I'm currently re-watching the entire first season on DVD. I'm currently up to this episode... And it is without a doubt my favorite so far (even topping my previous favorite "Ash Catches a Pokemon").
The humor within the first half of the show is by far the greatest it has ever dished out, and the action in the second half was excellent.
There were also too many funny bits put into the first half of the episode. Some of my favorites included:
- Brock's French Accent
- Pikachu on the treadmill
- Ash and Brock drooling over Giselle
Best Quotes:
Misty: *sees picture of Giselle* It's a girl?!
Ash: Oh yeah, you're right about that.
Brock: She can violate my rights if- (maybe he was going to say "if you know what I mean")
[^This quote was one of the best ever dished out by the anime, if not
the best.]
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Ash: Here, firewood! Here, firewood!
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Misty: It's very brave of you to take on all five by yourself.
*Ash gazes at the gang of boys nervously*
Misty: I'll be on the sidelines, cheering you on, waiting to drag your carcass away at the end.
*Ash has a face of complete horror on his face*
Misty: Show 'em your a man, Ash!
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Ash: *sees that Misty and Giselle are about to fight* I better do something!
Brock: *whispers into Ash's ear* Wise Pokemon Trainers never get involved in a cat fight.
Ash: Huh?
Other Notes:
Giselle was a great character. I wish Ash's early rivals like her reappered in the Pokemon League or something. But, like Samurai and AJ, she just reappears in the Orange Islands opening...for some reason...
The Cubone battle was awesome. It also included one of my favorite music pieces from the anime entitled "I Got a Pokemon". (Youtube Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7j90pHhZgf0)
This episode was a classic. I don't know why most of the thread completely disagrees with me. This just might end up being my favorite episode of Pokemon... ever!
10/10
One more thing: Wouldn't it have been great if Ash got to battle characters like Samurai, AJ, and Giselle again in the Pokemon League, instead of just random, unknown characters? The writers definitely should have done that. Anyone agree?
Oh, and I just want to say that I'm doing reviews on many of the Indigo League (Season 1) episodes, so I'll be posting in this area very frequently now.