 
Pikachu struggles, expels more electricity and even bites Ash but its senses 
return to normal and it’s sorry for what it’s done.  
Team Rocket appear in a giant battery-shaped robot and snatch Pikachu as 
always, it’s connected to suction wires and its electricity is drained, but 
this is a good thing as Pikachu’s excess electricity is removed and it’s 
returned to normal.  
Pikachu releases a standard electric blast to overload the machine but May’s 
bike is shocked and destroyed in the process, Team Rocket go flying but the 
realisation that Pikachu is valuable and worthwhile of the villain’s time and 
the shocking energizes Jessie and restores her passion.  
Pikachu faints after the battle but will be fine after some rest, May 
introduces herself to Ash before Birch shows her the Pokémon she can choose 
from, she dislikes Treecko and the earlier experience affects her opinion of 
Mudkip but Torchic warms up to her so it’s an easy choice for her.  
She cuts Ash some slack about the bike after seeing how dedicated Ash is for 
his Pikachu, the two are directed to register for the Hoenn League in Oldale 
Town, because she no longer has her bike May is able to convince Ash to go 
with her in order to guarantee safe travel.  

My favourite Quote:  

Jessie:  “James, have we ever truly blasted off at the speed of light?”  
James:  “Is she speaking hypothetically?”  
Meowth:  “If that means wacky then Yes.”  

Things I’d like to point out:  

May’s introduction is similar to Ash’s from the first episode in that she 
introduces herself through narration as if to the audience.  
However, she differs from the game’s character of the same name and visual 
design who is very much the opposite in character and technique.  

Coincidence or purposefully? Misty was Ash’s first female companion and now 
May replaces her, their names together are Misty May; a top professional 
volleyball player, given several Rocket duos whose names combined make up 
famous historical figures the latter is quite possible.  

The brand new theme tune “I Wanna Be A Hero!” and intro kicks off here, the 
ones introducing new regions always seem to become favourites of mine.  
Treecko and Taillow are shown and immediately confirmed as two of Ash’s 
Pokémon to be in a Double Battle against Vigoroth and Pelipper, both opponents 
Ash faces early on in the series.  
The first of May’s and Brock’s new Pokémon are revealed as Torchic and 
Beautifly for the former and Mudkip and Lotad for the latter.  
Max is the first long term forth character the group has ever had (Snap/Todd 
doesn’t count), however new Pokémon Corphish is nowhere to be seen in the 
intro.  
Like “A Whole New World” in Johto, there are many scenes showing off the new 
Pokémon in Hoenn, next Ash is seen in his new gear throwing a Pokéball.  
The group are seen running across slowly exploding ground in a cave, a scene 
which does not occur, at least not in this series.  
The shrouded form of Kyogre with Team Aqua members and the same for Groudon 
and Team Magma are seen, the legendary Pokémon are referred to this series but 
don’t come about properly until the series after the next.  
Team Rocket’s first new Pokémon Cacnea and Seviper are seen and where would 
intros be nowadays without more legendary Pokémon, Latios and Latias are seen 
as is the supporting Pokémon of the next movie Absol.  
Finally is a battle against Mightyena which Pikachu wins against and then a 
closing shot of the group with Pikachu and all three Starters though for the 
first time Ash only gets one of them and the others are shared among the 
group.  

Why does Birch grab all three Pokéballs with Starter Pokémon inside after 
asking if Ash had any Pokémon that were strong against Electric attacks? 
Mudkip definitely isn’t powerful enough for that and Treecko although strong 
in type against it should be too low level to deal with Pikachu’s power.  

It’s not a mistake on May’s part that Mudkip blasted her with water, Birch 
specifically said to say “Use Water Gun now.” and even though May didn’t 
add ‘now’ to the sentence it didn’t really make a difference since it was 
facing her and did exactly as it was told.  
Birch should have said specifically to ask it to aim at the Poochyena or 
better yet, he could have just commanded it himself like he eventually does.  
Anyone who has played the third set of Pokémon games will see this scene is 
clearly based on the way the trainer gets their first Pokémon, except it’s 
only one Poochyena chasing the professor and the Pokémon chosen becomes the 
player’s Starter Pokémon.  

Shouldn’t Ash have been partially shocked when Pikachu expelled energy while 
biting his arm? Even if the teeth didn’t conduct the electricity Pikachu 
clearly had contact with Ash’s skin from other parts of its body, including 
the cheek pouches where the electricity is coming from.  

A minor point but after Pikachu comes to its senses while Ash climbs the rope, 
even though its eyes are clearly open in the shots before and after this, its 
eyes return to the confused closed look as seen in an almost identical 
climbing shot; the only difference is that the background moves as Ash does in 
the later shot so it’s fairly clear that some of the frames were simply 
reused.  

After two hundred and seventy so episodes, Team Rocket finally get a new 
background theme during the motto, the dialogue however remains more or less 
the same.  

Any other place and I’d moan if someone had to ask who Team Rocket are given 
that there’s been plenty of activity from them lately (the whole group as well 
as the trio we know and love/hate), in Hoenn however there genuinely isn’t 
anyone from the team here, only Team Magma and Team Aqua.  

Instead of the more often blackened or undamaged look, Jessie and James’s hair 
becomes a yellow colour from the extreme shocking they get, this only happens 
once in a while throughout the series.  

Come on Ash, does Treecko honestly look like a Water-type? After the two 
different Starter Pokémon he’s seen he should know that a green Pokémon is 
more likely to be a Grass-type.  
His interest in it clearly shows he likes it though unlike past traditions 
this is the only Starter Pokémon he gets, and the others are distributed among 
the rest of the group.  

Contrary to what May says Mudkip did exactly as it asked her to do, she just 
wasn’t specific enough, but she makes out like she gave it several orders that 
weren’t obeyed.  

Is May the only one who’s getting a Pokémon from Birch? If not then why is she 
the first and therefore the one who gets a choice between all three Pokémon?  

In the scene after May receives Torchic, her pupils change to a darker colour 
but return to normal in the next scene.  

May is fickle in this episode (aside from her feelings on Pokémon and 
travelling that seem to switch throughout the series), she whines about her 
bike getting destroyed but then claims she doesn’t care but then brings it up 
later in the series whenever she’s moaning about having to walk.  

Whose idea was it to have the bike destroyed? It just seems too coincidental 
that this happened to Misty in the very first episode, and now that there’s 
finally a new female main character she has her bike destroyed as well.  
The Hoenn season does seem like a fresh new start since unlike past seasons, 
there are costume changes, two new characters and a total of four on the 
party; possibly a vague link in that unlike the past games being able to link 
up to each other, the third set of games can longer do this with the first and 
second set.  

For any who haven’t noticed, May and Ash are voiced by the same voice actress, 
you’d think that’d complicate matters (even if Misty and Jessie were voiced in 
the same method they were on different sides as do Brock and James), but for 
now it seems to work and I hardly notice anymore.  

Who’s That Pokémon?:  

(This Pokémon blinds its prey with bursts of light!)  
Lanturn

Cameos in Pokémon Journey:  

An older Professor Birch (and possibly Joshua) makes an appearance in the 
third series.  

A Ruin with a View

Pokémon seen:  

Pikachu, Azurill, Torchic, Azumarill, Marill, Wobbuffet, Meowth, Persian, 
Kabuto, Aerodactyl, Omastar, Omanyte, Kabutops, Relicanth, Houndoom, Arbok, 
Weezing

Story:  

Ash and May are almost at Oldale Town; May slows down and convinces Ash to do 
so by reminding him that it was his fault her bike was destroyed.  
May is introduced to some of the basic factors in being a trainer but fails to 
catch an Azurill... miserably.  
The two come across some ruins and meet Professor Alden who is investigating 
them, he directs them to the Pokémon Centre where May has Torchic healed after 
its utter defeat.  
Ash contacts Oak after registering while Team Rocket contact the Boss, he 
denies them any more funding but uses the fact they’re in Hoenn as a way to 
spy on the area’s current criminal groups Team Aqua and Team Magma despite the 
possible dangers.  
May blatantly pulls Ash from a conversation regarding the Petalburg Gym 
Leader, while Team Rocket dig a tunnel to the Centre.  
Ash and May are later greeted by Alden who mentions a stone chamber that is 
said to be a portal between this world and the ancient Pokémon world, but he’s 
unable to get into the chamber without four special spheres that serve as 
keys.  
The power to the Centre is cut and they are confronted by members of Team 
Magma who force Alden to go with them to open the chamber, the others are 
locked away and after considering the danger the power cut could have on the 
Pokémon here by Joy the two kids escape through an air duct.  
Team Rocket finish their tunnel but end up outside the Centre where the Magmas 
are, their Pokémon are scared back into their Pokéballs by a group of 
Houndoom’s Roar technique provoking the Rockets to flee.  
Ash and May escape, reset the power and free Joy before heading back to the 
ruins where Team Magma provide Alden with the very keys he needs to gain 
entry, he has no choice as they threaten to hurt those in the Pokémon Centre 
if he doesn’t comply.  
The Magmas enter, take pictures but don’t find specific information they are 
searching for so they leave.  
Team Rocket swipe the key spheres but are defeated effortlessly by Pikachu 
along with their Pokémon, when the spheres are returned to the stone slab the 
sunlight activates a mechanism that reveals a secret chamber.  
There they find an underground water supply with the ancient Pokémon Relicanth 
living there.  
The group return to the Pokémon Centre where Torchic is healed, Alden reports 
proof that ancient Pokémon and people lived together in peace before saying 
his goodbyes, the two then head towards Petalburg City.  

My favourite Quote:  

Meowth:  “Soon as we set up a Team Rocket shop in the Hoenn region we’re 
number one!”  
James:  “Uh, but just a minute, since we’re the Only members of Team Rocket in 
the Hoenn region we already Are number one, aren’t we?”  
Meowth:  “He-llo!...  Slick t’inkin’ James!”  

Things I’d like to point out:  

The first title pun of the season is based on the term “A room with a view.”  

I’m surprised Ash can be so confident in explaining how to catch a Pokémon, 
considering how many of his joined him out of choice and the fact he made the 
same mistake when he first started out (regardless if Pikachu was unruly back 
then).  

I only realised recently and completely overlooked this but despite its 
evolved forms Marill and Azumarill being Water-types, the baby version Azurill 
is not; it’s a Normal-type!  
At least Ash didn’t make or at least admit this mistake, all he said was that 
Torchic is weak against Water attacks, not that Azurill was that type.  

The back to basics and retelling of all the factors of Pokémon makes it clear 
that the only way it seems possible to truly heal a Pokémon is to have it rest 
for a night (unlike the games where healing in a Pokémon Centre is immediate), 
I can’t guarantee the same restrictions will apply to the fanfic as exceptions 
have been made already.  

May shouldn’t be lying to Oak, not when her heart’s not truly into Pokémon 
Training.  

Once again the Boss is willing to sacrifice the Team Rocket trio for his own 
gains, and like “A Scare in the Air” with the Boss aware the blimp would crash 
so as to claim the insurance money Team Rocket are completely clueless that 
this is going on.  

Um, does Ash have authority to show May around the Pokémon Centre? Certainly 
some rooms are off limits to all except Joy and the local Chansey.  

Oh dear, Pikachu’s back on the ketchup again (see “Showdown at Dark City”), it 
seems to be an addict for the stuff.  

The Houndoom are the only Team Magma Pokémon seen today and the only Pokémon 
to wear armour of any sort, this doesn’t apply to the more common Magma 
Pokémon Mightyena though.  

The first of the new songs based on music from the third set of games begins 
here with a short version of the Wild Pokémon theme, despite past traditions 
the Trainer Battle song hasn’t been used, but since there are so many other 
songs in the games that are used in differently themed battles it’s no big 
loss.  
A full version of this song can be heard in the next episode.  

Who’s That Pokémon?:  

(Evolution gave this Pokémon wings where it had legs!)  
Crobat

Cameos in Pokémon Journey:  

Oldale Town considering it’s a game landmark but that’s about it.  

There’s no Place Like Hoenn

Pokémon seen:  

Pikachu, Torchic, Vigoroth, Meowth, Wobbuffet, Arbok, Weezing

Story:  

Ash and May arrive in Petalburg City, where May continues to act strange in 
regards to her knowledge of the Gym Leader.  
Ash ends up going on his own and meets a young boy who recognises him from 
videos of the Johto League, he points out Ash’s flaws and claims he could have 
done better in the battle Ash lost, he claims to be the Gym Leader but is 
lying.  
May appears and reveals that the real Gym Leader Norman is her father and Max 
her brother (Ash also meets her mother Caroline).  
The family and Ash eat together before a Gym Battle is requested but Max’s 
earlier claims that the Petalburg Gym rules are three-on-three Pokémon Battles 
are true.  
Norman allows Ash to battle with just Pikachu and though it’s not an official 
Gym Battle, Ash is eager to compete against new Pokémon and against someone of 
Norman’s calibre.  
Pikachu is up against a fast and powerful Vigoroth but is overpowered, 
straight after the battle, Team Rocket burst in and a brief battle occurs in 
the following smokescreen, in the middle of it Team Rocket disappear having 
accidentally caught Torchic instead of Pikachu and not realised it.  
They discover this later but decide to use it as bait to catch Pikachu, May’s 
parents find the balloon but they and their kids fall into two pitfall traps.  
Pikachu fights Arbok while Ash helps everyone out, Norman unleashes Vigoroth 
while Torchic is freed by Max, Pikachu is briefly overpowered but Vigoroth 
sets the defeated Pokémon and Rockets up for a group shocking that sends them 
on their way.  
Ash and May prepare to leave but Max manages to convince his parents that he 
would benefit his sister by coming along and advising her.  
Norman gives the trainers a badge case each and Max a Pokémon Navigator which 
has a mapping function as one of its features, now with a new addition to the 
team, the group set off on their journey.  

My favourite Quote:  

Jessie:  “That’s okay; we’re not your run of the mill criminals.”  
James:  “We do bad things with panache and style.”  
Meowth:  “We’ll rob ya but we’ll do it wit’ a smile.”  

Things I’d like to point out:  

The title pun is painfully obviously from the phrase/movie quote (“The Wizard 
of Oz”) “There’s no place like home.”  

Seemingly another tradition carries over in that like Misty, May tries to 
deter Ash from going to his Gym Battle because she’s related to the Gym 
Leader.  
It’s possible that she was embarrassed with herself and didn’t want her family 
to see her but the whole thing doesn’t lead anywhere since May soon reveals 
the truth to Ash and there was no reason to hide it before.  
In the games, the character you play as is the son/daughter of Gym Leader 
Norman but you live in and begin the journey from Littleroot Town.  

Ash should know better than to dash into a Gym Battle with only his Pikachu 
and it’s proven why in the episode, there’s always the possibility of a Gym 
Leader requesting a battle with more than one Pokémon a side (usually two or 
three at least).  

Saying Ash lost in the second round makes it sound like he didn’t get far in 
the Johto League Silver Conference, anyone who saw the whole thing will know 
there were at least three preliminary fights and the Round Robin system which 
had two battles.  
You’ve got to give Ash some credit since the first and second rounds were full 
six-on-six Pokémon Battles, Ash technically reached the quarter finals which 
is a big deal since only eight trainers were left at that point.  
Also Max phrases the following wrong:  “You lost in the second round, and then 
you got knocked out by Harrison and his Blaziken.”  
Both events were the same thing; the second round match was against Harrison.  

It has to be said how obnoxious Max is acting in this episode, it’s true how 
it’s one thing to read and see Pokémon Battling and another to experience it, 
given the 3-Dimensional aspect and the freedom Pokémon have to move and fight 
there’s plenty of possibilities as to how a battle can go.  
Max’s claims are completely falsified in “Gonna Rule The School!” where an 
interrupted match is all that keeps him from losing it with flawed 
techniques.  

Once again a flashback is dubbed but this is ridiculous, the event shown took 
place only two episodes ago and retains the same dialogue but is noticeably 
dubbed by May.  

Speaking of which, May and Max are the only long term characters in the group 
to have both parents around since we’ve never really seen Ash’s father (unless 
a certain rumour is true regarding Giovanni), Misty’s and Tracey’s parents 
have never been seen and Brock’s father has only been in the basic episodes of 
the series (excluding the now altered storyline in Pokémon Chronicles).  

Like May’s, Ash’s new Pokédex has a female voice; making it apparent that all 
the new model Pokédex devices may do so too.  

Another of the new songs debuts, today it’s the legend Pokémon song played in 
the games whenever you face the fearsome Kyogre, Groudon or Rayquaza.  

Ash shouldn’t complain that tracking would be easier with Noctowl, nothing’s 
keeping him from phoning Oak and having it transported other than his personal 
choice of using only Pikachu and Hoenn Pokémon.  

Looks like all the experience has taught Ash some lessons at last as he 
suspects a pitfall trap from Team Rocket, it’s a shame everyone else around 
him doesn’t listen and are amateurs on the subject.  

This is getting old, what with Ash trying to use Bayleef when he left her at 
Oak’s for the second time!  
Worse is the fact that Ash acknowledged he didn’t have Noctowl with him 
earlier.  
Thank goodness he finally gets a new Pokémon next episode and therefore stops 
trying to use his non-available ones.  

Another new song and possibly the most recurring song in the series is the 
Team Aqua/Team Magma Battle theme which is fine by me; it was one of my 
favourites in the game and it’s my favourite tune in the series.  

Weezing seems to vanish in the battle; it appears to counteract the appearance 
of Vigoroth but doesn’t help Arbok in the slightest.  
One of Vigoroth’s leaps (apparently for a Scratch attack) is seen before other 
events are shown so unless Weezing was defeated by this (we don’t actually see 
the result or even who this particular attack was aimed at) or a part of the 
scene was cut it’s somehow gotten itself lost briefly.  
Also, why do all of Team Rocket leave the cage completely unguarded? Their 
Pokémon don’t count since they’re engaged in battle.  

The Amber/Ember mistake doesn’t explain the mushroom that floats across the 
screen; I suppose the mistake was a pun or similar word relating to it in the 
original version.  

On first appearance it would seem May isn’t being specific enough again but 
since Torchic was facing towards the battle, it obviously had to turn left in 
order to use Ember on Max, the only logical reason lies in Max angering 
Torchic earlier with his preference of Treecko over it.  

Who’s That Pokémon?:  

(Some believe this Pokémon came to Earth on a meteor!)  
Cleffa

Cameos in Pokémon Journey:  

Possibly Norman, but since this series takes place twenty five odd years after 
this, the Gym Leader title will probably move on to a certain someone.  

You Never Can Taillow

Pokémon seen:  

Pikachu, Meowth, Wobbuffet, Taillow, Forretress, Torchic

Story:  

The group travel through the Petalburg Forest, Ash  is torn between May’s 
desire to stop for lunch and Max’s to keep going and find some Pokémon, he 
makes a compromise to do both but the group discover they forgot to bring food 
(even Pikachu’s supply is empty).  
Ash mentions Brock and his fine cooking while Team Rocket are actually getting 
a meal and prepare to get the drop on the group.  
Max has some emergency chocolate but it’s swiped by a Taillow, the group chase 
it down but it eats the entire thing, the group are now near some fruit trees 
but the local Taillow don’t allow them to have any of the fruit and attack.  
Pikachu defends the group with electricity but the Taillow aren’t about to 
stand down, a second shock doesn’t change this; they don’t back down from any 
fight, Team Rocket watch and see the Taillow as worthy catches.  
The chocolate thief appears to be the leader but continues to fight on no 
matter how much damage it’s dealt, the Taillow close in on the group but Brock 
makes a flashy entrance and his Forretress’s Explosion deals with the Taillow 
for now.  
The group rests outside the forest and after treating Pikachu Brock explains 
everything’s fine at home so he came looking for Ash to join him again.  
After some introductions May inquires about Brock’s talents as a cook, he’s 
about to offer sandwiches but discovers he’s also a victim of theft since he 
left his bag behind after hearing Pikachu.  
The Taillow appear to be the reason that all other Pokémon are hiding away but 
the group will still get to eat after Brock whips up some stew (he also has 
some Pokéfood for Pikachu).  
Meanwhile Team Rocket attempt to get the Taillow on their side by bribing them 
with food.  
The leading Taillow appears to the group and challenges Pikachu to a battle to 
prove who is stronger; Pikachu’s attacks are dodged except for the electrical 
variety.  
Brock figures the attacks are affecting Taillow but it’s just not backing down 
and that Ash has to put an end to the battle by catching it.  
The Pokéball is successful and Taillow appears to become a lot of friendly and 
accepting of its fate but the rest of the Taillow appear under the 
instructions of Team Rocket who reveal that the sandwiches they gave the 
Taillow were stolen from Brock.  
Torchic fails miserably to assist and the Taillow prepare to attack but stop 
when the stew becomes ready to eat and their loyalty switches, Team Rocket 
figure they can steal a famished Pikachu except it’s eaten and energized 
enough to send them flying.  
The Taillow appear to be moving on to an area with more food and Ash’s new 
Taillow says its goodbyes to them, the new group prepare to move on having 
eaten, after they wash the dishes that is...  

My favourite Quote:  

May (to Taillow from behind Brock):  “Nice to meet you...  Hehhh...”  
Brock:  “There’s no reason ta hide you know.”  
May:  “I’m not hiding...  I’m introducing myself gradually.”  

Things I’d like to point out:  

Title pun:  “You can never tell”, that is all.  

Something happens to the colouring of May’s eye in the scene after Ash 
reminisces about Brock, it changes from white to a colour close to that of her 
skin.  

Meowth’s outburst suggests that maybe he was born in a barn; regardless of the 
fact he’s always been alone.  

How did the group not see any of the fruit right away even though they were 
looking at Taillow in the trees?  

Ash has a knack for annoying the local Flying Pokémon of every region; in 
Kanto is his memorable chase from a flock of Spearow, Johto is less of a big 
deal with a Hoothoot pecking Ash several times and now a whole flock of 
Taillow aim to attack him in Hoenn.  
However this is the first time Ash has witnessed a Flying Pokémon and captured 
the same type instead of its evolved form, and within the same episode.  

Aside from his new costume for the series Brock’s hair has changed slightly.  

Brock’s tale is slightly awry in that Birch could have led him astray, the 
last Birch knew Ash was headed to Oldale Town and possibly Petalburg 
afterwards but since Ash and the others don’t appear to have contacted him at 
all since leaving him Birch shouldn’t have been so sure they’d be heading to 
Rustboro.  
At least the apparent brief talk with Birch saves the need of an introduction 
later on when the group see him again.  

Speaking of Brock, despite his claims of everything being fine at home, what 
really happened occurred in one of the Pokémon Chronicles episodes “A FAMILY 
THAT BATTLES TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER”.  

There’s some confusion this episode regarding food; we find out later that 
Team Rocket stole from Brock and offered the food to the Taillow, firstly 
these are technically rice balls dubbed as sandwiches.  
What messes things up is that Team Rocket comment on how salty they were even 
though they didn’t taste the food given to the Taillow, however they were 
eating actual sandwiches earlier and if these were meant to be the sandwiches 
they stole it doesn’t add up since Brock claims the sandwiches were stolen 
from his bag when he was alerted to Pikachu’s Thunderbolt which took place 
after Team Rocket were eating.  

I’m not sure what Max is getting at with his theory that first attacks are not 
usually off target; traditionally Quick Attack is an attack which almost never 
fails and guarantees the first hit of a bout.  

Either Pikachu can run on water, or the lake is pretty shallow; if so then how 
come it didn’t smack its head on the lake floor when Taillow tossed it in?  

Ash’s catch of Taillow once again keeps a tradition going in that in each 
region (excluding the Orange Islands since we’re talking about regions based 
on games) Ash always gets a bird Pokémon, though the tradition is slightly 
broken in that Pidgeotto and Noctowl were Stage 2 Pokémon, and Taillow is a 
Stage 1 (regardless if it evolves a lot later).  

The handkerchief Ash uses to clean Taillow’s beak is the same one that Misty 
gave to him, nice to know he’s kept it this long.  

Colour Error! When May throws Torchic’s Pokéball, for a moment her hand is 
coloured with her skin tone even though she’s wearing black and white gloves.  

Team Rocket’s closing speech has an error in that they claim they haven’t 
eaten when they clearly did, regardless if it wasn’t very much.  

Who’s That Pokémon?:  

(This Pokémon has a mischievous streak!)  
Misdreavus

Cameos in Pokémon Journey:  

None.  

In the Knicker of Time!

Pokémon seen:  

Pikachu, Beedrill, Zigzagoon, Sentret, Pinsir, Mudkip, Torchic, Meowth, 
Wobbuffet, Taillow, Arbok, Weezing

Story:  

Ash is battling a trainer he met in the forest and Pikachu wins by beating 
Beedrill with the usual methods, they go their separate ways on a good note 
and another friendship is made for Ash.  
They see a group of Zigzagoon and an abnormally big one but this turns out to 
be a guy in a costume called Nikolai.  
He has respect for ‘knickerbockers’ (naturalists who wear shorts) and dresses 
up as many kinds of Pokémon in order to get a better understanding of them 
before he catches them.  
After hearing May and Max are a Gym Leader’s children he requests a battle, 
May and Torchic lose badly against Mudkip after attacking it without any real 
strategy.  
Max is angered when Nikolai figures this means Norman will be an easy Gym win, 
he leaves to catch more Pokémon while Team Rocket spy and forge a scheme to 
steal his Mudkip.  
As Nikolai dresses up and heads forward Max is missing from the group having 
followed Nikolai to get even for insulting his dad.  
Max steals the food Nikolai leaves to lure Zigzagoon but is overpowered as a 
large group jump him to get at it, Pikachu scares them away but this angers 
them.  
Brock tries to quell this but fails and Nikolai fixes things by leading them 
away and knocking down their favourite food from trees with his Mudkip.  
Max apologises for his act of sabotage and Nikolai replies in kind for what he 
said, he answers Max’s inquiries into his talent and explains that he doesn’t 
need words to communicate with Pokémon as long as he speaks from the heart.  
He demonstrates by challenging a Zigzagoon to a battle with Mudkip, he and 
Nikolai win and Zigzagoon is successfully captured but Team Rocket nab the 
Mudkip.  
Pikachu’s electricity is absorbed and redirected, Nikolai switches from his 
Mudkip costume to an Aipom one and quickly scales a hill to reach the balloon, 
meanwhile the Zigzagoon start digging and appear to want to help Nikolai who 
switches to a Gligar costume, glides down and snatches Mudkip back.  
Taillow pecks down the balloon and Team Rocket fall into a pitfall trap set by 
the Zigzagoon, they get out and use their Pokémon but Pikachu easily defeats 
them and the rest of the team.  
Nikolai is impressed with Ash and that even he couldn’t beat Norman, a battle 
challenge is issued and accepted and Taillow and Zigzagoon (the two newest 
Pokémon) are chosen, the results aren’t seen but this will surely forge yet 
another friendship between these two opponents.  

My favourite Quote:  

Max (referring to May and her Fire-type):  “Uh oh, wouldn’t you know her first 
opponent’s gotta have a Water Pokémon.”  
Ash:  “But she can use good strategy to make up for it, that’s what battling’s 
all about.”  
Max:  “This is May we’re talking about!...”  

Things I’d like to point out:  

The title pun comes from the saying “In the knick of time.”  

It’s not said specifically but perhaps since this is early into the series and 
therefore not too far from Littleroot Town there’s a slight possibility that 
Nikolai might have gotten his Mudkip from Professor Birch, it would explain 
his lack of other Pokémon despite his many kinds of Pokémon costumes.  

I think Ash is really enjoying not being the complete beginner any more, after 
all the mistakes he’s made and the criticisms that were made at his expense he 
speaks of all things Pokémon like he’s suddenly an expert.  

Can Ash read minds or is he just a good judge of character all of a sudden? 
His comment for May to think about the battle seems to be in reply to May’s 
subconscious comments on Nikolai.  

May has no right to judge Nikolai on his strange behaviour or methods, not 
when she questions how he could have beat her after such an abysmal battle and 
the fact she’s learned little to nothing about Pokémon (probably due to the 
fact that she didn’t even like Pokémon before getting one of her own).  

How much do Team Rocket sit around hiding and listening in? They make 
references to Nikolai’s shorts over trousers and naturalist stuff so they must 
have seen the entire conversation along with the battle he had.  

Just how does Nikolai conceal so many costumes? One moment he’s dressed as one 
Pokémon and in the blink of an eye he can change into another, these aren’t 
even small costumes as they cover his entire body.  
The way he switches costumes is almost identical to the way that Team Rocket 
remove their disguises in order to reveal themselves.  

Another new song; one that is combined with the relevant opening that is heard 
in the games, this frequent song is based on the battle theme when fighting 
one of the Elite Four of Hoenn, however, it’s not one of my favourites because 
key points of this version sound off key when compared to the game music.  

It’s way too coincidental that Team Rocket’s balloon would crash land in the 
exact spot the Zigzagoon dug to make a pitfall, and just where does the 
balloon disappear to?  

Nikolai has a right to hesitate and reconsider if he truly thought for a 
second Dig would legally work successfully against a Flying Pokémon.  

Who’s That Pokémon?:  

(This Pokémon’s eyes scan a 360 degree radius to seek out prey!)  
Yanma

Cameos in Pokémon Journey:  

None.  

A Poached Ego!

Pokémon seen:  

Pikachu, Growlithe, Meowth, Ekans, Arbok, Weezing, Wobbuffet, Fearow, Koffing, 
Pupitar, Beedrill, Kakuna, Cacnea, Taillow, Tyranitar

Story:  

The group continues towards Rustboro City, May whines and wants yet another 
break when Max sees a Pokémon Centre on his Pokénav map, before they head 
there May finds a strange object in a tree and the surrounding landscape is a 
little torn up.  
At the Pokémon Centre May mistakes this Joy for the one in Oldale Town and 
must be explained to of the huge identical family she’s a part of.  
Officer Jenny arrives and after May learns of her large family she explains 
she is here searching for an evil poacher called Rico who cares nothing of 
injuring Pokémon in order to capture them, Ash hands the piece of the capture 
net they found and Jenny requests they take her to where they found it.  
While Team Rocket discuss their next scheme to catch Pikachu Meowth takes a 
fall down a hill and discovers a cage full of Ekans that were captured by a 
poacher and is unable to free them due to the electrified bars, Arbok feels 
for them which convinces Jessie to help free them.  
Acid fails to melt the bars and Rico arrives to defend his quarry, having just 
grabbed a cage full of Koffing, he explains that he’s to deliver several 
Poison Pokémon for a client and orders the team to give up their own Poison-
types since he’ll get a bonus for evolved Pokémon.  
His Fearow battles and overpowers the Pokémon after easily getting around 
their attacks, Arbok manages to restrain Fearow but Rico rectifies this by 
simply returning Fearow to its Pokéball, he has his Pupitar appear to blast 
Team Rocket away with Sandstorm.  
The group find tyre tracks in the area where Rico has been recently while Team 
Rocket manage to get chased by Beedrill until they come across a kind Cacnea 
that saves them.  
While Arbok tracks down the poacher’s car James gives the Cacnea a bag of food 
as a token of his gratitude.  
Taillow tracks down Rico’s truck and leads the group to him while Arbok and 
Weezing attempt to distract Rico while Meowth picks the lock despite the 
shocking (which apparently doesn’t match up to Pikachu’s abilities by far).  
Fearow attacks but Arbok head butts it into the cage, the shock knocks it out, 
the lock is broken and the Pokémon are freed.  
Rico is enraged when he is directly attacked and when he unleashes Pupitar it 
immediately evolves into Tyranitar.  
Weezing attempts to cloud the Pokémon’s escape but Hyper Beam stops everyone 
from retreating.  
Jessie has Wobbuffet use Counter against Hyper Beam but this fails and it is 
defeated, the next shot hurts Team Rocket and they soon make a heartbreaking 
decision to order Arbok and Weezing to flee with their new friends while they 
hold off the hunter, this means of course that they may never see each other 
again.  
The Pokémon are reluctant to leave as they watch their masters taking damaging 
hits for them but are ordered to leave and not look back, through tear-filled 
eyes they disappear with the former captives while Team Rocket continue to 
fight a losing battle until they haven’t the strength to stand.  
Rico recalls his Tyranitar and is about to go after the Pokémon but the group 
and Jenny find him first.  
Fearow is used again but Pikachu takes it out quickly and Jenny’s Growlithe 
swiftly disarms Rico of his Pokéball and gun, therefore defeating him.  
When ordered to release the Pokémon he explains how they were freed, Ash and 
the group don’t link this up to Team Rocket since it was an unusually noble 
thing for them to do.  
Jessie and James move on while sadly questioning their decision when Cacnea 
appears with the bag of food and returns it, James explains that it was meant 
to be a gift before feeding it and soon inviting it to come along with them.  
Cacnea accepts, gladly leaping into its new trainer’s arms but sadly its 
spikes make this a literally painful experience for James.  

My favourite Quote:  

James (to Rico):  “You bad poacher man you!”  

Things I’d like to point out:  

Brock can seemingly tell the difference between every Joy and Jenny he’s ever 
met but he shouldn’t claim certain features are different to the rest in the 
country considering he can’t have met too many others so soon after entering 
the region.  

Don’t quote me on this but I’m thinking the title pun might be based 
on ‘Poached Eggs’ but with a play on words with ‘Ego’, it’s a vague one 
today.  

Team Rocket are very much hypocritical in their badmouthing of a poacher when 
they’ve done virtually the same things at one point or another, the only 
reason they treat these Pokémon any better than any other is because Arbok and 
Weezing feel sorry for them since they used to be those Pokémon.  

If Acid didn’t work on the bars then I don’t see how anything of Weezing’s 
would make a difference, especially a little Sludge.  

Weezing’s voice is clearly different even though just a few episodes ago it 
was the same voice we’ve known for quite some time.  
There’s a chance that recent episodes have been reusing Weezing’s voice from 
previous episodes, and since Weezing never really sounded upset before it had 
to be done with a different voice actor for its last episode.  

Thank goodness the script states Rico was instructed to capture Poison 
Pokémon, else it would be too coincidental to believe that both Ekans and 
Koffing were victims to cause Arbok and Weezing both to leave Team Rocket.  

Rico like others before him shortens Fury Attack to Fury’, this has been done 
before and a big explanation of why this likely happened can be seen in this 
section of the “Hot Matches!” episode guide.  

There’s a completely unnecessary popping sound since Wobbuffet is out of its 
ball and on screen, it’s seemingly become more than that and a sound Wobbuffet 
is now associated with.  

The Ekans and Koffing begin in separate cages but in a later scene they are 
all in the same cage, what did Rico do with the first cage? Hasn’t he left 
enough evidence lying around for everyone to follow him as it is?  

Rico is a fickle man, first he wants Arbok (and Weezing) to receive a bonus 
from his client, then after blasting it off with Team Rocket he claims they 
were too weak to be worth capturing (even though I’m sure he’d have got paid 
in full for them regardless of this), and then when it confronts Rico later he 
immediately aims to capture it while speaking as if he was looking to hunt it 
down.  

If the electricity the cage deals out is nothing compared to Pikachu, how can 
Meowth pick the lock for so long without making a sound (of pain) when he was 
clearly hurt earlier by touching the bars?  
The only excuse I can find is that this was because he grabbed it with both 
hands; maybe only touching the lock with one claw minimises the shock.  
On the other hand, why is the lock electrified and how would Rico get the 
Pokémon out unless he used something other than the traditional metal key?  

Meowth’s being plain stupid; when Jessie suggests Tyranitar could do with a 
couple of Hyper Beams she clearly means that Wobbuffet should use Counter to 
reflect them back at Tyranitar and yet Meowth states afterwards that it’d be 
better to use Counter when that was so obviously the plan, plus Wobbuffet 
can’t learn Hyper Beam.  
Maybe that was the point and it was supposed to be funny but if this is the 
case it wasn’t done very well and seems to reflect badly on the translators 
instead.  

Meowth claims Tyranitar’s Hyper Beam was too fast to counter but that may not 
have been the case, Pokémon traditionally using Counter must be able to 
survive the hit before it can be sent back with double strength, this Hyper 
Beam seemed no faster than Pikachu’s electricity whenever Wobbuffet rarely 
counters it.  

For someone who’s taken two Hyper Beams directly, Meowth (along with the rest 
of Team Rocket wherever it applies) doesn’t look so well off until much later, 
especially since the fight scene implies he took a Hyper Beam up close after 
scratching the Tyranitar, but when the Pokémon look back Meowth is standing 
and hardly has any marks on him as if a shot was cut from the broadcast.  
I know they wanted to rough Team Rocket up a bit but no way do I believe any 
amount of falling has caused their bodies to stop bruising after an attack 
that can and was seen obliterating a chunk of the ground.  

I’m pretty sure a defeated and battered Meowth utters “Furry Swipes...” 
instead of Fury Swipes, I’m unsure if this is just how it sounded with 
Meowth’s accent or if it was intentional.  

Shouldn’t Fearow have been unable to fight what with it having been defeated 
on the electrified cage? It even had spiral eyes which the latest battles in 
Johto have indicated this means a Pokémon can’t battle anymore.  

For a few brief moments within all of the series James was completely without 
a Pokémon.  

James briefly does an Ash in that he claims to have caught Cacnea when it’s 
chosen to come along of its own free will, as for the cute hug that follows 
I’m sure everyone saw the new dysfunctional Pokémon trait James would acquire 
a mile off.  
This first spiky hug however is shown up close and Cacnea’s spike is pushing 
into James’s neck!  

Who’s That Pokémon?:  

(This Pokémon is born deep underground!)  
Larvitar

Cameos in Pokémon Journey:  

None; any Rockets in the storyline who discard old Pokémon for new tend to do 
it of their own free will, I refer to Bryan and Claus from series 2 onwards.  

Tree’s a Crowd 

Pokémon seen:  

Pikachu, Treecko, Meowth, Wobbuffet, Murkrow, Taillow, Cacnea

Story:  

The group manage to get lost in the forest and find a group of Treecko; Ash is 
dead set on catching one ever since seeing one in Littleroot Town.  
Ash chases them after failing to catch one and takes a fall which places him 
right in front of a huge but dying tree.  
A lone Treecko provokes Ash into challenging it; it battles Pikachu with fast 
attacks and comes out on top.  
Team Rocket want this particular Treecko and again Meowth dreams of how this 
would benefit the Boss and give them a promotion.  
Several Treecko appear and an old one has a talk with the one in question who 
disagrees with what he says and pushes him away, Meowth translates that the 
group think Treecko should find a new tree to live in since this one is dying 
but the lone Treecko was born here and won’t give up on its home.  
The other Treecko leave and Team Rocket soon attempt to catch the majority of 
Treecko instead.  
The loner leaves while Pikachu has an idea for it and Ash to wait in this tree 
for Treecko to return so Ash can catch it.  
The rest of the group has lost sight of Ash and eats some of Brock’s cooking; 
Brock isn’t worried at all unlike the others since he’s confident Ash will be 
okay as always.  
Ash is worried the others are concerned about him and so sends Taillow to 
bring the group to him.  
Treecko returns with a large bowl-shaped leaf full of water which it uses with 
leaves in an attempt to save the tree from dying completely.  
It goes for more water and repeats the process from sunset to night when Ash 
and Pikachu suddenly begin to assist it; it’s surprised at first but happily 
accepts the help.  
While getting water, Ash, Pikachu and Treecko witness Team Rocket in a 
bulldozer robot slamming trees and collecting the Treecko that fall.  
It drives towards the lone Treecko and sends everyone back but the trio 
perform their motto and leave in their balloon with the Treecko they already 
have.  
Pikachu’s electricity is absorbed by blocking devices placed all over the 
balloon and having sent Taillow away Ash has no Pokémon to save the Treecko, 
Pikachu is soon caught as well.  
Treecko scales the trees and shoots its twig at the balloon but it bounces off 
and Cacnea is called to attack.  
While Ash makes a remark about the new recruit, Treecko scales a mountain and 
takes a huge leap at the balloon, after attacking Jessie she accidentally 
activates the doors and the Treecko are able to free themselves.  
Treecko provokes Cacnea into attacking it so the balloon is popped and while 
the Pokémon land safely Team Rocket probably won’t after crashing elsewhere.  
The other Treecko are grateful to the lone Treecko who shakes the elder’s tail 
with its own in acceptance of this.  
The tree suddenly cracks and the other Treecko struggle to hold it together, 
despite their efforts and Ash’s suggestion of supporting it with rope, the 
sun’s bright light shines through the tree and after a vision of new life 
growing instantaneously the tree completely splits and collapses while a lone 
seed is dropped.  
Ash tries to comfort the Treecko but it hits him in anger of its loss, when 
Ash questions why he realises Treecko is now ready to battle him again.  
The group arrive in time to view Pikachu and Treecko’s battle, it dodges some 
of the bolts but is strong against the one that hits and swiftly attacks.  
Even Pikachu’s Quick Attack is too slow but a huge Thunderbolt is unleashed on 
the Treecko in mid-air and it is defeated, while Brock explains how Grass 
Pokémon would usually defuse the energy into trees or the ground which Treecko 
wasn’t able to do, Ash throws a Pokéball and gains a brand new ally.  
Treecko is immediately released and happily chooses to leave its home to be 
with Ash, the elder gives it the seed which Treecko then plants in the ground 
before moving on in the hopes a new tree will grow in the old one’s place.  
Treecko leaves with Ash while its old friends get to work on nurturing the new 
life.  

My favourite Quote:  

Brock:  “Pokémon that are strong against Electric attacks are usually so 
because they diffuse it into trees or the ground, but they’re not able to do 
that in mid-air.  There’s more that decides a battle than the disadvantages.”  

Things I’d like to point out:  

For one the Pokénav is mistakenly dubbed as Pokénavi by May, secondly Max 
claims they are out of range of its abilities to guide the way but when it was 
given by Norman he claimed that with it they would always know where they 
were.  

Brock might tell the truth in that Ash and he don’t fight when they get lost, 
but fails to mention how often Ash and Misty fought about this and how he 
usually had to break it up.  

The title puns of this series are generally quite obvious like this one based 
on the saying “Three’s a crowd”.  

What changed May? In “Get the Show on the Road!” when she first saw a Treecko 
she claimed it was creepy, but when faced with many Treecko here she says 
they’re all cute.  
Did something happen lately to change her mind or were we not seeing something 
she did with the Treecko she first saw?  

I’m surprised May even knows what Slugma are to be insulting her brother with 
a reference to them, according to the games Slugma are available in Hoenn but 
I’m not convinced May should know about them considering how little she knows 
about Pokémon.  

Just because Treecko battles Pikachu with ease doesn’t mean it would do all 
the things Meowth thinks it would do in the first Dream Moment for some time, 
I’m particularly doubtful this cool loner Pokémon would ever give the Boss a 
massage.  

The elderly-looking Treecko proves that Pokémon can age and grow old without 
ever evolving.  

The Pokémon clue is misspelled; it’s talking about Girafarig’s tail, but 
spells it as ‘tale’.  

When the group inquire Ash’s whereabouts, May is either mistakenly without her 
socks though wearing shoes or she has willingly chosen to take them off.  

Despite Ash’s suggestion Team Rocket stole Cacnea it’s the first Pokémon 
they’ve ever had that joined them out of choice rather than being caught by 
them or traded for.  
Funny how Ash doesn’t also comment and never does on the whereabouts of Arbok 
and Weezing.  

What’s with the misleading vision? In it a tree instantaneously sprouts and 
grows from a seed and Ash claims a tree is being born right in front of them.  
It then disappears and is replaced by the dying tree which collapses; the only 
part of the vision that comes true right away is that a seed is left behind in 
order for this vision to come true in years to come.  

It’s strange that Ash catches Treecko in a Pokéball and then asks if it would 
like to come with him, would he have honestly let it go if it had wanted to 
stay at its fallen home and raise the brand new seed?  

Who’s That Pokémon?:  

(This Pokémon has a tale that bites!)  
Girafarig

Cameos in Pokémon Journey:  

A strong-willed Treecko makes an appearance in series 3 but joins Ellie for 
the wrong reason in that it pities her for being an inadequate trainer.  

A Tail with a Twist

Pokémon seen:  

Pikachu, Torchic, Forretress, Taillow, Treecko, Seviper, Meowth, Wobbuffet, 
Beautifly, Zigzagoon, Chansey, Cacnea

Story:  

The group take a lunch break in the forest and let out their Pokémon, Treecko 
feels alienated by the others and prefers to sit alone in a tree after finding 
itself a new twig to keep.  
Torchic runs around with fruit in its mouth and is followed into the brush by 
and harassed by a Seviper, Treecko comes to its rescue but it’s attacked, 
Seviper dodges Treecko and bullies Torchic before the group arrive.  
The other Pokémon attack but Seviper attempts to escape under cover of 
darkness via its Haze attack clouding the area.  
Treecko climbs over it and saves Torchic but is surprised by Seviper and its 
Poison Tail attack, the other Pokémon must bail it out with Taillow’s Wing 
Attack, Forretress’s Spike attack and Pikachu’s Thunderbolt which force the 
Seviper to flee.  
Treecko is hurried to the Pokémon Centre while Team Rocket plan on adding 
Seviper to their ranks but they fail to outsmart or overpower it since it sees 
right through their usual pit trap and escapes the net they toss at it by 
ripping right through it.  
While Treecko recovers Team Rocket encounter Seviper again by chance while 
eating rice balls, Wobbuffet’s standoff and Meowth’s forced and failed attack 
fail to deal with it.  
During a struggle to retrieve a hidden rice ball from its jaws Jessie loses a 
chunk of her hair to its fangs and literally battles and catches it with her 
own hands.  
Treecko is later discovered to have left the Centre and shed its bandages, 
it’s found training by leaping off a waterfall, performing spinning dives and 
slamming its tail against a rock at the bottom in order to triple the power of 
its tail-based attacks; it succeeds upon causing the rock to split in half.  
Pikachu is captured by Team Rocket again and in the following battle Jessie 
reveals her newest Pokémon, Treecko is ready to beat Seviper this time but not 
before Ash reminds it that it’s not alone.  
Quick Attack is used multiple times to attack while avoiding Poison Tail, 
Pound attack gets a big hit in, Poison Tail is dodged at the last moment and 
Treecko finishes up with its newest technique to overpower Seviper while 
saving Pikachu, Treecko is satisfied and lets Pikachu finish up and blow Team 
Rocket away.  
Treecko’s grudge is quelled and its pride restored, the event seemingly brings 
Ash and this Pokémon closer together.  

My favourite Quote:  

(After Team Rocket fight over a rice ball and accidentally toss it into the 
lake)  
James:  “That was the last one!”  
Meowth:  “Gone to a watery grave!”  
James:  “What do you think? Shall we say a few words in its memory?…”  
Meowth:  “Here lies a rice ball I didn’t get ta eat…”  

Things I’d like to point out:  

Why do the group invite or suggest the Pokémon will be eating Brock’s stew in 
the intro only to give them plain Pokémon food, regardless if Brock made it or 
not?  

The title pun comes from the term “A tale with a twist”.  

Given that Forretress is a Steel-type and the bulk of its body is metal, it 
should be solid and not look like it’s made of rubber like some other Pokémon 
do when they are bouncing around.  
Forretress has never really been seen moving around on the ground before this 
episode; only spinning in the air or mostly still on the floor.  

Again, Haze is simply used as another smokescreen; nothing like its use in the 
games.  

I’m not sure if I’m completely accurate here but isn’t this the first time a 
rice ball has ever been called a rice ball in the English translation and not 
dubbed as a sandwich or doughnut?  

Insults with Pokémon related material are rarely used; Jessie insults Seviper 
by calling it an oversized Weedle.  

Jessie’s actions towards Seviper could be considered violent and cruel towards 
Pokémon, scratching its face like crazy and then stomping it down without the 
use of another Pokémon.  
However, even if she has sharp fingernails as suggested in “The Superhero 
Secret”, how did she claw so effectively while wearing gloves?  

Speaking of the Jessie/Seviper fight, even though her hair was bitten off by 
the Seviper, it’s magically grown back (or been glued on perhaps) after she 
catches it, normally we’d have to wait until the next episode to replace a 
character’s lost hair or trait (see “Tracey Gets Bugged”).  

Another Pokémon impersonation! But for the first time, it’s Chansey, doing an 
impersonation of Treecko; right down to the head shape and yellow eyes 
(somehow).  

We later learn that the technique Treecko develops is later dubbed as Pound, 
although I feel it should be Slam instead since the literal term for pounding 
is using fists.  
Ash doesn’t mention an official name for the tail technique this episode but 
has Treecko use a conventional Pound attack which indeed does involve 
Treecko’s hands.  

Wobbuffet is clearly not with Team Rocket when they’re blasted but it’s heard 
when they go flying, today Team Rocket’s flying into the air is seen from very 
far off so it can’t be seen if Wobbuffet truly appeared while the group went 
flying or if the sound was simply dubbed in.  

Who’s That Pokémon?:  

(This Pokémon uses its wings to glide down from high cliffs!)  
Gligar

Cameos in Pokémon Journey:  

None.  

Episodes #265 - #272
Episodes #281 - #288
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