Concerning the fact that Leaf Blade was able to KO Altaria. I don't think it should be an issue at all. Even if you take the type of the move into consideration, its still an obviously brutal physical-based attack. I'd imagine being slammed by that thing in the back of the neck, full force, and having it plough you into the ground from several feet above ground would be enough to KO anything. In the long run, it does make sense and shouldn't be a problem. Having that Leaf Blade NOT have the creature injured to the highest degree would just seem stupid. Realistically, that thing is going to hurt, and its going to hurt bad.
I think you people are just letting the game mechanics cloud your judgement a little too much.
This episode really made me appreciate Swellow's dub voice. It was a lot easier to warm up to this version than it was to the likes of Oosubame and its deeper-than-a-dinosaur's-grave voice. Though having said that, I do like both, and they're unique in their own awesome little ways. I'm also glad to see (or hear?) that Winona's Swellow had a slightly different voice to Ash's. It wasn't too noticable, but the difference is there.
And I comend them on keeping the original music that counts, such as the piece played duirng the last half of the match, and the Elite 4 theme.
And of course, the animation and battle was choreographed incredibly well. Ota never seem to dissapoint do they? Hell, they even made Team Rocket's rather pointless addition to the episode pretty funny. It takes some talent to make those guys amusing in a gym episode, thats for sure.
Its a shame the Gym battles in the future don't get any better than this.
Ash: "OK Swellow, use quick attack and after that use dive!"
And so, Swellow realised its dream of becoming a water pokémon. The end.