I didn't expect Friede to have a new Pokemon. Starmie is from gen 1, which is in line with Lizardon and Cap.. Friede being the adult/mentor character and the one who represents the older generation teaching to the new one and as such, his Pokemon reflect that and they are Pokemon from gen 1.
Starmie is Water/Psychic Type.. which is kinda interesting to me because Liko's Carbou will evolve into a Gurenarma soon, who is Fire/Psychic. I thought Carbou joining Liko meant that she had more ties to Friede because his first Pokemon was a Fire Type.. and lots of characters close to Liko share that type too (Diana, Amethio, Roy).
On Friede's side, the fact he has a Water/Psychic Pokemon ties him a bit closer to Dot and Liko too (Dot's Welcamo is a Water Type, and Liko currently has a Pokemon part Psychic Type and she will have another one soon).
Something about Liko and Friede sharing types exclusively.. the Dark and Psychic specifically, which they have in common with Spinel.
Also, something about Starmie having some involvement with space and alien imagery.. which is similar to Spinel and Orbem. So we have more things on this aspect too.
I am curious about Friede's relationship with Starmie and the reason he calls him an instructor.
I am still not sure what to think about Mega Evolution in the story.
Anyway, there is lots of promotional stuff around Friede's return and the PR account started posting about it right after last week's episode. They even made a key visual for it. As Friede deserves.
The summary and staff list for the episode is here. For future reference, some of the staff listed there also worked on the lifechanging episode that was HZ018, Friede and Cap's backstory (same writer and storyboarder, but I think the episode director for ep 121 was listed as assistant director for ep 18 according to Bulbapedia).
Re: the first set of pics I linked above, I am just nostalgic seeing scenes from chapter 1. I like the choice of pics. Friede and Cap (who didn't have the name Cap yet back then) butting heads, Friede being the coolest and reassuring Liko and Roy during a stressful situation (the Explorers invading Diana's castle), Friede using Terastal against Amethio (their last battle against each other), and Friede before he fell off the ship. I really like scene when he used Terastal against Amethio. The whole bit with "sorry, you forced me to stop holding back", etc. I really liked Friede and Amethio's battles in general.
As for the second link, the promotional pics for the ep are cute.. Happy to see the RVT adults (we need to see them more), and I am particularly interested in Orio's scene? I had to make sure, but yeah, she is blushing and it's not just because of the heat. Mollie may be telling her something about Friede? Teasing her? Orio was highlighted in the preview for the ep too and she looked so radiant and brimming with joy.. Either way, the blush makes me wonder if they will lean into a particular direction for Friede and Orio. Their relationship is highlighted in a specific way. I hope that Friede will have some specific words for Orio eventually and that we'll get to see some kind of reciprocation on his side (gratitude, or something else). Orio has been waiting for him and feeling for him in a way that was strongly emphasized in the narrative, which makes me currently think it demands an answer on Friede's side, so both sides feel balanced..? Anyway, the scene seems really cute. Orio cares about Friede so much. Makes me lose it a bit. That's her man. I like seeing some new sides of Orio shining through.
Also the last pic seems funny. Landau doing a space seminar or something. Seems like he starred in a movie involving space. I wonder if Mighty G will be mentioned..? Last time he appeared (with Amethio!!), he overexerted himself so it makes me think that by the end of the series, Landau won't be able to turn into Mighty G anymore? Kinda sad to think about. I do wonder if the kids will eventually learn that he is Mighty G, though.
Very excited to see Friede and the RVT again in general. Stuff I will be particularly paying attention to: Liko (I liked her strong emotional reaction in the preview and I love her bond with Friede.. it's so special), Cap (Cap rushing in to save his partner and not letting him fall this time, like ok what if I go insane), Orio (are they going to keep leaning a bit into some implications).
Now that ikemen number one is going to be back (hopefully for good this time), they should bring back ikemen number two (Spinel). What is Spinel up to and can I hear his voice again.
