AG176: Difference between revisions

From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.
Jump to navigationJump to search
No edit summary
(31 intermediate revisions by 24 users not shown)
Line 11: Line 11:
colorscheme=Emerald |
colorscheme=Emerald |
title_en=The Ole' Berate and Switch! |
title_en=The Ole' Berate and Switch! |
title_ja= ロケット団解散!?それぞれの道! |
title_ja= ロケット団解散!?それぞれの道! |
title_ja_trans=Team Rocket Dissolution!? Respective Roads! |
title_ja_trans=Team Rocket Dissolution!? Respective Roads! |
screen=yes |
screen=yes |
Line 30: Line 30:
morecredits=no |
morecredits=no |
epstaffpage=AG171-AG180 |
epstaffpage=AG171-AG180 |
footnotes=*{{filb-eppics|ag|176}}
footnotes=* {{filb-eppics|ag|176}}
*Early reports originally listed 秦義人 ''Yoshito Hata'' as the director and 船津弘美 ''Hiromi Funatsu'' as animation director along with Izumi Shimura.}}
* Early reports originally listed 秦義人 ''Yoshito Hata'' as the director and 船津弘美 ''Hiromi Funatsu'' as animation director along with Izumi Shimura.}}
'''The Ole' Berate and Switch!''' (Japanese: '''ロケット団解散!?それぞれの道!''' ''Team Rocket Dissolution!? Respective Roads!'') is the 176th episode of the {{series|Advanced Generation}}, and the 450th episode of the [[Pokémon anime]]. It was first broadcast in Japan on May 11, 2006 and in the USA on December 4, 2006.
'''The Ole' Berate and Switch!''' (Japanese: '''ロケット団解散!?それぞれの道!''' ''Team Rocket Dissolution!? Respective Roads!'') is the 176th episode of the {{series|Advanced Generation}}, and the 450th episode of the [[Pokémon anime]]. It first aired in Japan on May 11, 2006 and in the United States on December 4, 2006.


{{spoilers}}
{{spoilers}}


== Synopsis ==
==Blurb==
[[Jessie]], [[James]] and {{MTR}} of the sinister [[Team Rocket]] have once again failed at stealing {{AP|Pikachu}} from {{Ash}}. After being blasted off by Pikachu's {{m|Thunderbolt}}, the trio gets into an argument. They then come to an agreement and decide to go their separate ways.
<!--http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-episodes/09_31-the-ole-berate-and-switch/-->
<i>Team Rocket decides to go their separate ways after yet another foiled Pikachu kidnap attempt. Elsewhere, our heroes come across a one-day Pokémon Battle Tournament secretly run by Butch and Cassidy, who are having their own problems getting along. Ash signs up, unaware that while he's battling, Cassidy is preparing to swipe the competitors' Pokémon! Cassidy runs into Jessie and James, and decides to make James her new team. As for Jessie, she fast-talks her way into a partnership with Butch.


Meanwhile, Ash and {{Ashfr|company}} are heading for [[Pewter City]]. As they pass through [[Sable City]], they notice a one-day only Pokémon Tournament being held in the town. Thinking about his upcoming battle with [[Pyramid King Brandon]], Ash decides to enter the tournament. However, what they don't know is that the tournament is a plan concocted by Butch and Cassidy to steal Pokémon. While Butch convinces the {{pkmn|Trainer}}s to sign up, Cassidy is disguised as Nurse Joy.
Max has spotted the villains at work, however, and as Ash is celebrating a victory, he runs to tell everyone what's really happening. Our heroes go to rescue the Poké Balls and encounter Cassidy and James, James unsuccessfully trying to pretend that he's Butch. Corphish cools off Cassidy's Houndour and Team Rocket's scam is revealed to the tournament competitors, leading to a showdown with Team Rocket minions.


Ash's first battle is against a Pokémon Trainer named [[Howie]]. Ash sends out his Corphish to battle Howie's Pinsir. Howie has Pinsir start off with a {{m|ViceGrip}}, but Corphish quickly counters the attack. Ash tells Corphish to use {{m|Crabhammer}}, but Howie has Pinsir counter with {{m|Guillotine}}. Outside the arena, Jessie, James and Meowth enter the building. Jessie notices the tournament is happening and decides to steal the Pokémon. James and Mime Jr. come across the building and get the same reaction Jessie had. Meowth also comes up, and decides to see what it's about, not interested in stealing Pokémon.
Jessie and Butch try to make a stealthy getaway, but Ash spots them and Pikachu puts a stop to their thievery. Meanwhile, Meowth is trying to steal a few Poké Balls for himself when it bumps into Jessie and James. They remember the good times they had together, and decide to reunite once more. So when Ash sends them blasting off, they blast off as friends—at least for now! The other Trainers are reunited with their Poké Balls, and now it's time for our heroes to head for the Pewter Gym.</i>
 
==Plot==
The episode opens to [[Jessie]], [[James]] and {{MTR}} of the sinister {{TRT}}, who have just nabbed {{AP|Pikachu}} and running in hot pursuit. Eventually, they reach a fork, and while James frantically chooses the correct path, Jessie and Meowth accidentally lean on the cage, freeing Pikachu. After being blasted off by Pikachu's {{m|Thunderbolt}}, the trio gets into an argument. They then come to an agreement and decide to go their separate ways.
 
Meanwhile, Ash and {{ashfr}} are heading for [[Pewter City]]. As they pass through [[Sable City]], they notice a one-day only Pokémon Tournament being held in the town. Thinking about his upcoming battle with [[Pyramid King Brandon]], Ash decides to enter the tournament. However, what they don't know is that the tournament is a plan concocted by Butch and Cassidy to steal Pokémon. While Butch convinces the {{pkmn|Trainer}}s to sign up, Cassidy is disguised as Nurse Joy.
 
Ash's first battle is against a Pokémon Trainer named [[Howie]]. Ash sends out his Corphish to battle Howie's Pinsir. Howie has Pinsir start off with a {{m|Vice Grip}}, but Corphish quickly counters the attack. Ash tells Corphish to use {{m|Crabhammer}}, but Howie has Pinsir counter with {{m|Guillotine}}. Outside the arena, Jessie, James and Meowth enter the building. Jessie notices the tournament is happening and decides to steal the Pokémon. James and Mime Jr. come across the building and get the same reaction Jessie had. Meowth also comes up, and decides to see what it's about, not interested in stealing Pokémon.


Back inside the arena, Pinsir knocks Corphish hard with {{m|Seismic Toss}}, and is about to administer the finishing blow with Guillotine, but Ash tells Corphish to use {{m|Harden}} and a Crabhammer to finish it off. This move allows Ash and Corphish to win the first battle.
Back inside the arena, Pinsir knocks Corphish hard with {{m|Seismic Toss}}, and is about to administer the finishing blow with Guillotine, but Ash tells Corphish to use {{m|Harden}} and a Crabhammer to finish it off. This move allows Ash and Corphish to win the first battle.
Line 51: Line 59:
In one of the hallways of the arena, Butch is busy carrying a bag full of stolen [[Poké Ball]]s until he encounters Jessie. Jessie then notices the Poké Ball haul Cassidy told her about and starts to sweet-talk Butch.
In one of the hallways of the arena, Butch is busy carrying a bag full of stolen [[Poké Ball]]s until he encounters Jessie. Jessie then notices the Poké Ball haul Cassidy told her about and starts to sweet-talk Butch.


Back with the battles, Ash has Corphish use ViceGrip, but Marowak counters and is about to nail Corphish with {{m|Bone Club}}. Corphish counters and is about to use Crabhammer.
Back with the battles, Ash has Corphish use Vice Grip, but Marowak counters and is about to nail Corphish with {{m|Bone Club}}. Corphish counters and is about to use Crabhammer.


While in the hallways of the arena, a sad Meowth is thinking about Jessie and James and how much he misses them. He finds a bag of biscuits lying on the ground. He then begins to reminisce about all the times he, Jessie and James had a single bite of food and how they would always split the food into three pieces, whether it was bread, a hunk of cheese, one and a half crackers and even a rice cake.
While in the hallways of the arena, a sad Meowth is thinking about Jessie and James and how much he misses them. He finds a bag of biscuits lying on the ground. He then begins to reminisce about all the times he, Jessie and James had a single bite of food and how they would always split the food into three pieces, whether it was bread, a hunk of cheese, one and a half crackers and even a rice cake.
Line 57: Line 65:
Meanwhile, Munchlax has run off after one of the battles. Max gets Munchlax under control and peeks into the room where Cassidy and Butch kept the stolen Poké Balls. James and Cassidy are putting the Poké Balls in several boxes. Max then realizes Team Rocket's evil plan, and is shocked to discover James's alignment with Butch and Cassidy. Max heads back to the stadium to tell Ash.
Meanwhile, Munchlax has run off after one of the battles. Max gets Munchlax under control and peeks into the room where Cassidy and Butch kept the stolen Poké Balls. James and Cassidy are putting the Poké Balls in several boxes. Max then realizes Team Rocket's evil plan, and is shocked to discover James's alignment with Butch and Cassidy. Max heads back to the stadium to tell Ash.


Back with the battles, Corphish has just knocked out Marowak with Crabhammer. Ash and Corphish are celebrating another victory until Max interrupts them. He tells them about Team Rocket's evil plan to steal the Trainers' Poké Balls. Ash and friends then head to the room to confront James and Cassidy. While confronting James and Cassidy, James and Cassidy say the [[Team Rocket's mottos#Cassidy's and James's motto|Team Rocket motto]], but Cassidy goofs up the finishing line. Then, Cassidy calls out her Houndour. Ash tells Corphish to use {{m|BubbleBeam}} and follow it up with ViceGrip. Before Corphish can hit Houndour, the {{t|Dark}} Pokémon uses {{m|Flamethrower}}. Corphish slams into one of the boxes where Team Rocket has kept the stolen Poké Balls. Tons of Poké Balls spill out of the boxes and flood the floors of the stadium.
Back with the battles, Corphish has just knocked out Marowak with Crabhammer. Ash and Corphish are celebrating another victory until Max interrupts them. He tells them about Team Rocket's evil plan to steal the Trainers' Poké Balls. Ash and his friends then head to the room to confront James and Cassidy. While confronting James and Cassidy, James and Cassidy say the {{DL|Team Rocket mottos|Cassidy's and James's motto|Team Rocket motto}}, but Cassidy goofs up the finishing line. Then, Cassidy calls out her Houndour. Ash tells Corphish to use {{m|BubbleBeam}} and follow it up with Vice Grip. Before Corphish can hit Houndour, the {{t|Dark}} Pokémon uses {{m|Flamethrower}}. Corphish slams into one of the boxes where Team Rocket has kept the stolen Poké Balls. Tons of Poké Balls spill out of the boxes and flood the floors of the stadium.


Ash tells the Trainers about what Team Rocket is up to and tells them to get their Poké Balls back. The tournament officials tear off their disguises, revealing themselves to be a horde of {{tc|Team Rocket Grunt}}s. The Rocket Grunts bring their Pokémon forth, as do the other Trainers, not willing to give up their Pokémon without a fight.
Ash tells the Trainers about what Team Rocket is up to and tells them to get their Poké Balls back. The tournament officials tear off their disguises, revealing themselves to be a horde of {{tc|Team Rocket Grunt}}s. The Rocket Grunts bring their Pokémon forth, as do the other Trainers, not willing to give up their Pokémon without a fight.


Ash and the other Trainers are furious with Team Rocket wanting to steal the memories they've stored in the Poké Balls and Ash has Pikachu use {{m|Thunderbolt}}. As the battle continues, Jessie and Butch are about to leave with a box full of stolen Poké Balls, but they are noticed by Ash, who has Swellow tackle them. After being caught, Jessie and Butch recite the [[Team Rocket's mottos#Jessie's and Butch's motto|Team Rocket motto]], but Butch goofs it up. Butch, after being annoyed by Ash calling him "Paunch", sends out Raticate. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt on Jessie, Butch and Raticate, sending them flying.
Ash and the other Trainers are furious with Team Rocket wanting to steal the memories they've stored in the Poké Balls and Ash has Pikachu use {{m|Thunderbolt}}. As the battle continues, Jessie and Butch are about to leave with a box full of stolen Poké Balls, but they are noticed by Ash, who has Swellow tackle them. After being caught, Jessie and Butch recite the {{DL|Team Rocket mottos|Jessie's and Butch's motto|motto}}, but Butch goofs it up. Butch, after being annoyed by Ash calling him "Paunch", sends out Raticate. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt on Jessie, Butch and Raticate, sending them flying.


Elsewhere in the arena, Meowth is collecting some Poké Balls. James and Mime Jr. and Jessie are doing the same. When all three Rockets grab the same Poké Ball, another argument ensues, but Meowth stops the argument by showing them the biscuit he found earlier. This reminds Jessie and James of their friendship. All three Rockets are about to split the biscuit apart. Before they could eat it, a Trainer with his Rhydon sends Jessie, James and Meowth flying. After this happens, the Rocket Grunts flee the building.
Elsewhere in the arena, Meowth is collecting some Poké Balls. James and Mime Jr. and Jessie are doing the same. When all three Rockets grab the same Poké Ball, another argument ensues, but Meowth stops the argument by showing them the biscuit he found earlier. This reminds Jessie and James of their friendship. All three Rockets are about to split the biscuit apart. Before they could eat it, a Trainer with his Rhydon sends Jessie, James and Meowth flying. After this happens, the Rocket Grunts flee the building.
Line 71: Line 79:
Back at the stadium, Ash and co. watch as the Trainers reclaim their Poké Balls. While in the woods, Jessie, James and Meowth are about to share a biscuit in a campfire. Jessie gets the biggest piece. This angers her two friends, and they fight over the size of the biscuit.
Back at the stadium, Ash and co. watch as the Trainers reclaim their Poké Balls. While in the woods, Jessie, James and Meowth are about to share a biscuit in a campfire. Jessie gets the biggest piece. This angers her two friends, and they fight over the size of the biscuit.


== Major events ==
==Major events==
*{{an|May}} and [[Max]] meet [[Butch]] and [[Cassidy]] for the first time.
* {{an|May}} and [[Max]] meet [[Butch]] and [[Cassidy]] for the first time.
* {{TRT}} break up and Jessie and James temporarily join with Butch and Cassidy, respectively.
{{animeevents}}
{{animeevents}}


=== Debuts ===
===Debuts===


== Characters ==
==Characters==


=== Humans ===
===Humans===
* {{Ash}}
* {{Ash}}
* {{an|May}}
* {{an|May}}
Line 97: Line 106:
* {{tc|Team Rocket Grunt}}s
* {{tc|Team Rocket Grunt}}s


=== Pokémon ===
===Pokémon===
* {{p|Pikachu}} ({{OP|Ash|Pikachu}})
* {{p|Pikachu}} ({{OP|Ash|Pikachu}})
* {{p|Meowth}} ({{TRM}})
* {{p|Meowth}} ({{TRM}})
Line 106: Line 115:
* {{p|Torchic}} ({{OP|May|Torchic}}; flashback)
* {{p|Torchic}} ({{OP|May|Torchic}}; flashback)
* {{p|Munchlax}} ({{OP|May|Munchlax}})
* {{p|Munchlax}} ({{OP|May|Munchlax}})
* {{p|Raticate}} ({{OP|Cassidy|Raticate}})
* {{p|Raticate}} (Cassidy's)
* {{p|Houndour}} ({{OP|Cassidy|Houndour}})
* {{p|Houndour}} (Cassidy's)
* {{p|Pinsir}} ([[Howie]]'s)  
* {{p|Pinsir}} ([[Howie]]'s)  
* {{p|Marowak}} ([[Oriba]]'s)
* {{p|Marowak}} ([[Oriba]]'s)
===Pokémon seen in the [[Team Rocket]] battle===
* {{p|Pidgeotto}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Pidgeotto}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Zubat}} (Team Rocket Grunt's)
* {{p|Zubat}} ({{tc|Team Rocket Grunt}}'s)
* {{p|Venomoth}} (Team Rocket Grunt's)
* {{p|Venomoth}} (Team Rocket Grunt's)
* {{p|Doduo}} (Team Rocket Grunt's)
* {{p|Doduo}} (Team Rocket Grunt's)
Line 122: Line 129:
* {{p|Hitmontop}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Hitmontop}} (Trainer's)


== Trivia ==
==Trivia==
* This episode marks the return of [[Ikue Ohtani]] from maternity leave.  
* This episode marks the return of [[Ikue Ohtani]] from maternity leave.  
* [[Pokémon Symphonic Medley]], ニャースのうた ''[[Meowth's Song]]'' and 前向きロケット団! ''[[Face Forward Team Rocket!]]'' are used as background music.
* [[Pokémon Symphonic Medley]], ニャースのうた ''[[Meowth's Song]]'' and 前向きロケット団! ''[[Face Forward Team Rocket!]]'' are used as background music.
*This episode is unique because there were three [[Team Rocket motto]]s (by Jessie and Butch, Cassidy and James and the usual trio at the end) and three blast-offs (the trio in the beginning of the episode, Cassidy and Butch and the trio again in the end).
* This episode is unique because there were three [[Team Rocket mottos]] (by Jessie and Butch, Cassidy and James and the usual trio at the end) and three blast-offs (the trio in the beginning of the episode, Cassidy and Butch and the trio again in the end).
*This is the second time Ash and company lead a horde of Pokémon Trainers in a counterattack against Team Rocket's evil plans (the massive battle between a horde of Pokémon Trainers vs. Team Rocket Grunts). The first time was in ''[[EP015|Battle Aboard the St. Anne]]''.
* This is the second time Ash and company lead a horde of Pokémon Trainers in a counterattack against Team Rocket's evil plans (the massive battle between a horde of Pokémon Trainers vs. Team Rocket Grunts). The first time was in ''[[EP015|Battle Aboard the St. Anne]]''.
*The title is based off the phrase "{{wp|bait and switch}}".
* The title is based on the phrase "{{wp|bait and switch}}".
*The voice actor for Cassidy is Misty sister's voice actor as well.
*A later episode, ''[[BW131|The Path That Leads to Goodbye!]]'', shares a similar plot line.


=== Errors ===
===Errors===
*In the dub, when [[Max]] finds [[James]] and [[Cassidy]] with boxes full of [[Poké Ball]]s he comments that James is working for Butch and Cassidy even though he had never seen nor heard of them before.
* At the beginning when Pikachu escapes from Team Rockets cage, a split second before he lands on the ground, his shadow appears in mid-air.
*Before [[Butch]] takes off his disguise to do a motto with [[Jessie]], he's seen with his Rocket clothes on instead of the disguise.
* After Cassidy takes James away to work with her, Jessie is left standing alone with a fire extinguisher that was never in the hallway before.
*The fire putter outer wasnt there before
* In the dub, when [[Max]] finds [[James]] and [[Cassidy]] with boxes full of [[Poké Ball]]s, he comments that James is working for Butch and Cassidy even though he had never seen nor heard of them before.
* Instead of "To denounce the goodness of truth and love", [[Cassidy]] says "To denounce the evils of truth and love".


=== Dub edits ===
===Dub edits===


==In other languages==
==In other languages==
{{Epilang|color=77FF77|bordercolor=55DD55
{{Epilang|color=77FF77|bordercolor=55DD55
|ja=
|en=
|ar=
|eu=
|bg=
|ca=
|zh_yue=
|zh_cmn={{tt|火箭隊解散!?各自的道路!|Team Rocket Disbands!? Respective Roads!}}'''
|zh_cmn={{tt|火箭隊解散!?各自的道路!|Team Rocket Disbands!? Respective Roads!}}'''
|fi= '''{{tt|Uudet allianssit|The new alliances}}
|nl={{tt|De Goede Oude Wisseltruc|The Good Old Switcheroo}}
|hr=
|cs=
|da=
|de={{tt|Einmal ein Team - Immer ein Team!|Once a team - allways a team!}}
|nl=
|et=
|fil=
|fi={{tt|Uudet allianssit|The new alliances}}
|fi={{tt|Uudet allianssit|The new alliances}}
|de={{tt|Einmal ein Team - Immer ein Team!|Once a team - always a team!}}
|fr_eu={{tt|Imposture|Masquerade}}
|fr_eu={{tt|Imposture|Masquerade}}
|el=
|he=
|hi=
|hu=
|is=
|id=
|it={{tt|Cambio di alleanze|Alliances change}}
|it={{tt|Cambio di alleanze|Alliances change}}
|ko=
|no=
|pl=
|pt_br=
|pt_eu=
|ro=
|ru=
|sk=
|sl=
|es_la={{tt|El mismo viejo equipo.|The same old team.}}
|es_la={{tt|El mismo viejo equipo.|The same old team.}}
|es_eu={{tt|Reproches e intercambios|Blame and exchanges}}
|es_eu={{tt|Reproches e intercambios|Blame and exchanges}}
|sv=
|pt_br={{tt|O grande assalto|The great assault}}
|ta=
|sv={{tt|Ut med språket!|Around the bush!}}
|te=
|th=
|tr=
|vi=
}}
}}
{{-}}
{{-}}
Line 193: Line 169:
colorscheme=Emerald }}
colorscheme=Emerald }}
{{Project Anime notice}}
{{Project Anime notice}}
[[Category:Advanced Generation series episodes|176]]
[[Category:Advanced Generation series episodes|176]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Yukiyoshi Ōhashi|450]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Yukiyoshi Ōhashi|450]]
Line 200: Line 177:
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Team Rocket|450]]
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Team Rocket|450]]


[[ja:AG編第175話]]
[[de:Einmal ein Team – immer ein Team (Episode)]]
[[fr:AG176]]
[[ja:AG編第176話]]
[[pl:AG176]]
[[pl:AG176]]

Revision as of 16:59, 18 October 2015

AG175 : Going for Choke!
Advanced Generation series
AG177 : Grating Spaces!
The Ole' Berate and Switch!
AG176.png
AG176   EP450
ロケット団解散!?それぞれの道!
Team Rocket Dissolution!? Respective Roads!
First broadcast
Japan May 11, 2006
United States December 4, 2006
English themes
Opening Battle Frontier
Ending
Japanese themes
Opening スパート!
Ending 私、負けない!~ハルカのテーマ~
Credits
Animation Team Iguchi
Screenplay 大橋志吉 Yukiyoshi Ōhashi
Storyboard 入好さとる Satoru Iriyoshi
Assistant director ながはまのりひこ Norihiko Nagahama
Animation director 志村泉 Izumi Shimura
No additional credits are available at this time.
  • Screenshots on Filb.de
  • Early reports originally listed 秦義人 Yoshito Hata as the director and 船津弘美 Hiromi Funatsu as animation director along with Izumi Shimura.

The Ole' Berate and Switch! (Japanese: ロケット団解散!?それぞれの道! Team Rocket Dissolution!? Respective Roads!) is the 176th episode of the Advanced Generation series, and the 450th episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan on May 11, 2006 and in the United States on December 4, 2006.

201
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
201

Blurb

Team Rocket decides to go their separate ways after yet another foiled Pikachu kidnap attempt. Elsewhere, our heroes come across a one-day Pokémon Battle Tournament secretly run by Butch and Cassidy, who are having their own problems getting along. Ash signs up, unaware that while he's battling, Cassidy is preparing to swipe the competitors' Pokémon! Cassidy runs into Jessie and James, and decides to make James her new team. As for Jessie, she fast-talks her way into a partnership with Butch.

Max has spotted the villains at work, however, and as Ash is celebrating a victory, he runs to tell everyone what's really happening. Our heroes go to rescue the Poké Balls and encounter Cassidy and James, James unsuccessfully trying to pretend that he's Butch. Corphish cools off Cassidy's Houndour and Team Rocket's scam is revealed to the tournament competitors, leading to a showdown with Team Rocket minions.

Jessie and Butch try to make a stealthy getaway, but Ash spots them and Pikachu puts a stop to their thievery. Meanwhile, Meowth is trying to steal a few Poké Balls for himself when it bumps into Jessie and James. They remember the good times they had together, and decide to reunite once more. So when Ash sends them blasting off, they blast off as friends—at least for now! The other Trainers are reunited with their Poké Balls, and now it's time for our heroes to head for the Pewter Gym.

Plot

The episode opens to Jessie, James and Meowth of the sinister Team Rocket, who have just nabbed Pikachu and running in hot pursuit. Eventually, they reach a fork, and while James frantically chooses the correct path, Jessie and Meowth accidentally lean on the cage, freeing Pikachu. After being blasted off by Pikachu's Thunderbolt, the trio gets into an argument. They then come to an agreement and decide to go their separate ways.

Meanwhile, Ash and his friends are heading for Pewter City. As they pass through Sable City, they notice a one-day only Pokémon Tournament being held in the town. Thinking about his upcoming battle with Pyramid King Brandon, Ash decides to enter the tournament. However, what they don't know is that the tournament is a plan concocted by Butch and Cassidy to steal Pokémon. While Butch convinces the Trainers to sign up, Cassidy is disguised as Nurse Joy.

Ash's first battle is against a Pokémon Trainer named Howie. Ash sends out his Corphish to battle Howie's Pinsir. Howie has Pinsir start off with a Vice Grip, but Corphish quickly counters the attack. Ash tells Corphish to use Crabhammer, but Howie has Pinsir counter with Guillotine. Outside the arena, Jessie, James and Meowth enter the building. Jessie notices the tournament is happening and decides to steal the Pokémon. James and Mime Jr. come across the building and get the same reaction Jessie had. Meowth also comes up, and decides to see what it's about, not interested in stealing Pokémon.

Back inside the arena, Pinsir knocks Corphish hard with Seismic Toss, and is about to administer the finishing blow with Guillotine, but Ash tells Corphish to use Harden and a Crabhammer to finish it off. This move allows Ash and Corphish to win the first battle.

Meanwhile, James and Mime Jr. are wandering around the arena. They encounter Jessie, and both of them look away from each other in disgust. Later, they meet up with Cassidy, who is still dressed up as Nurse Joy. She tells the Rocket trio about the plan she and Butch have. She also reveals that she and Butch have been invited to surprise parties for Giovanni and Dr. Namba. Cassidy convinces James to help her out with the plan.

Continuing with the battles, Ash and Corphish face off against another Trainer and his Marowak. Corphish is about to hit Marowak with Crabhammer, but Marowak counters with its thick bone. Marowak uses Bonemerang. Corphish ducks, but the attack comes back and hits the Pokémon.

In one of the hallways of the arena, Butch is busy carrying a bag full of stolen Poké Balls until he encounters Jessie. Jessie then notices the Poké Ball haul Cassidy told her about and starts to sweet-talk Butch.

Back with the battles, Ash has Corphish use Vice Grip, but Marowak counters and is about to nail Corphish with Bone Club. Corphish counters and is about to use Crabhammer.

While in the hallways of the arena, a sad Meowth is thinking about Jessie and James and how much he misses them. He finds a bag of biscuits lying on the ground. He then begins to reminisce about all the times he, Jessie and James had a single bite of food and how they would always split the food into three pieces, whether it was bread, a hunk of cheese, one and a half crackers and even a rice cake.

Meanwhile, Munchlax has run off after one of the battles. Max gets Munchlax under control and peeks into the room where Cassidy and Butch kept the stolen Poké Balls. James and Cassidy are putting the Poké Balls in several boxes. Max then realizes Team Rocket's evil plan, and is shocked to discover James's alignment with Butch and Cassidy. Max heads back to the stadium to tell Ash.

Back with the battles, Corphish has just knocked out Marowak with Crabhammer. Ash and Corphish are celebrating another victory until Max interrupts them. He tells them about Team Rocket's evil plan to steal the Trainers' Poké Balls. Ash and his friends then head to the room to confront James and Cassidy. While confronting James and Cassidy, James and Cassidy say the Team Rocket motto, but Cassidy goofs up the finishing line. Then, Cassidy calls out her Houndour. Ash tells Corphish to use BubbleBeam and follow it up with Vice Grip. Before Corphish can hit Houndour, the Dark Pokémon uses Flamethrower. Corphish slams into one of the boxes where Team Rocket has kept the stolen Poké Balls. Tons of Poké Balls spill out of the boxes and flood the floors of the stadium.

Ash tells the Trainers about what Team Rocket is up to and tells them to get their Poké Balls back. The tournament officials tear off their disguises, revealing themselves to be a horde of Team Rocket Grunts. The Rocket Grunts bring their Pokémon forth, as do the other Trainers, not willing to give up their Pokémon without a fight.

Ash and the other Trainers are furious with Team Rocket wanting to steal the memories they've stored in the Poké Balls and Ash has Pikachu use Thunderbolt. As the battle continues, Jessie and Butch are about to leave with a box full of stolen Poké Balls, but they are noticed by Ash, who has Swellow tackle them. After being caught, Jessie and Butch recite the motto, but Butch goofs it up. Butch, after being annoyed by Ash calling him "Paunch", sends out Raticate. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt on Jessie, Butch and Raticate, sending them flying.

Elsewhere in the arena, Meowth is collecting some Poké Balls. James and Mime Jr. and Jessie are doing the same. When all three Rockets grab the same Poké Ball, another argument ensues, but Meowth stops the argument by showing them the biscuit he found earlier. This reminds Jessie and James of their friendship. All three Rockets are about to split the biscuit apart. Before they could eat it, a Trainer with his Rhydon sends Jessie, James and Meowth flying. After this happens, the Rocket Grunts flee the building.

Back inside, Ash and his friends are cleaning up the mess of Poké Balls, until they notice Cassidy and Butch escaping with the box. As they chase Cassidy and Butch, the Rocket Duo falls into a hole. They get out and continue to run. Before they can board their helicopter, they fall into another hole, along with the helicopter. Ash tells Pikachu to use Thunderbolt and Cassidy and Butch are sent flying.

Jessie, James and Meowth are floating in their Meowth Balloon, carrying shovels. It turns out they were the ones who dug up the holes which almost stopped Cassidy and Butch. Jessie, James and Meowth, after reciting their motto, are about to make their getaway with the Poké Balls, until Corphish pops open a hole with it BubbleBeam attack, sending Team Rocket blasting off again.

Back at the stadium, Ash and co. watch as the Trainers reclaim their Poké Balls. While in the woods, Jessie, James and Meowth are about to share a biscuit in a campfire. Jessie gets the biggest piece. This angers her two friends, and they fight over the size of the biscuit.

Major events

  • May and Max meet Butch and Cassidy for the first time.
  • Team Rocket break up and Jessie and James temporarily join with Butch and Cassidy, respectively.
For a list of all major events in the anime, please see the history page.

Debuts

Characters

Humans

Pokémon

Trivia

  • This episode marks the return of Ikue Ohtani from maternity leave.
  • Pokémon Symphonic Medley, ニャースのうた Meowth's Song and 前向きロケット団! Face Forward Team Rocket! are used as background music.
  • This episode is unique because there were three Team Rocket mottos (by Jessie and Butch, Cassidy and James and the usual trio at the end) and three blast-offs (the trio in the beginning of the episode, Cassidy and Butch and the trio again in the end).
  • This is the second time Ash and company lead a horde of Pokémon Trainers in a counterattack against Team Rocket's evil plans (the massive battle between a horde of Pokémon Trainers vs. Team Rocket Grunts). The first time was in Battle Aboard the St. Anne.
  • The title is based on the phrase "bait and switch".
  • A later episode, The Path That Leads to Goodbye!, shares a similar plot line.

Errors

  • At the beginning when Pikachu escapes from Team Rockets cage, a split second before he lands on the ground, his shadow appears in mid-air.
  • After Cassidy takes James away to work with her, Jessie is left standing alone with a fire extinguisher that was never in the hallway before.
  • In the dub, when Max finds James and Cassidy with boxes full of Poké Balls, he comments that James is working for Butch and Cassidy even though he had never seen nor heard of them before.
  • Instead of "To denounce the goodness of truth and love", Cassidy says "To denounce the evils of truth and love".

Dub edits

In other languages




AG175 : Going for Choke!
Advanced Generation series
AG177 : Grating Spaces!
Project Anime logo.png This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of the Pokémon anime.