Review- "A Date with Delcatty" (Pokémon Chronicles)

We're at the halfway point of Pokémon Chronicles, doing great with my takedown so far. Break time is over, so let's open up "A Date with Delcatty." Here we go!

Yes folks- after an initial decent, if flawed showcase around Misty and a much weaker one; we're "treated" now to a romance that's so degrading it makes Gigli look like The Notebook. As Misty is feeding Pokémon at the gym (briefly saving Psyduck from choking a couple times), Daisy is back from her vacation, while Violet and Lily are still out, dancing and exercising, respectively.

Elsewhere, fresh off their failed abduction of Professor Oak; Butch and Cassidy are picking up lunch at a local burger stand. 

"I'll have two #9s, #9 large, #6 with extra dip, two #45s, one with cheese and a large soda!"

All joking aside, they get their next assignment via a comm device hidden in the large fries. Look, I know meeting in a public place would raise less suspicion; but that storage method could have gotten that fried too. Why not hide it in the promotional premiums instead?

Anyway, Dr. Namba tasks them with stealing Delcatty; with the not at all conspicuous black trenchcoats and sunglasses making them look like the most enthusiastic Matrix cosplayers ever.

Of course, the message self-destructs a la Mission Impossible; though part of me wishes it would set off the fire safety system like in The Incredibles. We then get the arrival of Casey, who has come to Cerulean City to see the Electabuzz take on the Starmie baseball teams. Yet, somehow; her inclusion isn't the weakest part of the episode. That is yet to come.

She heads to Cerulean Gym, right behind Tracey; who has come with gifts for Starmie and Horsea. Inside the gym, Misty is given a letter via Pelipper. The letter asks her to come to the lighthouse by 2:00. Sadly, there's no Willem Dafoe or Robert Pattinson there; just the one who sent the letter- Giorgio. (Sighs)

Regardless of who you choose to ship Misty with (or just don't care for it at all); I think we can agree that Giorgio just adds little more than a hate sink- someone whose only purpose is to give the audience someone to root against. Basically, if you sent him packing in the games; Misty wouldn't even bother getting hotheaded after spooking her date.

Unfortunately, that doesn't happen here. Instead, Tracey helps clean the pool while Casey and Daisy accompany Misty to the lighthouse. Butch and Cassidy are also at the docks; hoping to abscond with Delcatty. I just came off reviewing a Chronicles episode that felt like two different stories had a head-on collision; so this happening again really doesn't work in favor of the whole "alternative to main series" selling point.

Anyway, Giorgio has tickets to the ballgame that Casey wants, conveniently; and let me just say that while I mean Ted Lewis no disrespect as an actor, he just uses his Tracey voice for Giorgio. He cannot pull off a role that requires him to sound romantic. It would be like if Titanic starred Jason Statham.

He happens to own the Delcatty that Butch and Cassidy are after; but that's another issue entirely. The main issue is that Giorgio wants to date Misty, even though she clearly isn't interested. I reiterate, whoever you pair Misty with or just don't care; Giorgio doesn't make for an engaging character at all. I've legit seen characters of the day I found more entertaining and memorable than him.

What's worse, Misty flat-out rejects him; but Giorgio won't take "no" for an answer. Undeterred, he challenges her to a battle with Casey acting as referee. Misty sends out Corsola; and Giorgio sends out Delcatty.

However, Butch and Cassidy take Delcatty and escape on hang gliders; but Giorgio sends out his Pelipper to give chase! The two crash on a nearby beach; and a multi battle ensues. Corsola and Meganium come out against Sableye and Mightyena; and while the animation is marginally better than the last episode I reviewed; there's still loads of still shots and impact frames. Like clockwork, Butch and Cassidy are sent blasting off empty-handed.

After that business is over, the battle by the lighthouse continues. It's amazing how quickly these showcases declined in quality. This may not be as bad as the previous one I reviewed; but it's also about as entertaining as watching dandelions grow. One of my favorite gym leaders deserves better; and I have seen much better.

I also don't know why Casey is fangirling over Delcatty either. Thought she preferred yellow striped ones, but I honestly don't understand. Corsola recovers from Delcatty's Ice Beam, and counters with a spam of Spike Cannon attacks!

Misty wins the battle, and Casey decides to use the moment to slide into Giorgio's DMs. I normally wouldn't say this, but; Casey: you can do better.

Casey sends out Elekid to take on Giorgio herself; and this episode has become another hot mess. 

"Here comes a new challenger!"

Misty tags in as ref, and even though she expresses concern for Delcatty's HP; Giorgio dismisses the concerns. What could possibly go wrong?

He actually beats Elekid despite the damage Delcatty took? Well, that's a new spin on that running gag. Giorgio even makes good on his promise to take Casey to the ballgame. How about that- for once Casey didn't totally strike out!

We close on Misty returning to the gym; just as Tracey and Daisy are finished for the day, reflecting on their experiences. That would have been way more interesting than the shenanigans I just detailed; but least I'm finally done with the first half of this spinoff. I will do the second half after my full review of Legends Arceus.

"A Date with Delcatty" wouldn't even make for a good online dating profile. Even by the standards of the many campy romantic comedies of the last few decades; this episode is pretty mediocre. If you want a better episode with this concept, go watch the Orange Islands episode "Misty Meets Her Match," and read the Electric Tale of Pikachu chapter "You Bet Your Wife" (which is part of the fourth and final volume, "Surf's Up Pikachu."). It's marginally better than "The Blue Badge of Courage," but it's also not very good either.

Post-review follow-up: most annoying character of the episode goes to Giorgio, for being little more than a hate sink for shippers who prefer Misty with other partners. Dishonorable mention goes to Casey; who is normally a passable character, but like many others; this spinoff utterly mishandles her.

Next Chronicles review will be on "Celebi and Joy," an episode which should make a solid counter to all those who had beef with the time travel in the Endgame. Take care.