I think Spiritomb's Hypnosis affected me when I was waiting for the episode to air. Sleep thru an alarm.
Always, on to the episode:
This is the episode that makes you remember all the those wonderful times you had to face Cynthia... and fighting to the skin of your teeth as you try to ensure that Elite Four Gauntlet rush didn't end in waste (because, almighty Sinnoh knows, it was difficult to even reach her). Piano PTSD included.
Spiritomb is a wall. Truly the best Pokémon to teach Ash and the audience of why Cynthia is feared by players for years. A combination of hypnosis and dream eater. Oh that was intentional. The battle tactic that forces Ash to create Counter Shield in the place. It's almost disappointing that Ash didn't get Dragonite to use Counter Shield... but it has been so long since that particular strategy has been used that I wouldn't blame him at first.
And it's not like Cynthia is giving him the chance to counter to begin with. Switching out her Pokémon adds confusion and unpredictability to her battle prowess. Gengar is rather fortunate to have Will O Wisp at hand or otherwise its battle against Roserade would be in vain. Gengar apparently uses Dazzling Gleam as a shield, which is perhaps the best option to use against Spiritomb considering that Fairy Types finally gives everyone the edge against Dark/Ghost types. Not that it matters since Spiritomb is still a wall while Gengar faints from the collision.
Cynthia has a special switching out tactic for Pikachu. First, she uses Togekiss as a tempting hope spot of an easy victory, since it's part flying type. But Togekiss is too fast and gets a free hit on Pikachu. Then Cynthia switches out for Gastrodon for ground speciality. Clearly a Pikachu trap. But Pikachu reminds us why he is Ash's number one ace of the whole series overall but overcoming the odds and defeating Gastrodon with Iron Tail, Quick Attack and what appears to be Rock Tomb Climb.
But Cynthia isn't phased yet. She sends out Spiritomb. Ash, anticipating Spiritomb's Hyponsis and Dream Eater combo, brings back Counter Shield. A great continuity nod that emphasizes how much of a final exam Cynthia is to him. Everything that Ash has learned has to be used if he even has a ghost of a chance to face Leon in the Master 8. After Counter Shield defects Hypnosis, Ash goes for his trap with Electro Web strategy. This knocks out Spiritomb (finally), but Cynthia is as devious as ever. Before Spiritomb fell, it used Destiny Bond on Pikachu. Pikachu, the reliable ace that would otherwise give Ash the edge by this point, falls into battle. And with that, all Kanto Pokémon are out, meaning it's the new generation to carry Ash to victory.
As I once said before, Leon may be Mr. Sandman of the Pokémon Universe, but Cynthia is the Bald Bull. Specifically, Title Defense Bald Bull.
A fighter so powerful, so relentless, so broken and so unfair that by the time you defeat them, you'll have an easier time beating the final boss. This is the boss that makes you work for your victory. The boss that makes you get dangerous. No punch pulled, no playing around. You want victory? You want to progress? You have to go through Cynthia with all the bitter tears and sweat that come with it. And who knows, maybe she is the battle Ash needs to understand what he needs against the invincible Leon since there is only one Champion could legitimately topple Leon.
