I expected this episode to be more entertaining than it was. I feel there was potential the writers didn't take advantage of, especially the battle between James and Toxapex, which could have been far funnier.
The flashbacks of James and Mareanie were touching, and overall, this episode was another nice reminder of James's caring personality. I wasn't surprised that he was willing to leave Mareanie behind with its former love, as I saw that one coming a mile away. But the fact that he felt bad that he couldn't buy the Corsola pendant for Mareanie also showed his caring side, albeit more subtly.
Speaking of which... I thought that scene of Mareanie admiring the Corsola pendant was going to be a different kind of foreshadowing. I thought James would buy that pendant for Mareanie when she wasn't around and surprise her with it near the end of the episode, showing just how much he cares about her, since he made it clear he couldn't afford it.
I think my favorite part of this episode was when Burnet made some Pokemon food for Mareanie and her Munchlax was licking its chops, ready to eat it, but was denied by Burnet. That was funny.
I thought that was pretty funny, too, especially the look on Burnet's face—that deceptively friendly smile combined with the warning tone of her voice. Overall, I liked the entire scene at Kukui and Burnet's house. I did like that, even though Ash and Kukui recognized Mareanie as Team Rocket's, they were still willing to help her; and Burnet even fixed her a meal. It was subtle, but it showed their caring personalities, too; after all, they could have just decided to leave her on the beach to wallow in her misery by herself.