Recap / Pokemon S 8 E 8 Solid As A Solrock

• Bring It: Meowth taunts the twerps with this after their first attempt against their mech fails. When they expectedly blast them off the second time, Jessie and James scold Meowth for Tempting Fate.
• Combat Pragmatist: Ash was all for attacking the twin's Pokemon while they were busy arguing before Team Rocket barged in.
• Crippling Overspecialisation: For once the trio made armour that was immune to a type other than electric. Unfortunately that means they're now vulnerable to Pikachu's Thunderbolt, being only an "Economy Package" as Meowth states.
• Dual Boss: Ash with Pikachu and Swellow vs. Liza and Lunatone with Tate and Solrock.
• Instant Elemental Armor: The Thunder Armor powerup, one of the most (in)famous examples of Deus ex Machina, rears its ugly head here.
• Lampshade Hanging: In the dub, after Pikachu and Swellow pull off Thunder Armor, Liza says "I can't believe that worked!"
• Musical Episode: Team Rocket's motto at least. Meowth's inclusion shatters the backdrop.
• Not-So-Harmless Villain: After the trouncing they suffered from the twins last episode, Team Rocket this time go for their Pokemon, snagging them with ease using Psychic proof cages and leaving them reliant on Ash saving them. Downplayed, as Meowth's bumbling lets Pikachu and Swellow save the day.
• Skewed Priorities: Liza and Tate are outraged at Team Rocket for crashing into their gym, moaning their father will kill them after the mess they caused.
• Tempting Fate: Team Rocket twice:
  • First Meowth does a Bring It after Pikachu's first attempt against the mech fails. When Swellow gets close enough to the mech, *BZAAAAAAAAAP*. Mewoth gets an earful from Jessie and James because of this.
  • Then, Meowth got an "Economy Package" for Lunatone and Solrock and this allows Pikachu to zap the mech the second time.