This episode was so fun to watch, I loved it. Barry being so fired up to meet Paul and Dawn doing an impression of him was both really funny and a great contrast to what actually ends up happening. Paul taking Barry seriously enough that he ends up checking his stats was a good foundation for them actually meeting each other properly; that whole interaction was gold. Ash and Barry also have some great scenes together. Their whole rivalry is a bit underrated, especially strange when their interactions are always so enjoyable.
The battle itself was great. It was bad for Barry….he did what he could but Paul is just Him
Ursaring continues to be a menace to society lmaoooo my god. What is Paul feeding that thing? Hitmonlee got some hits in but even that wasn’t enough. Empoleon vs Electivire was exciting as well; Barry felt competent but Paul was always several steps ahead. That Whitebeard-esque KO for Empoleon was iconic, so iconic Sirfetch’d replicated it just yesterday.
I really enjoy Paul and Barry’s dynamic honestly. I wish they would’ve appeared or even cameod together in JN. Now that I think about it, they seem like a pretty on-the-nose parallel to Flint and Volkner, who are like attached at the hip every appearance. Just Paul being genuinely very nice to him and respecting his skill and Barry doing the same, looking up to him a lot but also seeing him as an equal is a great relationship for them both.
The Conway battle I remember is really cool and interesting, looking forward to it.