Another successful research trip wrapped up in Unova, Ash and Goh return to present the latter's newest catch, a Lilligant. However, the new arrival steals the attention of Heracross away from Pinsir, who falls into a funk in the process. Wanting to cheer her up, Goh signs up for a flower arrangement class in Celadon City with Chloe and Eevee, hoping that they win Heracross back.
This episode contains the following tropes:
- Bait-and-Switch: When Goh mentions he brought his Pinsir along to help win back Heracross, Erika seems to get a little irate...but it turns out she's touched for Goh's reasoning.
- Bear Hug: An unusual variant. When Heracross holds Pinsir's hands, she responds by grasping her partner in her pincers, much to Heracross's painful chagrin.
- Brick Joke: Ash's suggestion to try and cheer Pinsir up is to have her battle. Turns out, a battle was what she needed, as seeing her protect him from a Solar Beam is what makes Heracross fall for her again.
- Bullying a Dragon: Team Rocket's attack has them pick a fight with a sitting Gym Leader. Predictably, it ends disastrously.
- The Bus Came Back: Erika finally makes her return to the anime since the last time Ash battled her, over 24 seasons ago.
- Call-Back:
- The episode has plenty to "Pokémon Scent-Sation!", including Erika recognizing Ash from having battled her and saving her Gloom from the same fire that burned down the Gym.
- The Bait-and-Switch of Erika questioning Goh's motives is specifically a reference to her extremely strict and harsh standards in "Pokémon Scent-Sation" which got Ash initially banned from her Gym.
- Character Development: A big one for Goh. Unlike before when Scorbunny got incensed at Goh not paying attention to it while trying to learn Ember, or Drizzile when Goh tried to drag it out in spite of its depression, he quickly recognizes Pinsir is down in the dumps. Upon learning why, he quickly tries to find a way to cheer her up in a way that sparks its interest.
- Costume Porn: Of the floral variety, no less! While Chloe and Ash dress Eevee and Pikachu in flower arrangements (the latter in additional Christmas decorations) more suited to their styles, Goh goes all out in dressing Pinsir in a variety of flowers. Then, he has Grookey use its stick to make the flowers bloom, and it winds up making the dress look even more spectacular. Sadly, it gets destroyed when Pinsir takes a Solar Beam meant for Heracross.
- A Day in the Limelight: For Goh's Pinsir, who goes to a Flower Arrangement class so she can win back Heracross.
- Everyone Has Standards: Goh can see that Pinsir is upset over Heracross spending time with Lilligant, but he refuses to separate the latter two.
- Failed a Spot Check: Neither Goh nor Chloe realize the blue-haired man and the purple-haired woman with the Meowth and Wobbufett are Team Rocket, even when the evidence is right in front of their faces (including Meowth slipping that he can talk!)
- Instantly Proven Wrong: Upon seeing how amazing Pinsir's flower dress looks, Ash laments that Heracross isn't there to see it. Goh quickly pulls out Heracross's Pokeball, revealing he planned for him to see the moment they were done.
- Scissors Cuts Rock: Erika's Leafeon, combined with Eevee using Copycat, wipes the floor with Team Rocket's Levanny despite being quad-resistant to Grass Type moves (on account of it being a Bug and Grass type).
- Taking the Bullet: Pinsir steps into the path of a Solar Beam meant for Heracross.
- Took a Level in Badass: Pinsir, whose timid nature and unwillingness to fight normally keeps her out of battle, tanks a Solar Beam and then uses X-Scissor on Team Rocket's Prize Master Pokemon to make them pay for hurting Heracross.
- Violently Protective Girlfriend: Pinsir can get very violent if Heracross is hurt.
