Doesn’t it seem like the writers in a way kicked Barry/Kenny out of the Sinnoh League

[Paulisthebest]

I mean I just watched the Barry/Paul match today and it was really good! The match went well, but like all of the other matches so far seen in the league it was too rushed. This is how I feel about Kenny’s time at the GF. Really, I’m not that much of a Kenny fan because he really didn’t do much to make me a fan. However, you give him being Dawn’s rival and childhood friend with some screen time along with a couple onscreen wins only for him to get thrown out after the first round?

The way I see it the writers went about it the wrong way. Barry and Kenny made it through at least 8 gym battles/5 contests to make it to the main tournament. They both should have gained a lot of experience through these competitions, but the writers made them lose because of “rookie errors.” Think of it Kenny lost because his Pokemon’s attack overpowered his others Pokemon’s attack. It’s the GF for goodness sake something like that is supposed to happen at a regular contest (like when Dawn or May’s Pokemon got stage fright one time). As for Barry, he lost mainly because he was shocked at Paul’s constant substitutions.

I mean come on Barry, all of the battles you’ve been in you should know that one of the primary ways to win a match is to exploit type weaknesses and to use the best Pokemon possible to get the job done. True, Paul’s Pokemon were probably more powerful, but still Barry should have used strategy in his favor against Paul’s.

Yeah, Kenny came back in another episode DP 180 I think, to get a final sendoff. I feel that Barry is going to stick around until the rest of the league, and probably get his own sendoff episode. I was really hoping for a full battle between Paul and Barry. I guess it’s like the Top 8 in Kanto only they got to be in full battle matches.

Anyone else feel that these characters were just left out in the cold by the writers after so much development?

 

[Falconwing]

Re: Doesn’t it seem like the writers in a way kicked Barry/Kenny out of the Sinnoh Le

From what I saw, Barry did use type advantage. Hitmonlee against Ursaring and Empoleon against Magmortar is a good choice.

 

[Masurao]

Re: Doesn’t it seem like the writers in a way kicked Barry/Kenny out of the Sinnoh Le

That's what happens when you have alot of rivals. Somebody had to fail. Kenny got redemption in DP 180, and at least Barry made it to the third round. He put up a good battle, but ultimately it wasn't enough since he was gainst Paul. Also, he did try a stragety with spikes that ultimately didn't do anything at all, but at least it showed he had a brain. I feel that they handled Barry just fine honestly given his character type.

 

[Paulisthebest]

Re: Doesn’t it seem like the writers in a way kicked Barry/Kenny out of the Sinnoh Le

True Ryuutakeshi,

However, it seemed that Paul used the same strategy, but one level better than Barry. He basically used type advantage the whole time (aside from Urasring vs. Hitmonlee). Skarmory was instantly countered with Magmortar. Then Barry had the advantage, but Paul subbed for Urasring (with fighting type moves vs. the steel/water type). Barry countered with his fighting type, but was defeated. Then Paul had a double whammy; Urasring’s fighting type moves and Electivire’s electric attacks against Empoleon. So, Paul had about 4 type advantages vs. Barry’s 2 (water type counters Paul’s fire and fighting type trumps normal types).

Barry did use that Spike attack, but it did little damage. I mean if he would have used like Double Team or simply dodged Magmortar’s Flamethrower he could have recalled Skarmory. Then before he used the first Blaze Kick he should have called back Hitmonlee because Urasring had already taken so much damage. Magmortar had taken so much damage from Hydro Cannon, and there you go Barry would be up against 2 very damaged Pokemon. Electavire would have been his only fully energized Pokemon. However, that was just how I looked at the battle.

Kenny did have redemption with a win against Ash, but like Barry vs. Gible it was a cheap win in my opinion. Both Kenny and Barry used their #1 Pokemon Empoleon vs. Ash’s un-evolved Pokemon (Buizel and his newly caught Gible). I mean what kind of victory is that to be proud of?

 

[Cybersai]

Re: Doesn’t it seem like the writers in a way kicked Barry/Kenny out of the Sinnoh Le

Wish Ash got to battle Barry. We would have seen Ash's older pokemon used more.

 

[Ampharos King]

Re: Doesn’t it seem like the writers in a way kicked Barry/Kenny out of the Sinnoh Le

It is inevitable that in the grand scheme of things, the main important matches in the Sinnoh League are: Ash VS Paul & Ash VS Legendary Trainer. One way or another, Barry and the other "minor rivals" were going to get eliminated before either of these trainers.

I'm glad that the writers decided to have Barry battle Paul, instead of forcing him to fight Ash yet again (they battled three times in the past). This resolves Barry's plotline, driven by his desire to battle Paul, idolizing Paul, and wishing to emulate his training styles.
Likewise, Paul begins to steadily respect the ideals of other trainers, rather than viewing them as "weaklings." At the end of their battle, Paul agreed to a rematch at Barry's request, despite sweeping his team with little effort. This is something Paul never would have done at the start of Diamond and Pearl, and as a result reflects his personal growth as well.

Kenny, on the other hand... Zoey and Nando, Dawn's two forerunners, were intended to resolve their rivalry later on in the tournament. Likewise, Dawn was destined to fight Ursula one last time. In addition, preserving Jessalina allows Team Rocket to get their screentime in the episodes without interrupting the competition. Kenny just felt out of place, and for this reason was eliminated first.

 

[Masurao]

Re: Doesn’t it seem like the writers in a way kicked Barry/Kenny out of the Sinnoh Le

However, it seemed that Paul used the same strategy, but one level better than Barry. He basically used type advantage the whole time (aside from Urasring vs. Hitmonlee). Skarmory was instantly countered with Magmortar. Then Barry had the advantage, but Paul subbed for Urasring (with fighting type moves vs. the steel/water type). Barry countered with his fighting type, but was defeated. Then Paul had a double whammy; Urasring’s fighting type moves and Electivire’s electric attacks against Empoleon. So, Paul had about 4 type advantages vs. Barry’s 2 (water type counters Paul’s fire and fighting type trumps normal types).

Barry did use that Spike attack, but it did little damage. I mean if he would have used like Double Team or simply dodged Magmortar’s Flamethrower he could have recalled Skarmory. Then before he used the first Blaze Kick he should have called back Hitmonlee because Urasring had already taken so much damage. Magmortar had taken so much damage from Hydro Cannon, and there you go Barry would be up against 2 very damaged Pokemon. Electavire would have been his only fully energized Pokemon. However, that was just how I looked at the battle.

The episode accomplished what it was suppose to do, make Paul seem strong as hell. His stats on the computer monitor were very high, and all-around. It would have been nice to see Barry go out strong like Nando was against Zoey in the GF, but I think Barry grew-up a bit as a character in this episode.

Kenny did have redemption with a win against Ash, but like Barry vs. Gible it was a cheap win in my opinion. Both Kenny and Barry used their #1 Pokemon Empoleon vs. Ash’s un-evolved Pokemon (Buizel and his newly caught Gible). I mean what kind of victory is that to be proud of?

I mean Ash wanted to train Gible since it was newly caught, and wanted to try it's new moves out. Barry decided to stick will Empoleon, so if anything that battle helped Gible a bit perhaps.

As for Kenny, with him failing badly in the GF they couldn't make him go out looking like a complete failure. They probably just wanted to give closure to his character in general. Though why he had to battle Ash, if Dawn decided not to travel with him anyway is beyond me. It would have made alot more sense if he battled Dawn...since they are rivals. Dawn story is done so having her lose wouldn't have been any worse than Ash losing to Gary.

 

[NeoKING]

Re: Doesn’t it seem like the writers in a way kicked Barry/Kenny out of the Sinnoh Le

You know who got kicked out the league just like Barry? Ash, when he fought Ritchie in the Kanto Pokemon League. I just watched that match and realized how funny it was that Ash didn't have any two parters or anything, he just lost in six minutes, give or take, all because Charizard didn't want to fight, LOL.

But yeah, Barry but up a good fight. It felt like he just wanted to impress Paul and whenever he got put on the ropes he didn't think things through and panicked, just screamed "Dodge, dodge!" instead.

 

[LuxrayOfTheWild]

Re: Doesn’t it seem like the writers in a way kicked Barry/Kenny out of the Sinnoh Le

If I was there I'd walk up to Paul and say "Yo Paul I'm really happy fo' ya and Imma let you go, but Barry is a much better trainer than you and deserved to beat ya!" (hoping someone gets the joke)

Yeah I agree.

 

[NeoKING]

Re: Doesn’t it seem like the writers in a way kicked Barry/Kenny out of the Sinnoh Le

If I was there I'd walk up to Paul and say "Yo Paul I'm really happy fo' ya and Imma let you go, but Barry is a much better trainer than you and deserved to beat ya!" (hoping someone gets the joke)

Yeah I agree.

So basically, it's Paul gets Kanye'd.

 

[Olivia Eon]

Re: Doesn’t it seem like the writers in a way kicked Barry/Kenny out of the Sinnoh Le

Barry losing to his idol was a pretty good closure to his character IMO.

As for Kenny I have to agree that they shoved him to the side compared to the other DP rivals... the Ash Vs Kenny ep was a rather bad way to send him off because the win was really cheap and Dawn did not even discuss what happened face-to-face with him which was disappointing.

 

[LuxrayOfTheWild]

Re: Doesn’t it seem like the writers in a way kicked Barry/Kenny out of the Sinnoh Le

So basically, it's Paul gets Kanye'd.

Yeah, that'd kinda be funny to see.

 

[Hellion]

Re: Doesn’t it seem like the writers in a way kicked Barry/Kenny out of the Sinnoh Le

In a sense yes, but when you look closer to it, they really weren't since they were there to set up something... both were there to show how competitive and tough their respective competitions were and on top of that, Kenny was used to set up Dawn's departure. Barry was there to show how good Paul is so that when Ash beats him, it just feels like a bigger deal (though Gliscor coming back sorta kills that feeling )

 

[MarshiyanMisutaa]

Re: Doesn’t it seem like the writers in a way kicked Barry/Kenny out of the Sinnoh Le

Anyone else feel that these characters were just left out in the cold by the writers after so much development?

For Kenny: Yes.
For Barry: No, it's perfect!

 

[Trainer Yusuf]

Re: Doesn’t it seem like the writers in a way kicked Barry/Kenny out of the Sinnoh Le

Kenny got shafted throught the saga. Barry was too, but lesser than Kenny. Barry was used as more of a comedy relief than a true rival, while Kenny was just underhandled throught the saga.

DP180 was, decent. Ash vs. Kenny was stupid. I am not sad because Buizel lost to Kenny's Empoleon, I am sad because of the way it lost and the way they developed. I am sad because Kenny was all "Grrr Ash" despite having became butt buddies with him after his debut.

Barry put up a good fight, but still Paul pretty much destroyed Barry. Animation was crap, just like DP180. But, as many said before me, it showcased and reminded us about Paul's strength(given the fact we didn't see him battle since the full battle).

Eh at least both got their redeption. Barry put up a good fight and showed every bit of his personality and his battling style(Conteract for Paul's switching strategy and "GANBARE!"). Kenny got a redemption after being the butt monkey for whole saga.

So no, I think what hey got whole saga was worser than what they got in the end saga.

 

[Slipstream]

Re: Doesn’t it seem like the writers in a way kicked Barry/Kenny out of the Sinnoh Le

Barry put up a good fight, but still Paul pretty much destroyed Barry. Animation was crap, just like DP180. But, as many said before me, it showcased and reminded us about Paul's strength(given the fact we didn't see him battle since the full battle).

Eh at least both got their redemption. Barry put up a good fight and showed every bit of his personality and his battling style(Counteract for Paul's switching strategy and "GANBARE!"). Kenny got a redemption after being the butt monkey for whole saga.

So no, I think what hey got whole saga was worse than what they got in the end saga.

Please, let's be reasonable here. Barry only won against Ash once, and that was against Ash's newly caught Gible, which Barry's Pokemon had a huge type advantage against. Other than that one time, Barry has never won against Ash. And if Ash has such a hard time against Paul, did you honestly think that Barry would win? Hell, I knew Barry would be shut out, but he did a bit better than expected. Even so, I knew Barry would lose, and lose badly.

 

[Trainer Yusuf]

Re: Doesn’t it seem like the writers in a way kicked Barry/Kenny out of the Sinnoh Le

And if Ash has such a hard time against Paul, did you honestly think that Barry would win?

Of course not. But I was hoping that he would put slightly better fight than what we saw in DP184. At least not Skarmory to be OHKO'ed.

 

[Paulisthebest]

Re: Doesn’t it seem like the writers in a way kicked Barry/Kenny out of the Sinnoh Le

Yeah, from some of your posts you are all correct when it comes to Barry’s loss. He lost to his hero/idol so really it is not that bad. I’m just disappointed with the whole 3 on 3 battles. I mean look at Ash, we see one body slam and he wins another match leading him to the Top 8. I loved how the Evergrand championships showed almost every match for Ash and his rivals.

Oh, and I just thought of something about Hitmonlee! Remember in the Sandalstraw contest (I think that was the name of it) when Kenny used Machoke? Barry then said; “I’ve got to get me a strong Machoke like that one of these days!” This foreshadowed him getting a fighting-type well at least to me it did. Barry really did a number on all of Paul’s Pokemon, Magmortar and Ursaring were at the breaking point. Electavire only took damage from those spikes, but it had an advantage against Empoleon and Skarmory (if Barry used it against Electavire).

I mean in the games Skarmory could at least take one Flamethrower (well in the BF battles it has Occa Berry to take a Fire attack). Over all, Barry did alright. Though like I said before, it was too rushed and someone already pointed out how the animation for the battle was off.

One last thing, Hitmonlee posing after dodging that Hammer Arm has Barry written all over it haha. Not to mention it hiding behind a rock to shield itself from a Focus Blast, but it get hit along with the boulder being blasted apart. It is just like Heracross getting blasted from Gary’s Blastoise’s Hydro Pump don’t you think?

 

[jolteon]

Re: Doesn’t it seem like the writers in a way kicked Barry/Kenny out of the Sinnoh Le

If I was there I'd walk up to Paul and say "Yo Paul I'm really happy fo' ya and Imma let you go, but Barry is a much better trainer than you and deserved to beat ya!" (hoping someone gets the joke)

Yeah I agree.