The finalists are Ash and Paul. Also: in a contest where it's so hard to read the wind that even James, who trained for this kind of thing, can't do it, how do Ash and Paul succeed?
Staravia versus Honchkrow. Staravia puts up a good fight, but gets its ass destroyed because it’s slower and weaker than its enemy. Even though Honchkrow is actually slow for a flying pokemon and Staravia is not. Well, whatever. Staravia tries to keep up with quick attack, but eventually Paul learns how to counter it, and Staravia gets its assed kicked again. Finally, Staravia says “screw it” and evolves to help the episode end faster. Honestly, just once, I'd like a main character's pokemon to evolve in an undramatic way. Like Ash is just walking along and coughs, and for whatever reason, Cyndaquil up and evolves. Or maybe Squirtle defeats a random trainer’s Metapod and evolves because of it. Just once, you know?
With its newfound speed and power, Staraptor-- gets its ass kicked. However, it learns close combat, which "is super effective against dark-types like Honchkrow." Well, no. Not dark types like Honchkrow, which is part flying. Anyway, the heroic music starts playing, so even though Paul is technically still in the match, it's over. In a dramatic turn of events, Staraptor punches the ring to the hook, which no one expected because you're normally supposed to use your beak. I admit, that’s actually kind of clever. What’s hilarious is that Ash doesn’t order it, Staraptor does it on its own, so I can only assume that Ash’s pet bird is smarter than he is, which-- actually makes a lot of sense.
Paul berates Honchkrow for losing and leaves. The heroes are awarded a year's supply of pokemon food, which Mamoswine steals in about three seconds. Who determines what a “year’s supply” is, anyway? A year’s supply for a Weedle? A year’s supply for a Blastoise? I can only assume that the latter eats more than the former…
As Paul leaves, Ash points out that he abandoned this Staraptor when it was a Starly, and now it's powerful and cool, aren’t you jealous man I’m so awesome now that I have a Staraptor. Paul pretends to remain unimpressed while secretly, deep down, he remains unimpressed.
By the way, Staraptor is larger than Brock, so Ash should logically be able to fly using it. I'm sure this will not be forgotten about by the writers, like they did with Charizard.
I'm sure.
Actually a decent episode, but I have nothing really to say about it.
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Not changing this sig until I decide to change this sig.
Started: July 6, 2005