"Showdown at the Po-ké Corral" Episode Discussion

[Charaxes]

Here is where you can discuss a debate of Trainer philosophy in "Showdown at the Po-ké Corral."

My review to come forthwith.

 

[XxDawnfanxX]

Both trainers have interesting views on raising their pokemon. I don't think either is wrong, however one way could definitely get you further then the next. Gary has a lot of pokemon and is constantly switching them on and off so each of them can get stronger, this helps big time because Gary has plenty of depth and he doesn't have to worry when he has to make a substitution because all of his pokemon would be around the same level and he would have plenty of options.

Ash on the other hand, sticks with his party of six and constantly battles with them. This helps a very important factor between a trainer and their pokemon, a strong friendship. Gary treats his pokemon well but if he subs them out a lot he won't be able to get as close to his pokemon as Ash did. Ash also levels his starters up to a very high level from using them constantly. We have seen Ash use subs in the pokemon league's he has particapated in, he doesn't have as much options but he has gotten to enjoy his adventure with his pokemon on every region. He always puts his pokemon feelings before power and while many may consider him weak for that, you have to be on the same page as your pokemon and a strong relationship with them is crucial in battle and in dangerous situations when they are put to the test.

In the end, I found it great how two personalities had two different ways of doing that. This episode is what made me think how unique pokemon actually is and how deep it can be if you think about it, there are many different types of trainers and if we were put in these regions we would all have different looks on raising our pokemon. It is important to make sure all of your pokemon are strong so you can be a good battler but it is also important to make sure you spend plenty of time with each pokemon and form a good bond with them, it makes the trainers feel happier down the line and it gives them a better connection in battle. It's episodes like this where you have to look at pokemon as more then just battling, but as traveling and lifelong companions. Thats just how I look at it when I watch this episode.

 

[weedle_mchairybug]

BTW, for those of you who think that Krabby's sudden ability to take down an Exeggutor is ridiculous or unexplained, it's explained in this episode with the whole "Oak Corral" schedule that Professor Oak tells Misty, Brock, Ash, and Gary.

 

[XxDawnfanxX]

BTW, for those of you who think that Krabby's sudden ability to take down an Exeggutor is ridiculous or unexplained, it's explained in this episode with the whole "Oak Corral" schedule that Professor Oak tells Misty, Brock, Ash, and Gary.

Yeah, that is what I was thinking. It stayed in great shape under Oak and it probably gained some experience along the way and it gained a ton taking Exeggutor down, although the exact level when Krabby was caught is still unknown as well, I thought it was awesome when it evolved into Kingler in the intense moment of that match.

 

[False Flag]

BTW, for those of you who think that Krabby's sudden ability to take down an Exeggutor is ridiculous or unexplained, it's explained in this episode with the whole "Oak Corral" schedule that Professor Oak tells Misty, Brock, Ash, and Gary.

It really wasn't that redicolous imo.

Back in those days, the critical hit ratio was out of whack. Krabbly and Kingler learn crabhammer, which has a high critical hit ratio.

That, and, Ash really didn't fight anyone decent back in Kanto.

That meant even though Eggy resists water, critical hits do x2 the damage and eggy pretty much got pwnd.

 

[Charaxes]

Both trainers have interesting views on raising their pokemon. I don't think either is wrong, however one way could definitely get you further then the next. Gary has a lot of pokemon and is constantly switching them on and off so each of them can get stronger, this helps big time because Gary has plenty of depth and he doesn't have to worry when he has to make a substitution because all of his pokemon would be around the same level and he would have plenty of options.

Ash on the other hand, sticks with his party of six and constantly battles with them. This helps a very important factor between a trainer and their pokemon, a strong friendship. Gary treats his pokemon well but if he subs them out a lot he won't be able to get as close to his pokemon as Ash did. Ash also levels his starters up to a very high level from using them constantly. We have seen Ash use subs in the pokemon league's he has particapated in, he doesn't have as much options but he has gotten to enjoy his adventure with his pokemon on every region. He always puts his pokemon feelings before power and while many may consider him weak for that, you have to be on the same page as your pokemon and a strong relationship with them is crucial in battle and in dangerous situations when they are put to the test.

In the end, I found it great how two personalities had two different ways of doing that. This episode is what made me think how unique pokemon actually is and how deep it can be if you think about it, there are many different types of trainers and if we were put in these regions we would all have different looks on raising our pokemon. It is important to make sure all of your pokemon are strong so you can be a good battler but it is also important to make sure you spend plenty of time with each pokemon and form a good bond with them, it makes the trainers feel happier down the line and it gives them a better connection in battle. It's episodes like this where you have to look at pokemon as more then just battling, but as traveling and lifelong companions. Thats just how I look at it when I watch this episode.

It certainly sets up the gamer philosophy very nicely, too. Myself, when I start the games, I usually just stick with my core team. Then, once they are powerful enough to absorb the hits, I then rotate to train/evolve the lesser stock. Either way, it's a nice nod, and I wish we had more of this intellectual discussion during Kanto. Oh, well. Good analysis, by the way.

Anyway, I enjoyed the episode for the Rocket trio, as well, I actually liked their attempt at reformation, here. Yes, we'd get the "we're a brand new Team Rocket" spiel year in and out, but, in this episode, I genuinely bought it. I also liked their devotion to the organization wavered, just as Mewtwo was busting out. A pity it didn't occur more often.

Even though, the next episode would gel it for me, Giovanni was such a jerk. "How dare you be concerned for me, even as I should be dead!"

Now, this episode would be important for the Mewtwo arc, even though, it would be months before we Americans found out the truth (the release of the first movie dub). All of which begs the burning question I had for a decade: what happened to the other Rockets in the base? It was a massive complex, so were their bodies buried underneath the debris, they evacuated in time, Mewtwo vaporized them, or what? Giovanni and his Persian clearly survived, but there was no one else in the scene, prior to the trio discovering him. It's an interesting dilemma or writer laziness.

(That or Mewtwo just killed everyone but Giovanni, adding more to his body count. He already killed his scientist creators, don'tcha know. Why not kill a few Rocket Grunts while you're at it?)

Exit question: We must not forget Giovanni's helicopter appearing soon after. And he didn't summon for it on-screen, either. I always assumed that he or the base itself called for it, prior to Mewtwo's escape.