Pokemon Company
Airdate: November 7, 2002
Summary: Our heroes go to Viridian City on their way to Pallet Town. Brock is looking for Nurse Joy, as always. Ash has Nurse Joy take care of his pokeballs, Brock makes an awkward pass at her as usual. Nurse Joy indicates that she has a message from Cerulean City, her sisters call her and tell her they are taking a trip around the world, leaving Misty to be the Gym Leader. Misty also gets her bike back after so many episodes, callback!! Misty seems a bit sad, but as always, eventually mad that her bike was fixed as she runs away. Brock thinks that Misty still wants to travel with Brock and Ash… Misty feels like Ash brushes off them having to split up. As Misty is walking, she is stopped by three weirdos in Purple uniforms who call themselves the Invincible Pokemon Brothers. Misty challenges them to a battle, 1 on 1 on 1. Misty brings out her Politoed, while one of the brothers brings a Hitmonchan, Politoed smacks Hitmonchan with a Water Gun. But the other two brothers bring out a Hitmontop and Hitmonlee, however Brock and Ash run up with their Forretress and Pikachu, hitting them with a Rapid Spin and Thunderbolt. Ash and Brock say that they wanted to win this battle with her, and tell her to finish them off with a tough Bubble attack. Team Rocket suddenly appears and proceeds with “Plan Goalie” to trap the brothers and our heroes. We learn the brothers were hired by Team Rocket, they snip their way out of the soccer goal they trapped them in, and our heroes have a triple attack to send them flying. Ash points to her bike and reminds her that she is in a hurry. Misty reminds Ash to remember his routines, and to keep on doing his best without her there. Cue very emotional video with past episodes…. I’M NOT CRYING.. YOU ARE!!! They all are about to say goodbye, but Brock announces that he has to go home to take care of errands back in Pewter City, it looks like Ash is leaving for Hoenn alone. They all go separate ways, but not before saying goodbye with a gift… I’M NOT CRYING YOU ARE! Misty says she finally knows how Misty feels about him. Ash wakes up at home, Delia tells her to go to the lab to see Gary, he leaves breakfast as soon as he sits down. When Ash gets to the lab, Gary has left already. Gary leaves to make a fresh start with just his Blastoise, but Ash catches up with him to say goodbye. Ash gives him half of the Pokeball they share… a memento to remember him. Gary leaves, but Ash sees Ho-Oh in the distance, just like he saw in the first episode… call back! Ash thinks it is going to Hoenn with his Pikachu.. So they run towards their new journey and right into a Team Rocket hole. Team Rocket says they are new, but up to their old tricks, using a Weezing Smokescreen. Ash misses Brock and Misty as he inhales Weezing’s fumes, but uses the cutlery and towel to climb up the hole and protect Pikachu. Climbing up to the top encouraged by his friend’s gifts and their memories, Pikachu sends a crazy Thunderbolt to send Team Rocket flying. Ash tells Oak that he is starting a new journey to the Hoenn region with only Pikachu, stopping in Littleroot Town to visit Prof. Birch. Delia gives him a new hat and backpack to switch things up. She gives him a ticket to go from Seafoam to Littleroot, Oak gives him a new Pokedex. Ash is on his way!
Best Trainer/Pokémon: Misty, she was the MVP of this episode, she will 100% be missed.
Worst Trainer/Pokémon: Team Rocket, don’t mess with their ending… also don’t pick “Invincible Brothers” without actually testing them.
One thing I learned: It was never about her bike, Misty cared for and respected Ash.
Who is that Pokémon?: Hoppip, such a weird choice for this important episode.
Best Quote: “I think we were meant to meet and become friends” – Ash, love this sentiment and will really miss Misty after 275 episodes and 5 movies together.
Best Scene: Ash at the crossroads, flowers swaying in the wind… as they wait for Ash to finish his solo goodbye… What a funny moment.
