"I've never seen Lana like this before!"
"When it comes to Popplio, she can really switch gears!"
—RotomDex and Mallow
Japanese Title: A Small Trio on a Big Adventure!!
Original Airdate: March 2, 2017
US Airdate: July 1, 2017
Popplio has had enough of Rowlet falling asleep when they're in mortal danger.
When they get separated from their trainers, Rowlet and Popplio have to get Litten and Stoutland's help to get away from Team Rocket. How will the dynamic between Litten and Meowth affect things?
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- Art Shift: Several of the thought balloons take a different, simpler art style.
- Disaster Dominoes: Popplio forms a Balloon. Bounsweet sneezes and emits Sweet Scent. Rowlet gets attracted to Bounsweet. Bounsweet knocks Rowlet away. Rowlet bumps into Popplio and both get stuck in her Balloon. A wave and a gust of wind launch them clear across Melemele Island.
- Imagine Spotting: After Rowlet finally calms down, he imagines Lana punishing Popplio for their separation. Popplio sees it, and her expression is like, "Are we really going to do this right now?"
- I Surrender, Suckers: Litten feigns joining Team Rocket, then blasts Team Rocket off with a powerful Ember.
- Lower-Deck Episode: Another "lost Pokémon" episode.
- Mama Bear: After the initial shock of the separation, Lana suddenly gets a determined look on her face, then grabs Ash by the arm and drags him off to go after them. Apparently, Mallow has seen that before.
- Mass "Oh, Crap!": The looks on Ash, Lana, and Mallow's faces when Rowlet and Popplio bounce away in one of the latter's balloons...
- Puppy-Dog Eyes: When Litten resists Stoutland's suggestion that he guide Rowlet and Popplio back to Ash, Popplio gives Litten these.
- Shout-Out: The title for the American dub is named for the legendary alternative rock band They Might Be Giants.
- Sleepy Head: Popplio gets more and more frustrated with Rowlet falling asleep throughout this ordeal.
- Straight Man and Wise Guy: Popplio and Rowlet, respectively.
- A Twinkle in the Sky: Team Rocket finally blasts off! They end up landing right in front of Bewear's den, and Bewear carries them home. When they do blast off, they're clearly happy to be finally doing so.
- You Have GOT to Be Kidding Me!: When Litten initially defies Team Rocket when the three are captured, Jessie points out that Rowlet fell asleep. Popplio has clearly had enough of him, because she starts Dope Slapping him repeatedly, dribbling him like a basketball.
