Mal's Review-
Didn't watch with subs. Probably missed out on some details.
Pros:
* And number of cute girls in Kalos just keeps on rising...
* The Frog is a boss
* Valerie. Half Human. Half Dark Elf.
* Foreshadowing. Serena's Eevee becomes an Umbreon. Pangoro confirmed too
* Serena's face on the runway. Hope she keeps that outfit
* Serena being the first one out to join Ash and Shota outside. Also, Ash training for Valerie. Not sure why it says he wouldn't be ready for her
Cons:
* Shota. On man, I am not a fan of the Japanese seiyuu for this dude. Weird design - he looks like he is 7 years old. I can't take him seriously as a rival
* No Laverre Theme in Laverre Town
* Oh this isn't stacked at all - a first-stage Dragon-type against a Gym Leader's Fairy-type. Ended in an obvious stomp
* Did he seriously just Dex a Treecko...? FFS (unless Ash recognized Treecko's name from earlier)
* For being a Serena "focus" episode based on the title card, this one was more about Shota if anything
Thoughts:
* Dang, wish Serena would have mentioned how she was nervous to walk the stage again after last time. But it just seems like it was passed off for her being embarrassed wearing that outfit (although considering her Fennekin outfit from before...not sure why she would feel that way)
* Ash is already outclassing Shota. Hope this doesn't become a thing where Shota is in Ash's shadow and then at the league, he defeats him. They should have done with BW, and made Ash really cocky after DP, only for him to get upset at the league by a trainer who says **** to type advantages and needs DEM evolution power boost...rather like newbie Ash. But not here please
* The boys sit on the bench and bored, while the girls look at dresses. Kek
* So did Shota win the 5th badge against Citroid?
Episode had its moments, but could have been better. Clearly building up for next week's episode.
6/10