Showdown at the Po-ké Corral (Japanese: ライバルたいけつ！オーキドけんきゅうじょ, Hepburn: Dueling with the Rival! Oak's Laboratory) is the 67th episode of Pokémon: Indigo League.
Synopsis[]
On a visit to Professor Oak's house, Ash runs into Gary where they talk about the upcoming Pokémon League. Professor Oak explains that instead of being so competitive with each other they should try and learn from each other. When Team Rocket busts into the lab and tries to steal all the Pokémon everyone learns a lesson about teamwork.[1]
Episode plot[]
Ash is center stage at the Pokémon League, and he confidently tosses a Poké Ball into the air. However, it returns to him, proceeding to suck him inside of it. Ash snaps out of his dream, and removes a vacuum cleaner off his face. He notices Mimey cleaning his room, seemingly impervious to what he has done. However, Mimey attaches the cleaner to his face once more, to Ash's surprise. He then heads downstairs for breakfast, relaying the events surrounding his awakening. Meanwhile, Team Rocket walk dejectedly through a forest to report back to Giovanni, while Meowth claims that they suffer from CFS: Complete Failure's Syndrome.
Jessie, James and Meowth ponder what sort of punishment Giovanni can give them, and Meowth gives them the stellar idea of leaving Team Rocket. Renouncing their allegiance to Team Rocket, they witness Giovanni's base being consumed in a huge explosion, and Mewtwo emerging from the blast. Jessie and James wonder who that was, and assume that Giovanni died in the destruction of the base. However, he emerges unscathed and enters a helicopter with his Persian. Team Rocket are motivated by Giovanni's persistence, and renew their careers in stealing Pokémon.
Ash, Misty and Brock meet Professor Oak at his lab, but are less enthusiastic to see that Gary already arrived before them. Professor Oak divulges his pride in both Gary and Ash as his protégé. He reveals that the other two budding Trainers did not have skill sufficient to progress. Professor Oak expresses a strong belief both Trainers are ready to face the Pokémon League. Ash asks Oak where the League is being held, to which he explains it will be held atop Indigo Plateau in two months time. Ash and Gary bicker over who is the stronger trainer. Meanwhile, Jessie and James, posing as news reporters, inquire of Ash's whereabouts. They are then thrown out of the house by Mimey. Gary exposes the flaws in Ash's battling strategy, and it is revealed from Professor Oak that Ash beat Gary on Pokémon seen. Of course, Gary has captured more Pokémon.
Checking Ash's Poké Ball cache in the storage reveals the majority of Pokémon he captured were Tauros from the Safari Zone. On the way to Professor Oak's laboratory, Team Rocket accidentally provoke a group of angry Kakuna and Beedrill into chasing them. However, they are stopped in their tracks by an immense Snorlax blocking the path as the Beedrill close in on them. When they walk across a field, they see a Doduo belonging to Gary. Professor Oak recounts his daily schedule to Gary and Ash, and reveals that the personalities of Pokémon strongly reflect that of their Trainers. Ash says Misty is like Psyduck, while Brock thinks if he has Vulpix, Suzy must love him. Oak clarifies that Krabby and Muk act more like him since Ash does not use them much, causing Muk to hug Oak. As Team Rocket scales a mountain, they find themselves being chased by an enraged Onix. Ash and Gary agree to have a battle together in order to practice for the League.
But before they can begin, they are alerted by an explosion at the Electric Pokémon Preserve. They confront Team Rocket at the Electrode Pit, whereupon both Professor Oak and Gary are shocked that Meowth can talk. After reciting their motto, Jessie and James battle Ash and Gary. However, before they can release their Pokémon, a herd of rampaging Tauros charges directly at Team Rocket, sending them hurtling into the sky. Professor Oak proclaims that it was Ash who was directly responsible for saving the day as the Tauros were his. Gary and Ash postpone their battle to the Pokémon League. Ash was responsible for the Tauros who tore down the enclosure fence, which Oak tells him to fix with his friends.
Debuts[]
Pokémon[]
Quotes[]
- (sadly, as she, James and Meowth walk along a path) "Well, there’s no use pretending anymore." - Jessie
- "We haven’t successfully stolen a single Pokémon for the Boss." - James
- "We’re just victims of CFS, Chronic Failure Syndrome!" - Meowth
- "That Thing!" - Giovanni
- "What are you three doing here?" - Giovanni confronting Jessie, James and Meowth
- "Hey, cut it out! What are you doing?" - Ash after Mimey plants the vacuum on his face
- "It's a talking Meowth?" - Gary
- "Could you probably say a few words, please?" - Professor Oak
Trivia[]
- When James emerges from the pit of Electrode, he quotes several lines from the song Show Me The Way To Go Home, most prominently featured in the film Jaws, as sung by the three main characters of Brody, Hooper and Quint. Meowth says the title of the song Volare', an old Italian standard sung by several 1950's crooners, and Jessie sings Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, made famous by the Platters in 1955.
- "Who's that Pokémon?": Muk (JA and KO), Slowbro (EN)
- This is the first dub episode to show Ash's 30 Tauros.
Mistakes[]
- Nidoran♂ was blue, and Nidoran♀ was purple painted, when it should be reversed.
- Gary was surprised that Meowth can talk, however he already heard him talk in The Battle of the Badge.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ^ (n.d.) . "Showdown at the Po-ké Corral | Pokémon TV (pokemon.com)". From The Official Pokémon Website | Pokemon.com. Archived from the original on January 22, 2024.
