The conclusion of the Tag Battle tournament is Paul's chance to shine, after being completely out-classed and out-battled by Ash in the previous two episodes. In both battles so far, Paul has been ready to essentially concede, first with ordering Chimchar to use flame wheel against Rhydon's surf (though I do think this command suits Paul's battling style) and second his turning away as Chimchar succumbed to its fear during the battle with Zangoose. Ash has come to the rescue both times, first using Pikachu's iron tail in an imaginative way against Rhydon and second imploring a badly damaged Turtwig to assist Chimchar. Ash also finishes the second battle by commanding Chimchar when Paul refuses to, and after the battle, Paul releases Chimchar. Ash asks Chimchar if it wants to come with him, and this episode starts off with Chimchar accepting.
For the next round match against Brock and girl COTD, Ash chooses Staravia while Paul, interestingly, goes with Torterra. The trainers call out their first attacks in near unison, with Ash, in his excitement to battle Brock, going for an Aerial Ace against Croagunk. I remember when I first watched this and having seen the previous 2 episodes in the same sitting, getting excited by Ash's attitude and wondering just what strategy Ash would use against Brock. Well, Paul is the last to call out his attack in the sequence, and he orders Hyper Beam (another Hyper Beamer, I remember thinking). Torterra launches the Hyper Beam....and watching it is like getting ice water thrown on you. The Hyper Beam blasts through the air, disrupts Staravia off its Aerial Ace, and explodes into Farfetched, knocking it out. Unbelievable moment, especially coming in the context of the last 2 episodes where Ash has looked like the superior trainer to Paul. Brock tries to take advantage of the aftereffects of the hyper beam by having Croagunk attack, but Torterra recovers without too much trouble and Leaf Storms Croagunk for another knockout. The difference in power is just stunning after the close battles that Ash and Paul have been involved in so far in this tournament. In fact, Croagunk vs Torterra has a very similar feel to Cynthia's Garchomp vs Torterra.
Ash congratulates Staravia, causing Paul to ask what exactly did Staravia do? At first, this just looks like a rude, mean question from Paul, but I actually think he is being serious here. Paul pulled out what may have been his best Pokemon for this battle, and for the first time he fought solely to win rather than looking for training conditions (I should tell that to Turtwig, right? Turtwig would like to know how getting Flame Wheeled had anything to do with Chimchar's training). Torterra does all of the work in winning the battle, and still Ash praises Staravia. It is something Paul just cannot understand, and the fact that he is asking (well, I'm looking at it this way, but I understand this could just as easily be interpreted as an insult) shows he's really starting to respect Ash.
The final is the first battle in this tournament to lack the League atmosphere for me, but it still is really fun to watch. Ash and Paul, and Conway pull off some neat moves, with Dawn pretty much listening to Conway's instructions. Chimchar's flame grows in the battle w/o being hit by fire type moves, and its increase in power is demonstrated by its flamethrower able to keep Buizel at bay midway through the battle after being overpowered at the start. Ash is already starting to connect with Chimchar.
Paul's Elekid evolves into Electabuzz, causing Conway's first error in strategy as he decides to attack head on. This gives Ash the opening he's been looking for, as Chimchar finally connects with a Flamethrower. Electabuzz nails Buizel with a Thunder, and that is pretty much the match. Ash tells Paul how important his Elekid's evolution was for the battle, which is a sign of some respect from Ash. Paul, in turn, makes a remark that Chimchar is not strong enough as its flamethrower should have instantly beaten Heracross (after being Thundered, Buizel collided with the flaming Heracross, causing an explosion that provided the finishing touch). But Ash smiles it off, saying Chimchar is for him. As Brock remarked at the start of the battle, Ash was trying to make a pt to Paul by choosing Chimchar. And I think maybe this is it in a nutshell: Chimchar's flamethrower is not as strong as a flamethrower should/could be, but that is still okay with Ash. I don't think, when Paul made the remark, that he really expected Ash to release Chimchar. It's another question, or sign of respect, from Paul (although he certainly is not satisfied with Ash's answer; and there is no reason to be at this pt).
Well, that's the Tag Battle arc.
I'm going to hold off going on to the next season until the next episode of the Sinnoh League airs. Part of that is b/c I'm not so familiar with those episodes; all of the ones I've done in this season I've been able to do mostly from memory with some help from the pictures. I'll actually need to re-watch the episodes for the next season.
Also, a new episode about the Sinnoh League will be great inspiration heading forward.
Sorry, one more thing. The winner(s) of the second side competition for our heroes is Ash (and Paul). The first was the dress-up competition, won by Brock.
