Ash gets permission from the president of the Pokemon League Torch Committee (or something to that extent) to carry the Pokemon League torch (like the Olympic torch) to the Indigo Plateau stadium. Team Rocket runs in to steal it, but fortunately, the president has a spare. Ash, Misty and Brock deliver it safely. There are a lot of talented trainers at Indigo Plateau, including Gary, who insults Ash. That night, before the opening ceremony, Ash thinks about what Gary said, and worries that he mightn't be good enough.
The opening ceremonies begin, in Olympic style, but things are cut short by Team Rocket reappearing. Their flame went out, so they want to steal the huge Pokemon League torch. This torch represents everything the Pokemon League is about; spirit, strength... Ash, ignoring the thousands of spectators, runs to stop Team Rocket. He's not even thinking about looking impressive to the audience, just tries his hardest. Team Rocket try to burn him with the torch, but the flames do not harm Ash. Then the fire materialises into the form of Moltres, a legendary bird who keeps the spirit of the Pokemon League alive. Moltres sends the Rockets off.
Out of curiousity, wouldn't keeping a flame in a glass jar next to your chest kind of, um, burn you? I did like Misty a lot in this episode, like when she whispered "I think he's scared". This episode was mostly serious, and set the tone for the Pokemon League and future episodes very well. Team Rocket annoyed me somewhat. Petty of them, even after Ash saved them, they stole the flame - for no real reason! Ash had a very strong showing in this episode, I like him a lot.
74. Round One - Begin! 10/10
Ash finds out that his first battle will be in the water arena. There are four arenas, and yours is chosen pretty much by random. Each person may use three Pokemon to fight with. Ash is put up against a trainer named Mandy - he's a crowd favourite who likes to show off, and is extremely arrogant/snobbish. He won't even shake hands with Ash. Team Rocket, disguised as reporters, try to find out what each trainer has so they can steal their rare Pokemon, but Mandy fobs them off (saying he'll only respond to networks with viewers! -_-;)... TR are not pleased.
Gary has won his first match, in the ice arena. Good on him! But now it's Ash's turn, and he's really nervous. For the water arena, he decides to use Krabby, Squirtle and Pikachu. Everyone tries to discourage him from using Krabby, since he's not used it before, but he does anyway. Ash's Krabby - which evolves into Kingler after the first victory - beats ALL THREE of Mandy's chosen Pokemon (an Exeggutor o.O., Seadra and Golbat) by itself. Ash loses his nervousness in the battle and does well, not forgetting to congratulate Kingler (and show off in front of the cameras) after the win. Back in Pallet, everyone is cheering for Ash as they watch on TV.
The Pokemon League episodes look super promising, eh? Ash still gives his Pokemon priority over anything else - And Kingler using Hyper Beam! Wow! Brock really does not know what he's talking about... Kingler doing badly against 'air' attacks? Hey mate, Kingler is a great Pokemon to use against a Golbat, with its strong attack and defense! Team Rocket call themselves reporters from the 'Lovely Charming Network' (hmm, sounds like their Japanese speech). Seadra is not, in reality, all THAT much faster than Kingler. And how did someone get to the Pokemon League with a Dodrio, Venonat and Metapod, or whatever he had? Also (I'm writing lots of comments here), why didn't Ash's own mother go to Pokemon League as a spectator??
75. Fire and Ice 6/10
The episode begins with Ash in his second match, in the rock field. His Squirtle beats a Nidorino, winning him the match. They're very happy. ^_^. Ash leaves his Pokemon eating at the hotel or wherever he's staying, and goes with Pikachu to find a meal for them, because they haven't eaten all day. Misty and Brock go after him, bringing Ash's Pokeballs, because they want Ash to take them to a Pokemon Center. But after Ash finally eats, all the Pokemon Centers are WAY crowded, from the Pokemon League.
A blue-haired nurse tells them there is another Pokecenter they can go to, and takes them to a small building, where a Nurse Joy takes Ash's Pokemon and Pikachu. But the Joy turns out to be Jessie in disguise (amazing likeness, actually) and the building is their hot air balloon! They fly off with Ash's Pokemon, but Brock's Onix brings them back to earth. Then Ash goes back to the real Pokemon Center's queue.
The next day, Ash fights hard, with his Kingler beating a Cloyster and then being defeated by a well-trained Arcanine. It's down to Pikachu vs Arcanine, and after a tough battle, Pikachu wins for Ash on the ice field.
Ohh, a more boring Pokemon League episode. Still rather good though. The nurse was SO OBVIOUSLY JAMES! -_-; It was funny how Brock can tell the different Joys and Jennies apart... but if they're all at Indigo Plateau, who's keeping order and caring for the sick Pokemon in other cities?! Brock also didn't fall for the disguised Joy... odd, why does he think Jessie's not pretty?
76. The Fourth Round Rumble 9/10
Gary's Nidoking loses to a Golem, meaning that Gary is out of the Pokemon League. Ash goes to maybe console him, but Gary fobs him off, trying not to look upset (his cheerleaders do no such thing). Meanwhile, Team Rocket are selling Pokemon League souvenirs and doing well. Ash is now the only Pallet trainer in the competition. His mother and Professor Oak come to cheer him on also. His last elimination match is against Janette in the grass field. Around this time, Team Rocket are spotted by a couple of Officer Jennies, who chase after them, but they disguise themselves as food sellers.
Janette is a beautiful and able trainer (she has her own cheerleading squad too!), but Ash's Bulbasaur is too strong. It beats her Beedrill, and with an effort, Scyther. o.O; However, Janette's final Pokemon - a weak-looking Bellsprout - is amazingly trained, and it beats Bulbasaur and Pikachu. Ash sends out Muk, which he got from Oak earlier, and wins. Meanwhile, Jessie and James have sold all their food, made lots of money and are considering taking this up for an honest living, as it feels good. *grins*
I'm glad Misty shouted at Brock. How dare he cheer for Janette for the first part? Stupid hormone-driven... *ahem* It was good for Ash to win without his 'coaches'. And good that his mother finally showed up to support him! Team Rocket was great in this episode. All the Jennies (who are from other towns) can recognise them by sight now. Not a good thing. And one Jenny had a Growlithe, guess they are police Pokemon more than once. She called it Arcanine though! Stupid!
77. A Friend In Deed 9/10
Ash-tachi ('tachi' now includes Oak and Ash's mother ^_^.) meet a nice boy named Richie when they get stuck in a lift together, and Richie fixes the wiring, sending it working again. (Smart for a kid, I'm amazed he didn't electrocute himself.) Turns out this guy is in the Pokemon League too. Out on the streets afterwards, a car drives along with two people announcing to all trainers that they need to send in their Pokeballs for inspection if they are to continue competition in the League. Ash goes, and meets Richie there. The two hand in their Pokeballs but after the people forcibly take Pikachu also, they realise that these two are Team Rocket!
The Rockets drive off in their van, and furious, Ash and Richie run after them. The two run for hours, helping each other, and finally rest for the night, staring up at the stars. They have become friends. They continue on in the morning, finding Team Rocket and creeping into the van while the villains sleep. But, they wake up, and lock Ash/Richie into the back with all the Pokeballs, before driving off. Ash paws through various Pokeballs before finding his own, while Richie has his. He sends out Zippo (Charmander) and Sparky (Pikachu). The two use their Pokemon to break through the front of the van, beating the bad guys and saving themselves with their flying Pokemon - Richie's Happy (Butterfree) and Ash's Pidgeotto.
At the end of the episode, Ash randomly draws his next competitor in the Pokemon League... and it is Richie.
Ooh, Richie is cool. And I like his voice a lot! This episode would not be to everyone's tastes as it focuses a lot on simple friendship as opposed to battles or humour. But it did have some of each. I do feel sorry for his Pikachu and Charmander, with their nicknames. Not to mention, you would THINK Ash could recognise Team Rocket's weak disguises (especially when their voices are the same!) after all this time. Interestingly, Richie seemed to have met Team Rocket before too. And another new favourite quote of mine:
78. A Friend and Foe Alike 8/10
Ash and Richie are uncertain about facing each other, but then they promise that because they are friends, they'll make this the best fight they can. However, Misty gets a rude phone call from Richie and passes the phone to Ash - Richie asks Ash to meet him with Pikachu. When Ash gets there, he finds Team Rocket instead - they had disguised their voice as Richie's. They 'kidnap' Ash, and tell him he has a choice: give up Pikachu, or miss your big Pokemon League match.
The match is supposed to begin, and everyone at the stadium is worried or annoyed. Misty shouts at Richie, thinking he rang up Ash to tell him a REAL friend wouldn't compete, and made him not show up. But Richie tells her the truth; it really wasn't him that called, and she believes him. He asks the ref to wait ten more minutes at least, believing in Ash and their promise, that they would make this a great match. Ash spends a lot of effort escaping from a persistant Team Rocket, and as the ref is finally going to award the victory to Richie by default, Ash arrives with Pidgeotto exhaustedly pulling him in Team Rocket's balloon.
Pidgeotto collapses, exhausted. Pikachu, from running a lot and constantly attacking Team Rocket, is also very tired. Ash fights, Squirtle losing to Happy, who is then beaten by Pikachu, who - exhausted and weak from battling Team Rocket - is beaten by Zippo. Ash nervously sends out Charizard, who willingly fights his fellow fire type, winning effortlessly (Richie didn't try very hard...). But Richie sends out Sparky, and Charizard does not see it as a threat. It goes to sleep, and the audience is disgusted with Ash, wanting a real battle.
Since Charizard won't battle, Richie wins. Ash is devastated... but is glad his friend won, and manages to hold back his tears to congratulate Richie. Richie promises to do well for both of them.
Misty, despite being annoying at Ash early in the episode, showed her stuff later. She was cool. ^_^. And Misty being insulted by 'Richie' was very funny. ^_^. Team Rocket, however, were vastly annoying. Actually found myself wanting to beat them repeatedly over the head. -_-; This was also the only episode to make me cry this year. At the end, it was just sad how Ash's dream came crashing down because of Team Rocket and Charizard - and he COULD have won, he actually could have! Yet he congratulated Richie anyway.... you know, I'm getting annoyed with the characters spouting cliches. (Like Brock at the end.)
79. Friends to the End 8/10
Ash is understandably depressed from losing, and everyone is fairly insensitive to that. -_-; However, he pulls himself together to go and watch Richie's match. It's a tough battle, but Richie loses, his Sparky being beaten by an Ivysaur. Ash can't believe it. He and Richie walk off later, and Richie says losing isn't everything; now he knows what mistakes not to make. (At times, this kid seems almost too perfect to be human. -_-;) Ash realises he has been wallowing in self pity, with a bad attitude (I think he is a little hard on himself). The two make a vow to each other: no matter what, some day they will be Pokemon Masters.
Team Rocket shows up yet again, to steal Sparky and Pikachu, who were playing together as their masters talked. With an effort, the two trainers fight back, working well together and REALLY beating up Team Rocket badly. (Perhaps Ash is getting revenge for their making him lose his big match. ^_^.) Then they go back for the Pokemon League closing ceremony. Each trainer goes back, receives a League badge, and is cheered for. Ash and Richie are together, happy despite having lost, because they did their best and are friends. The crowd watches a fireworks display, which includes Team Rocket blasting off as they were trying to steal Pokemon.
After, when the ceremonies are over and everybody has left, Ash and Richie are still there. They remind each other of their vow, and then Richie leaves. Ash remembers his times in the League. He goes home.
The girl who beat Richie looked like Misato from Eva. ^_^. The referee is REAAAAAAALLY beginning to annoy me. ^_^; If Richie is such an infinitely superior trainer (according to Misty in the last episode), why doesn't he know electric won't work well against a grass Pokemon... But the ending of this episode was really good. Despite the looong recap of past battles being a tad tedious, it was strong. Ash and Pikachu alone, watching their friends leave the empty stadium, the dream and journey over... then remembering... and then seeing their friends waiting for them.
The story so far: Ash Ketchum has finally earned all eight badges and has reached the Pokemon League. With his friends Brock and Misty to cheer him on, his rival Gary never far away, and the true test of trainership about to be presented to him...
73. All Fired Up 10/10
Ash: Pikachu, thunderbolt attack!
James (swerving van to send Pika flying): Turn attack!
Jessie: Nice driving!
James: I should get a license!
