#mewtwo is in like 50 eps and both of these boys are going to be going through it

[silvermeww]

Okay it's been a while, but I have been having a lot of thoughts!! Beach ep thoughts lol. But firstly: Shigeru is not as puntable in this version still, which is funny bc I already watched this ep in sub... probably still thinking about dub him back then (jk he's still good lol). He actually makes a good point here though, which is why I need to commemorate it-- that Ash/Satoshi was getting so fired up in this ep to get his 'revenge' on, er, whatever that demonstration Shigeru was pulling off that he doesn't considerate what kind of place it was (a resort, not a battling ground). And while still being annoying, he gives him honest feedback (that he really did lose bc what would happen if they fought? in front of their parental figures after a beaty contest btw?). Still can't get over 'I'm with the girls today' like okay bi king, go off I guess.

While we don't ever see them battle until the end of the Orange Islands arc, we can clearly see the differences here: Shigeru is more analytical while Satoshi fights with emotion (and can get consumed by it a lot too at this point). It's a problem now especially, since while emotion can help him (e.g. his last Gym Battle with Surge), it can also be detrimental (as we see later on with Sabrina-- he needed a real strategy against her as she was too powerful and... wasn't really sane at that point of time). I still have no idea why Shigeru is there in the first place, but hey! I won't refuse character development (also a possible nugget for why he decides to go researcher after Johto).

How my boy has grown (in a few minutes... well, rather it was throughout his journey so far). The fact that he actually took to account what Shigeru had told him (to notice what was around him) and used it in this type of situation where everyone is panicking and doing the opposite. Satoshi is actually keeping a level head here, and it's so beautiful to see here. People who say S1 has nothing has not seen anything, this is like what, ep 18 I think? Even Takeshi is surprised lol, but it still stands to reason that it's something that came from him and his calm demeanor which rubbed off on Satoshi, which is why I'm saying it was the journey as well that contributed to this. If you asked him at the start of the season, he probably wouldn't have acted in time (hello, waking up late and embarrassment) or at all, panicking with them. But now? He's taking it upon himself to warn everyone to stay calm, to watch how it isn't a real Gyarados (knowing after the whole St. Anne thing... hey, what happened to being pronounced dead before?), and it's great! Look how Shigeru is smiling at him, he knows what's up. Them being friends before holds more weight when you think about moments like these.

Come to think about it, isn't him telling him what he's doing wrong also remnicent of Blue in the games, where he gives you hints on where to go next? I'm really loving this fr, can you tell?

^^ The proud parents in question. Again, something to show how much he's grown, and Oak actually taking him seriously. And Delia noting how much he's grown.

Also grandson 🤝 grandfather

proud of gremlin child

The guys ever (ft. live 'rock reaction). Get yourself a dude(s) who can do both. But seriously, for a 'filler' ep there's so much here?? That smidge bit of respect coming out of Shigeru, that light-hearted smirk coming off from Satoshi, that remark (acknowledging him in a battle-sort-of-way; acquiescing to his challenge now bc he has shown that he can keep a cool head), the way Satoshi didn't falter once. A glimspe of his future Champion self, tbh. The makings of the hero role that he'll get forced into, over and over again.

Also the ep where TR (or rather Jessie/Musashi) call out that they'll never forgive him from this point. Yeah idk about before.