Ah yes, I remember this episode. I could smell it through the computer screen, and it smells like static.
In all seriousness, this is a... strange episode, personally, since I'm not entirely sure what to think of it since it's rather heavy on the nostalgia for me, yet after watching it for the first in a long time, it doesn't have that same "oomph" it did as a kid. It's technically not filler, but at the same time it feels like a filler, except there was a sub-plot going on. Gringey City is the name of the setting, but it was rather obvious this was the Power Plant episode, minus Voltorb, Electrode and Zapdos. They are either close to Celadon, or they're closer to Fuchsia City, which going by chronological order of the episodes, they're closer to Fuchsia, and thus they indeed are closer to the Power Plant, though not by much. Either way, I just have to question why Ash and company ended up in Gringey City. Did they really have to pass through? They couldn't take a detour? Or did Ho-oh/Arcues/will-of-the-plot/whoever lead them there because of the Grimer conveniently blocking the water flow and thus putting sick Pokémon in danger?
I'm just curious, is all. But I mean, I suppose the only other way to Fuchsia would have to be taking Cycling Road, but that'll be covered in a few more episodes. Which I'm honestly looking forward to.
But enough about that, Pikachu's ill! It's a nice change of pace, I suppose, not often these kinds of little plot conveniences pop up—though it's not a plot convenience since it helps expand upon the world of Pokémon in revealing that Electric Pokémon can have too much electricity. I like how this was explained, though I guess it's either common knowledge or something that the adults (both Joy and the workers) learned about, and thus had to explain what Pikachu's ailment was. More could've been done with it in terms of showing, not telling, but apparently magnetic fields are hard to show, even with a magnet Pokémon hovering around him.
Speaking of, why is it just the one Magnemite? We see multitudes of Magneton show up, but how come there was only one Magnemite? Was it just the odd one out or something? And if Magnemite is attracted to the magnetic fields Electric Pokémon emit on occasion, why didn't the Magneton swarm around Pikachu as well?
Anything for a stalker joke, I guess.
So what's good ol' Team Rocket up to this time? They're... going to use the sewers to infiltrate the Pokémon Center? Creative, I guess. It's rather amusing to see Meowth float in a little UFO-shaped tank, almost like it was made specifically with him in mind. But where did he get it? Did Giovanni lent it along with the suits? Did they steal it? I bet they stole the equipment, but where did they steal them from? Why did there exist a little UFO-oxygen tank?
Why am I questioning this, a machine mixes oxygen and air freshener together. Good to know that you're poisoning your teammates, Meowth, you sick bastard. Flower or citrus-scented? It's horrifying enough that we got to see Jessie and James asphyxiate when the power was cut off, but to know that they're inhaling chemicals is just nasty. He must really have it out for the two. (Or, if this was stolen along with anything else, would that make the citizens of Gringey City high?)
It's been a while since we last saw Nurse Joy, and I do like how Ash almost casually asks if she's the oddball of the family. Whether she is or not, I don't know (but I mean, if you live in that city, you'll probably end up a little loopy anyway), but she took to it pretty well. Unfortunately, that's all her character amounts to. She sounds quieter than the other Joys, at the least, but I would've liked to have seen if she indeed was a little kooky or not. Guess it's the lack of sleep talking.
“Grimer, a Sludge Pokémon. Born from sludge, these Pokémon specialize in sludge attacks.” Redundant much, 'Dex? But really, it's great that they were realistic with Grimer and Muk here in making sure they were nasty Pokémon. They unfortunately do not attack with their sludge, though, they mostly just stand around and stink up the place while they launch at doors. Also, if the Grimer are a real problem in Gringey City, why haven't they found a way to keep them at bay? Did it not once cross their minds that perhaps the water got clogged up because of the Grimer?
Interesting that not long after Ash gives away Primeape does he catch a new Pokémon. Boy, he sure forgot about him quickly, didn't he? Muk at the very least does things, and he quickly develops an affectionate personality (odd...), so he's a nice replacement for Primeape. It's funny that the only reason why Ash didn't keep Muk on his team is because the stench still leaks through the PokéBall. (Which becomes more funny when you realize the stench is never brought up again.) It's probably a good thing you weren't eating at the moment, Oak, or you would've lost your lunch.
So apparently in the end, it was nothing more than an environmental message. Okay then. Personally not a fan, especially since this one seemed kinda tacked on. But whatever, Pikachu is happy to get his stalker off his back. Hooray! ...I guess.
It's a good episode, and has decent pacing (they spent too much time mulling over Magnemite's obsession with Pikachu, if you ask me), but the episode felt it was better when I was a kid. I remember being a bit intrigued with Grimer in this episode, and that they tried to go for a spooky feel when they first entered the power plant. Magnemite was also interesting as a kid, because it looked unique, yet it looked robotic at the same time. I swear the episode was written to showcase the unique Pokémon that are neither living nor machinery... or sludge in Grimer and Muk's case, though I do wish more could've been done to expand on these two Pokémon. At least Magnemite gets more love in the future.
Well, gotta prepare for the earworms for the next one since episode 31 is one of the more memorable episodes for me. The nostalgia's going to hit me hard like a squeaky mallet hits a plastic mole.