Pokemon Company
Airdate: June 6, 2002
Summary: Ash sprints from the Ice Cave to Blackthorn Lake where they see a Dratini. He runs to it but a Gyrados pops up to protect it, and so does an imposing woman with blue hair! The woman is named Clair, our heroes introduce themselves with Brock fawning over Clair, but she runs off when Dratini looks like she is migrating. An old man tries to catch her before she goes and explains that Clair is the gym leader and that the Dragon Fang he has is handed down from generation to generation during a purification ritual. Dratini swims by Team Rocket who fawn over it, so James springs into action to catch it, but Gyrados wets their intentions as Clair threatens them if they mess with Dratini. Gyrados sends them flying. The old man tells Clair she must complete the ritual of the Dragon Fang, but she says the Dratini shedding its skin in the proper area is more important. Our heroes stop for a rice ball (sandwich in English for some reason) and Ash asks for a battle after Dratini sheds its skin. They relay to Clair that Lance helped save the Lake of Rage Gyrados, who Clair says trained with her a lot in Blackthorn. Team Rocket cosplays as old coots who want to take a picture of Dratini. Clair tries to drive them off nicely, but Team Rocket nets it before saying the motto and flying away. Clair jumps from branch to branch to follow Team Rocket. Dratini swings back and forth to lower the blimp, and crawls back into the lake after escaping. Our heroes catch up and start to fight Weezing and Team Rocket but a Pikachu Thunderbolt is countered by Wobbuffet right onto Dratini, but Clair shields it and takes the attack. Dratini is moved by her act and evolves into Dragonair, sending Team Rocket off with a tough Twister attack. Our heroes go to the Riverhead Falls to perform the ritual before midnight, where the fang is purified. Clair tells Ash she is ready to battle. Here we go 8th gym badge!
Best Trainer/Pokémon: Clair, such a loving and badass Gym leader.
Worst Trainer/Pokémon: The old man bugging out, funny but annoying as a through-line.
One thing I learned: A Dratini shedding its skin means you stop the presses.
Who is that Pokémon?: Goldeen, solid B- with a terrible stat spread for its type but a great design.
Best Quote: “To think, someone with the beauty of a Sunflora has the ferocity of a Magmar” – Brock was smooth with this one.
Best Scene: Team Rocket as old photographers… this is my favorite of their cosplays.
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