This time, I'll pass on matchup comments simply because there's so many. Next ep for sure, though. Cat deserves it.
You know, I like joking that Kukui is Ash's dad (and by extension, Burnet is Ash's new mom), but this episode really hammers that in by showing how similar they are in personality. We saw tidbits of this back when Kukui was a kid, but it honestly seems like he's an adult version of Ash. Obviously more mature, but a Pokemon battle-loving kid at heart.
I never really thought about until now, but I have to wonder. Was Ash and Kukui's relationship based on the games? Lillie mentioned that Burnet was "like a real mother to her" at one point, and Ash is basically taking her role as the resident freeloader. If so, I'm really glad at how they expanded their bond here. In the games, it's a classic case of "tell, but don't show" (a common problem in recent Pokemon games) since Burnet stops being relevant after you complete Akala, but here she's with Ash and Kukui all the time.
Fainted by a Flying-type using a super effective Fighting-type move.
After surviving an 800 meter fall.
Also obligatory Ash-Greninja Blast Burn comment.