Airdate: January 14th, 1999
Summary: Ash and Richie are set to face-off in the fifth round! Richie is a stud; he hasn’t lost a single Pokémon. He uses almost the same kind of Pokémon Ash does. Team Rocket pretends they are Richie with a phone device, and get Ash to bring Pikachu out on a silver platter. Team Rocket catches Ash and Pikachu, but Ash uses Squirtle to water log the car. James gets into another accident; this dude needs real driving lessons. Team Rocket tries to hold Ash up from his match, for what reason I cannot imagine. Team Rocket is insatiable, and this bit is getting really old. Ash promised Richie he would give it his best, so he deals with Team Rocket by stealing his bike, a callback to Ash’s previous delinquent habits with bicycles. Meanwhile, Misty confronts Richie, stepping on his foot and accusing him of tricking Ash. Misty may be mad at Richie herself, but she has Ash’s back all the way. Ash is almost to the stadium, but Team Rocket will not quit, just go away you fucks! Pidgeotto flies Pikachu up to the balloon to shock Team Rocket, what an underrated bird. Our favorite bird flies Ash to the stadium in Team Rocket’s balloon, just in time to face Richie. The first match is Squirtle versus Happy, Ash’s Squirtle gets Sleep Powdered pretty quick. Pikachu jumps in and zaps Happy. Now Richie and Ash have two Pokémon left. Richie sends out Zippo, but Pikachu is tired. Zippo sends Pikachu out of the match. Ash rolls the dice and sends Charizard out to face Charmander. Zippo sends an Ember Zippo’s way, and Richie brings Charmander out. Charizard sends a few gusts, stamps its foot, but declines to battle Sparky. Charizard naps, and Ash losses the match. How will Ash deal with this defeat? He shows Richie respect for his great battle, and acts older than his years would indicate.
Best Trainer/Pokémon: Ash, he had to deal with the stress of his capture right before a battle, and still didn’t give an excuse.
Worst Trainer/Pokémon: Team Rocket, can you grant a reprieve for one tournament? Why do they have to be bad all of the time?
One thing I learned: Ash is a no excuses kind of guy.
Pikachu-o-meter: 5/5, having to deal with Team Rocket’s crap, and battle Sparky in the same day is impressive no matter the outcome.
Best Quote: “A leading lady who does character roles, I should have my own show” -Jessie
Best Scene: Ash groveling to get Charizard to battle, hopefully Charizard and Ash will get over this soon.
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