Recap: Gotta Catch Ya Later

Hello everyone, and welcome to my final recap of Pokémon Master Quest. I thought it would be only fitting to do the second to last episode of the season, and the original series; and what I consider to be the true finale more than "Hoenn Alone." Let's open up "Gotta Catch Ya Later!"

After the long journey in Johto, we see Ash, Brock and Misty returning to Viridian City as one of the last steps on this original journey.

We then get the opening theme, "Believe in Me." Since this is the last Johto recap I'm doing, I might as well link to the opening one last time. 

Everyone makes a quick stop at the Pokémon Center to heal their Pokémon and rest. However, it turns out that this isn't the same Nurse Joy from before, but her sister who just started work not long ago. Though this is going to get heavy fast, feel free to insert a Jango Fett joke/reference at your leisure. 

It also turns out that due to winning a prize in a beauty contest, Misty's sisters Daisy, Violet and Lily are going on a trip around the world; promoting her to gym leader officially. Though the circumstances are not the best (the Chronicles episode showing what happens next is totally insane, even if it is one of the few ones I liked), this is something that she had been trying to do ever since we first saw them: earn their respect. Joy also brings out her bicycle from when they first met, finally repaired!

However, there's something else behind this story; as Misty runs out the door of the center trying to reconcile what's about to happen; much like myself and other viewers watching this. She then runs afoul of three people referring to themselves as the "Invincible Pokémon Brothers," Given what happens next, I personally put more stock in the Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

Number one in the 'hood, G!

They challenge Misty to a battle, which she accepts. While they try to gang up on her with Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan and Hitmontop; Ash and Brock come for aid; much to her dismay.

"We won't come up with Multi Battles until the next season at least!"

Of course, Jessie and James are not happy with this development; having hired them as goons, and Meowth suggests a backup plan: trap them in a pair of soccer goals!

Fortunately, Kim cuts through the net with a pair of scissors; and the combined attacks of everyone send Team Rocket blasting off in a massive twister!

Now, with their enemies vanquished for another day; comes the part that really makes this episode for me and many others: the departure of the original trio as we knew it. These weren't just pictures on a screen, they were people that audiences could identify with and effectively became the standard for all future companions on the journey. I submit it wasn't simply that a lot of us were playing the games and watching this show: we were enjoying the world being built around the trainers, then subsequently enjoyed the games and the show. As we're shown a highlight reel of previous exploits up to his point, it plays over a track sung by Misty's original voice actress Rachael Lillis known as "Misty Most of All." It's a pretty nice tune, and it's almost like the show is making its own tribute video in this part.

As they reach the proverbial fork in the road that leads them all back home, Brock and Misty give Ash parting gifts of a bento box, utensils and a handkerchief, respectively before they all say their goodbyes. Obvious symbolism, but still no less powerful a scene at any rate.

Brock and Misty will return in Captain Marvel.

The next morning, Ash tries to determine his next move; at which point he catches wind of Gary heading to do research in the Hoenn region. He bids him good luck, and the two separate the keepsake of their first battle to have with each other at all times: an old rusted Poké Ball. 

You're welcome, Palletshippers.

Watching from a tree limb, Ash then sees Ho-Oh flying overhead towards the Hoenn Region; deciding that will be the next phase in his journey! I have seen this episode many times before I decided to write about it, and this visual always gives me hope no matter how bad things might seem otherwise.

Team Rocket tries to get in one last pitfall trap before Ash heads to Hoenn, but he's able to get himself out by MacGyvering the parting gifts that Brock and Misty left him! He even says that even though he may not be with his friends, they will always be with him in spirit! OK, I know there's only one track I can link to right now for this scene.

Pikachu then sends Team Rocket blasting off so hard that it shatters the ground they're standing on! I think I will bring up the blurb that Prime had for this episode: "Ash single-handedly defeats Team Rocket, and his newfound confidence inspires him to undertake a new journey."

So, we close this episode and effectively the original series on Ash being given a ticket to Hoenn on a ferry from the Seafoam Islands, the latest Pokédex from Professor Oak; and a new outfit from his mother that still looks like it wouldn't be out of place in Jet Set Radio Future to me.

Ash and Pikachu will return in Spider-Man: Far From Home.

Among the final two episodes of Johto and by proxy, the original series; I may not have hated "Hoenn Alone," but I feel it would have been more effective as a prologue for AG. "Gotta Catch Ya Later" is definitely the better ending overall: Ash gets new inspiration for his journey, makes up with Gary; makes good on his promise to Misty about her bike; and the experiences he had with her and Brock helped him better himself as a trainer and a person overall. Though it would be years before the characters would reappear in the Sun and Moon series (a second two-parter with them in Alola will help ring in Christmas and 2019), this marked the first major shift in the series' dynamic and marked the foundations for reigniting my fandom as a teenager. It was so long ago that Netflix still had their primary focus on DVDs rather than digital streaming. Though I still have some episodes of Hoenn that I'm working on addressing, for now; I will once again refer you to that Wayne's World line: "It's like Star Trek: The Next Generation- in many ways, it's superior; but it will never be as recognized as the original."

I am glad that I have my look at The Power of Us complete and ready to post by Christmas Eve, and I will continue work on my remaining posts as well as my copies of Let's Go Pikachu and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Thank you for all you've given me over these past six years. Bang.