Airdate: April 22nd, 1999
Summary: Ash and crew are headed to Navel Island, where Ash hopes to get his second badge in the Orange League, the Sea Ruby Badge. Ash and crew dock on the island, but it is a little too quiet. A handsome navigator named Danny sails ashore, hitting on Misty. Misty admires Danny while chiding Danny. Tracy reads the instructions for the gym, the first step for the gym is to climb the mountain without assistance from Pokémon. Danny flies up the mountain while Ash struggles to climb. Ash falls, and almost uses a Pokémon, but almost makes it to the top himself after a lot of effort. Before he can finish the climb, Team Rocket tries to snatch Pikachu. Danny deftly gives them a rock to suction, sending them prematurely off of the island. Danny and Ash continue up the mountain, and Ash gives Pikachu his sweatshirt and holds Pikachu close. Ash and Danny make it up, and Misty is overly concerned with Danny’s welfare. There are three challenges, win two and you get the badge. The first task is to freeze hot spring water the fastest. Ash chooses Lapras and Danny choses Nidoqueen, Danny wins the first round. In the second round, they must sculpt an ice sled the fastest. Ash sends out Charizard, everyone is rightfully concerned. Charizard doesn’t help Ash, Bulbasaur and Pikachu are the only ones helping out. It only took one Flamethrower, but Ash won the second run in one dragon breath. The final leg consists of a sled race to the beach. Ash, Bulbasaur, Pikachu, and Squirtle compete versus Danny. The struggle at first, spinning out, but Danny eventually falls out of their sled because of a Team Rocket trap. Team Rocket take Pikachu, and trap it in an energy efficient case. Danny and Ash get help from their Pokémon to send snowballs onto Team Rocket’s to slow them down, finally sending Electrode to blast Team Rocket out of the sky. Danny and Ash start their race again, going neck and neck until Ash wins by a hair by pulling some Need for Speed shit. Danny says goodbye, and our crew is on their way to more adventure.
Best Trainer/Pokémon: Ash, he really showed his resilience this episode.
Worst Trainer/Pokémon: Team Rocket, they made a premature exit, and then another one.
One thing I learned: Ash doesn’t take any hints, everyone figured out Danny was the leader but Ash.
Island Monitor: Navel Island
Best Quote: “I’ve seen many beautiful things on this island, none as beautiful as you” -Danny
Best Scene: Ash wrapping Pikachu in his shirt.
Will Reviews Things 