I haven't watched this episode in years, but someone tell me; Were there any actual commands issued by either trainer during the majority of the battle? Because the most I can remember is Ash leaning over the edge of the volcano screaming 'Fly away! Get outta there!' as Pikachu tried to hold him back, and possibly a lone 'Flamethrower!' from Blaine's side. Apart from that, all I can recall is the pokémon acting on their own.
Not knocking the bout or anything, since this is one of the few Kanto battles that I feel was genuinely worthwhile, but that's something that's been bugging me for weeks now.