Airdate: October 22nd, 1998
Summary: Ash and Pikachu are training, and Ash has a new shirt. So does Brock, who we now know is #91. Ash almost gets hit by a bunch of surfers, and causes a pile up. Officer Jenny breaks it up, and explains that Humongodongu and a mysterious Jan figure who planted their flag at the top of a rock in the ocean. Ash decides to surf, and his friends join him. Ash wipes out, and the Pikachu on the cliff, Puka, and his buddy come and save Ash. Ash wakes up at Victor’s place, and Ash thanks him for saving his life. Victor recalls how Puka came to Victor from the sea on a raft. Victor tells another story about Jan, Victor’s idol. Young Victor looks quite a lot like James, hmmmm. Jan planted that flag on the rock, and the rest was history. Puka and Victor have been waiting for the day the big one comes back. Suddenly, Team Rocket pilfers a pair of Pikachu, but some Gyrados mess their shit up. The gang struggles to save both Pikachu, and Victor throws a life preserver out to Puka who is in the water, this is tense. Victor grabs Puka, and the big is coming! Puka and Victor ride the big wave, and plant their flag on top of the rock, what a team. A day that will live in Pokesurfing infamy, and spawn Pokémon Yellow surfing! Victor sweetly encourages some young kids to keep surfing, just like Jan did to him. Meanwhile, Team Rocket is stuck in a Gyrados vortex.
Best Trainer/Pokémon: Puka, what a Pikachu.
Worst Trainer/Pokémon: Team Rocket, a brief and unsuccessful appearance. What a string of one-sided episodes for our villains.
One thing I learned: Fate can drop the greatest blessings into our lives, even from the sea.
Pikachu-o-meter: 5/5, great Pikachu episode overall, top-5!
Best Quote: Could, could it be, it’s the big wave” -Victor
Best Scene: Victor and Puka surfing the big one.
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