Failed a Spot Check: It's either this or a Series Continuity Error in the span of less than an episode: when Ash and his friends show Sawyer their new Pokémon, he remarks about seeing Ash's Noibat for the first time. In spite of how, in the encounter with Team Flare earlier, Sawyer clearly saw Ash using Noibat.
Irony: Remember how Ash and Serena receive new Pokédexes from Professor Sycamore last episode? The first "Pokémon" they scan is the Zygarde Core, and the 'dexes turn up empty.
Let's Split Up, Gang!: Ash and Sawyer hold Team Flare off while the rest of the group forge on ahead. Squishy would then separate from the latter group, only to run into Team Flare again; by transforming into 10% Forme and using Land's Wrath, Squishy would only alert the twerps of his location.
The Rival: The Team Flare scientists turn the Zygarde hunt into a competition over which pair (Celosia and Byrony vs. Aliana and Mable) captures their target Core first.
Villain Opening Scene: Team Flare cornering a 50% Zygarde (which they eventually christen Z-2) in Terminus Cave, until Zygarde uses Land's Wrath to escape.
Wham Shot: At the end of the episode, Ash unknowingly crosses paths with Alain (who the audience has gotten to know in the Mega Evolution specials).
