Sweet mother of Tapu Lele, Lana got a Z-Ring!
Not that I'm that surprised, but this definitely opens up a whole new realm of possibilities. Lana might earn a Waterium-Z in the near future (if not in the next episode). Popplio might fully evolve into Primarina and Lana might acquire a Primarium-Z (either separately from the Waterium-Z or the Waterium-Z "evolves" into the Primarium-Z). Sophocles, Mallow, and Lillie might acquire their own Z-Rings and Z-Crystals in the future. This also confirms that Z-Rings aren't made, but are found as crystals, which is something I was not expecting and find rather interesting.
This episode was the perfect opportunity for Lillie to get some character development, and I'm glad the writers took advantage of that opportunity. It took her the entire day, but she finally gathered up the courage to mount Ride Stoutland. I liked how both Professor Kukui and Olivia kept cheering her on.
Poor Ash...I don't know which was worse for him this episode, being denied the capture of an Alolan Geodude, being licked a bunch of times by his Stoutland, or almost losing his pants/shorts in the very beginning with Mallow watching.
No, I think to him, the worst thing was losing to Kiawe at both treasure-hunting rounds. But I suppose that's what he gets for choosing the airheaded Ride Stoutland.
His Stoutland was cute, though, and I got a chuckle out of how affectionate it was. And Ash, how were you so lost in thought that you didn't notice the dog pulling down your pants?
Speaking of which, I did like that it was the Ride Stoutland's
weight that reminded Ash of Litten's mentor Stoutland. The first thing Ash noticed when he picked up Litten's mentor Stoutland was that it wasn't very heavy relative to its size (which was a sign of its rapidly declining health). The Ride Stoutland, on the other hand, weighed quite a bit (a sign of its good health).