[Pokémon] Pokemon Anime Marathon Club

[PoryKid575]

Season 2 Episode 26 - "A Scare in the Air"

I'm unsure how the gang would've traveled to Valencia Island by foot considering it's, well, an island, but luckily they win a trip in a death-trap instead. TR were pretty funny this time around, I enjoyed watching their attempts to pilot the blimp, though the whole ghost subplot felt pointless and annoying, as did Togepi getting lost (wish they would've focused more on Giovanni instead). Overall, it's a fine EP, not awful by any means, but it's not amazing either. I'd give it a 7.5/10.

 

[Astinus]

Episode 82

Ash quote: "I didn't see you out there winning any matches!"

Maybe because Misty wasn't in the competition???

Knowing what I know about future League episodes, I really enjoyed this one. Minus Team Rocket.

This episode made the Indigo League a big deal, which it's supposed to be for Ash. The whole season has been building up to this point. And from the start of the opening ceremony with running Moltres's flame in to the stadium right up to Ash and Richie chilling in the empty stands, it really feels like the Indigo League is important.

And I think that's my favorite part of the episode. Ash and Richie, sitting in the empty stands, the whole big tournament done for the year. It's weird, but that's the part of everything big that sticks in my memory the most. When it's all over, and you're quietly reflecting on what just happened. Kind of makes it have more of an impact.

Well, okay, that fight with the Ivysaur was rather bad. Sparky couldn't even get off more than one attack, and Ivysaur just kept charging. It wasn't a fair fight, and that's kind of why I get tired of Team Rocket in every episode, because I just feel like there's other ways to fill up the run time that could be better. Like make Richie's last fight in the League less...crap.

Episode 2.1

Kind of weird that Ash gets this party and the other two trainers from Pallet are never shown. It would have been great to finally learn who they are. Would have also helped in the battle against Team Rocket so that Charizard didn't have to save the day before ruining everything.

But it was also good to see everyone's Pokémon. (I kind of wanted Onix to squish someone.)

The whole thing with having to get rid of Pidgeot... It feels bad. Only because the bird didn't get a lot of good screen time. It never even got to battle in the League because the writers forced it out. And there was that long stretch of episodes where it just didn't appear. So while on one hand, it's sad to see Pidgeot go, especially after Ash rides it... It's also just kind of whatever, because there wasn't a lot of opportunity to get attached to Pidgeotto before it evolved and left.

But... What's that? The Orange Islands? Exciting!

Episode 2.2

I have so many questions about that blimp.

So if Team Rocket owns it, why is the store(?) able to give away a free ride on it? Why do those two workers know about the blimp's condition? Why is there no regulations for blimps, so that Giovanni can't let it fall into disrepair? Who cleared it for takeoff if everyone at the port knew it was that badly kept? Why is a blimp the main way to get to an archipelago?

Speaking of them getting to the Orange Islands... Ash thought that they would be walking to the islands. Boy's not too bright.

Misty needs to put Togepi on a leash.

(Disclaimer: I realize that my questions about the blimp are answered in the Japanese version, but I'm watching the dub, and that's what I'm basing my comments on.)

 

[PoryKid575]

Season 2 Episode 27 - "Poke Ball Peril"

We finally get to take a proper look at the Orange Islands, and they're pretty neat! You can definitely see how the concepts introduced here influenced Alola down the road, with a more hands-on professor and regional variations being depicted. Brock leaving the group felt a bit sudden, but I think changing up the gang a bit helps this arc create a different atmosphere from Indigo League. Overall, it's a solid time without any huge flaws. I'd give it a 7/10.

 

[PoryKid575]

Season 2 Episode 28 - "The Lost Lapras"

This is a very eventful episode, with both Tracey and Lapras joining the party. Starting with Tracey, I have pretty mixed feelings about him; his gimmick of drawing everything he sees is fine enough in my book, Brock was all about cooking, so I can't blame the guy for having his own hobby (it also reminds me of Todd Snap from a while ago). I also like how he has a fairly different personality compared to Brock instead of just being a discount version of him. What I don't like is that an interview with Masamitsu Hidaka revealed that he was only introduced to be a white looking dude to replace Brock since the Pokemon Company was worried about receiving complaints about his eyes, despite not having actually gotten any 80+ episodes into the series, which is a completely silly reason to boot Brock from the show, especially considering Pokemon is a Japanese show produced by Japanese animators in Japan; and it just makes Tracey's character feel pointless. I don't mind Lapras as much, its more tropical theming makes sense for the Orange Islands, and the gang needed some way to get around. I also really liked the action with the truck near the end. Overall, it's pretty entertaining, and I do like having Tracey around in spite of his questionable origins. I'd give it a 7.5/10.

 

[Astinus]

Episode 2.3

Ash quote: "The food was bad and they didn't show a movie."

Knowing what we know now, this episode is rather interesting.

For one thing, all the little hints of future game mechanics. There is of course the GS Ball, to promote Johto (which wouldn't be around for a while). But there's other stuff too. Tinier hints like Brock talking about how Pokémon all have different preferences for food, and berries flavoring the food for each preference. Or the differences in appearances based on the regions that the Pokémon are from.

And then there's Brock's good-bye.

Technically, he was not supposed to be coming back to the show, so this was supposed to be his final episode. And yet it's written exactly like he's taking a little break from the show. He didn't get a montage like Butterfree. He didn't get a "I'll be back some day..." like Pidgeot. He just decided to stay at Ivy's place and the other two didn't even get sad about it.

My favorite part of this episode will always be Zubat's brief little appearance.

Episode 2.4

This episode had a lot going on, and it looked good doing it.

First note: I like the new theme song! We'll see if I ever feel like skipping it (as I've done for the first season), but for now, I'll watch it.

Second note: I never noticed that Tracey tends to be smiling no matter what. Boy's oblivious to everything. Even when Lapras is captured and he's pedaling a bike on a rescue mission, Tracey is going ":)"

There was a lot in this episode. Tracey's introduction. Finding out about the Orange Crew, and Ash starting on his quest to battle them. And Lapras gets added to the team for a handy mode of transportation. Though a lot happened, it's also a basic plot to the episode. Team Rocket showed up to cause trouble, but at least through them capturing Lapras, Ash had a chance to show that he could be trusted.

Though how did they get Lapras to the Center if it doesn't like humans? Like it wouldn't get on the truck to go back to the ocean, but did it get on the truck to go to the Center? Did Nurse Joy have to use a tranquilizer gun? Did Lapras fall unconscious and somehow they lifted it onto a truck?

What I don't like is that an interview with Masamitsu Hidaka revealed that he was only introduced to be a white looking dude to replace Brock since the Pokemon Company was worried about receiving complaints about his eyes, despite not having actually gotten any 80+ episodes into the series

They were worried about complaints from the Western audience when the show wouldn't premier in America until a week after they designed Tracey. So Tracey was just a preemptive precaution against something that wouldn't even happen. Wish there was some record of the company's reactions when they realized that Western audiences did not mind Brock at all.

 

[PoryKid575]

Season 2 Episode 29 - "Fit To Be Tide"

Ash reaches his first Orange Crew battle, and it's handled very well! I'm a big fan of how straightforward everything is, the gym isn't hidden in a volcano, you don't need to like perfume to get in, the gym leader doesn't have a tragic life story that's dumped onto a 10yo boy for unknown reasons, nothing. Aside from a minor TR subplot that's genuinely hilarious (felt bad for James lol), Ash pretty much just walks in and beats Cissy fair and square with no fuss. I also really like the more hands-on format. I feel like the more outdoorsy style suits a tropical place like the Orange Islands, and it helps differentiate the "region" in spite of the showrunners still having to work with the same 150 Pokemon. The precision shooting is fun to watch, the Lapras race is enjoyable, even the ride to Mikan island was super chill. Overall, it's just a really nice episode. I'd give it a 9.5/10.

First note: I like the new theme song! We'll see if I ever feel like skipping it (as I've done for the first season), but for now, I'll watch it.

I agree! It doesn't quite top the first intro for me, but it's not far behind at all in my book.

 

[PoryKid575]

Season 2 Episode 30 - "Pikachu Re-Volts"

Butch & Cassidy make their return! I enjoyed their first appearance, and they're quite good this time around as well. Combined with the recent Giovanni appearance, it seems like they're building up Team Rocket for something, although I'm unsure if they'll actually do anything with TR moving forward or if it's just a coincidence. On the plot itself, the episode does a decent job building up a sense of mystery around what's happening to the Pokemon, and I like how they incorporated ghost being immune to psychic by having Nurse Joy's Ghastly not be affected by the hypnosis. I also enjoyed how Ash had to actually outsmart Butch / Cassidy, unlike a lot of future "Pikachu gets mind controlled" episodes where the issue tends to be resolved by having the Power Of FriendshipTM overpower whatever mechanism is being used. Aside from that, we also find out Togepi has Metronome, which brings back memories of messing around with it in HGSS. I also found it interesting how Ash was given "honorary citizenship" of Mandarin Island, I was under the impression the Orange Islands was part of Kanto, meaning Ash would already be a citizen. Are the Orange Islands a separate country? Is each individual island a separate country? If so, how come the gang hasn't been going through customs? We need more lore detailing Pokemon nationality law!

Overall, still a pretty solid EP though. I'd give it an 8.5/10

 

[Astinus]

Episode 2.5

Ash quote: "I was expecting a guy trainer."

Has he not battled three female Gym Leaders before?

I always enjoy it more when the Gym matches are actual tests of skills other than battling. With battling, there are times where it's just the stronger Pokémon wins. With tests of skill, the winner could be a Pokémon that wouldn't get a victory otherwise.

But it's also just a little weird because a trainer would have to have a Pokémon with that particular skill in order to compete. So I guess it was lucky that Squirtle knows Water Gun and can be a sharpshooter, or that Ash caught Lapras so he could have a Pokémon to Surf on.

First Orange Islands badge get!

Have to say that I'm not a fan of the whole idea of Tracey sketching women. It's like they wanted to keep Brock's shtick around, but they're not consistent with it and it's also a little weird because the women don't know that he's doing it.

Episode 2.6

What an episode.

Butch and Cassidy make a return! They're definitely more of a threat than the usual TRio, and this shows it. Not only do they manage to capture an impressive array of Pokémon, but the boss even went to bail them out of jail after their breeding center incident. (Which was referenced in this episode!)

The TRio and the Twerps had to pair up! It really shows that Jessie and James do have a soft side. They decided to help Ash out when he cried(?), and they wanted their Pokémon back because of how much they care for them. Especially Meowth. The TRio are friends, and they'll help each other out.

Officer Jenny had a decent personality! She wasn't just the "tough police officer with a dog." It was neat to see her using a Gastly to counter Drowzee's attack, and it was neat that because Gastly wasn't affected, she could figure out that it was a Psychic Pokémon. Gastly was also great. I liked its sense of humor.

And the episode had two climatic parts. When Ash had Pikachu destroy the machine, I really thought it was the end of the episode. Turns out that Togepi needed to do something too.

Little note: I loved Drowzee's expressions all throughout this.

 

[PoryKid575]

Season 2 Episode 31 - "The Crystal Onix"

This is a pretty straightforward COTD episode that's heavily dragged down by a horrendous COTD. Usually I'm pretty light on them since they mostly function as plot devices and only have to be endured for 1 episode, but Mateo is uniquely awful. The central conflict of the shop closing down only exists because he's too much of a perfectionist to sell merchandise he thinks doesn't have enough ~soul~, and he's incredibly passive and unhelpful throughout the episode. It takes his sister writing the letter to even get the gang involved, and he hardly helps in finding the cave with the titular Crystal Onix either. Heck, even the voice actor sounded like they just wanted to go home (though he does seem to be a better trainer than Ash, considering his Charmeleon actually listens to him). TR are mediocre, they aren't anything too special, but they don't overstay their welcome either. In comparison, I actually really liked the Crystal Onix itself, it's a unique concept and ties smoothly into the lore of the island having tons of artists. Overall, it's pretty good barring Mateo, but he's so annoying that he significantly drags the EP down. I'd give it a 7/10.

Season 2 Episode 32 - "In The Pink"

The Pokemon reserve concept is pretty unoriginal at this point, but the pinkan berries act as mild gen 2 teasers (I believe so, I don't recall anything other than potions and "herbs" being used pre-Orange Islands). The gen 2 build up is honestly being handled pretty well in my opinion, as the incremental GSC elements help set the arc apart from Indigo League while not giving too much away. If I were obsessed with Pokemon when this originally aired, I'd definitely make sure to tune in every week to possibly see Marill or Togepi in action. The plot is just middle of the road for me, TR trying to catch Pokemon they're not supposed to isn't anything new, and the only real twist is that Togepi saves the day and has its Metronome attack recognized. Overall, while the pink coloration is neat, the episode is barely feels distinct from the many others set on Pokemon reservations, with pretty much the exact same conflicts and lessons playing out. I'd give it a 6/10.

Season 2 Episode 33 - "Shell Shock!"

This episode is basically Indiana Jones meets Pokemon, boulders and all, which is just fine in my book. Despite taking place on a fairly small island, it manages to build a good amount of suspense around the fossils / prophecy. I found it a bit silly how Umberto thought pushing boulders on everyone was better than just informing the expedition of the negative conquences of continuing the excavation, but the other side characters (especially the TV crew, who were hilarous) were excellent. Overall, it's just a very fun, action-heavy episode with good characters and an engaging plot. I'd give it a 9/10

Season 2 Episode 34 - "Stage Fright!"

I'm geniunely shocked (pun intended) that there hasn't been a plotline centering around a trainer fearing their Pokemon to this point, at least as far as I remember. Regardless, it's handled well. I like the concept of actors lip-syncing for their Pokemon, and it provides a good forum to demonstrate why Kay struggles to connect with Raichu. I could also relate to her experience being afraid of electricity because around November 2024, I plugged something into a faulty outlet and it shot out a bunch of sparks / tripped the breaker. Luckily I didn't get shocked, but it really added onto this fear I have of being electrocuted (though I'm aware of the irony of stating this while my avatar is a digital Pokemon), and even now I get nervous about plugging stuff into outlets. Personal issues aside, I found it a little contrived how Raichu resolved its accidentally shocking problem right after Kay got over her fear, but TR were really good, and I enjoyed how the actors used their lip syncing to intimidate them. Overall, it's a creative, entertaining episode with an added bit of personal relatability for me. I'd give it a 9/10.

 

[PoryKid575]

Season 2 Episode 35 - "Bye Bye Psyduck"

I feel bad for Misty, thinking she has a Golduck when it was just a wild Pokemon that happened to be around. In any case, I enjoyed having an episode centered around her that's not related to her family issues in Cerulean. Everything is very low stakes and casual, which gives the EP a strong "summer vacation" vibe, it feels like the gang is just messing around more than anything. I do think Psyduck should've evolved since it's been around for a while and its gimmick is pretty worn out, but Misty being able to competently handle a wild evolved Pokemon shows some character growth / strength on her end. On TR, I don't have much to say about them, their scheme is incredible unoriginal and they're neither especially good nor particularly bad. Overall, it's a solid EP that gives some extra attention to Misty, but it could've used TR more creatively. I'd give it an 8/10.

 

[Astinus]

Episode 2.7

Another reason why I really enjoy the Orange Islands is because of the creativity of the Pokémon living there. Like, where else could they fit in an Onix made of crystal?

Another decent episode. Kind of felt bad for Marissa, since she got bullied by that other vendor (what was his damage?) and her brother thought she was bothering the twerps. But she was just doing her best for Mateo, who apparently had a lot of responsibility thrust on him. Grandpa died and the parents aren't around and he has to carry on the family business.

We also get the introduction of Marill to the show! A benefit to it being introduced in the Orange Islands is that there's no explanation needed for where Tracey got his. Maybe Marill lives in the Orange Islands? Also, I really thought—when I was younger—that Marill had the ability to split the ocean like Moses. Like it was so dang sure that Onix lived on the other island that it would split the ocean to create the bridge to prove it.

Also, good for Mateo for wasting time, having his Cloyster fight the crystal Onix after he saw it come out of the water. It's obviously not going to be weak to water.

Episode 2.8

Wow. Ash was on fire with the puns this episode.

Another example of the unique Pokémon in the Orange Islands. Also the last example. Which is a shame, because these episodes have been great. I don't even mind Team Rocket being a part of the story, because they're not overbearing. There's more lore about the different Pokémon, so the script has enough in it without feeling padded out.

Speaking of Team Rocket, it amused me that in Jessie's fantasy about the theme park, she imagined James in a dress and herself in a suit. She knows. She knows that they enjoy cross-dressing. (And what was with those costumes they put on for the motto?)

Episode 2.9

For an episode about a rather boring Pokémon, this was a rather boring episode.

My main question was what was up with that old guy? Where did he come from? The island is uninhabited, so it's not like there's even a small village of people that protect the Kabuto. How did he know the prophecy? Where will he go next? How long was he on the island alone? Why did he think the best solution was throwing boulders onto groups of children?

It was a little amusing that Nurse Joy was the Kabuto expert. Like the animators didn't want to come up with another design for yet another character-of-the-day, so they just tossed Joy into the script and put a hat on her.

Ash has some serious rope skills. He was able to throw a rope and have it tie into loops, aimed perfectly at four Pokémon of different sizes and shapes!

Episode 2.10

Ash quote: "I should have known it was you three that rocked the boat!"

Me, the morning of the day I watched this episode: Doesn't season two have a few banned episodes?

Yes. Yes it does.

And this is one of them, which is a shame. Because it's not like Jynx is a big part of the episode. She only appears in the background, and her appearance could have been edited around. And like I said, it's a shame this episode is skipped over in current official releases, because I really enjoyed it.

I think this is the first time that we see a trainer that's afraid of their Pokémon. Like, the thought of getting electrocuted by a Raichu is pretty darn scary. Especially when it's a Raichu that Kay apparently didn't raise herself? The showboat was just given a Raichu? How did that work?

How does this whole Pokémon theater thing get rehearsed? Somehow, the Pokémon have to figure out how to flap their mouths in time to what their trainers say, at the exact time. And yet, the actors are so unprepared that when their star actor can't go on, they don't have a backup plan. The actors (human and Pokémon) all worked together long enough to figure out a way to free themselves from Team Rocket without having to discuss a plan. But making sure there's an understudy?

Nope.

It also amused me that Ash is treated like some wise trainer that can spout advice just because he's friends with Pikachu. The way that Ash and Pikachu became friends is because Ash almost sacrificed his life to save Pikachu. That should be the only advice Ash gives to people. Never mind Pokémon personalities and speaking from the heart. Just sacrifice your well-being for your Pokémon's, and you'll be friends.

Especially since that's what happened. Kay just caught Raichu, possibly bruising her entire body, and everything is okay now.

It's a little weird, now that I think about it, that there's only four human actors for all those Pokémon. I think Kay only had Raichu? So that left the other three for everyone else.

… Why was there no one else on this boat?

That ending sequence with all the Pokémon dancing in a chorus line felt like a fever dream. Staryu moved its feet. Staryu.

Final note: The way Meowth was animated when he laughed before pressing the dynamite switch cracked me up.

Episode 2.11

Psyduck: rolls over and gets pulled under water

Title screen: Bye Bye Psyduck

My mind went to dark places at first.

It was kind of funny how Tracey didn't have a comment about what Marina said about Psyduck's tail. Whole episode would have been over sooner if he had just said that that's not why Psyduck's tail is glowing. It's not about to evolve. The tail is glowing because...?

IDK. I like Golduck. But I'm so tired of the Psyduck plots because nothing ever changes. Psyduck obviously adores Misty, but she does nothing to train it. Not even after her claim that she wants to be a "Water Pokémon Master" or whatever. If she does, then she needs to put some work into that goal.

 

[PoryKid575]

Season 2 Episode 36 - "The Joy of Pokemon"

This episode reminded me a lot of A Chansey Operation, except with way fewer creepy middle-aged doctors. Although Tracey gives Dr. Proctor a good run for his money considering he apparently knows the exact average diameter of Nurse Joy's arms and shoulders off the top of his head, also factoring in how often he sketches random women he meets, I definitely wouldn't want to see what's on his hard drive. Aside from that, I really enjoyed the concept of a traveling Nurse Joy. It's a nice Orange Islands twist on the usual Joy archetype that makes sense considering how a good portion of the "islands" seem to be closer to atolls or sandbars. Her character is very distinct from the typical Joy, and I liked how they made her tan to reflect how much time she spends in the sun. However, around the halfway point, the writers seemed to remember they needed a conflict, started writing a dramatic storm scene, then gave up and just shoved in a generic TR scheme. On that scheme, I was kinda annoyed how they played everything up super melodramatically like the gang was actually in danger, only for TR's plot to be foiled even faster than usual. At least it called back to the Magikarp Joy fed at the start of the EP, though I think it would've worked way better if it saved them from the hurricane Tracey was worried about instead of what actually happened, it would've imparted a good lesson about not getting overconfident in water even if you're experienced and generally been far more interesting. Alas, at least they only take up like 5 minutes. Overall, it's another solid EP in what's been an incredibly consistent arc so far. I'd give it a 9/10.

Side note: Apparently Nurse Joys are just born with that hair style... that family must have some insanely strong genetics (or the animators were insanely short on time / money).

 

[PoryKid575]

Season 2 Episode 37 - "Naval Maneuvers"

We've reached our second Orange Crew battle, and I found it about the same level of quality as the first. On the positive side, Danny is a much better leader than Cissy in my opinion, I really liked his positive attitude and he comes off as genuinely supportive without just giving Ash the badge out of pity. I also enjoyed how effortlessly he handled TR, after the melodrama of last EP, it was nice to see them get absolutely destroyed with hardly a finger being raised. However, Ash's win felt a lot more luck-based than last time. It seemed like Charizard just happened to melt some of the ice for the boat instead of actually trying to help Ash, and he needed 2 Deus Ex Machinas to win the sledding race (TR resetting the match and managing to get hit into the forest in just the right way to pick up extra speed). Overall, it's still a very fun time though, and I like the trend of these gym challenges being more straightforward instead of having Ash get entangled in the Gym Leader's personal drama. I'd give it a 9.5/10.

 

[PoryKid575]

Season 2 Episode 38 - "Snack Attack"

Ash finally catches a Pokemon in the Orange Islands the old fashioned way, and it's a pretty good choice as well considering he desperately needs more firepower on his team. I wasn't a fan of the plot though, it's fine enough in the moment, but it's incredibly derivative, pretty much just the first Snorlax episode mixed with the Pinkan berries EP. I'm not expecting masterful storytelling every episode of a weekly show meant for 8 year olds, but it's a bit frustrating when they're reusing plots not even a dozen EPs after the first time around. Snorlax was pretty funny though, and I liked how Jigglypuff was implemented. Overall, it's just entirely forgettable aside from Ash getting a new team member. I'd give it a 5/10.

 

[Astinus]

Episode 2.12

Ash quote: "Unless they step in a paint bucket."

???

This episode was kind of...boring? I remembered parts of it, but there wasn't a whole lot to this episode. And really, it was in the plot just so Ash could learn from Joy where to go next on his quest through the Orange League. It feels like the twerps are just floating through the Orange Islands, lost and having no idea where the gyms are. A problem that would be solved if the writers had known what to do with Tracey.

Other than to make him...creepy? I never noticed how weird he is for getting Joy's measurements down to the exact centimeters after seeing her speed by. And he's drawing pictures of her and blushing around her and knowing her exact shoe size and it's...

Joy's whole thing is also weird. Like why does she use a canoe instead of a motorboat, if she has to travel around to various islands? What if there's an emergency like the baby Seel? If she breaks her arm, that means that all the Pokémon on the various islands that she goes to are in trouble. It's also weird that Chansey can swim. And why is she the only Joy that has to travel to the small islands?

The hurricane subplot (?) was completely pointless. Team Rocket kind of was too, since the writers could have used the hurricane as a reason for Magikarp to evolve. Like Gyarados is a stronger swimmer than Magikarp and it had to rescue Joy because she refuses to use a motorboat or something.

IDK. I'm noticing that this rewatch is really making me not enjoy Team Rocket, which is a shame.

Also, why does every other Pokémon keep its personality when it evolves except Charizard? It's getting noticeable.

Episode 2.13

"Want to share my blanket?"

Putting aside the creepiness...

It's a shame that this gym battle had too much in common with the last gym battle. Where the trainer's Pokémon have to know a particular move and they have to have a particular skill that wouldn't usually be practiced. How would a Pokémon know how to carve ice into that one shape? It's a good thing that Lapras randomly learned Ice Beam in the last gym battle to use it here.

I can't get over how creepy Danny and Misty were towards each other.

Also, how does Tracey know the name of the gym badge but not the location of the gym?

Positive for Team Rocket: I like their kotatsu table!

Episode 2.14

Ash quote: "It's doing the blubber-fly."

I...kind of forgot that Ash caught a Snorlax.

There was a lot in this episode!

It just felt like there was a lot of story here. Snorlax and trying to stop it. Team Rocket showing up. Trying to find Jigglypuff. Ash catching Snorlax. The whole detail care guide to grapefruit trees. There was just a lot in this episode!

It's strange that Jigglypuff managed to follow the twerps all over the Orange Islands. At least it hasn't shown up in every episode like it did right after it was introduced. That's an improvement on it, so Jigglypuff's appearance was welcome in this episode because we hadn't seen it in a while.