Review S08 EP06: The Scuffle of Legends

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

Well, here we go, one of the most hated episodes of the series bellys up to the bar. Will our heros be able to stop the fighting, lest the world turn to...Lance? Will the animators ever explain why Maxie looks a good twenty years younger than he did last episode? Will this spawn at least one Squaredanceshippy fanfic? Please?

 

[FabuVinny]

“Why can’t we blast off to a happy place?” – James

I don't know what all the fuss is about because this is a brilliant episode! While the set-up of the last episode was a little disappointing, the first half of this episode really built up well! The plot clearly had a lot to work done to it. However, once they had built it up, they had to solve everything, and the ending was a little bit anticlimactic. I don’t quite see how one attack from Beautifly and Mudkip actually managed to end it, but once it had, the ending worked well. 4Kids put the movie 3 soundtrack in, but it really does fit the moment.

My only complaint is in how some of it looked. (I said some) Kyogre spent most of the episode in a different style to everything else, which really didn’t fit. Some of the attacks just didn’t look right.

What is Squaredanceshipping? Shelley/Archie? If they aren't a ship, they should be.

So Team Magma really is working for good? I feel a little guilty about stopping them in Ruby now. Speaking of which, the lack of Groudon was a little disappointing. While we got plenty of Kyogre, it only really turned up for the battle.

So... That's Hoenn nearing an end. Well, excepting another Gym badge, another contest, another Gym badge, another contest, the Grand Festival, the Hoenn League an plenty of filler… Hoenn will be over before we know it!

 

[Dogasu]

Wow, this thread is up early.

I don't know what all the fuss is about

the ending was a little bit anticlimactic.

I think you just answered your own question.

People (myself included) usually hate this episode because it gives us an unsatisfying ending to this epic rivalry that's been going on for almost two years now. That, and the animation is terrible.

 

[Luna Tiger]

Well, that solves that. Maxie's done by Marc Thompson.

Meowth's response to James' "C'mon Meowth, do something!" line made me chuckle. "I am! I'm freakin' out!" ...Which has to be a first for me.

I also find it interesting that, for once, they aren't sticking clearly to the rules of battling (for every one, there must be the same number). That Lance is using two of his pokémon to verse Kyogre.

Wow, Godzilla versus monster-of-the-hour much? Jeez, was Groudon really trying to 'help' them? Because if it needed a slave controlled by the blue orb to do this, then that seems hypocritial. ...Meh.

Still not seeing why people dun like Lance. <.< Sure, he swiped Wallace's place, but that's the only thing he did badly.

 

[fruitsmoothierevenge]

This episode was average for the whole anti-climaxtic ending.

I like how they switched the music up a bit at the end, because they usuallly tend to loop the same stuff... I think that's what added a lot to the Japanese version, and even though it wasn't quite the same intensity, it wasn't as stale as it could have been either.

Archie/Shelley is a cute pairing. Although it's not on the Shippers List yet... at least not as Squaredanceshipping.

Veronica did a very good job with Ash's voice, as always. I was really disappointed when they cut off her scream at the commercial break.

That *was* a great line, LunaTiger. Ahh, Meowth... <3

You would have thought, with an episode that Team Rocket has like, 10 lines it, that they couldn't sneak any gay?James references in. But noooo. What is their problem? XD (I'm refering to "I thought it would be wrong to take it from behind!" "I didn't think it would be nice taking it from behind!") EDIT: Gomen, bad at quotes... Jeez, that line's even worse.

Overall... perhaps a 6/10. Not bad.

 

[Barb]

I was having serious Godzilla flashbacks while watching Groudon. And did anyone else notice the music used during and after the battle was "The Legend Comes to Life" from the 2nd movie?

 

[Misty]

Okay, let's see.

Yeah, the animation (or more accurately, lack thereof) was kind of crappy.

Otherwise, though, I liked this episode. I mean, it ended about as well as it could have - for a kid's cartoon anyway. I liked how this ep flowed, it was a lot more fast-paced and had a quality almost akin to the movies.

8/10 in my book.

 

[Coffee]

Well I can see why people hated this episode, what with the unclonclusive ending, but one can assume that Magma & Aqua saw the error of their ways and just went on to have peaceful lives... man, that DOES suck! It would be better if they Archie & Maxie apologized to each other and to Ash's group, then annoucing the Teams have disbanded.

But this episode had its good points:

• Entertaining commentary from Team Rocket.
• How long was Beautifly cooped up in its Pokéball thanks to Skitty and Bulbasaur?

But only two reasons, sheesh. X_x 8/10

Next episode: It's Still Rocket-Roll To Me!

 

[Cybersai]

LOL! Anyone notice what 4kids did to James?

When Jessie yells at James as to why he let Pikachu know that they were there, James says:

"I didn't think it would be nice taking it from behind!"

Jeez 4kids! Your version of James is gay! We get it already!

It's times like these that I can't help but crack a smile.

 

[Barb]

"I didn't think it would be nice taking it from behind!"

Pokémopolis is going to have a field day with that quote.

 

[fruitsmoothierevenge]

Jeez 4kids! Your version of James is gay! We get it already!

It's times like these that I can't help but crack a smile.

Yes, now that they know we know, they're milking it for all it's worth. XP

It amuses me so, yes. But it's very hard to attempt to introduce the series to someone at this point without having to fight tooth and nail my thought that James is indeed not gay. And that he's blatantly straight in the Japanese version.

Geez, this topic deserves a thread. Where do you think I should post it?

 

[The Incarnation ポケモン]

No Rayquaza, no Cave of Origin, and No Wallace. That ought to be enough to ruin this mini-arc for anyone. Thanks, anime people, for stealing Wallace's story, his job, his DUTY, and handing it via some convenient excuse about "g-men" to your little cliché superhero pet with his 00bered Pkmn and OMG CRIMEFIGHT0RZZZ SKILZZ0RZ.

EDIT: At least this ep revealed the real reason Lance dragged his unnecessary butt to Hoenn, though. Yes, I'm sure Ash would *love* to ride back to shore on your Dragonite...two feet way from you...in midair...with nowhere to run...

 

[TK n Happy Ness]

No Rayquaza, no Cave of Origin, and No Wallace. That ought to be enough to ruin this mini-arc for anyone.

Also the fact that this happened BEFORE the Mossdeep Gym ep. The crisis in the game happens AFTER then.

 

[Marill]

It amuses me so, yes. But it's very hard to attempt to introduce the series to someone at this point without having to fight tooth and nail my thought that James is indeed not gay. And that he's blatantly straight in the Japanese version.

Geez, this topic deserves a thread. Where do you think I should post it?

Anywhere, just get it posted I'll probably meet u in there.

This may sound a little naive but it's not, but James' line to me sounds to me like it meant the opposite. He doesn't think it's nice to do that lol. Or is everyone just playing the "ironic comments" card to prove it. I do have a lot for that topic *waits*

 

[Kauri]

Well, I'll be honest and say that most of my enjoyment for this episode was from playing "Is Maxie's perfectly-shaped widow's peak an equilateral or isosceles triangle?". ('equilateral' won out in the end)

possessed!Archie was pretty fun to watch, though possessed!Pikachu still wins. Other than that, I think the highlight of the episode was Meowth's wonderful crayon-drawing-style 'plan'. It still makes me laugh even now, seeing the image in FabuVinny's sig. :E

But yeah. Go, still-frame battle! Though it certainly could have been better, I felt it was a decent enough conclusion. It helps if you never set your expectations very high, I guess. :x

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

Squaredanceshipping is Maxie/Archie/Shelly/Tabitha, given that the ending seems to be leaning towards Maxie and Tabitha, and Archie and Shelly, and that many people theorize that Maxie and Archie used to be an item, and the same of Shelly and Tabitha. So it's called Squaredanceshipping because of partner switching.

 

[Unregistered]

What's the ship between just Archie and Shelly?

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

I donno if it has a name. Aquashipping?

 

[Dark Espeon]

Squaredanceshipping is hot. And when they make Archie x Shelly official, please let me know. Oooh, and if somebody writes a fic of either shipping, lemme know too =D!

No Rayquaza, no Cave of Origin, and No Wallace. That ought to be enough to ruin this mini-arc for anyone. Thanks, anime people, for stealing Wallace's story, his job, his DUTY, and handing it via some convenient excuse about "g-men" to your little cliché superhero pet with his 00bered Pkmn and OMG CRIMEFIGHT0RZZZ SKILZZ0RZ.

Agreed X_X.

EDIT: At least this ep revealed the real reason Lance dragged his unnecessary butt to Hoenn, though. Yes, I'm sure Ash would *love* to ride back to shore on your Dragonite...two feet way from you...in midair...with nowhere to run...

Exactly. Is Ash x Lance a shipping yet? Cause if it's not, it should be. Remember the Gyarados episode? Yep, yep, Ash and Lance have got it goin' on =D. Two Mr. Heroes-We-Save-The-World. Romantic, ain't it? =P

I don't get why Lance was there. One solarbeam from one or two of my Grass Pokémon, and both Groudon and Kyogre would be lying on teh floor. And my Espeon could have stopped those tidal waves with one Psychic. >=D

Joking aside, the episode was cool, except for Lance. What an idiot.

"I'm Lance of the Pokemon G-man!"
"WTF?" *double slaps Lance* Go work @ Justice League or something.

Anywho, on the bright side:

-It made me realize Ash and Lance have a thang for each other.

-Archie is hot. And Gawd, I L-O-V-E his voice. He and Shelly are even hotter:

"Archie, sir, are ye alright? I was so worried!"
"Uh, yes, Shelly, I love you too. Let's get married, be evil and rule the world!"

Me: *sniff sniff* Is it not amazing?! Ahhh! this is better than Titanic! :-D

-Kyogre was awesome.

-TR was funny:

"Meowth, do something!"
"I am -I'm freaking out!"
*laughs snorts* =P

-I laughed along with Archie. I love evil maniacs. :-D.

Sure, the episode/plot itself was cheesy, but meh, who cares? Archie was there and that's what matters :-D.

8/10. ===> Thanks to Archie and Shelly. An evil version of Titanic :drool: (Don't ask) :-D.

Me did a pic search of Archie...and stumbled into this :

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

Irene does a lot of TA/TM art, which is great since she's so good at it.

http://eerin.deviantart.com/