This was a cute episode. I liked seeing glimpses of Mallow and Lana's younger years. It's kind of interesting that Lana used to be very shy and actually had a hard time addressing Mallow as "Mao-chan." Young Lana seems to be quite different from the present-day Lana who has no problem making up stories and wild claims about legendary Pokémon. Mallow, on the other hand, seems to have always been outgoing. Also, it seems her propensity to drag people along with her on adventures is a trait she has always had.
I liked how Drampa was portrayed—specifically, how it was animated and the voice it was given. It all fit nicely with its appearance. And it looked so
soft!
Team Rocket's involvement in this episode was pointless and cliché: they hear about a Pokémon and attempt to capture it in a net. However, I did like the twist of Drampa freeing itself from the net and then blasting off Team Rocket on its own, rather than Ash or someone else having to save it. Also, what the heck was with Team Rocket's weird getup? Why was Meowth sucking on a pacifier and wearing a bonnet?
TRio as usual were extremely pointless, with Giovanni being reduced to a boss fantasy. And Ash had no reason to be in this adventure either. It was only because of his hyperactive self this season that he forcefully invited himself for the adventure.
You act like the Ash of previous series wouldn't have also invited himself on this adventure. He would have. It was a chance to meet a new Pokémon, an opportunity Ash has
always leaped at. It had nothing to do with his being hyperactive. It had to do with him being Ash. Also, the other classmates would have joined, too, had they not been busy.
Even Ash's excitement throughout the whole search for Drampa was not out of character for him, IMO. Personally, I loved his expression at the end—the blushing cheeks and sparkling eyes right before he lunged forward to hug Drampa. If he seems more hyperactive than in previous series, it's probably because
all of the human characters are more animated in SM than they are in previous series.