Some character notes and episode notes for HZ094, writing them down for future reference.
Quick summary of the episode.
Liko and Roy learn that several Pokemon in a forest are getting sick and decide to investigate. They end up running into Mollie, who is treating wild Pokemon. Mollie tells them that she is currently working at a Pokemon Center. Afterwards, they hear cries from Pokemon from the depths of the forest. They find a Rafflesia under the influence of the Rakurium and manage to save it and heal it. Liko and Roy eventually bid goodbye to Mollie, but hope they’ll be able to travel together once again.
A few things to note about this episode.
I’ll go over the effects of the Rakurium first. Something that stood out to me about the previous case of Rakurium-infected Pokemon (the two Haganeil) and this one (the Rafflesia) is that they had one thing in common: in both cases, the Pokemon were more likely to attack their own friends and couldn’t tell the difference between friend and foe (something which was pointed out in HZ092). The two Haganeil started fighting each other at some point in HZ092. Rafflesia attacked its own friends and was suffering because of it (Mollie said that Rafflesia wasn’t the type to attack others, so the Rakurium was making it act differently than usual), and worried about not being accepted back into the group after everything was solved. Something about the Rakurium isolating Pokemon and making them lash out at others around them makes me think it relates a bit to Spinel’s isolation. The way I see it, Spinel is alone and doesn’t really have anyone except his Pokemon. I am not sure he considers the other Explorers as allies either. In a way, his fixation on the Rakurium has the same effect on him as it does on the Pokemon. It isolates him and distances him from any potential bond he could have and makes him hurt others. He is inflicting on himself what he is doing to others, albeit in a different way. It’s interesting, yet tragic as well.
The scenes with Mollie and her struggles, and the way her relationship with her mother was depicted were compelling. I think I really liked the balance between Mollie being clearly melancholic about the RVT being disbanded (she does consider it important for her), yet showing that life still keeps going for her? It’s showing adult struggles, but not in a pessimistic way because there is optimism somewhere at the end of the day (Mollie turned down Liko’s offer to travel with her, but says she’ll be back if she can fly around on a big ship one of these days). Mollie is currently trying to make the best of her situation: she is back at her family’s Pokemon Center but she is still treating wild Pokemon who are hurt out there just like she wanted to do before. She is not unhappy, but there is still something she is longing for. She doesn’t leave the Pokemon Center once she is offered to either, which shows her sense of responsibility because she knows people are relying on her and the Pokemon Center needs doctors to function and treat everyone. She cannot throw aside everything for her own whims, and it’s a reality for adults.
I could feel a sense of growth from Mollie too, since she admitted that she was learning a lot by working at the Pokemon Center at the end of the episode. She avoided Pokemon Centers before, but now she acknowledges that there are things to learn by working there. It makes her view of them a bit more nuanced than it initially was. It’s not like she was saying she didn’t learn anything there, but she did say that “sitting and waiting didn’t suit me” (that was in HZ011 btw) about working at a Pokemon Center.. So, Mollie admitting there are things to learn there is growth for her character. It’s not “all or nothing”, she can learn a lot by treating wild Pokemon with the RVT and she can learn by working at her family’s Pokemon Center. Both things aren’t mutually exclusive.
I am still in the process of forming my thoughts about Mollie and her mother. I did like when Mollie’s mother showed worry about Mollie overworking herself, and Mollie replying that she is free to do what she wants in her own time. Mollie’s words made me think that she may find her mother overbearing? A bit like Dot with Blanca initially? Mollie seemed to struggle with communicating with her family, which is something we’ve seen previously, and it feels like there is still a wall between her and her mother. Her mother seems well-intentioned but she may come off as stifling for Mollie (which also implies there is still room for growth on both ends). I think it’s interesting, especially since Mollie is an adult. Difficult and layered relationships between parents and their children of any age, etc.
In general, I really like Mollie’s complex relationship with her legacy. The way she spins her own meaning onto her choices. She chose her path on her own terms and she has her own reasons as to why she is doing what she is doing. It reminds me a bit of Amethio, too. His aspiration is now the same as his grandfather’s (doing something for both people and Pokemon), but he is doing it on his own terms. He chose to do this, for his own reasons, and it’s a path he is carving due to his own personal beliefs. Both characters finding themselves through their legacies and chosen paths, etc.
The setting of the episode reminded me of both HZ011 and HZ038. The first adult RVT member we learned more about back in chapter 1 was Mollie. We got to learn a bit about her past and her family in HZ011. Now, she is the first adult member who shows up after the timeskip and we get to actually see her family. The action in HZ011 took place in a forest, similarly to this episode, and there was also a Pokemon suffering from poison who had to be healed. Lucius’s Oliva is part grass type, and so is the Rafflesia they met in this episode. Tebrim and Ikkanezumi having focus together is reminiscent of HZ038, too. There’s lots of things that happened in previous Liko and Mollie centric episodes. This chapter feels like it’ll make a lot of callbacks to earlier episodes to show how Liko and co have grown since then.
I liked the focus on Liko and Mollie, and the relationships between their Pokemon. Liko and Mollie have a close relationship, which is almost sister-like, and this extends to their Pokemon too. Mibrim learned a new move by watching Lucky in HZ038 and trying to imitate her. This time, Lucky was also present when Tebrim learned a new move, which leaned on the healing aspect of her character that she learned from Mollie’s Lucky. It’s also interesting that Mollie is currently taking care of the Ikkanezumi, who are the “family Pokemon”, given her complex relationship with her family and legacy, and the fact that it’s a Pokemon that Liko previously saved which deepens the connection between Liko and Mollie further.
Tebrim.. One thing I thought was nice about this episode is that Tebrim showed lots of emotions. Ever since Mibrim evolved, she’s gotten more aggressive (she beat up wild Pokemon before healing them afterwards multiple times, for example) and she hasn’t had many opportunities to show doubts like the times she did as Mibrim? So it was cool seeing moments with Tebrim on the verge of tears, having doubts, being helped etc. It makes her feel less one-dimensional and more like a full character with a range of emotions who grows from the obstacles she is facing. Liko encouraging Tebrim was sweet too, and it showcases an aspect I like about Liko’s relationships with her Pokemon. Masquernya is usually the one pulling Liko along when she feels stuck, while Liko encourages Tebrim and helps her when she feels stuck. Liko’s relationships with her Pokemon feel distinct, and they are all unique and bring different things to each of the characters.
I already wrote about Tebrim learning Healing Wish as a move (here), but the general summary: it makes me insane that Liko’s Pokemon is learning a move that is all about fainting so you can heal another Pokemon. Something something, Liko’s tendency to put others and their feelings above herself, being self-sacrificial, caring about others to such an extent, etc etc. I do like that the series so far is showing that there are different ways of getting rid of the Rakurium and that brute power isn’t what matters in such situations, compassion is. It feels very much like a magical girl show, which I appreciate a lot. Tebrim seeing through Rafflesia’s suffering and deciding to stop attacking and wanting to heal the Pokemon is compelling and makes the situation nuanced. It also confirms Nyabiko’s realization in the previous episode that the RVT are people who care about Pokemon. This case with Rafflesia was interesting to me too, since it really involved everyone. Everyone took part in the battle and support was emphasized as something vital, and we got to see the aftermath of Rafflesia being sent back to the forest and being scared of not being accepted anymore, etc. Makes the world feel more alive to me.
Also, two other things I liked about Tebrim. Liko using Terastal with Tebrim was unexpected in a good way, and I hope that Roy’s Taikaiden and Dot’s Nakanuchan will be next. Taikaiden carrying Tebrim and flying with her was sweet, I think it’s a show of trust between both Pokemon. Which extends to their trainers (such closeness and trust is proof of the bond between Liko and Roy). I just want to see more of the secondary Pokemon in general, so I’m glad whenever they get a chance to shine.
Liko and Roy asserting that they were part of the Rising Volt Tacklers was a really good scene. All the way back in HZ007, they both told Friede that they wanted to be able to say that they are part of the Rising Volt Tacklers with pride, and they are doing just that now.
Mollie suggested that they pick another name just for the three of them (Liko, Roy and Dot) and felt like they didn’t have to be chained to the RVT’s name. I think it really highlighted her guilt, and the fact she probably feels like they (the RVT) could end up being burdens on the kids’ paths and get in the way of their future.. (Really, the entire flashback with the RVT showed that.) She has another perspective as an adult, and probably sees drawbacks in things more easily and thinks the kids should start anew instead of carrying a name that won’t do them any good. Liko and Roy do not agree and still consider themselves as RVT members, and it’s not something that is going to change. Liko and Roy are now in a position where they can slowly give back to the adults who helped them grow. They have been able to stand alongside Friede as equals in battles ever since Rayquaza Rising, and now they are conveying their optimism to the other members. Starting with Mollie, as she was hoping she could travel on a big ship again. Really like the way the series is structured in this aspect. It started off with the kids needing guidance from the adults so they could learn and grow, and little by little, they became able to travel by themselves and fend for themselves. Now, they are able to motivate the adults in their own ways and they will be the ones bringing back the RVT together. The narrative is coming full circle, etc.
Liko and Roy carrying on the name of the RVT also makes me think of Gibeon? Liko and Roy are in the same position as Gibeon was after the Rakua tragedy 100 years ago. Both sides lost someone at Rakua. The difference is that unlike Gibeon, Liko and Roy are not alone and they can rely on each other (and Dot!) after the events of Rakua. Gibeon carried on the Explorers name all by himself for 100 years and still considered himself as one after everything that transpired. Likewise, Liko and Roy still consider themselves as part of the RVT and do not intend to give up on the name or change it. Keeping the same name and carrying on with it denotes a strong sense of attachment and love, too. They are keeping the legacy and its ideals alive, but also making it theirs and adding on to it. (Truly, going a little bit insane thinking about how Gibeon was attached to the original Explorers’ name and never gave up on it or renamed it. It Was All About Love and the need to be understood by those who mattered the most to him, etc.)
The flashback of the RVT.. One interaction that really stood out to me is the one between Dot and Murdock. Murdock telling the kids they should follow the path they want (be it going to school, on a journey or anything else), Dot getting upset because she wants to stay with everyone, and Murdock telling her “please, understand..”. We don’t usually get these kinds of interactions between the two of them, and Murdock is usually “on Dot’s side” when something happens, so the fact he remained firm and didn’t waver or go back on his word to please her was interesting and showed his sense of responsibility. The whole scene with the adults emphasized that. They were serious, didn’t let their emotions get the better of them in front of the kids, and reminded the trio of what they set out to accomplish (going to Rakua for Pagogo), probably to tell them that they didn’t have to chain themselves to them now that they fulfilled their goal of going to Rakua. They can’t afford getting in the way of the kids’ lives and it’s a decision they took for their best interests. The kids are at the age where they should be doing things like studying, finding out more about themselves etc, so it’s understandable that the adults would want to disband the RVT in such a situation, so that the kids won’t be in further danger. They are responsible for their safety, and it was the best call to make.
The trio’s reactions during this scene also highlighted their respective characters and personalities. Roy and Dot were initially speaking out against it and said they wanted to stay on the ship. Dot saying she wanted to stay with everyone was endearing too, since she admitted out loud that she wanted to be with them and it really felt like this mattered to her. Meanwhile, Liko didn’t argue against the decision and accepted it, which showed that she was able to see and understand the perspectives of the adults. She is someone who is considerate of others’ feelings, and could understand that they only had their best interests at heart. Really liked this scene for Liko, it says a lot about her character.
I also liked that it was Murdock who announced the disbandment of the RVT. He looked hurt saying it. And it highlights his position as someone Friede trusts a lot? I’m not sure using “second-in-command” fits in this context as there is not really a hierarchy between the members, but Murdock is often the one who was seen piloting the ship when Friede couldn’t do it (he brought the Brave Asagi to the castle in Galar in HZ025 for example), so there is a strong sense of trust between the two of them as he is now the one speaking for Friede, in a way. Also, noting that Friede’s name was said in the flashback and I think it’s the first time his name was said out loud in Mega Voltage.
Other things I liked about the episode. Out of order. Everyone’s Pokemon playing together was precious, especially the Ikkanezumi with Liko’s Pokemon since they have a close relationship.
Liko and Roy were fun in this episode. It’s cute that they were scared of ghosts and getting nervous in the forest because of this. I like when they show more of their childish sides, it shows that they are still young. Seeing the two of them travel by themselves feels different than usual, but I think it feels refreshing. Usually, there was always someone with them. Either Friede at the beginning of the series (during the first two chapters), or Dot once they all set out for their Terastal Course. So seeing Liko and Roy just by themselves feels special and a bit different and it reminds me of the aspects of their dynamics I really enjoy (how fast the two of them hit it off and just get along and support each other easily). Also, it stood out to me that they were staying at a hotel and not a Pokemon Center at the beginning of the episode. It added to the worldbuilding though, since we could clearly see tourists who owned Pokemon from Sinnoh staying there.
Seeing Cap asleep while holding Friede’s goggles felt like a punch to the gut (in a very good way). I feel like we rarely see Cap asleep. The few times we did, it was when Cap was resting on the captain’s chair, together with Friede. So, Cap seemed especially vulnerable in this scene.. It was a side of him we don’t often get to see. Holding Friede’s goggles so closely really showcased his attachment to him, too.. Cap is independent as a Pokemon and rarely goes inside his Pokeball. I feel like we only saw it happening twice? When Friede caught Cap and when he returned him to his Pokeball because the Rakurium was affecting Cap.. In general, Cap acts on his own a lot of times so this was a reminder that Friede really is his partner and trainer and that Cap misses him a lot and holds onto the last remainder of him. Speaking of Cap acting on his own, it’s also something I enjoyed seeing in this episode. I like when Cap spontaneously does things without being told to (like, when he lit up the way for Liko and Roy so they could see in the dark, or when he joined the battle), it really showcases his strength and agency as a character.
Overall, this was my favorite episode of Mega Voltage so far! Nice focus on Liko and Mollie’s characters, Tebrim and the Pokemon in general got to shine. The Strong Sphere mentioned at the end ties in to Exceed and sets up the next episode.
