I review Pokemon Episodes

Here's the watch/skip guide for Pokemon: Johto League Champions
The Psychic Sidekicks!: WILL SKIP (Another formulaic one)
A Goldenrod Opportunity: WILL WATCH (Gym battle ep)
A Dairy Tale Ending: WILL WATCH (Another gym battler)
The Bug Stops Here: WILL WATCH (Seems pretty important)
Type Casting: WILL SKIP (Bland)
Air Time!: WILL WATCH (Looks like fun)
Fossill Fools: WILL WATCH (Looks interesting)
Two Hits And A Miss: WILL SKIP (Meh ep)
Carrying On!: WILL SKIP (Seems boring)
A Hot Water Battle: WILL SKIP (Fillerish and bland)
Hassle In The Castle: WILL WATCH (Interesting horror-ish premise)
Hook, Line, and Stinker: WILL SKIP (Blah)
Beauty And The Breeder: WILL WATCH (Looks cute)
A Better Pill To Swallow!: WILL WATCH (Ridiculous and goofy)
Power Play!: WILL SKIP (Bland and formulaic ep)
Mountain Time: WILL SKIP (Another bland one)
Wobbu-Palooza!: WILL SKIP (Another pretty bland one)
Imitation Confrontation: WILL WATCH (Fun with Ditto)
The Trouble With Snubbull: WILL SKIP (Formulaic)
The Grass Route: WILL SKIP (Filler and not really interesting)
A Ghost Of A Chance: WILL WATCH (Gym battle fun)
From Ghost To Ghost: WILL WATCH (More gym fun)
Ariados, Amigos: WILL SKIP (Blah)
Wings And Things: WILL SKIP (Blah)
The Apple Corp!: WILL WATCH (Cute!)
Houndoom's Special Delivery: WILL SKIP (Bland ep)
Trouble's Brewing: WILL SKIP (Seems really boring)
All That Glitters!: WILL SKIP (Also boring)
The Light Fantastic: WILL WATCH (Interesting ep)
UnBEARable: WILL SKIP (Blah)
Moving Pictures: WILL SKIP (Also not interesting, this ep)
Spring Fever: WILL SKIP (Formulaic ep)
Freeze Frame: WILL WATCH (Very interesting ep)
The Stolen Stones!: WILL SKIP (Another formulaic ep)
The Dunsparce Deception: WILL SKIP (Also a formulaic ep)
The Wayward Wobbuffet: WILL WATCH (Looks like fun)
Sick Daze: WILL WATCH (Interesting ep)
Ring Masters: WILL SKIP (Meh)
The Poke Spokesman: WILL WATCH (Interesting ep)
Control Freak!: WILL WATCH (Also a very interesting ep)
The Art Of Pokemon: WILL SKIP (Bland ep)
The Heartbreak Of Brock: WILL SKIP (Also a bland ep)
Current Events: WILL SKIP (ALSO a bland ep)
Turning Over A New Bayleef: WILL SKIP (ALSO A BLAND EP)
Doing What Comes Natu-Rally: WILL SKIP (ALSO A BLAND EP)
The Big Balloon Blow Up: WILL WATCH (Something interesting for a change)
The Screen Actor's Guilt: WILL SKIP (Bland again)
Right On, Rhydon!: WILL SKIP (Bland here as well)
So that's a 19/48 ratio, or 40%. Better than Johto Journeys but still not much.

Rick Gastly said:

Here's the watch/skip guide for Pokemon: Johto League Champions
The Psychic Sidekicks!: WILL SKIP (Another formulaic one)
A Goldenrod Opportunity: WILL WATCH (Gym battle ep)
A Dairy Tale Ending: WILL WATCH (Another gym battler)
The Bug Stops Here: WILL WATCH (Seems pretty important)
Type Casting: WILL SKIP (Bland)
Air Time!: WILL WATCH (Looks like fun)
Fossill Fools: WILL WATCH (Looks interesting)
Two Hits And A Miss: WILL SKIP (Meh ep)
Carrying On!: WILL SKIP (Seems boring)
A Hot Water Battle: WILL SKIP (Fillerish and bland)
Hassle In The Castle: WILL WATCH (Interesting horror-ish premise)
Hook, Line, and Stinker: WILL SKIP (Blah)
Beauty And The Breeder: WILL WATCH (Looks cute)
A Better Pill To Swallow!: WILL WATCH (Ridiculous and goofy)
Power Play!: WILL SKIP (Bland and formulaic ep)
Mountain Time: WILL SKIP (Another bland one)
Wobbu-Palooza!: WILL SKIP (Another pretty bland one)
Imitation Confrontation: WILL WATCH (Fun with Ditto)
The Trouble With Snubbull: WILL SKIP (Formulaic)
The Grass Route: WILL SKIP (Filler and not really interesting)
A Ghost Of A Chance: WILL WATCH (Gym battle fun)
From Ghost To Ghost: WILL WATCH (More gym fun)
Ariados, Amigos: WILL SKIP (Blah)
Wings And Things: WILL SKIP (Blah)
The Apple Corp!: WILL WATCH (Cute!)
Houndoom's Special Delivery: WILL SKIP (Bland ep)
Trouble's Brewing: WILL SKIP (Seems really boring)
All That Glitters!: WILL SKIP (Also boring)
The Light Fantastic: WILL WATCH (Interesting ep)
UnBEARable: WILL SKIP (Blah)
Moving Pictures: WILL SKIP (Also not interesting, this ep)
Spring Fever: WILL SKIP (Formulaic ep)
Freeze Frame: WILL WATCH (Very interesting ep)
The Stolen Stones!: WILL SKIP (Another formulaic ep)
The Dunsparce Deception: WILL SKIP (Also a formulaic ep)
The Wayward Wobbuffet: WILL WATCH (Looks like fun)
Sick Daze: WILL WATCH (Interesting ep)
Ring Masters: WILL SKIP (Meh)
The Poke Spokesman: WILL WATCH (Interesting ep)
Control Freak!: WILL WATCH (Also a very interesting ep)
The Art Of Pokemon: WILL SKIP (Bland ep)
The Heartbreak Of Brock: WILL SKIP (Also a bland ep)
Current Events: WILL SKIP (ALSO a bland ep)
Turning Over A New Bayleef: WILL SKIP (ALSO A BLAND EP)
Doing What Comes Natu-Rally: WILL SKIP (ALSO A BLAND EP)
The Big Balloon Blow Up: WILL WATCH (Something interesting for a change)
The Screen Actor's Guilt: WILL SKIP (Bland again)
Right On, Rhydon!: WILL SKIP (Bland here as well)
So that's a 19/48 ratio, or 40%. Better than Johto Journeys but still not much.

Click to expand...

Heartbreak of Brock is filler but is a huge Pokeshipping Episode. At least two instances, one blunt and in your face while the other a bit more subtle showing that Misty has a huge crush on Ash. Also gives people pause when it comes to Rocketshipping as Jessie is willing to marry James off in order to cash in on Pokemon and other perks.

Otherwise... yeah I agree that a lot of Johto is rather filler-ish.

We begin!
Pokemon: Johto League Champions Episode 2 "A Goldenrod Opportunity"
-- New theme is a dance remix of the classic theme it's not very good
Hey we got new title cards! Shame they're blander
Waitasecond if there's burgers, what Pokemon do they make them from?
** Pikachu bumping into Clefairy
** Brock being his weird self
* The weird haircutter guys
Clefairy's Pokemon Speak doesn't work because Clefairy doesn't sound like an otomontepia
** "She doesn't seem like she knows where she's going"
"She seems like she's going to the hospital"
ha
I JUST realized now Clefairy has wings
* Team Rocket go to a train station only to find the train's not ready for a year!
** Good action scene, plus I like the train going super-slow
* Ash's really wide mouth
** Clefairy's jumping attack?
** Gym battle scene is good as well.
*** Really tense climax.
Woah Ash LOST a gym match! That's new.
Closing Thoughts:
A solid start.
The story was good and a nice shakeup from other gym battle eps. Ash and the gang go to the Goldenrod City Gym, but they get lost along the way, hilarity ensues. Then, the gym battle begins. It was a nice shakeup with Ash LOSING instead of winning.
The climactic action scene and obiligatory Team Rocket scene were both good.
Lots of laughs were had as well.
Not spectacular but solid. 8/10.

On to another Miltank extravaganza!
Pokemon: Johto League Champions Episode 3 "A Dairy Tale Ending"
** The gang's response to the milk with big anime eyes
** The cute chibi Jessie and James
* Meowth's bizarre face
** Ash getting kicked by Miltank
"I grabbed the tail and ended up on mine" DOES THIS MEAN ASH IS NOT HUMAN
I like how Milton referred to them as "Youngins"
Wait they all had Wobbuffet's mouth?
* Good action
** Very good gym battle climax
Closing Thoughts:
A decent ep though unspectacular.
The story was kinda meh though with it mostly being a bland Team Rocket formulaic ep, but it picked up nice at the end with a great gym battle.
The action scenes and humor were both solid, so I give it a 7/10.

Moving along!
Pokemon: Johto League Champions Episode 4 "The Bug Stops Here!"
** Casey's terrible Electabuzz fight song
** Funny scene with Team Rocket and Wobbuffet
** Misty's bug antics
I wonder how old Jessie and James really are, it's uncertain.
* Good action scene
** Very nice emotional scene with Casey and Chikorita
** Another strong action scene
* Another funny scene with everyone's favorite Wobbuffet
Wow Chikorita evolved into Bayleef and it's voice now sucks!
*** VERY good climax scene with funny Wobbuffet bits
* Another great Electabuzz fight song
Closing Thoughts:
A solid eppy.
The story was good, with the gang (and Casey) entering a contest to catch the most bug Pokemon. The premise was exciting and fast-paced.
The action scenes were all very good, especially the climax with Chikorita evolving into Bayleef.
And humor was great, especially from Wobbuffet and Casey.
Overall, 7.5/10.

Invisible airwaves crackle with life
Bright antenna bristle with the energy
Geddy Lee of Rush, "The Spirit of Radio"
Pokemon: Johto League Champions Episode 6 "Air Time!"
** Some Pikachu cuteness
** A very funny scene with Team Rocket
I like how once again their disguise fools everyone despite being just glasses
So like Delia knows exactly when and what station he's on?
* Ash's reaction to this
That was an awfully short interview. I was expecting her to ask more questions like "Are you aware you have been 10 forever?"
** Ash messing up bad in the interview
Why does the station still use reel-to-reel tape? Even when this episode aired (2000) it was dated
So now the gang does a Shakespearian radio drama. Pretty confused why they picked a radio drama, I mean radio drama died in the '50s!
* "Son, though art grounded" after he falls through rock. SICK puns.
** The visualization of the drama is very well-done
*** Very creative blending of the radio drama and Team Rocket's usual schemes. Good action scene as well.
** Funny ending with Team Rocket.
Closing Thoughts:
A very good episode!
The story was entertaining, with Ash and the gang starring in a radio drama, as well as Team Rocket in disguise. Very fun premise here, especially how Team Rocket kept twisting the story to meet their devious goals, and how it soon incorporated the out-of-show events.
Action wasn't a main focus but there were some good bits, plus there were MANY good gags, so I give it an 8/10.

After 4 straight skips moving on.
Pokemon: Johto League Champions Episode 11 "Hassle In The Castle"
** Very good direction with the storm and castle...
Which turns out to be a massage place?
*** VERY well-done joke with Wobbuffet with perfect timing.
Wait how did Meowth smell the food if he has no nose and stated he couldn't smell anything in "Bound For Trouble"? PLOTHOLE
** "To protect from all that chafing and itching", "It might finally stop all of Jessie's...complaining" I could think of a similar word which rhymes with itching...
* More good Meowth slang
** Lots of funny scenes with Wobbuffet in the castle
** Good action scene
Closing Thoughts:
A solid episode.
The story was entertaining, with Brock and Team Rocket getting caught in a maze, and trying to find their way out. An interesting escape premise that should've got going a bit earlier.
Action scenes were strong as always, and we got some very good jokes as well.
Overall, 7.5/10.

Moving along.
Pokemon: Johto League Champions Episode 14 "A Better Pill To Swallow!"
** Misty and Brock's reaction to Ash eating 5 hamburgers
Ash gonna get fat
** Ash's weird eyes
* Brock petting Pikachu in his fantasy
WHAT KIND OF A NAME IS "SPOOPY".
Also what kind of a name is "Old Man Schuckle"
* Bellsprout's big mouth
I never knew Bellsprout was so fast
** Pikachu getting hit
Yikes them forcefeeding Meowth the Shuckle juice was kinda spoopy
** Meowth getting all Lovey-Dovey with James. Also it's structured suspiciously similar to like sex
They're in a lot of trouble indeed. I guess you could say they have to PREPARE FOR TROUBLE AND MAKE IT DOUBLE. On a side note why do Team Rocket have to have a motto in EVERY ep? WE KNOW who they are
*** Shuckle licking Jessie's BELLY BUTTON WITH CLOSEUPS like whoah
AWW look at Pikachu hugging Jessie
*** The entire scene of all the Pokemon in love with Team Rocket was HILARIOUS, from the Shuckle's weird faces to Wobbuffet and Arbok and Victreebel all sharing the love to Shuckle licking Jessie's belly button again. One of the funniest scenes in the show
Closing Thoughts:
A very goofy ep!
The story was very amusing, where the gang meets a bloke named Old Man Shuckle, who makes Pokemon medicine, then turns into a super-goofy plot where all the Pokemon fall in love with Team Rocket.
The humor was the highlight, lots of funny scenes climaxing in the HILARIOUS ending with Team Rocket.
Overall, 8/10.

Time for some Ditto fun!
Pokemon: Johto League Champions Episode 18 "The Imitation Confrontation"
** Togepi pulling Ditto's flab
How can Brock recognize Duplica's disguise but NOT Team Rocket's exceedingly simple ones
* Misty's SAVAGE LEVEL 999% burn on Duplica
** Good action scene
Wow Team Rocket had GOOD disguises for once, disguising as Ash and Duplica!
** James squishing Mini-Dit
SICK ref to "Should I Stay Or Should I Go"
* Funny scene with Wobbuffet
** Good action scene
Closing Thoughts:
Eh.
The plot was disappointing, the premise looked promising with the return of old friend Duplica, but it quickly became another dull "Team Rocket steal Pokemon" episode. Sigh. Why must you lie Bulbapedia?
Action and humor were good but if the plot's bad it can't save it. 6.5/10.

Moving along!
Pokemon: Johto League Champions Episode 21 "A Ghost Of A Chance"
** The weird fire-breathing clown
* "Oww, take it easy, that's attached to my head!"
I'm still bothered by every city in PokeLand having the name "___ city"
** Jessie and Meowth smacking James
* Meowth's really big mouth, or should I say, really big MEOWTH? HAHAHAHA IM SO FUNNY
Big fan of the organ music in the background
** Very well-directed fire scene followed by a good action scene
** Very Good background music!
*** The entire direction in the tower scenes were very good, with well-used moody lighting and creepy music.
The Ho-Oh backstory was kewl
I like how Pikachu calls Togepi "PiPiPi"
** Good action scene
Closing Thoughts
An unexpected highlight!
The story was very high concept and far above most of them (even the good ones!), where the gang goes into a "Tin Tower" which has a cool backstory involving Ho-Oh, and lots of cool stuff happens in the tower with the ghost trio, Togepi and Pikachu getting lost, and some Team Rocket fun.
Action scenes and humor were solid.
But the DIRECTION is what made the episode so good. All the tower scenes were really well-done, with nice moody lighting and atmospheric music which heavily enhanced the atmosphere, which kept me compelled throughout.
Overall a great ep, a highlight of the season. 8.5/10.

Damn token expired so my wall of text is gone.
Anywho Pokemon Johto League Champions Episode 22 "From Ghost To Ghost" was a solid gym battle ep. Good action and humor. Also a nice change of pace since Team Rocket DIDN'T BLAST OFF. 7.5/10.

Time for another episode, this one is the last episode i'll watch before Mewtwo Returns!
Pokemon: Johto League Champions Episode 25 "The Apple Corp!" (GOOD PUN GUYS)
Aww look at Pikachu running
** Pikachu's BIG mouth
Wow we now know what Pikachu's teeth look like!
* Brock being his womanizing self
** Meowth getting punched
AWWW THE APPLES ARE BEING STOLEN BY A BUNCH OF ADORABLE PICHUS
And one of them has a cute tuft of fur on it's head!
Wait how did the Pichus say "Pikachu!"
** Pikachu wagging his tiny finger.
** Good action scene, followed by a funny scene of Pichus with Xs for eyes!
* Another good action scene followed by Pichus with cute spiral eyes
I love all the Pichus in this episode! They're SO cute! Misty's thoughts echo mine.
They're also pretty badass, stopping that big flock of Spearows.
** Funny scene with Wobbuffet
* Pikachu's really big mouth
I like the video of Pikachu dancing on the TV
Nice aliteration by Meowth.
*** EXCELLENT climax, with very good direction, though the music could've been more exciting, I guarantee if you set "Hallowed Be Thy Name" to it it would be the most epic thing ever. And who would've thought PICHUS could be so badass and save the day?
Closing Thoughts:
One of the best eps of the year!
The story was super-cute. The gang finds an apple orchard where many apples are stolen, and it's because of some poor Hungry Pichus! Upon finding this out they work with the Pichus and keep the apple orchard nice, that is until Team Rocket are up to their old tricks once again. An adorable premise with very good direction throughout.
The action was strong, especially the super-good epic climax.
Humor was also very strong with many good laughs throughout.
A great ep and a highlight of Johto. 8.5/10.

Another big review!
Pokemon: Mewtwo Returns
** Once again Mewtwo's super-dark voice is tops. His introduction is amazingly chilling.
* Funny scene with Ash and Brock
*** "Hey I know, i'll use my trusty frying pan as a DRYING PAN!" Pun of the century.
SICK Bob Dylan ref from Meowth
I like PikachuTwo's voice
I'm not sure how water can be "delicious" it kinda has no taste.
* I like Misty's star eyes
** Misty's REALLY big eyes
The animation in this movie is not like movie-quality but still very good.
VERY philosophical quote from Mewtwo. "If we can see the moon like they do, why can't we see the earth like they do?" 2 real
-- very bad explained joke. "Even though it's after midnight I said good morning because if I said good night you might go to bed".
** Good directed scene for the climb up the mountain
Hmm so the val-girl is actually a secret agent named Double-O-Nine, which is two numbers up from James Bond.
* Potentially good action scene with Pikachu vs Pikachutwo...
-- Spoiled by Mewtwo.
Jessie and James hug! ROCKETSHIPPING CONFIRMED!
** Very good philosophical speech by Mewtwo, followed by a lovely scene.
MORE Mewtwo philosophy. "All creatures should control their own destinies".
** Well-done action scene
CRITICIAL FLAW Domino called a Nidorino a Nidoqueen.
Mewtwo: "I would sooner leave this world than serve you" Woah
** More very good action scenes.
HOLY HELL MEWTWO LOOKS DEMONIC
Woah Ash CONTAMINATED the water to save Mewtwo that boy's got priorities
*** And an excellent climax, though not to the extent of the others
** Plus a very deep Meowth quote
* Persian licking it's leg
Closing Thoughts:
Underwhelming!
The main problem was the story. After witnessing an epic revenge plot, an epic quest to save the world, and an epic complex story about the Unown, we get... "Giovanni tries capturing Mewtwo". Not really the best plot for a big movie, plus there were lots of holes. Why does Meowth suddenly betray Team Rocket? Also while there were GOOD action scenes there were no knock your socks off scenes like the lovely endings to movies 1 2 and 3.
However the rest was pretty well-done, Mewtwo was once again an amazing villain with tons of awesome dialogue. The animation was good, especially the ending was well-directed. There also were a few good jokes.
Still, mediocre as a whole. 6/10.

Closing in on the end of the season.
Pokemon: Johto League Champions Episode 29 "The Light Fantastic"
I can't imagine what 110 degree hiking feels like- Oh wait I can I did it last month in the Grand Canyon. Was still cool all things considered.
** More Team Rocket fun.
Ancient Colossal Tree Tribe? New band name
** Another funny Team Rocket scene
* Nurse Joy calls Ash cute- OH WAIT it's Pikachu!
Also Misty was jealous! POKESHIPPING CONFIRMED!
They now meet an artist named Mr. GAN GOGH. Well Pun'd my friend
Wow Misty took the words out o my mouth
** The painter shaking Ash
"The desert is hot during the day but when the sun goes down so does the temperature" Great job explaining temperature to the kids
-- Disappointing one-sided action scene
Closing Thoughts:
An okay but not top episode.
The plot was interesting in this. The gang goes to a desert where a weird light appears at points, and they try to find out the source. An interesting mystery plot.
Action was underwhelming, however, the Team Rocket battles were surprisingly one-sided.
Humor was solid tho, good laffs.
Overall, 7/10.

Only six eps until Pokemon 4Ever!
Pokemon: Johto League Champions Episode 33 "Freeze Frame"
Yay Ash's boring friend Todd is back
** Jigglypuff punching Todd
Why are they walking in the snow without jackets? Won't they get hypothermia?
* "Wouldn't that be a nice place to cuddle up with a hot coffee and a warm Nurse Joy?"
ANIMATION EROR Pikachu's face is too smol
** Jessie pulling Meowth's face
Wow Jessie and James hug for warmth, ROCKETSHIPPING confirmed!
* Frozen Brock
Aww Meowth looks so cute sleeping curled up on the coffee table
Neat, a Jenny and Joy team up! Brock will be pleased.
Woah they DID find Articuno! This wasn't a clickbait
** Misty's casual "That would've been bad"
** Jigglypuff and Pikachu floating down
*** VERY tense action scene
Yay Todd's gone. His one-note personality will NOT be missed by me.
Jessie and James sleep shoulder to shoulder and hug! ROCKETSHIPPING CONFIRMED!
Wow the To Be Continued is in the corner without the screen zooming out! That's new.
Closing Thoughts:
A very good one.
The story was interesting, with Ash and the gang plus one-note Todd trying to find the legendary Articuno. An interesting high-scale premise which actually HAD Articuno instead of just being a clickbait premise.
Action was very good, the blizzard made the Team Rocket battle especially tense.
And humor was tops as always.
8/10.

Carry on my wayward son
There'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Don't you cry no more
Steve Walsh of Kansas, "Carry On Wayward Son"
Only five eps till Pokemon 4Ever!
Pokemon: Johto League Champions Episode 36 "The Wayward Wobbuffet"
** Good chase scene
* James' referral of Wobbuffet as a "wobbly blue blob"
** Wobbuffet floating in the river
** Wobbuffet in the windshield
Wow the cage they made IS indestructable! They are actually competent
** Jessie imitating Wobbuffet
* Dazed Wobbuffet
** Hostage Wobbuffet
I LOVE the madcap humor of this episode, with Wobbuffet getting caught up in one mishap after another.
** Good action scene
Woah they won't give them back the key! Pikachu could DIE. Team Rocket got a lot more evil.
I like their new Wobba-Balloon!
Closing Thoughts:
A HILARIOUS episode!
The plot was super goofy and all for the better. Team Rocket capture Pikachu again, but this time the key to get it out is in the hands of Wobbuffet, which gets lost! They have to try to find the key. Lots of madcap fun here, it kept me with a smile through the whole thing.
The action scenes were solid, and as mentioned Wobbuffet made this episode SO funny with his goofiness. So I give this an 8.5/10.

One more ep tonight!
Pokemon: Johto League Champions Episode 37 "Sick Daze"
** Brock falling over
* "Or maybe he just collapsed from exhaustion! I hear it happens to movie stars all the time!" Sick slam?
** Ash and Misty's spiral eyes
Man the women's "Come closer Brock" was Creepi
* Victreebel eating James
** Good action
His second fever dream is the same as the first, he's really a man with a one-track mind
* Brock's face eating the apples
** Togepi holding the sugar
Who would just eat a stew of salt and sugar?
Aww Pikachu looks so cute with his ears down.
Look at Ash and Misty sleeping next to eachother. POKESHIPPING CONFIRMED!
** Their very wide eyes
EROR Pikachu's cheeks are colored pink and not red
* Jessie mocking Ash
** Good action
Closing Thoughts:
A solid episode.
The plot was goofy fun. Brock gets sick and Ash and Misty do the jobs he does. Hilarity ensues. Simple but good.
The action scenes were very good as always.
Humor was strong too, I especially liked how all of Brock's fever dreams were the same.
8/10.

Pokemon: Johto League Champions Episode 39 "The Poke Spokesman"
** The guy speaking Pikachu
** The gang's reactions to this shocking revelation
I find "recharging Pikachu" like it's a battery very funny
Why have they stopped finding him talking to Pikachu weird?
* "I'm a Pidgey, I like flying"
Wow that's a DARK flashback with the interpreter losing his father in a tornado.
I also like the sepia, nice homage to Wizard of Oz.
** Very nice emotional scene
** More Wobbuffet fun
Aww Simon shaking Pikachu's hand
Closing Thoughts:
Quite Interesting.
The episode was about a man named Simon who can speak Pokemon, allegedly. But can he really? A very interesting conflict drove this episode.
Action and direction were very nicely done this time around, some pretty nice-looking scenes.
And we also got good jokes and emotion. So a solid effort all around.
8/10

2 more eps before Movie!
Pokemon: Johto League Champions Episode 40 "Control Freak!"
Wow Brock's good with laptops, technology in Pokemon is modernizing
Wow Jessie's got power, maybe they can steal Pikachu for once?
** Victreebel eating James
* Meowth's dancing
*** VERY intense scene of Pikachu trying to resist control
* Ash's spiral eyes
This is some pretty rockin' background music
*** Very very good action scene
Thank you for explaining the human hearing range. I love when the show sticks in random lessons.
So Brock can hear outside the range of human hearing? Maybe he can hear Georgia Brown, a singer who can allegedly sing outside that
** Another solid action scene.
** Ash's very big mouth.
Closing Thoughts:
An excellent episode!
The story was VERY interesting. Team Rocket gets ahold of a mysterious mask that causes the wearer to control all Pokemon. I love when Pokemon gets into the "mystical" stories and this was super good. Very intense sequences throughout, and top notch direction.
The action scenes were very top-notch, especially Pikachu trying to resist the possession, CHLLING.
Humor was okay as well, but not really the main focus so it's okay.
A highlight of Johto. 9/10.

One more 'till Pokemon 4Ever!
Pokemon: Johto League Champions Episode 45 "The Big Balloon Blow-Up"
Aww the kid petting Fearow, even though it's not a Cute Pokemon
Aww, it's a PIKACHU BALLOON!
** Another funny scene with Team Rocket
Aww the Hoppip balloon's cute too!
** "Meowth either has a burning desire or a bad eye inflammation!"
Man those are some pretty flimsy balloons
** The race scene is very solid.
RIP Magmar balloon, what an ugly one
*** Well-directed storm scene.
** Team Rocket's xs for eyes
Maybe they both should've got half the engine?
Closing Thoughts:
Another goodie.
The story was entertaining, with Ash and the gang entering a great balloon race. The premise was fast-paced, exciting, and fun.
Action scenes were very well-done and kept me on my feet, and we got good jokes.
So 8/10.