Pokemon Company
Airdate: July 25, 2002
Summary: Our heroes have the Pokemon Egg as they head to Prof. Elm’s lab, the egg is hatching! A false alarm means the egg is not ready to hatch, but right as they give up the faith, the egg hatches and it’s a Larvitar! Larvitar has a fever so our heroes run to the closest Pokemon Center. Elm and Oak meet at a boat with Ash’s mother (or girlfriend…?). Meanwhile, Larvitar’s temperature goes down to really cold levels, but Team Rocket turns the generator off so they can try and steal Larvitar, to no effect. Now that Team Rocket is gone, Cyndaquil uses a bit of heat to help warm up Larvitar. Delia is stuck at dinner with Oak and Elm arguing about the nature of Gyrados with forks and knives out, but an email saves her as Elm reads about the sick Larvitar at the Pokemon Center. Suddenly, as Ash is holding Larvitar, he gets transported into its psyche, where the story of how Larvitar almost got killed as an egg many times is shared. Elm gives Larvitar medicine and it will feel better in just a few hours, so Ash and our heroes leave it to rest. Ash tells everyone about Larvitar’s vision they shared, and now that Larvitar feels good Ash shows it to the outside world for the first time, some Jumpluff are soaring in the sky above. Just when Ash gets all comfortable, Team Rocket shows up to spoil the party with a screwed up game of Rock-Paper-Scissors. Larvitar sees the Team Rocket machine grabbing the Jumppluff to reach Larvitar, so it uses a strong Screech attack. Ash tells Larvitar to leave and save itself, cue the montage of Ash taking care of Larvitar, giving Larvitar power to use a Hidden Power that sends them flying. Everyone is impressed with Larvitar and decides to stay with Ash and Pikachu for a while. Ash gets to New Bark Town and registers for the Silver League with Larvitar in tow as they head to the Pokemon Preserve in Mt. Silver to help Larvitar to return to its birthplace.
Best Trainer/Pokémon: Oak and Elm, anytime these two show up is a treat, especially Oak.
Worst Trainer/Pokémon: Team Rocket, leave the young Larvitar alone and sit this heist out for once.
One thing I learned: Prof. Oak and Delia are…. friendly.
Who is that Pokémon?: Swinub, love the Pokemon’s call, evolution line and location in the Ice Cave… 9/10!
Best Quote: “I’m still confused why my Mom and Professor Oak are here” – Ash with the real questions everyone wants the answer to.
Best Scene: Ash’s dream about the whereabouts of Larvitar, I guess future Dark-types can practice telepathy?
