The Orange Islands season was more simpler than the Indigo League with less pressure, less rivalry and more about the world than gym battles.
This episode not only gives hilarious gags, great animation, type pacing, but it gave what other episodes were lacking: a good message and a look into what really makes the characters tick. What makes it special is how each character is shown in their comfort zone, that zone is challenged and we see the strength of their character and how they react.
Jessie and James want riches but when challenged on that by the peril that Meowth is put in, they are willing to throw it all away because they care more about Meowth's happiness even when it doesn't involve them. Meowth is happy where he is but when challenged on that by being offered more, he lapses before realising that what really makes him happy is the connection he has with the team. That message to...
Back at the final episode of the first series, the message is failure ain't the end of the journey, but here the message is like an addendum to that: never forget what makes you happy. Think about what you desire versus what you require. A message tailor-made for kids and sorely needed for many adults too, told in a non-patronising way organically through the actions of characters.
Bit unfortunate I didn't consider it as my favourite episode of the Orange Islands, maybe below "Pikachu Revolts", yet this episode can really choke one up with emotion or tears to eyes (even seeing Meowth watery eyes) if rewatch it carefully and properly, surprised didn't do to me before all these years.