Different Strokes For Different Blokes! (474)

[wind21]

in retrospect, it holds up as the easily most solid DP episode up to this point.

I didn't quite feel this way when I watched this episode last year, but on this viewing, I agree. This episode is definitely the best of the episodes shown so far.

I made the mistake of saying that Turtwig's stubborness and the battle b/w Ash and Paul at the end of the episode were two different things. Not true at all. The moment in the battle where Ash asks Turtwig to jump back into the hole, after already getting burned by ember once, really brings the entire episode together. In fact, it feels like Ash puts Turtwig in that type of extreme trust situation on purpose, as he immediately picks up that Turtwig is hesitant to do so (Dawn is also questioning Ash, which is pretty normal for her this early in the region). It's one thing for obvious trust like dodging, and another for Turtwig to trust Ash on this seemingly stupid tactic. The moment is even more exciting b/c judging by the flow of the episode, all Ash's problem seemed to be was merely getting Turtwig to dodge attacks; there was no way to predict that Ash wanted more than that. So just when you think the plot point is resolved, it's taken to a whole new level. This episode really helps you to appreciate how much Ash's pokemon have to trust him, considering his really creative tactics and spur of the moment commands.

[The sandwich]

The beginning was my favorite part.

Aipom: *smashes head on a branch and accidentally drops food into Piplup's mouth*
Piplup: *swallows it*
Aipom: *gets angry and starts beating up Piplup*
Turtwig:*tries to stop Aipom and gets attacked by Piplup and Aipom* *uses Razor Leaf on both of them*
Dawn: You can't treat my Piplup like that!
*everyone turns around and realizes Paul was watching the whole thing*
Paul: PATHETIC!

The battle was ok. It was good that Turtwig learned to dodge attacks instead of just standing there like an idiot. The battle was good and showed how strong Turtwig was against Fire types, but it still felt one-sided since Paul had a type advantage and had Chimchar for a long time, and Ash had just caught Turtwig in the last episode. I would have liked to see Turtwig battle Elekid instead, but I guess this was ok.

[Caseydia]

This episode was nice. The battle was fantastic. I don't really know what people were complaining about. This is not the first time Ash had battled a Pokemon with a type advantage over his. I wish the writers could have kept that winning streak of battle like that today. I thought it was fun and that it meant Ash had to work twice as hard to win. I think that's good work. It had always impressed me.

[Faker500]

I watched this episode yesterday and it was still my best DP episode. Alot of action all in one. I don't get people saying Ash isn't funny. He's growing up but he definetly has some humor still there.

[BurningSociety12345543210]

That scene where Ash thought he and Trutwig were flying was epic. xD

And let the Chimchar spamming begin. -_-

[DawnBoy]

This episode was fantastic. The battle was just awesome, and it had some funny parts as well and you can feel the tension between Ash and Paul at the end of the episode after Ash lost.

I easily give this a 10/10.

[Sinnoh Ash]

This episode is one of my favorites. Paul beating Ash was great. This is where the rivalry truly began. Awesome Episode.
9/10