One of the most intense and breath-taking battles ever, though, with a disappointing and extremly painful outcome for Ash.
Two things proved decisive for Paul's win:
Firstly, his Pokemon are simply way too strong. Ash, you've gotta admit that recently you have obviously been too careless when it comes to training. How long has it been since we last saw you actually train your Pokemon properly? Way too long...
Ash, sorry, but it seems that you haven't done your homework.
Secondly, Ash didn't battle particularly cleverly. It may sound hard, but most of what he did was old hat and too predictable. I mean let's analyze it in detail:
Take the battles Ursaring vs. Buizel, Ursaring vs. Staraptor or Torterra vs. Gliscor: Ash's strategy, if he actually had one, consisted of ordering rash, direct attacks with could easily be blocked by Paul's Pokemon.
Consider this: What are Ursaring's strong points? Brute close range attacks (I'm not counting Focus Blast ,because this attack is a relatively small "ball" which could normally be dodged with ease)
So, Ash why IN THE WORLD do you think that you can defeat Pual with attacks which one the one hand can easily be repelled by Ursaring and which on the other hand require your own Pokemon to come dangerously near to Paul's Pokemon which also means that the former are within the range of the physical attacks of the latter.
So, in case a Pokemon does not know attacks which can be launched from a safe distance as it goes for Staraptor or Gliscor, you first have to confuse or trick your opponent or dodge his counter-attack before you attack him directly.
So, instead of just attacking blindly and overhastily from the front, develop a strategy in your mind, Ash, for God's sake.
Ok, but to do Ash justice a little bit, we also musn't forget that Paul was extremly lucky as well. Not only were two of Ash's Pokemon affected by Burn and Paralysis by chance, but also did Ursaring benefit from its ability which was a huge advantage that mustn't be underestimated. Otherwise, I'm sure that the battle wouldn't have resulted in a 6-2 but probably in a 6-4 or even better.
And finally the great and breath-taking Elecatbuzz vs. Chimchar/Monferno part. wow , just wow! It really knocked my socks off and it was one of the most intense and exciting battles I've ever seen. However, it was extremly unfair that after landing such powerful and impressive attacks, Monferno wasn't allowed to win...Shame on you, writers!
Anyways, I guess I have found a new favorite Pokemon in Ash's team...at least until he hopefully gets his new *****
Despite the deeply distressing outcome for Ash, the episode was rousing and exciting and I took the greatest pleasure in watching it! Keep it up, writers! That's how battles should look like in the future
8 out of 10 points