Ash, Misty, and Brock are traveling up the mountain to watch Magikarp attempt to jump up a steep waterfall. But when they get there, it's frozen solid! But how? Our heroes soon discover a Beartic that's having a little trouble controlling its Ice Power, so Ash takes it upon himself to teach this Beartic how to control it.
This episode contains the following tropes:
- A Day in the Limelight: For Ash's Oshawott, who leads the charge in teaching Beartic how to use its Ice Powers.
- All-Loving Hero: Ash didn't have to try and help the Beartic, but he felt he should try just because it was the right thing to do. Misty and Brock both note that this is exactly the kind of thing that Ash would do.
- Blessed with Suck: Beartic's got amazing ice powers? Awesome! Except every time it even moves or breathes, it freezes everyone and everything over, which has left its self esteem at an all-time low. Ash trains it to better control it.
- The Bus Came Back: Ash brings Oshawott, Talonflame, Incineroar, and Snorlax back onto his team, while Misty calls out her Starmie and Brock brings back his Forretress.
- Butt-Monkey: Who else but Oshawott gets the short end of the stick? When Beartic is having problem with its ice powers, the little sea otter is always on the receiving end of it.
- Call-Back: Oshawott loses his scalchop and panics over it, and neatly puts it back on his chest by flipping it over once, like he did on Black and White.
- Earn Your Happy Ending: The Beartic is able to control its ice powers, the rest of the Pokémon embrace it as their friend, and the waterfall is unfrozen to allow Ash and the others to see the Magikarp attempt to climb it.
- Exposed to the Elements: Ash and Misty are wearing shorts in the freezing cold, but don't seem any worse for wear until they get frozen in ice.
- A Father to His Men: Despite being injured, Ash asks Beartic to take Pikachu and Oshawott up first to let Misty and Brock know what happened. Beartic still takes him along anyway, not wanting to leave him behind.
- Mythology Gag: Misty's jacket is not unlike the one her game counterpart wore in Pokémon Gold and Silver.
- Playing with Fire: Incineroar and Talonflame come in handy when they're both needed to unfreeze everyone Beartic leaves frozen in ice. Unfortunately, as powerful as they are, even they get trapped in it and have to thaw themselves out.
- Power Incontinence: Poor Beartic. It may have impressive ice powers, but it can't control it and freezes everyone and everything around it. Ash teaches it to better control its powers.
- Skyward Scream: Beartic runs out onto the lake and lets a powerful one rip as it screams in frustration over not being able to control its powers. Ash runs over and tries to calm it down, but the scream tears open the ice and causes the two of them, along with Pikachu and Oshawott, to fall into the cavern below.
- Took a Level in Badass:
- Incineroar has learned his species signature move, Darkest Lariat, though he only uses it once.
- Beartic manages to get its ice powers under control and use them more creatively.
- Twisted Ankle: Ash hurts his ankle a little bit when he and Beartic fall into the cavern.
- You Are Better Than You Think You Are: Ash refuses to let Beartic give up on itself, even when it seems like it can't control its ice powers.
