Pokemon Company
Airdate: December 13, 2001
Summary: Our heroes are on the way to Mahogany when Gary rides in with his Arcanine on a skateboard, but Ash is concerned with the collar holding Arcanine. They then eat at a cafe and a local patron explains Extreme Pokemon, a sport where you compete in a race. Ash then wants to compete, so the patron gives him all of the equipment, introduces himself as Shelby, and that he runs a daycare. Shelby shows baby Teddiursa and Wooper among others, and then takes Ash out to try the Extreme Pokemon board, which Ash promptly falls on the first time. Shelby tells Ash that he can only select one Pokemon, so Ash chooses Bayleef who is sturdy and trusted, but perhaps a bit slow. Bayleef and Ash practice, eventually getting the hang of it while Team Rocket scouts them training, they dream of stealing all the fast Extreme Pokemon. It is race day, and I am getting some Lara Laramie vibes here with a crash at the beginning. Gary and Ash are riding side by side while Team Rocket trails behind and eventually catches Arcanine in a net. Ash chases after Team Rocket and gets Bayleef to launch him into the Team Rocket balloon, puncturing it and sending them flying towards the finish lien and into Shelby’s house. Arcanine escapes the net, but Team Rocket runs away with eggs they stole from Shelby. Bayleef tries to help but gets hit with a Poison Sting, luckily Arcanine uses a Flame Wheel to send Team Rocket flying. We resume our race with Ash just behind Gary, but Ash finds a shortcut launching himself off a cliff, now they are neck and neck with Bayleef making one final Vine Whip aided jump to victory. Gary says “See you at Johto”… FORESHADOWING! Ash gets a blue Pokemon Egg from Shelby, I wonder what Pokemon it will be?!
Best Trainer/Pokémon: Ash and Bayleef, their relationship has been one of the best through lines of the series.
Worst Trainer/Pokémon: Team Rocket, per usual their hair-brained schemes don’t really work because they want to bite off more than they can chew.
One thing I learned: Bayleef has wheels!
Who is that Pokémon?: Mr. Mime, I put this one step below Jynx on the creep scale, I never understood it and never will. Mime Jr. is cute though, so is Mr. Rime.
Best Quote: “A tisket a tasket a Pokemon Egg basket” -James, I like when he gets theatrical
Best Scene: Bayleef winning the photo-finish!
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