Japanese Title: Eipam and Buoysel! Respective Roads!!
Original Airdate: November 22, 2007
US Airdate: April 26, 2008
Dawn and Ash make the trade.
Aipom is showing off hints of being a great contest performer, while Buizel is showing cold feet with contests. Looks like Ash and Dawn may have a trade in the cards.
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- Call-Back: This episode finally comes full circle of the eventual trade. Back in the episode "Arrival of a Rivall" after hearing how much Aipom enjoyed contests, Zoey recommended Dawn that she train Ash's Aipom instead. Then, in the episode "An Elite Meet and Greet," Dawn's Buizel shows much more of it's Blood Knight habits even challenging the strongest member of the Elite Four, Lucien, to a battle and ignores Dawn's commands for the majority of the episode. Zoey, after hearing how both Ash and Dawn's respective mons wanted to do the other (gym battles and contests), she recommends the trade then and there.
- Fish out of Water: Buizel's discomfort with performing for Dawn couldn't have come at a more opportune moment. With Aipom showing signs of excelling at performing, after being visibly shaken by her battle with Cacnea in the previous episode, it opens the door for the Pokémon to be traded.
- He's Back!: James finally returns to his normal self after getting over Cacnea's departure. Too bad it happened while he was in the middle of a blast-off.
- Nothing Is the Same Anymore: The episode begins with Team Rocket. James, Carnivine, and Mime Jr. are sitting apart from Jessie and Meowth, moping about leaving Cacnea behind.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Brock, realizing how tense the moment is for Ash and Dawn, for once doesn't go gaga over Nurse Joy.
