Evolution by Fire! (738)

[Janovy]

You guys are making Tepig look like a saint, and Suwama seem like a tyrant, when in truth the latter didn't do anything out of the ordinary.

Let's see.

- Suwama tied up Tepig which later brought him to starving.
- Suwama lied in Tepig's face when he in reality laughed behind his back.
- Suwama showed no regret when he met Tepig again, he was heartless and a big jerk.


Suwama doesn't just seem like a tyrant, he IS a tyrant.

[Sushi]

I just can't. First people defended Cilan even though his courtroom scene threw everything off balance, then people bashed Suwama just because he left Tepig behind, and now people are telling me that Tepig's tied snout, which was clearly above his mouth, prevented him from eating? I'm sorry, but that's ridiculous. You can clearly see that only the top of his snout was tied; how on earth could that have prevented him from opening his mouth to eat? And I'm not going to accept the "it was portrayed poorly" excuse. I know that the anime changes things around sometimes, but there's no way that the writers would change a Pokemon's anatomy. People only started to disagree with me because I said that I couldn't really feel sorry for Tepig after Suwama left him because he technically wasn't suffering. I know you guys like Tepig and you think Suwama wronged him, but how can you say Tepig was starving, when he wasn't? You guys are making Tepig look like a saint, and Suwama seem like a tyrant, when in truth the latter didn't do anything out of the ordinary.

From BW004:
Satoshi: It has trouble eating the Pokémon food because of that cord entangled around its snout.

Corresponding dub line:
Ash: Hey, that rope's tangled around its snout and that's making it hard for Tepig to eat !

So yes, it could still eat, but the rope was making things significantly harder. It looked severely malnourished for a Tepig, which was also pointed out several times within the episode. How you get the idea that it wasn't starving is absolutely beyond me.

However, I agree that that wasn't really intentional on Suwama's part. As we saw, he'd tied the rope around Tepig's neck to prevent it from running after him; it only got entangled around its snout when Tepig broke free off its own accord.

Iris' and the other's outrage mainly seems to stem from the fact that someone would abandon their Pokémon because they thought it was useless in the first place (Iris and Cilan don't know Paul, and even Ash probably never "accepted" that side of him), then would tie it to a post instead of releasing it into the wild, then flaunt that he'd only pretended to be sad when he left Tepig and laugh at it because it couldn't see through his pretense. Whether he's worse than Paul is a debate I won't go into - I guess it depends on whether you think unnecessarily brutal honesty or flat-out lies and pretense is the lesser evil. They seem more-or-less equally jerkish to me, at least.

[Faker500]

I just can't. First people defended Cilan even though his courtroom scene threw everything off balance, then people bashed Suwama just because he left Tepig behind, and now people are telling me that Tepig's tied snout, which was clearly above his mouth, prevented him from eating? I'm sorry, but that's ridiculous. You can clearly see that only the top of his snout was tied; how on earth could that have prevented him from opening his mouth to eat? And I'm not going to accept the "it was portrayed poorly" excuse. I know that the anime changes things around sometimes, but there's no way that the writers would change a Pokemon's anatomy. People only started to disagree with me because I said that I couldn't really feel sorry for Tepig after Suwama left him because he technically wasn't suffering. I know you guys like Tepig and you think Suwama wronged him, but how can you say Tepig was starving, when he wasn't? You guys are making Tepig look like a saint, and Suwama seem like a tyrant, when in truth the latter didn't do anything out of the ordinary.

I was never too emotional about Tepig in the first place. When I first saw and hear about Tepig, I thought that this was just another Charmander like story. Then people say that he's boring and has no personality and now people defends him when his old trainer shows up. It is kind of crazy but it's what people do. I however always felt bad for the little guy. He was always trying so hard and always seems like a nice Pokemon. I'm surprised it didn't come off as being disobediant due to the fact that it looked like it was treated much harsh than Charmander. But I'm happy for Pignite. Anyone else who says that Monferno is better can go throw it out the window.

[BurningSociety12345543210]

Anyone else who says that Monferno is better can go throw it out the window.

.......Monferno is better.

[HoennDreamer]

This episode was amazing, but cilan ruined it!!! was the court scene even necessary? it wasted valuable time that could have been spent on more flashbacks or emotional scene's i seriously cant stand cilan anymore, the quicker he's gone the better.

But all and all this episode was amazing, and omg the music' i loved it! this episode basically was movie only music with a few generic best wishes soundtracks in it, and it really made the episode worth watching.

9/10

[Faker500]

My issue isn't with her saying a few words. My issue is more like that she was seemed more pissed than Ash who just happens to be Tepig's trainer. I wouldn't mind if Ash had shared the same reaction she had OR at least not look so... passive with the whole situation.

But Iris has always been a one to go at it with others depending on the situation. Emmy, Deino trainer, now this guy. She's just like that.

[BurningSociety12345543210]

This episode was amazing, but cilan ruined it!!! was the court scene even necessary? it wasted valuable time that could have been spent on more flashbacks or emotional scene's i seriously cant stand cilan anymore, the quicker he's gone the better.

Exactly how much is Kira paying you to keep hating on Cilan?

[Caseydia]

Exactly how much is Kira paying you to keep hating on Cilan?

Heh. Cilan is not that bad but I just think that the writers over due it sometimes. No harm though.

[RWB]

Suwama wasn't as jerkish as I thought.

The "I never cared about you in the first place!" just doesn't come of as quite as mean when done in the midst of battle. Battle isn't just yelling about attacks. It's about morale, and Suwama saw an easy way to take Tepig's (if almost non-existent) resolve out completely. Trashtalking is a big part of sports because a big part of it is about the morale.

It's the same reason I always find the "How can you abandon it because it's not strong!" message weak(and did back with Chimchar too). You can train pokemon for many reasons, but if you are to be a good battler, you want a team were the members are good battlers... because you are essentially a team manager/coach. You don't put undeserving/low level people on your team if you are aiming to be elite. It just doesn't work that way.

Battle Pokemon are perfectly comparable to sportsmen vying for a spot on a team.

[dman_dustin]

Suwama wasn't as jerkish as I thought.

The "I never cared about you in the first place!" just doesn't come of as quite as mean when done in the midst of battle. Battle isn't just yelling about attacks. It's about morale, and Suwama saw an easy way to take Tepig's (if almost non-existent) resolve out completely. Trashtalking is a big part of sports because a big part of it is about the morale.

It's the same reason I always find the "How can you abandon it because it's not strong!" message weak(and did back with Chimchar too). You can train pokemon for many reasons, but if you are to be a good battler, you want a team were the members are good battlers... because you are essentially a team manager/coach. You don't put undeserving/low level people on your team if you are aiming to be elite. It just doesn't work that way.

Battle Pokemon are perfectly comparable to sportsmen vying for a spot on a team.

All that ignores training and hard work.

It really is like expecting a diet to work instantly, and after a week of not losing pounds, you claim the diet doesn't work, and end up eating the same stuff that made you fat in the first place, all while claiming diets don't work for you.

As far as we know Sumawama never tried with Tepig, at least Paul tried with Chimchar (though that problem revolved around Paul not being the best "teacher" for Chimchar). So as far as we know Sumawama, tested Tepig and then it failed, and never bothered to try.

If Tepig really was a lost cause, as YOU seem to imply, that doesn't explain why Tepig beat all these Pokemon, evolved and beat Sumawama's Emboar and Heatmor.

At least its been proven that at least Ash tried with Tepig/Pignite, to get it where it is now. Very rarely would you run into something naturally strong. On top of that Tepig looked VERY young when Sumawama was its trainer. That's like expecting a ten year old to beat a fit thirty year old.

[RWB]

All that ignores training and hard work.

It really is like expecting a diet to work instantly, and after a week of not losing pounds, you claim the diet doesn't work, and end up eating the same stuff that made you fat in the first place, all while claiming diets don't work for you.

As far as we know Sumawama never tried with Tepig, at least Paul tried with Chimchar (though that problem revolved around Paul not being the best "teacher" for Chimchar). So as far as we know Sumawama, tested Tepig and then it failed, and never bothered to try.

Suwama is a lazy bastard, true.

But for a nice comparison that's apt here?

Peter Forsberg. One of the best hockey players in history. He was dumped from playing on his team when he was a teen because the coach thought he was too small and weak, and his great talent hadn't really shown itself yet.

Forsberg, at this point didn't really get that much of a shot to prove himself, but did not yet deserve a spot on the team.

More or less like Tepig.


Suwama is a coach, and as such is perfectly qualified to judge that "this guy is too weak... I better train another one", when Tepig actually did show itself to be rather wimpy.


With Ash, Tepig now has started to show his talent(which you certainly can't say it did with Suwama).

Much like how Forsberg finally started shining and got into the regional team(representing an entire district, not just a city) at age 15, and would go on to become an elite in the Swedish league, join the national team(at 18) and then a major one in NHL(at 19-20).

The point here is, you can't blame the trainer/coach when the trainee/player shows no talent. The Trainee/player needs to prove himself to the coach, too.


Your diet comparison is a bit lacking.

If Tepig really was a lost cause, as YOU seem to imply, that doesn't explain why Tepig beat all these Pokemon, evolved and beat Sumawama's Emboar and Heatmor.

BS. I never implied anything about Tepig itself.

At least its been proven that at least Ash tried with Tepig/Pignite, to get it where it is now. Very rarely would you run into something naturally strong. On top of that Tepig looked VERY young when Sumawama was its trainer. That's like expecting a ten year old to beat a fit thirty year old.

No, it's more like expecting a rookie player to be good or at least show talent.

Oh, and just to make this argument even more wrong, 30 is about when you hit a decline as a sportsman, physically. You're at your best during your mid-twenties(well, most people are, I shouldn't drag all people over the same comb). The one thing you have past 30 is the experience.

[G50]

This episode was great. It was great to see Kuritaran for the 1st time. Kuitaran didn't look as good in the anime as I had hoped it would. Although it was a short battle, I liked seeing Heatmor and Emboar battle with Kojondo and Miruhog. The courtroom scene was very odd, and Mijumaru looked funny when he was sleeping through it. Suwama was definitely a jerk in this episode for all of the terrible things he said about Pokabu. I couldn't stop laughing when Chaoboo used Flamethrower in his face when he tried to take him back. Fire Pledge looks really great, even though it took down Embuoh and Kuritaran easily. Tsutarja really acted like a big sister, encouraging Pokabu and using Vine Whip when necessary to get him to pull himself together. The evolution scene was epic.

100/100

[gliscor&yanmega]

Finally watched the episode.

Suwama was even more messed up then I thought, forcing people to battle him, trying to take their Pokemon when he won.

Interesting that it seems Cilan never knew about Tepig's back story, he didn't know it was abandoned.

Haha, I love how Suwama asked what was wrong with Cilan when he did "It's Judgment Time", then Cilan just brushes it off as if it was a compliment of some sort, haha, Cilan. Oh and he's a Trial Sommelier now, so that's...um...I lost count D: Wonder what's next.

I loved the court scene, loved Cilan "Guilty or not guilty...that's the question", I just love it when they speak English :3. I enjoyed the entire scene.

Poor Tepig, learning the hard truth.

I enjoyed the battle and all that.

I loved how when Pignite attacked Suwama it sounded like it was saying "ciao", haha.

Overall I enjoyed the episode.

[_Taidow_]

Finally watched the episode.

Suwama was even more messed up then I thought, forcing people to battle him, trying to take their Pokemon when he won.

Interesting that it seems Cilan never knew about Tepig's back story, he didn't know it was abandoned.

Haha, I love how Suwama asked what was wrong with Cilan when he did "It's Judgment Time", then Cilan just brushes it off as if it was a compliment of some sort, haha, Cilan. Oh and he's a Trial Sommelier now, so that's...um...I lost count D: Wonder what's next.

I loved the court scene, loved Cilan "Guilty or not guilty...that's the question", I just love it when they speak English :3. I enjoyed the entire scene.

Poor Tepig, learning the hard truth.

I enjoyed the battle and all that.

I loved how when Pignite attacked Suwama it sounded like it was saying "ciao", haha.

Overall I enjoyed the episode.

I agree with this.

Cilan: Now, Now... It's judgement time!
Suwama: Huh? What's wrong with you?
Cilan: Glad you asked! I'm a Trial Sommelier!

[BurningSociety12345543210]

I agree with this.

Cilan: Now, Now... It's judgement time!
Suwama: Huh? What's wrong with you?
Cilan: Glad you asked! I'm a Trial Sommelier!

It wasn't that funny...

100/100

o_o

[Janovy]

It wasn't that funny...

It wasn't funny at all, the Cilan scene - I mean. :P

[gliscor&yanmega]

I agree with this.

Cilan: Now, Now... It's judgement time!
Suwama: Huh? What's wrong with you?
Cilan: Glad you asked! I'm a Trial Sommelier!

I'm beginning to think something really is wrong with Cilan, either that or he doesn't care if people think he's crazy, either way, it's all entertaining to me >: D

It wasn't that funny...

It was however, a matter of personal perception. As such, some will find it funnier then others.

It wasn't funny at all, the Cilan scene - I mean. :P

Again, personal perception, and nothing else.

[Bulba the Great!]

I for one have not enjoyed an episode this much in a long time. VERY well played out. I absolutely adored Snivy's tough love approach, and the fact that it took the Super Flare Blitz just so Pignite could win...and refused to return to its Poke Ball because it wanted to watch...I actually almost teared up. (Is that weird?)

Fire Pledge looked kickbutt. And I'm still hoping for a Heatmor vs. Durant episode. It's such an obvious setup, come onnn.

Tepig's devotion to Suwama was tragic. And it looked absolutely adorable when hugging its trainer. So sad :/

[00poke_maniac]

It wasn't funny at all, the Cilan scene - I mean. :P

I always laugh at Dento, but however, it can be argued that the people around him make him funny. It works like a comedy skit. The fact that it was implied that there was something wrong with him was funny (a bit more than Dento himself) because we're ALL wondering what's wrong with him. I think he's more like the type to do these things, and not really care what others think about him. What is my cat doing? She's like running around like a maniac :/

[Mareepy]

Look, the point is that Cilan is trying to be neutral but failed miserably as pressures given by Iris and Ash.
(The point is he shouldn't have stayed neutral at the first place! He should have been angry with him abandoning Pokemon!!!)

Oshawott sleeping in the courtroom scene just show how contrary Oshawott's personality is to Snivy's. She is such a caring Pokemon that do everything to encourage Tepig even it is to slap him. For Oshawott, he did not care about Tepig's feeling, do not bother to be angry and actually slept when Emolga, Snivy, Axew, Iris and Pikachu are angry.
(The point is... do Emolga and Axew have anything to do with Tepig??...Do they even have interactions??... NONE... BUT they are helping him, WHATS OSHAWOTT DOING??? HE DID NOT CARE!!!)

Conclusion:
Oshawott
Personality: Cold Blooded, Coward, Too Proud of Himself, Flirting Here and There..... Nothing Positive....