Airdate: September 17th, 1998
Summary: Our heroes are back in Viridian City after a whole year. The Pokémon Center is fixed, and the Viridian City Gym is calling Ash’s name. Gary steps in line in front of Ash per usual, and challenges the leader of the gym. Togepi tries to cheer Ash up, but Ash flings our egg into the air, getting stuck in Fearow’s beak, who drops Togepi right in Team Rocket’s lap. Togepi walks and literal and metaphorical tightrope, blissfully unaware of danger. Meanwhile, Gary challenges Giovanni, it’s Gary’s Nidoking versus Golem. Golem loses in one hit. Next, Giovanni sends out Kingler who forces Nidoking out of battle, Arcanine takes Kingler down with a Fire Spin, and Giovanni is left with one Pokémon. Giovanni sends out his mystery Pokémon, a purple humanoid with incredible psychic powers. The mystery Pokémon owns Gary, and he leaves. Afterwards, Team Rocket brings Togepi to the boss, who leaves after getting a call regarding Mewtwo. Team Rocket are made the gym leaders, and the gang finds Togepi. Ash finds Gary and the girls unconscious, and Gary explains that Giovanni has an unbeatable Pokémon in his squad. Team Rocket shows up, says they are running the gym, and start to battle Ash. They said out all three Pokémon against Ash, Squirtle gets punched by Machamp and feels Squirtle’s pain. Team Rocket’s shocking plan is working, Ash sends out Pidgeotto who uses Double-Edge to shock Jessie and Rhydon, what a criminally underrated bird. Gary helps attack Meowth, and Ash sends Pikachu out to own Jessie and James’ Pokémon. Togepi blows Team Rocket out of the gym, and Ash catches the Earth Badge in time to run from the wreckage of the Viridian City gym. Our heroes are off to Pallet Town.
Best Trainer/Pokémon: Giovanni, this man has Mewtwo in his clutches, boss move.
Worst Trainer/Pokémon: Team Rocket, they got zapped.
One thing I learned: Team Rocket should not be managing anything, including a gym.
Pikachu-o-meter: 4/5, good Pikachu episode.
Best Quote: “It’s here, a Pokémon we have never seen. This Pokémon is not just powerful, it’s evil” -Gary Oak
Best Scene: Mewtwo and Giovanni emerging from the shadows.
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