Recap: Dues and Don'ts

“Critics who treat adult as a term of approval, cannot truly be adults themselves. When I was 10, I would read fairy tales in secret. Now that I am 50, I openly admit to reading them. Part of being an adult is to not worry about childish things such as the desire to be grown up.”- CS Lewis

Hello again, and welcome to another new year. Three years have passed since I first started this blog. With my 23rd birthday having come and gone; it’s time for another Pokémon recap to lead off another year. Since I enjoyed writing my recap of “A Better Pill to Swallow” last year to ease certain events; I think I shall cover another Johto filler episode while I work on getting back into the swing of things in school (such as determining how to schedule what I want to do over the course of this year). So, let’s open up “Dues and Don’ts!”

We open on Team Rocket in football outfits; and I am referring to the kind we Yanks favor. Part of this recap and the next one will involve coping with the fact the Ducks lost to Ohio State; but I digress. 

This attempt to reboot Tecmo Bowl is weird so far.

Then, it turns out the football is a bomb! Here’s the coin toss, Team Rocket will kick off; and Ash Ketchum will receive. Ash sends it back; and it’s good! 

As Team Rocket blasts off; we get the theme song to the Master Quest season, “Believe in Me.” It is a great tune that symbolizes the end of the original series helping the transition from the ‘90s to the 2000s. 

We then get our title card; with the Johto gym badges bordering blue text on an electric green background. I like this design very much; as it has good color balance and use of one of the primary things you need in the games. 

When Team Rocket finally touches down (no pun intended); they decide to have a meeting over what went wrong in “a democratic fashion;” in their words. It’s about as democratic as the Legion of Doom. 

Look, I just want some pants. A decent pair of pants!

Naturally, Wobuffet pops out of his Poké Ball; as he does to provide comic relief. He is simply a comedic goldmine.

Wobuffet! (Translation-Wobuffet want pants too!)

Meowth dryly remarks that if this is the democratic process, he’s voting Republican. Well, I definitely wouldn’t have made it through the Dubya era without the franchise’s help.

I still like him better than Ted Cruz.

Dejected at the fact that they lack the Pokémon numbers and power of the “twerps”; they shuffle off down the road. 

Conveniently, they pass by Delibird in a cage. Easy pickings for them.

They are then greeted by an old woman who had left the Delibird there. Since she was apparently unnamed in the episode; I shall refer to her as Granny Rocket.

Would you like some ribbon candy?

It turns out that Jessie and James have been effectively delisted from Team Rocket because of enormous amounts of money they owe to the company. Makes my student loan payments seem even more miniscule.

Wanting to retain their freedom; they opt to go back to just being street punks. They are modeled after the “bowzock” subculture of Japanese biker gangs; dressing in over the top leather, outlandish hairstyles; and modifying their bikes with neon and trimmings that would not be out of place in a Schumacher-helmed Batman movie.

Instead; Granny Rocket suggests they re-enlist. Re-enlist? Are you mad?

Apparently, Team Rocket is low on recruits due to the police cracking down on them. Giovanni is also none too pleased at their apparent lack of progress. 

Some men just want to watch the world burn.

He gets an email of their enlistment form with their pictures on his very ‘90s computer; possibly still running dial-up, even.

This new Facebook layout sucks!

Among the many charges they ran up in their initial tenure was; among other things, fruit smoothies on the company restaurant tab. Needless to say, their director of Human Resources is less than enthusiastic about the idea.

With some hesitation; they are given their first assignment for reinstatement of their rank.

Naturally, they are less than pleased at the idea of taking on the “twerps” to get back in, but Granny Rocket insists.

Surely you can't be serious! "I am serious, and don't call me Shirley."

They change their tune once they get to use Delibird in their initiation. 

Their latest disguise involves samurai robes, a straw hat and katana for James; and a straw helmet and flute for Jessie. That means it’s time for another installment of “Shit CEOs Say!”

"By the time we localize programs, kids won't even know they're from Japan anymore."-Alfred R. Kahn

With that on the table; Jessie and James then challenge our heroes to a battle. Ash remarks they’re not making any sense. Neither does this show, but I love it anyway!

Team Rocket sends out Delibird to do battle.

After Ash scans it with his Pokédex, Misty expresses incredulity at the fact that its special moves are presents.

They quickly find out that the presents are known to explode. Huh. Often when I use him, it doesn’t do damage at all.

I knew I should have signed the registration!

Ash counters with Phanphy; hatched from another episode I may consider recapping later this year. I just need to remember which one. 

Yet, more exploding presents rain down as Ash, Brock, and Misty run for cover. 

Jessie and James are overjoyed at the situation!

Then, it turns out the presents have an equal chance of healing the Pokémon they’re given to! Yep, that’s about how it goes in the games when I use Delibird. Otherwise, it just helps fill in the blank spaces in the Pokédex.

With this; Pikachu gives a particularly angry look at Team Rocket for their actions.

Say something about Jinbanyan one more time. I dare you.

Despite blasting off again; Granny Rocket just decides to take what she can get. 

I'll get the iodine!

Back at the recruitment office, I find it amusing that there are actual rockets as a part of the building.

Team Rocket Recruitment office-South Jersey Shore

Giovanni then decides to reinstate their membership; knowing full well that whatever the situation, they’ll be out of his hair. 

"Team Flare Terrorizes Kalos?" Wait till they get a load of me.

When the HR director get the news, she is not happy at all. 

This town needs an enema!

Delibird then gives them the news of their reinstatement; which is met with mixed feelings by Team Rocket.

Don't forget-you're here forever!

The HR director, having signed off on their reinstatement; ultimately decides that the best revenge is living well as she chugs another smoothie that Jessie owed her.

The sweet, fruity taste of revenge!

We then close on Ash, Brock, Misty, and Pikachu remarking what a confusing day this has been. Don’t worry guys; it takes a while to get back into the swing of things.

“Dues and Don’ts” is a solid side trip in the Johto saga. With most of the story taking place from Team Rocket’s POV; it is delightfully silly in the same vein as “A Lean, Mean Team Rocket Machine” in Sinnoh. The animation is nice for its time; and the timing on the gags is just wonderful. With this, my new year of recapping anime has begun. It shall bring many new recaps; with another episode of Eyeshield 21 coming up next! See you, space cowboy!