Pokemon Company
Airdate: January 9, 2002
Summary: Max is pissed that our crew is lost because May needed to see some flowers. Brock and Ash have to play referee between the two siblings. Ash sees something in the trees, it is a whole bunch of Treecko. Ash throws a Pokeball first… a very elementary move that May totally flames him for. The Treecko get away, so Ash and the crew follow, only to stumble upon a very large tree down a hill that is dying. A Treecko with a twig in its mouth jumps down on a challenge by Ash, and hits Pikachu with a tough Pound attack. Team Rocket observes this and wants some for themselves. Treecko gets approached by another older Treecko, who explains that the old tree is dying and that Treecko needs to move to another location. The fighting Treecko says that it is too soon to leave the dying tree, and that they will protect the tree no matter what. James and Meowth like the message, Jessie believes progress is change, and change is the future, she plans to catch all the Treecko. The Treecko leave the one stubborn one, who follows them, while Ash waits in the tree for it to come back. Taillow finds Treecko, who went to get water and leaves to help the tree survive. Treecko keeps trying to save the tree by hauling water, Ash and Pikachu try to help Treecko keep the old tree alive. Team Rocket starts to catch the other Treecko, ramming Ash, Pikachu, and Treecko. Team Rocket tries to sail away, and even has an electric blocking device. They catch Pikachu, but Treecko springs into action, but Cacnea’s Pin Missile sends it fleeing before coming back up. Pikachu sends them flying, and Treecko has to reckon with the fact that it is dying. The older Treecko makes peace with the stubborn one, and just then the tree breaks. The Treecko all assemble to try and keep it upright, Ash uses a rope to hold it together, with a split down the middle. An image of the growth of a tree from seedling appears, showing everyone how a brand new tree is born right in front of their eyes.. metaphorically of course. An acorn rolls to Treecko’s feet, as Ash helps it deal with the death of the tree. Treecko hits Ash hard, wanting to battle Ash to prove its worth. Ash battles Treecko with Pikachu, giving it a tough Thunderbolt that it shakes off well, but its speed moves work well mixed with Thunderbolt, allowing Ash to catch them. Welcome to the crew Treecko!
Best Trainer/Pokémon: Treecko, stick by your guns, and join Ash’s team.
Worst Trainer/Pokémon: Team Rocket, don’t mess with such a sincere creature.
One thing I learned: Treecko are dependable and loyal to the very end, even with insurmountable odds.
Who is that Pokémon?: Girafarig, love this pokemon more and more every year and just finished a playthrough of Silver with it.
Best Quote: “You look like a Slugma!” – Max, actually a pretty good burn.
Best Scene: Ash, Pikachu, and Treecko working together to save the old tree.
