Airdate: August 20th, 1998
Summary: We pick up where Magmar’s Fire blast left off, Pikachu doesn’t lose, but Ash throws in the towel. Blaine commends Ash for his decision, and they go back to the hot springs. Ash is determined to beat Magmar, and thinks Charizard holds the key. Meanwhile, Team Rocket practices their hot spring heat tolerance. Team Rocket decides to shoot freeze-blasting rocket launchers into the middle of an active volcano, this can’t go wrong can it? It does go wrong, who could have guessed? Team Rocket continues to shot ice, while Ash is determined to solve one riddle. But Blaine isn’t joking, this volcano is ready to blow. The lava is boiling, the gang is in a predicament, but they band together to fill the cracks in the earth. Ash calls on Charizard, who is motivated by Magmar’s effort, and pridefully assists Onix, Geodude, Magmar, and others. Que 2-minute montage, what a scene. Ash gets another shot at Blaine, and sends Charizard out against Magmar. Charizard catches a Fire Blast and redirects it to the sky. Charizard gets rocked by a Skull Bash, but avoids the lava and slams Magmar. Magmar uses Charizard’s weight against him, gets the upper-hand, and throws Charizard into the lava. Charizard emerges from the lava, takes Magmar up in the sky and gives him a Seismic Toss. Magmar stays up for a short time before collapsing. Ash gets his 7th gym badge after Charizard’s impressive performance. They set out for Viridian City for Ash’s final badge.
Best Trainer/Pokémon: Charizard, a top-5 performance in this 1st season.
Worst Trainer/Pokémon: Team Rocket, play with fire and you get freezer burned.
One thing I learned: Charizard is a god, and that battle scene was the best thing about Pokémon so far.
Pikachu-o-meter: 5/5, love seeing Pikachu running those boulders.
Best Quote: “I’m not leaving Cinnabar Island until I beat Blaine and Magmar and get that badge” -Ash
Best Scene: Charizard’s Seismic Toss around the Earth.
Will Reviews Things 