Consider this, Iris received quite a decent amount of development episodes in BW, Cilan received very few. In AG, Max's development or focus episodes were few and far between, May had a decent amount, and Brock had very few. Maybe that's why I don't mind the fact that the balance has shifted away from the girl. That, and I'm realistic enough to know that Serena will get focused on in due time. Every time I see someone come back to the Serena isn't getting development/Serena isn't doing anything with Fennekin/Serena still doesn't have a goal posts, I just laugh, because at this point, it's gone way beyond being slightly amusing, now it's just flat stupid. I'm sorry, but there's no other word to describe the constant fall back option that is Serena's lack of "insert various topic here".
Take this episode for what it is, it's an episode in which Dedenne will likely get to do something other then be cute and play in its bag with Bonnie, whom will also get development. This episode will also be development for the group as a whole.
Serena has had very little focus on her, outside of introducing the character to the viewers and the others.
But none of the focus has been about both her and Fennekin.
However everyone else has had at least something in that department.
Fennekin has only used one attack, and is barely used.
She's more important than Bonnie is, not saying Bonnie shouldn't have focus, but this episode seems completely and utterly pointless, just because Bonnie has to do something cute.
I honestly cannot understand what the hell was going on with the writers when they wrote this episode:
- Right after Bonnie and Espurr, and Clemont and Chespin, let's go BACK to Bonnie and make a story about how Dedenne gets swapped with a Pichu of all Pokemon (I guess because they are similar).
Compare this to the subjective fact that Serena and Fennekin have the least emphasized bond of all the "important" Pokemon.
Ash has a good bond with Froakie, Clemont with Chespin, and Bonnie with Dedenne.
Fennekin and Serena are just THERE, there may have been some good moments, but really there's been absolutely nothing of importance, outside of Fennekin protecting Serena.
Sure I get that might change with the whole Serena uses Fennekin to battle scene in the new year's preview we got, but otherwise there's no confirmation of an episode revolving around them.
It's just infuriating that we are already at the 16th episode, and Serena is just there with her Fennekin. And most of Serena is just a characterization of her. She doesn't like camping, she likes camping, she likes this, she doesn't like this, etc, etc, etc.
BUT THIS episode is just a cute Pokemon swapping episode that serves little to no purpose. It doesn't debut anyone know, and it just puts more emphasis on Bonnie and Dedenne's bond.