This was entertaining enough, expectedly emotional (if another compressed Poni episode), though as I predicted, it relied mostly on 'sad feels'. It's easy to feel bad for Mallow, and it was nice we got some more backstory, especially with her catching Bounsweet, but I still think I'd be WAY more invested in her if they'd spent as much effort giving her a personality. It's still external forces in play here, tragic ones, but still, they're not really expanding her. Having her take care of Shaymin might be a potential opening for this I suppose, though even with this decent episode, I don't expect Mallow to become my favourite character anytime soon.
For obvious reasons, not a lot of slapstick, but the farming slice of life was at least a little funnier this time round, with everyone struggling to hold the weighty equipment.
It was odd seeing Tsareena so expressive, even giving off puppy dog eyes and slipping into her Steenee voice.
Torracat was expectedly the most gripping side plot to me, the freaking cat has a more complex dynamic, and it was cute seeing it eager to show Stoutland everything it had learned.
Lillie and Gladion didn't get much screentime at all, though for the obvious reason their still alive father wouldn't be there.