Airdate: July 22nd, 1999
Summary: Tad, a trainer with a boat, rolls up on our crew. Tad picks our friends up, and challenges Ash to a match. The land on Cleopatra Island, and its Pikachu vs. Poliwrath, who has a special belt from winning a local competition. Poliwrath starts with a Double Team to avoid a Thunderbolt, a Quick Attack, and deliver a Hypnosis. Poliwrath finished Pikachu with a Water Gun attack. Ash uses Charizard next, and it predictably disobeys Ash. Poliwrath is not affected by Charizard’s Flamethrower, and uses Water Gun to tire Charizard out, eventually landing an Ice Beam that puts Charizard in a deep freeze. Charizard is cold, and Ash has decided to take the whole night to make sure Charizard stays warm. Misty and Tracey work hard to help warm Charizard, Ash does not stop rubbing Charizard all through the night. Charizard remembers all of the memories they have together, and Ash explains that all he wants is for them to be a team. The morning comes, and Team Rocket shows up to the party to steal Pikachu. Charizard springs into action with Ash on its back to get Pikachu back, finally listening to Ash’s instruction and working with Pikachu as a team. Ash gets his rematch with Tad, and Charizard is ready to fight for Ash. Charizard avoids Poliwrath’s attacks, grabbing its Mega Kick and avoiding an Ice Beam leads to a killer Seismic Toss. Charizard and Ash win, they prove they are a powerful duo.
Best Trainer/Pokémon: Poliwrath, what a competitor, maybe the best Pokémon we have seen in the anime so far besides Blaine’s Magmar.
Worst Trainer/Pokémon: Pikachu, it kind of got its ass beat this episode, good luck next time.
One thing I learned: Sometimes you just have to show that you care.
Island Monitor: Fairchild Island -> Cleopatra Island
Best Quote: “Come on Charizard, we will beat them this time” -Ash
Best Scene: Ash rubbing Charizard in the night.
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