Pokemon Company
Airdate: October 24, 2002
Summary: It is Ash vs. the friendly but mysterious Harrison using Hoenn Pokemon. The narrator says he uses Hoenn Pokemon he has never seen before, in comes Kecleon… one of the 5 Hoenn Pokemon he has in fact seen… face palm! We are on a grass field, where Kecleon is able to hide himself. Kecleon disappears except for the red pattern on its stomach, it then goes into the grass running around a bald spot in the grass. Pikachu is hit by a Lick attack with a Slam combination. After getting hit with a Psybeam, Kecleon uses another Lick but Pikachu dives into the grass. Kecleon uses its tongue to cut the grass, but Pikachu is still hiding. Pikachu hangs on to Kecleon’s tongue, using a direct Thunderbolt to make Kecleon faint. Harrison brings out his recently caught Sneasel, who runs quickly and uses a tough Metal Claw to make Pikachu faint, both are down to five Pokemon. Ash calls Totodile out, who uses Water Gun and a Bite attack on Sneasel’s claw, throwing it on the ground and dancing. Totodile hits it with a tough tail whipping Slam, Ash is up 2 to 1. Harrison throws Hypno out there, Totodile uses Leer, but it has no effect. Hypno uses Hypnosis to quickly for Totodile to dodge, A Psychic attack finishes the gator off, we are tied 2 to 2. Ash throws out Snorlax, who is sleeping currently, Ash tries to reframe it as a defense. Harrison has Hypno use Dream Eater, which helps Hypno become stronger. Snorlax gets angry because Hypno woke it up from its sleep, just like my wife in the morning, sending a hyper-charged Hyper Beam to defeat the Psychic Pokemon. Ash is up 3 to 2. Meanwhile, we have a random interlude with Team Rocket and a Machamp for their obligatory appearance. Ash sends out Noctowl while Harrison brings out Steelix. Noctowl hits it with a Confusion, but Steelix uses a Sandstorm/Dig combination that ends in an Iron Tail knockout, it is now 3 to 3. Ash sends Snorlax back out, Steelix gets a Wrap/Crunch combination on, but Snorlax’s Ice Punch/Hyper Beam combination works well. Ash is up 4 to 3. Houndom comes out and Counters a powerful Hyper Beam to make it 4 to 4. Ash throws Bayleef out as a Grass Pokemon against Houndoom, Bayleef uses Razor Leaf but Houndoom’s Flamethrower eliminates the leaves. Both use dueling Body Slam and Crunch attacks, but Bayleef’s Vine Whip muzzles Houndoom before throwing it down for a Body Slam combination that makes the Dark-type dog faint. Harrison is down to one Pokemon, we know it will be his Blaziken. Bayleef’s Razor Leaf is kicked down by Blaziken. Blaziken uses fire moves to end Bayleef, who will he call on for his final Pokemon? Ash goes for his ace, Charizard, HERE WE GO JIM!! Both Pokemon uses a Flamethrower… perfect for an episode promo! HERE WE F’ING GO!
Best Trainer/Pokémon: Bayleef, I loved that strategy vs. Houndoom in a type disadvantage.
Worst Trainer/Pokémon: Noctowl, it really struggled vs. Steelix and got knocked out in no time.
One thing I learned: Houndoom can use Counter, what a deep pull in the movepool bag, Harrison.
Who is that Pokémon?: Ariados, love this line overall especially the Spinarak episode.
Best Quote: “I’m going to finish this battle in a way that will make Gary proud of me too” – Ash, I think the slow five-season build of Gary motivating Ash culminating in this episode is great,
Best Scene: Bayleef’s Vine Whip muzzling Houndoom was a top-grade strategy, love it.
