Sekiei Stadium! Vs Hiroshi!

This is one of the worst episodes in the first series of Pokémon, or a bad episode of one of the best TV shows. The plot seems quite rushed (with flaws could've been avoided) and lacks logic to the huge extent.

When Ash is speaking with Misty and Brock and warn him about his upcoming match against Ritchie, Ash says that there would be nothing to keep him from beating Ritchie. I wouldn't bet my life on that, Ash.

Surely this is one episode where the Team Rocket trio are unlikeable and/or annoying, even they go as far as kidnapping Ash repeatedly going after Pikachu.

Not sure whether it'd be possible if the match would be postponed if Ash gives the reason why he was late. Then the battle is rushed goes for the last three minutes.

Surely, Squirtle still carry on battling as wasn't knocked out whilst dozed off sleep by Butterfree sleep powder. That's an actual error as sleep powder doesn't knock Pokémon unconscious, it's a status condition.

Indeed, after Pikachu was out, Ash couldn't use Bulbasaur against Ritchie's Charmander, yet why Ash didn't use or should've had Kingler or Muk or numerous Tauros - instead of using his powerhouse yet disobedient fire-type - certainly the worse way he possible lose in the whole series.

At first, Ash swallows up his disappointment for Ritchie's sake and accepts defeat, only in the next episode he's turns moody and downcast.

Many would think it's really because of Team Rocket's shenanigans as Ash, not only turns up late for his match, he also has an exhausted team including Pikachu and Pidgeotto.

On a positive side: without this episode, we wouldn't have classic beloved episode "Charizard Chills" in the next series. And, like the next episode (final one of series 1), it brings the message that failure isn't the end of the journey and learn from your mistakes which makes you a better person.

Anyway, not much a likeable Pokémon episode, despite nostalgia I still have.