Pokémon Episode Guide

Don't Touch That 'Dile

Synopsis: Ash leaves for his new Pokémon journey with Misty and Brock. He takes the GS Ball to give to Kurt.

The Double Trouble Header

A Sappy Ending

Synopsis: A Heracross decides to follow Ash.

Roll On, Pokémon

Illusion Confusion

Although not explicitly stated, this episode may have been inspired by Hoothoot's Foresight attack, which renders Ghost Pokémon vulnerable to physical attacks. In this episode, Hoothoot seem to have the power to cancel hypnotic effects produced by such Ghosts.

Note Ash and Misty's different styles. Ash wants Hoothoot to learn by throwing it into the deep end, bringing out its strengths and capabilities by putting it in a position where it has to learn in order to cope. Misty wants to coax it along by showing it care and understanding. In the end it is only their combined approaches that enable it to learn, Ash's forceful encouragement together with its affection for the kinder Misty.

The ancient ruins and Hoothoot statues are an interesting piece of background that is never explicitly explained. One supposes that a primitive society learnt by experience that the Hoothoot were their only way of managing the mischievous Ghost Pokémon, and so they built shrines to honour them and to promote respect for them as their protectors.

My favourite quote:
Brock: Oh no, we're not lost. It's just that we don't know where we are.

Flower Power

Spinarak Attack

Note the Dragonair-shaped handles on the trophy.

My favourite scene: The flashback

My favourite quote:
Jenny: You really are Pokémon crimefighters, then aren't you?
Ash: That's what I'd like to think.
Misty: You've never liked to think before.

Snubble Snobbery

The Little Big Horn

The Chikorita Rescue

Synopsis: A Chikorita decides to follow Ash.

In this episode Ash first meets his Chikorita. Her strength and stamina make her a suitable member for Ash's team, who often relies on his Pokémon's ability to ride out opponents' attacks rather than battling strategically. However this Chikorita, while at first annoyed at Ash for attacking her without call, later reverses her attitude and becomes infatuated with him after Ash rescues her. This leads to problems in the future.

Once in a Blue Moon

The Whistle Stop

Ignorance is Blissey

So even Jessie has a heart, if you dig down deep enough.

What particularly interests me about the plot is the paradox: the situation calls for a friend to perform an act that is both friendly and unfriendly, being faithful to one's friend requiring to act as if they are not their friend. Jessie choses to attack her friend to protect her friend from something worse.

A Bout with Sprout

Fighting Fire with Flyer

Synopsis: Ash gets the Zephyr Badge after battling Violet City Gym Leader, Falkner.

For Crying Out Loud

A beautiful episode, with Misty as the main character. Marril is a spoilt brat. While her trainer cares for her, she finds in Misty someone who understands her enough to bring out what is good in her character. Unfortunately, Misty and Marril must part. It is a sad fact of life that circumstances will sometimes preclude relationships, that what has to be is not what could have been.

Tanks a Lot!

This is an enjoyable and entertaining episode. It's the last time Ash uses Charizard before he lets it go.

My favourite scene: Pikachu, Ash and the others wearing combat hats. (Don't know why, it just appeals to me somehow.)

My favourite quote #1:
Togepi: Togi togi.
Pikachu: Chaaa. Pika pika.
(Heh, heh, this is from the first scene, when Togepi disturbs Pikachu who is trying to sleep.)

My favourite quote #2:
Jessie: James, don't tell me you forgot to put the parking brake on.
James: All right, what would you like me to tell you then?

My favourite quote #3:
Ash: An apple a day keeps the Chansey away.

Charizard's Burning Ambitions

Synopsis: In a disturbing scene, Ash lets Charizard stay at the Charicific Valley.

This episode is one of the most disturbing things I've ever seen on TV. I was mourning the loss of Charizard for two weeks.

Words fail me to express the sorrow I felt at Charizard's departure. At last Ash is finally able to use him. Without him he would never have won his battle with Blaine, the Orange League trophy or his first Johto badge.

Yet, one more aspect of Charizard's character needs to be refined. He has learnt the lesson to obey his trainer. He has learnt the lesson to co-operate with Ash's other Pokémon. And now he is cut down to size: he discovers that he is weaker than all wild Charizard.

Ash feels the loss deeply, yet so deeply does he love the companion that has brought him so much grief and joy, that he is willing to lose him if that is in Charizard's best interests, even at risk to Ash's own dreams.

Ash has many admirable qualities, and feeling for his Pokémon is one of them. He is not a selfish child. He has a kind and gracious heart.

Grin to Win!

Chikorita's Big Upset

At last Chikorita's infatuation with Ash and jealousy with Pikachu comes out into the open. The situation ends up improved, if not completely resolved.

Foul Weather Friends

The Superhero Secret

Mild'n'Wooly

Wired For Battle

What a great idea for a plot! If one can predict the outcome of a battle, the battle itself becomes redundant. Yet notice how, when the theory is put to the test, there comes a point where the computer simulation starts to deviate from actual life. Soon after, the computer model is so far removed from reality that it becomes useless.

Good 'Quil Hunting

Synopsis: Ash catches a Cindaquil.

A Shadow of a Drought

Going Apricorn!

At last, Ash is rid of the G/S ball, and, as of writing this, we don't find out anything about it or what, if anything, is inside. Rumours have suggested Celebi, the Gold/Silver analogue to Mew in Red/Blue, but as far as I am aware, this is conjecture.

This episode is another Pokémon game tie-in. In Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal, the player can go to trees and collect apricorns, take them to Kurt, who will, overnight, fashion specialized Poké Balls from them.

Gettin' the Bugs Out

Synopsis: Ash gets the Hive Badge after battling Azalea Town Gym Leader, Bugsy.

A Farfetch'd Tale

Tricks of the Trade

My favourite scene: The Magikarp scamster.

The Fire-ing Squad

Synopsis: Ash lets Squirtle return home to rejoin his former companions.

No Big Woop!

Tunnel Vision

My favourite scene #1: Jigglypuff scribbling on Pidgey's face and Snubbul indignantly taking its pen.

My favourite scene #2: Jigglypuff seeing an audience in a bunch of threatening Onix.

My favourite quote:
Meowth: We might get over the hill by the time we get over the hill.

Hour of the Houndour

The Totodile Duel

Synopsis: Ash wins a battle against Misty to gain ownership of a Totodile.

The rivalry between Meowth and the newcomer Wobbuffet stealing the punch line of the Team Rocket motto reaches a brilliantly comical climax.

My favourite scene: Pikachu vs Togepi.

My favourite quote #1:
Ash: [while battling Misty] I'm up against a water Pokémon disaster.

My favourite quote #2:
Meowth: [to Wobbuffet] Get your own line!

Hot Matches!

Love, Totodile Style

Fowl Play!

Synopsis: Ash catches a previously uncatchable coloured Noctowl.

Note how Meowth uses one of his judiciously inserted quips that shows that Team Rocket know that they're on television. This technique is known as breaking the fourth wall.

My favourite scene #1: Ash hypnotized into thinkingthat a rock is Pikachu.

My favourite scene #2: Psyduck trying to attack (and failing).

My favourite quote #1:
Meowth: And we're gonna capture that colourful Noctowl right after we get back from the next commercial.

My favourite quote #2:
James: [in falsetto] Aaah!

Forest Grumps

My favourite scene: Togepi attacking with Metronome, unbeknown to anyone else.

My favourite quote:
Misty: If we're gonna get out this, I think we're gonna have to work together.
James: All right, but don't tell Jessie.

My favourite quote:
Prepare for trouble and our greatest plan yet!
And make it double—all it took was a net!

The Psychic Sidekicks!

The Fortune Hunters

This episode has a most impressively amusing ending. The look, the voice, everything—if you haven't seen the last few seconds, you've missed the best part.