Favorite Team Rocket Unova Mission (SPOILERS!)

[AgentPierce]

Now that Team Rocket is officially through with Unova, let's reflect on the five distinct missions they undertook in the region, each built up through a number of episodes and conluding with a two-parter. Which is your favorite and why? If you want to mention least favorite, then by all means do. Sorry, no "all of them" or "none of them" options here.

The missions are as followed:

The Meteonite --- 19 episodes. Jessie, James, and Meowth steal energy from the Dreamyard, data from the Antamony Research Center, and a Meteonite fragment from the Nacrene City Museum, all while dealing in secrecy with other agents and avoiding the police. The end result is the discovery of the Meteonite in the Desert Resort, which prompts Giovanni himself to head to Unova. Infamously, this mission's conclusion has been postponed indefinately, but essentially the Meteonite gets destroyed by Ash and Pikachu and Giovanni leaves.

Nimbasa City Subway --- 8 episodes. Jessie and James hijack the Nimbasa City Subway system and terrorize the city's populance with a "ghost train" while Dr. Zager hides out in Anville Town. When Meowth arrives at the Pokemon Center with Ash's group, he steals all the Pokemon, including Pikachu and the rest, and loads them aboard the "ghost train", which heads to Anville Town to rendevouz with Dr. Zager. Only through some surprising Pokemon training skills from Pikachu and overconfidence on Meowth's part does this mission fail.

Milos Island --- 5 episodes. Jessie, James, and Meowth break the seals on Tornadus and Thundaras, causing them to be released and fight each other. To save the island, Ash and his friends summon Landorus to stop the other two Legendary Pokemon. Team Rocket steps in to steal all three, but obviously didn't think a good escape plan through, as the Pokemon are freed from Dr. Zager's helicopter rather quickly, causing Team Rocket to make a retreat, with Jessie vowing they'll recapture those Pokemon somehow.

The Time Gate --- 3 episodes. Dr. Zager has Jessie, James, and Meowth steal superelectric stones from Chargestone Cave and, combining this with data stolen prior to the Nimbasa mission and the dream energy stolen during the Meteonite mission, creates a fossil restoration mission. Reviving a Tirtouga/Carricosta at Twist Mountain, Team Rocket attempts to use it's life force to open the Time Gate in the mountains depths, so that they may amass an army of Pokemon from the prehistoric past. They are defeated and the Time Gate closed.

Operation Tempest --- 11 episodes. Jessie, James, and Meowth locate and excavate the ruined Undella Bay Temple while Dr. Zager uses spying devices to record the song of Meloetta, the Legendary Pokemon travelling with Ash's group. When all is ready, Giovanni arrives in Unova once again and captures Meloetta. With Meloetta and her song in the temple, Giovanni obtains the Reflecting Mirror, which he uses to summon and control Tornadus, Thundarus, and Landorus. The final battle with Team Rocket in Unova occurs......

[CyberCubed]

Operation Tempest for the sole reason that its the only one Giovanni showed up in person for.

[AgentPierce]

Operation Tempest for the sole reason that its the only one Giovanni showed up in person for.

Er, he showed up in the Meteonite mission too. That not being aired doesn't mean it didn't happen.

[00poke_maniac]

My favorite is the Nimbasa City Subway arc. For one, I love Meowth a lot, so seeing him on the main cast through that arc was very enjoyable. Two, the Subway Brothers. Three, just for one moment I thought that Team Rocket could succeed. I knew enough from this show that I knew they wouldn't but I felt engaged within the episode. Four, (admittedly) Dento's fangasm in Anville town sealed the deal.

I don't really have a least favorite, but I began to lose interest in the TR plot around the first Kami Trio episode.

[Pokemaniac24]

At this point, until I see the dub or sub of Tempest and the conclusion of TR vs TP, I may actually have to declare this a three way tie between Tempest, Subway, and Meteonite. It's REALLY close between those 3 at this point. Time Gate is 4th and Kami Trio is 5th. As a TR episode, the Kami Trio episodes weren't as great as they could have been and TR could have done more but as episodes by themselves, I really did enjoy the Milos Island two parter.

[gohan5]

At this point, until I see the dub or sub of Tempest and the conclusion of TR vs TP, I may actually have to declare this a three way tie between Tempest, Subway, and Meteonite. It's REALLY close between those 3 at this point. Time Gate is 4th and Kami Trio is 5th. As a TR episode, the Kami Trio episodes weren't as great as they could have been and TR could have done more but as episodes by themselves, I really did enjoy the Milos Island two parter.

Pretty much this for me as well, the meteonite, Subway, and Tempest missions are my favorites.

What I liked about the Meteonite mission was that it was the first time we saw TR as an actual threat, arguably on level with other regional villain teams and not just extensions of JJM. We actually got to see them being real villains and engaging in evil deeds that weren't comic relief, they stole things and managed to outrun Officer Jenny and actually seemed like Giovanni's right hand men or top team. I felt it was good, not only for JJM, but for TR as a whole. The inclusion of TP near the climax upped the excitement in this mission because we'd get to see two villainous teams face off again since Team Aqua and Team Magma in Hoenn. Despite how the mission ended, with the climax and conclusion of the mission being stuck in a sort of postponed limbo, this was truly one of TR's shining moments.

The Subway mission was an excellent use of an age old expression "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer," and I felt like that summed up the entire arc. Meowth infiltrates the group and lies and deceives them into trusting him and it's all so they can pull off a huge heist of Pokemon. Not only did we get to see Meowth in a more comical and Pre BW light, but I felt that this level of deception took his character to a new level. For the longest time it felt like Meowth was just there as the translator/Mecha operator while Jessie and James did the real work. In this we saw him achieve a new level of evil that hadn't been seen before. Honestly, his actions toward the Pokemon, especially Pikachu, after he captured them gave me chills. So I feel it was a success because of not only Meowth's involvement but because it had other subplots on the side, like keeping the viewer asking did Meowth really leave TR and the whole would Iris actually catch him.

The Operation Tempest mission I feel was good too, but maybe not quite as much as the other two I just mentioned. There were some great points like Meloetta's involvement and Giovanni coming back to Unova to head the mission but I felt there was something missing. Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed the mission because we got to see TR being true villains once again. The inclusion of TR grunts was pretty cool, it made us remember that TR isn't so small that JJM are the only ones. Also, Ash meeting Giovanni was nice, while maybe not the big confrontation people were expecting, it still was interesting. Giovanni's actions are what make the mission good though. His showing no remorse over his evil deeds, such as using Meloetta or actually being willing to kill Ash, are no less than I expected from a leader of a villainous team, especially the one responsible for Mewtwo's creation.

[Pierce571]

For me it's a though choice. I am dying to see the TR vs TP 2 parter but I am not sure if it's really my favorite. I enjoyed Operation Tempest and the Nimbassa subway a lot as well but in the end I think I have to go for Operation Tempest. Simply because they fight more TR members then the TRio and Dr Zager. Operation Tempest is also about them and them alone, unlike the meteonite which is about TP as well

[Marbi Z]

I'll go with Nimbasa City Subway cause it was so cleverly and carefully planned out heck Meowth even stayed with Ash and co for more then just one episode.

[CyberCubed]

I actually completely forgot about the ones with the fossils. I guess that proves it was the worst of the bunch, hardly any different than most older episodes where TR steal Pokemon.

[Pokemaniac24]

I actually completely forgot about the ones with the fossils. I guess that proves it was the worst of the bunch, hardly any different than most older episodes where TR steal Pokemon.

I'd actually put Time Gate above Milos Island for the sole reason that Ash meets Zager so I felt something important happened in these episodes while nothing really happened at Milos Island that was TOO important. Plus, TR put up a WAY better fight during the Time Gate episodes.

And I want to make a few things clear. This poll is telling us to list our favorite TEAM ROCKET mission so I will judge the episodes based on how much I liked TR's role in each of the two parters. As stand alone episodes, it may be a little harder to pick the worst because I did like the Kami Trio episodes as episodes. Also even though I put Kami Trio as my least favorite, I thought the build up and TR scenes leading up to Milos Island were very epic.

[AgentPierce]

Well, given my username, I think I'm going to have to go with the obvious choice: the Meteonite mission.

While I know it's style wasn't meant to last the whole series, which some people who don't know enough about the production of the anime seem to believe, I can see why there are people who are dissapointed that it didn't. The black uniforms, the secret agent-esque style of Team Rocket's operating, the spy movie-like motto music, the mystery of the unfolding events, the dark shading of scenes, the fact that it moved through many different locations, the fact that Giovanni is giving direct orders to the TRio, the presence of new characters like Pierce, Dr. Zager, Matori, and Team Plasma....it was all very memorable and really kept your interest from start to finish. Only Operation Tempest comes close in matching it, IMO.

And of course, there's the infamous ending; the conclusion that never aired: "Team Rocket vs. Team Plasma". Let me say this straight-up: I still believe these episodes will air. Yeah, you can mock me all me want for that, but I need remind people that a set time was NEVER given for when the episodes would air. The cries that they're "banned" or "cancelled" just because it's been so long without them airing is foolishness, as TV Tokyo only said they'd air at a later date, NEVER that it would air under a given timeframe like within a few months or a year, or before a certain Gym or before the Unvoa League, etc. I actually feel even stronger that I'm right recently due to certain events, so I'm not going to complain.

From the 1 and 1/2 minute trailer alone, I know that these episodes will be worth the wait, as annoyingly long as that wait might be.

I'd actually put Time Gate above Milos Island for the sole reason that Ash meets Zager so I felt something important happened in these episodes while nothing really happened at Milos Island that was TOO important. Plus, TR put up a WAY better fight during the Time Gate episodes.

Well actually, the Milos Island event and Team Rocket's involvement WAS important for setting up the Kami Trio's role in Operation Tempest later on.

I personally think the Milos Island two-parter were better overall episodes than the Time Gate two-parter, but the Time Gate two-parter were better Team Rocket episodes.

[Pokemaniac24]

Only Operation Tempest comes close in matching it, IMO.

Like I said in my original post in this thread, I can't help but throw The Subway episodes in the mix, and I'll tell you why. I actually found the whole set up and Meowth joining the group to be extrmely entertaining. From an entertainment point of view, I thought these were excellent. The Purrloin episode and the Dream thief episode come to mind as just very good episodes. Especially the Purrloin episode with with the ending being absolutely hilarious XD The Subway episodes themselves I thought hit all the right places as well. I loved the reactions of Meowth and Pikachu in this episode (Pikachu's anger at Meowth, Meowth showing that he felt bad for what he did and being touched by Ash's words, Pikachu's plan to get out. The whole train chase was great and it was nice to see Zager in action.

Well actually, the Milos Island event and Team Rocket's involvement WAS important for setting up the Kami Trio's role in Operation Tempest later on.

Yeah, you've got a point but like I said, Time Gate was still the better TR episodes and I see you agree with that as well. If we were to judge based on the overall episodes, it would definitely be closer since I really enjoyed the Kami Trio episodes.

[Ash&Pikachu-Fan]

I chose, "Operation Tempest" for involving Meloetta, staring Pikachu's massive Electro Ball and its a pretty cool build up although The Meteonite was too.

[Torpoleon]

Operation Tempest. The battle was great and it was nice to see Giovanni in action! Would have liked if they aired the first TR 2 Parter. I'm sure that would rank up there because it has TP!

[pokemonsquared]

Tempest, Even though I couldn't understand most of it due to watching the eps with no subs the final battle was awesome.

[1rkhachatryan]

Gotta go with the Subway missions. TR were really beast in these episodes.

[Shneak]

You beat me to the punch poll!

Easily Operation Tempest. They might be among my favourite episodes of the saga. The Subway hijack gets an honourable mention because of the lead-up to it and Team Rocket was really close in succeeding.

[Groundedshock]

Operation Tempest was the best mission ever! Giovanni singlehanded captured Ash and Pikachu and almost took over the world singlehanded if it was not for Pikachu's super charged Electro Ball. He was very close to succededing. Man, the TRio has nothing on this than Giovanni.

Nimbasa Subway was great. Meowth's betrayal after all those good moments made him feel like a real villian. Pikachu using his intelligence and determination to help stall time and have the pokemon escape was genius and all the Pokemon and humans used had a good role in this one.

[AgentPierce]

Not that I mind Operation Tempest getting so much votes, but......

.....I just can't believe I'm the only one to vote Meteonite so far! Did the postponing of "Team Rocket vs. Team Plasma" put people off THAT much?

C'mon people, this is a Team Rocket poll! Focus on what Team Rocket did, not what Team Plasma didn't do.

[1rkhachatryan]

Not that I mind Operation Tempest getting so much votes, but......

.....I just can't believe I'm the only one to vote Meteonite so far! Did the postponing of "Team Rocket vs. Team Plasma" put people off THAT much?

C'mon people, this is a Team Rocket poll! Focus on what Team Rocket did, not what Team Plasma didn't do.

Well we don't know what TR did in those episodes so....