This wasn't a bad episode, but it had some of the predicted problems, just in unexpected ways. On one hand, Pikachu still relied on flukes, with Ash failing to think up any good counters or even land a good hit on TR until Pikachu got two new moves out of nowhere. On the other hand, at least it wasn't Bewear, it was a full TR battle, and Electro Web got at least SOME amount of build up at the start of the episode (I feel like it should have maybe been foreshadowed a bit earlier though). So long as Electro Web is used in some key way after this I'll buy it wasn't just a DEM.
SM has at least officially changed the status quo in one way with Pikachu getting a new move. I'm not sure about Electro Web though. I feel like one of Sophocles' team should have got it as a cool status move to balance out Pikachu's raw power.
Bewear finding out was hilarious, what with the slow 'Hmmm, something's not quite right here...' take when it sees the dummies. TR's reaction to Bewear coming from behind was great as well. Mimikyu was able to make Bewear stand down??? Okay I'm wondering what's going on with this bear.
Liked how TR still felt obliged to be polite to Acerola. Also Bewear very gently and sympathetically carrying Mimikyu away after it lost was cute.
I'm hoping this isn't the end of 'not so harmless' TR in SM though and they still get at least a couple more good face offs. I wonder what Matori was bugging them over at the start by the way. If it's progression again, looks like TR will have to go looking for more captures too.