While I still think Team Rocket are undeserving of Z-Moves, I have to admit this episode was enjoyable enough. I don't know if Team Rocket intervening to save
their Darkinium Z Acerola from Gengar is truly an act worthy of a Z-Ring, but Nanu seemed to think so. Or maybe he just realized they needed a boost after he saw Gengar possess both Meowth
and Jessie.
I got a chuckle out of Nanu pretending the Kahuna was away and wouldn't be back for awhile, and it wasn't until the end of the episode that the TRio learned he was actually the Kahuna—not because he confessed to deceiving them, but because Acerola revealed it.
I
really want to know what connection Nanu has with the Team Rocket organization. He even seems to be on decent terms with Giovanni. He didn't seem to object to Jessie, James, and Meowth being Team Rocket members (though his being nonchalant about giving a Z-Ring to criminals
is in character for him, I suppose). Why would a former member of the International Police be on decent terms with the boss of the Kanto yakuza?
I honestly didn't like the Gengar theatrics, since it felt like it took up a fair bit of time. The possessing and temper tantrums felt unneeded. Also, Jessie receiving the Mimikium Z was the most random and undeserving way ever of getting a Z Crystal. Also, they really better come up with a solid explanation as to how Nanu is acquaintances with the literal boss of the Mafia. Lastly, if Giovanni always knew Nanu, you wonder why he couldn't have told Jessie and James well before in the series that they could approach him for a Z Ring.
I agree. That's one thing I really didn't like about this episode. Jessie didn't actually
earn the Mimikum Z. Mimi-tan gave it to her—if I understood correctly, because it wanted her and Mimikyu to be able to use Let's Snuggle Together. Going by what Kiawe said about Z-Moves in the beginning of the series, Jessie and Mimikyu shouldn't be able to use Z-Moves together because they didn't actually earn the Z-Crystal. IMHO, Jessie obtaining Mimikium Z so easily just undermines that value and importance of Z-Moves.
I think this is the first time the TRio told Giovanni they had a Z-Crystal.
Also, the SM series seems determined to paint Jessie off as a b**** to her teammates. First, we have her stealing James's Luxury Ball to catch Mimikyu. Then, we have her eating Meowth's ice cream, causing him to run away. Now, we have her trying to eat James's cream puff (or whatever that was).