Dedicated to the memory of Alan Rickman
1946-2016
Hello again. I apologize in advance for the lateness of this recap; but there have been a lot of things going on lately. That said, let’s keep heading towards finishing my Chinese Zodiac theme with snakes in the cycle and open up “The Dunsparce Deception!”
We open on Ash, Brock and Misty being on their journey through the Johto region when they come across a young man named Bucky trying to capture one of the eponymous Dunsparce.
After they agree to help; he shows them his Caterpie, which as per usual, does not make Misty happy.
The opening for this season is “Born to be a Winner”, one of the better themes of the early seasons.
As Bucky’s friends head to the park; we get some of the reasons why I wanted to do this episode: it just sounds so silly out of context, especially with how some of the lines are handled for what’s for all intents and purposes, a long; hard object that people judge their self-worth on. That’s not suspect at all!
Don’t believe me? As I go along, I will be posting some of the more infamous lines of this episode. Have a look.
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| "I took my Dunsparce to school for show and tell!" |
It gets better: when they reach the park, two children start arguing over whose Dunsparce is bigger; and a third even offers to measure them! It turns that his is bigger by 5cm!
As more children show each other their photo diaries about their Dunsparce; the gang wonders what the big deal is with all the Dunsparce. Bucky then explains that his family was helping his grandfather when he was sick; and the town was inundated with them when they came back.
So, the group decides to help Bucky catch a Dunsparce of his own; to be with his peers “in” crowd. Yeah, that’s how I met a lot of people I know too.
Of course; Team Rocket catches wind of this and decide to go after the Dunsparce themselves! Isn’t that a kick in the pants?
Even with everyone helping; Dunsparce proves to be elusive, as it was in those days. Then; sure enough, Bucky finds one poking his head through the dirt
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| WE GOT ONE! |
Amid all the commotion, however; Team Rocket tries to steal the Pokémon, all while dressed as pirates, no less! The reason why is, if I may paraphrase them, “a mixup at the cleaners with their usual uniforms.”
Even as Ash rescues the Pokémon; it turns out Team Rocket has taken the Dunsparce as they are sent blasting off!
Yet, it’s not enough for them; as James declares he wants ALL the Dunsparce! So, they set up a live show under Jessie’s direction that has him as a Moltres and Meowth as a Dunsparce. Now that’s a weird show, and I’ve seen Pokémon Live. It is INSANE.
Not only that, their production values are incredibly low-rent; with Fire Spin being representing by a bunch of streamers.
Also, I must note this kid with the Dreamcast muscle shirt immediately dates the episode to 2001 or so. More on that later; as Team Rocket plans to trick the children out of their Dunsparce in the promise of Moltres! Huh. The episode unintentionally predicted how ludicrous some GTS demands can be.
Upon finding out his friends have been had; Bucky vows to right this wrong and get the Dunsparce back!
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| This is a bigger ripoff than Dokopon! |
Even so, the Dunsparce prove to be too much for Team Rocket; and the townsfolk reclaim them and send them blasting off! Some things never change, do they?
To make the day complete; Bucky gets his Dunsparce as everyone goes along their way!
“The Dunsparce Deception” is a pretty enjoyable episode even if it’s technically filler. All the unintentional innuendo is a goldmine for a man in my position; and the animation was also very well-constructed for its time. It’s definitely an episode I never pass up an opportunity to watch. I’d definitely recommend it.
As for the next few recaps: they will be something of fun surprises, and you should see them all out soon. My plan is still to be finished with my Chinese Zodiac theme by the 8th; so I can work on other things I had planned for this month. See you, space cowboy!
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