PURSUING A LOFTY GOAL!
"How could he think encouragement would do a thing?"
Score: 7/10
The heroes arrive at Squallville, where the orphanages are always-- oh, whatever. A gust of wind hits the heroes, and Brock explains that this city is known for having strong, random winds. They see a game of pokeringer in action. Remember pokeringer? The thing where two trainers have their pokemon go after a ring held by a balloon, then place the ring a hook on the ground to see who wins? One of the contestants is James, using Jessie's Yanmega, but because of his disguise of a pair of sunglasses, the heroes can't tell who he is. At least this time even James is surprised they don't recognize him.
There's a pokeringer competition today, and Piplup is disappointed to learn that it can't enter. Ash, however, decides to enter with Pidgeot. I mean Noctowl. I mean Swellow. I mean Unfezant. I mean Butterfree. I meant Gliscor. I mean Beedrill. I mean Glalie. I mean Charizard. I mean Staravia.
Ash is up against Taylor. You know Taylor, he’s the guy who’s so important that he’s ever shown up before. Staravia versus Skarmory. Ash almost loses, but a random gust of wind saves Staravia.
A guy named Provo is up next. You just know Provo is serious; he has an Australian accent and is dressed like an extra from Road Warrior. His enemy? Paul. Ash says hi to Paul, and is somehow surprised by him being a jerk. I just-- I just don't understand why Ash is surprised here. Paul's Honchkrow versus Provo's Dragonite. Honchkrow is about to lose when Paul divines a wind gust about to hit, and is able to use it to his advantage. I like how Ash and Paul win for the same reason, but one does it with skill and the other with luck.
James versus Stevelin, a small boy. Is that even a real name? Well, Yanmega versus Skiploom. Neither trainer orders his pokemon to do anything because they both want to wait for proper wind gusts. James misreads a wind current and loses easily, and the episode really plays up Stevelin actually being really skilled and knowing what he’s doing, which it makes it weird that he never shows up again and is (presumably) defeated off screen.
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Not changing this sig until I decide to change this sig.
Started: July 6, 2005