Episode two is the first time I really notice the narrator. It made me nostalgic for the X/Y seasons because it hasn't changed <3
From my notes: "There is something wrong with this Jenny. She is not all there." I have no idea what I meant by this.
Also from my notes: "Oak is a few fries short of a happy meal." This time I know what I'm referring to, and I'm absolutely right. The way he speaks is so Out There. (Also the phone call ringtone added to the vibes by being annoying lol.)
This is also the episode that introduces our favorite (incompetent) villainous trio: Team Rocket. It felt strange for them to be royally uninterested in Pikachu, but this was also the episode that *established* their interest. It also established how extra(tm) they are, since they used a whole ass hot air balloon to steal their wanted poster. To be fair, I would do the same thing if I had a hot air balloon and a wanted poster.
I also find it very interesting how this episode portrays the infrastructure of the pokemon center. As it is in this episode, all Pokemon centers are part of a network that can transfer information and Pokemon between each other. In addition to the healing Chansey, a squadron of Pikachu also act as a backup power source when Team Rocket cuts the power (readers, I want you to remember the Pika Power Source for later. Put that in your back pocket). The integration of Pokemon into everyday living makes the world feel more alive.
Really though, this episode did the most important thing to me: INTRODUCE MISTY! <33333
She had a minor appearance in the first episode, but this is where she was namedropped and got more than a handful of lines. I adore her tough-girl attitude combined with her softer demeanor toward Pokemon. I totally get it though, animals are in fact better than people. I understand her. She's very blorbo-shaped.
A fun character detail about Misty: she intentionally sends out Goldeen when battling team rocket despite knowing that water Pokemon can't battle on land. When Ash asks her about this, she just tells him to get his injured Pikachu out of there. The conclusion: Misty was obviously stalling for time and Ash wasn't taking the hint. This points towards Misty being far more experienced with battle tactics (something that makes perfect sense once the audience and Ash learn about her background).
Pikachu craves violence. He absolutely did not need Ash to generate more power for his thunderbolt, but it blew Team Rocket sky-high and that's what matters <3
And finally, we see the first appearance of Caterpie in the stinger! What a fun episode <3