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m (Update synopsis and blurb, replaced: == Blurb == → ==Synopsis== , ==Synopsis== ''Our heroes finally reach Vermilion City. They make their way to the Pokémon Center to refill their empty stomachs, but once there, they see dozens of injured Pokémon being treated. Pikachu and Ash are alarmed to learn that all of these Pokémon were injured in battles with the Vermilion Gym Leader, Lt. Surge. Nonetheless, eager to earn a badge, Ash challenges Lt. Surge. Pikachu reluctantly enters the battle only...)
 
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{{EpisodeBox
{{Episode
 
|prev = IL013: Mystery At The Lighthouse
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|prev = TB013: Mystery at the Lighthouse
|next = IL015: Battle Aboard the St. Anne
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|next = TB015: Battle Aboard the St. Anne
  +
|en_title = Electric Shock Showdown
|prevnum = IL013
 
  +
|ja_title = でんげきたいけつ!クチバジム
|nextnum = IL015
 
  +
|pt-br_title = A Exibição do Choque Elétrico
|name = Electric Shock Showdown
 
  +
|image = TB014.png
|jname = でんげきたいけつ!クチバジム
 
|image = IL014.jpg
+
|num = 014
|jnum = 014
+
|ja_air = July 1, 1997
|jair = Jul-01-1997
+
|ja_link = tOtIwfNjAss
|uair = Sep-25-1998
+
|us_air = September 25, 1998
  +
|ko_title = {{Ruby|피카츄! 기본으로 돌아가라}}
|season = Pokémon: Indigo League
 
|songs = Pokémon Theme Song (Gotta Catch 'Em All)
+
|kr_air = August 25, 1999
|guest = [[Lt. Surge]]
+
|pt-br_air = May 27, 1999
  +
|series = Pocket Monsters (1997 series), Pokémon the Series: The Beginning
|machars = [[Ash]], [[Misty]], [[Brock]]
 
  +
|subtitle = Pocket Monsters (season)
|rchars = [[Nurse Joy]], [[Jessie]], [[James]]
 
  +
|season = Season 1, Pokémon: Indigo League
|michars = [[Lt. Surge]], Surges gym assistants
 
  +
|ja_opening = Aim to Be a Pokémon Master
|pchars = [[Ash's Pikachu]], [[Team Rocket's Meowth]], [[Rattata]], [[Pidgey]], [[Bellsprout]], [[Lt. Surge's Raichu]]
 
  +
|ja_ending = One Hundred Fifty-One
|local = [[Vermilion City]], [[Vermilion City Gym]]
 
  +
|en_opening = Pokémon Theme
|major = Ash wins the Thunder Badge. Pikachu learns Quick Attack and Agility.
 
  +
|en_ending = Kanto Pokérap
|b1 = Boulderbadge.png
 
  +
|kr_opening = Start of An Adventure
|b2 = Cascadebadge.png
 
|b3 = Thunderbadge.png}}
+
|kr_ending = We Are All Friends
  +
|guest = [[Lt. Surge (anime)|Lt. Surge]]
Electric Shock Showdown is the fourteenth episode of the Pokémon anime series, except in the United States, after Battle Aboard the St. Anne was broadcast as the first episode. The episode was first broadcast in Japan on July 1, 1997 and in the United States on September 25, 1998. The episode follows Ash Ketchum, Misty, Brock and Pikachu as they finally reach Vermilion City, where Ash hopes to defeat Lt. Surge and earn a Thunder Badge. However it soon becomes personal for Pikachu when it is mocked by Surge's Raichu.
 
  +
|machars = [[Ash Ketchum|Ash]], [[Misty (anime)|Misty]], [[Brock (anime)|Brock]]
==Episode Plot==
 
  +
|rchars = [[Nurse Joy]], [[Jessie]], [[James]]

 
  +
|michars = [[Lt. Surge (anime)|Lt. Surge]], Lt. Surge's gym assistants
  +
|pchars = [[Ash's Pikachu]], [[Team Rocket's Meowth]], [[Weezing (anime)|James' Koffing]], [[Nurse Joy's Chansey]], [[Rattata]], [[Oddish]], [[Caterpie]], [[Sandshrew]], [[Pidgey]], [[Bellsprout]], [[Lt. Surge's Raichu (anime)|Lt. Surge's Raichu]]
  +
|local = [[Vermilion City]], [[Vermilion City Gym]]
  +
|major = Ash and co. arrive to Vermilion City. Ash and co. meet Lt. Surge, the Vermilion City's Gym Leader. Ash wins the Thunder Badge. Pikachu knows Agility and Quick Attack.
  +
|badge = Boulderbadge.png, Cascadebadge.png, Thunderbadge.png
  +
|ja_title_card = TB014 TC JA.png
  +
|en_title_card = TB014 TC EN.png
  +
|animation = 志村隆行 (Takayuki Shimura)
  +
|director = 日高政光 (Masamitsu Hidaka)
  +
|screenplay = 冨岡淳広 (Atsuhiro Tomioka)
  +
|storyboard = 日高政光 (Masamitsu Hidaka)
  +
}}
  +
{{Nihongo|Electric Shock Showdown|でんげきたいけつ!クチバジム|Electric Battle! Vermilion Gym}} is the 14th episode of {{Media|anime|PM|PM('97)|PM}} of {{Media|anime|PM|PM('97)}}, [[Season 1]] of {{Media|anime|PS}}, and {{Media|anime|PS|TB|IL}} of {{Media|anime|PS|TB}}.
   
  +
==Synopsis==
After two weeks of traveling, [[Ash]], [[Misty]], and [[Brock]] have finally reached Vermilion City. Brock and Misty couldn't wait to eat but Ash wanted to go to the gym first. Brock told him to wait because Pikachu wasn't in good enough shape to battle. Ash agreed and they all head to the Pokémon Center.
 
  +
<section begin="Synopsis"/>''Our heroes finally reach Vermilion City. They make their way to the Pokémon Center to refill their empty stomachs, but once there, they see dozens of injured Pokémon being treated. Pikachu and Ash are alarmed to learn that all of these Pokémon were injured in battles with the Vermilion Gym Leader, Lt. Surge. Nonetheless, eager to earn a badge, Ash challenges Lt. Surge. Pikachu reluctantly enters the battle only to discover that its opponent is a Raichu, a fierce Pokémon with tremendous electric power—and the evolved form of Pikachu! In order for Pikachu to successfully compete, it must demonstrate a stronger will in battle than ever before. Could Pikachu possibly have a chance against Raichu’s overwhelming strength?''<section end="Synopsis"/><ref>{{Cite|url = https://www.pokemon.com/us/animation/seasons/1/episode-14-electric-shock-showdown|/entry = Electric Shock Showdown {{!}} Pokémon TV (pokemon.com)|title = The Official Pokémon Website {{!}} Pokemon.com|access-date = {{MDY|1|21|2024}}}}</ref>
   
  +
==Episode plot==
At the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy promised that she would take good care of Pikachu. Nurse Joy noticed that they looked surprised. She explained that all of the Nurse Joys were related and they all look alike. She claimed that she was the cutest one and Brock agreed.
 
  +
After two weeks of continuous trekking, our heroes finally make it to Vermilion City. Ash wants to go straight to the Gym, but Misty and Brock manage to convince him to go to the Pokémon Center first for rest. Upon reaching the Pokémon Center, they witness Nurse Joy and her Chansey rushing through with an injured Rattata. It is revealed to them that this has been happening alot due to challengers going against Lt. Surge, a brutal and tough Gym Leader, and the Master of the Vermilion City Gym. Seeing the casualties, Ash begins to worry about challenging this Gym Leader.
   
  +
Misty also reminds him that he didn't beat any gyms prior, and his badges are all pity badges. This leads to a short exchange between Ash and Misty. When Ash's Pokémon are healed, they seem a bit nervous, especially Pikachu, the latter of which decides not to go to the Gym. Ash doesn't give him much of a choice. Going to the Gym, Ash finds himself and his Pokémon insulted by both Lt. Surge's subordinates and then by Surge himself, who chastises Ask for not evolving his Pikachu into a Raichu yet. After being insulted, his fear is overridden by anger, so he proceeds to fight, even when it is obvious he'll lose.
Suddenly, the doors opened up and Chansey and a trainer ran in. On a rolling table was a very hurt Rattata. Brock wondered what had happened and Nurse Joy said that was the 15th one this month.
 
   
  +
Brock and even Ash ask Pikachu to stop, but he refuses and continues to fight until he was defeated. Pikachu awakens in the Pokémon Center much to Ash's relief. But the question crops up of if they should evolve him or not, and when Nurse Joy presents a Thunder Stone, Ash begins to think seriously on this. In the end, he decides Pikachu should decide, and Pikachu rejects the stone in favor of fighting as a Pikachu for a Pikachu's honor.
They are taken to a room with a lot of hurt Pokémon in it. The Pokémon are Caterpie, Oddish, Sandshrew, and the Rattata they saw before. Nurse Joy explains that they all lost to the Vermilion City Gym Leader, Lt. Surge. Ash started to get worried that Lt. Surge would be tough to beat and Misty made fun of him for getting scared.
 
   
  +
Returning to the gym for their next battle, they focus on a new strategy. As it turns out, Lt. Surge evolved his Pikachu into Raichu too fast, and thus never got to learn the speed techniques that Pikachu can learn. And with this, Pikachu focuses on speed-based techniques, dodging attacks. In the end, when Raichu was too weak to continue, Pikachu finishes it off with a Quick Attack, officially earning a badge and respect from Lt. Surge and his Raichu.
Misty reminded him that he got his first two badges because the Gym Leaders had felt sorry for him. Ash said that a Badge is a Badge. Misty says that if he's so strong, why doesn't he prove it at Vermilion City's Gym? Misty also reminded him that she and Brock gave Ash his badges, so they would look bad if he got beaten by Lt.Surge. Ash was about to hit her when Nurse Joy stopped him, reminding him that he's in a hospital. Nurse Joy joked that since they were fighting, they must really care about each other. Ash and Misty angrily and quickly denied this.
 
   
  +
==Debuts==
They all heard the sound that meant Ash's Pokémon were fully healed. Pikachu happily ate an apple and Ash told him that it was time to go to the Gym. Just then, another trainer with a hurt Pidgey came in and Misty said that they must have come from the Gym.
 
  +
===Character===
  +
*[[Lt. Surge (anime)|Lt. Surge]]
   
  +
===Pokémon===
Pikachu got scared and didn't want to go to the Gym. Ash got mad at him for being a coward and Pikachu asked if Ash cared whether Pikachu was going to end up like the Pidgey. Ash said that Pikachu had a point but told him not to worry because they were going to win. Pikachu still didn't want to go and protested so much that he ThunderShocked Ash. Misty says that Ash and Pikachu must care a lot about each other if they fight ''that'' much.
 
  +
*[[Raichu]] [[Lt. Surge's Raichu (anime)|(Lt. Surge's)]]
   
  +
===Move===
Outside the Gym, Misty tells Ash that it isn't too late to back out now, but Ash still wants to go in and win. They ended up fighting again and Brock stopped by asking if they were ever going to go inside.
 
  +
*[[Mega Kick]]
  +
*[[Take Down]]
  +
*[[Body Slam]]
  +
*[[Mega Punch]]
  +
*[[Agility]]
   
  +
===Item===
They enter the Gym and Ash says he's ready to earn his 3rd badge. Lt.Surge's male assistant say there's another one for the ER room and Lt.Surge enters. Lt.Surge says he's happy his next challenger is a cutie and says he will not go easy on Misty. Misty says that she's not the challenger, Ash is. Lt.Surge laughed when he saw that Ash had a Pikachu calling them little baby Pokémon making Pikachu mad. Ash asked why he was making fun of Pikachu and Lt.Surge responed by showing off his Raichu.
 
  +
*[[Thunder Stone]]
  +
*[[Thunder Badge]]
   
  +
==Quotes==
Lt.Surge said that it wasn't too late to back out now and Ash said he wouldn't. So did Pikachu. Lt.Surge laughed again and said that an Electric type Pokémon is only useful if it has been evolved and knows all the moves it can learn. Ash said there's more to Pokémon than forcing them to evolve and that he likes Pikachu the way it is.
 
  +
:''"I know why you're surprised. I look like all the other nurses don't I? My first cousin works in Pewter City, and my second cousin works in Viridian City. I think I'm the prettiest one, don't you?"'' - Nurse Joy
  +
:''"Yeah."'' - Brock
  +
:''"All right that's enough." - ''Nurse Joy
  +
:''"She started it."'' - Ash
  +
:''"Remember this is a hospital." ''- Nurse Joy
  +
:(Ash and Misty see other trainers staring at them)
  +
:''"They say if two people fight, they really care about each other." ''- Nurse Joy
  +
:''"Me care about her?! (turns away and crosses arms) Hmph!" ''- Ash
  +
:''"Me care about him?! (turns away and crosses arms) Hmph!" ''- Misty
  +
:(Nurse Joy giggles)
   
  +
:''"Hello, I've come for a Pokémon battle, to earn a Thunder Badge."'' - Ash
Pikachu was really mad and was sparking and it wanted to battle Raichu. Brock was surprised when he saw how ready Pikachu was to battle. Lt. Surge said that they would soon learn that fighting the big boys would be a shocking experince. 
 
  +
:''"Hey boss, another victim for the emergency ward."'' - Male Assistant
  +
:''"Which one?"'' - Lt. Surge
   
  +
:''"Is he the Gym Leader you have to beat?" ''Misty
Pikachu and Raichu were soon battling in the arena and Ash told Pikachu to use ThunderShock. Raichu wasn't affected by it and used ThunderShock itself, knocking Pikachu backward. Brock said electric attacks wouldn't work and Ash should recall Pikachu. Ash called to Pikachu to return but Pikachu refused. Lt. Surge gave Pikachu credit for being gutsy and told Raichu to use Mega Kick, knocking Pikachu backwards again.
 
  +
:''"Welcome to *hugs Misty* Vermilion Gym! Oh, my next challenge is a cute one. Don't think I'll go easy on you."'' - Lt. Surge
  +
:''"Excuse me, I'm not the challenger."'' - Misty
  +
:''"Then who?"'' - Lt. Surge
  +
:''"Me, that's who."'' - Ash
  +
:''"Hm? Oh, you. Ok baby."'' - Lt. Surge
  +
:''"Grr, I'm no baby! My name is Ash Ketchum."'' - Ash
  +
:''"Heh! I call everybody who loses to me baby."'' - Lt. Surge
   
  +
:''"Pikachu, our lucky star is shining today."'' - Ash
Outside, Team Rocket was watching. They thought that since Pikachu was getting beaten up, they shouldn't steal it after all. Meowth said that they should steal Raichu and James whacked him on the head and he and Jessie started cheering for Pikachu.
 
  +
:''"Where? I don't see it. How can you see a star in the middle of the day?"'' - Misty
  +
:''"I don't mean it's actually shining. Let's go Pikachu."'' - Ash
   
  +
:''"A strategy? So they've been plannin' a new way to lose. Go Raichu!"'' - Lt. Surge
Lt. Surge told Raichu to use ThunderShock and it defeated Pikachu.
 
   
  +
:''"Ok Raichu, give it a Thunderbolt. Shut it down!"'' - Lt. Surge
At the Pokémon Center, Pikachu woke up and Ash was happy that it was okay. Pikachu was still sad that it got beat up by Raichu. Nurse Joy came in and said there might be a way for Pikachu to win. She said she had found a Thunderstone and gave it to Ash to use on Pikachu. Pikachu whacked it away, refusing it.
 
  +
:''"What a'' shocking ''story."'' - Jessie
  +
:''"That was quite a ''tail''."'' - James
  +
:''"And now you've both been'' pun''-ished. *laughs*"'' - Meowth after punching Jessie and James
  +
:"''Koffing!" - ''James's'' ''Koffing
   
  +
:''"Drat, we wasted this episode cheering for the good guys."'' - James
Outside, Meowth started crying, explaining that Pikachu would never want to be Raichu's equal, it wanted to win as a Pikachu for the respect of Pikachu's everwhere and it will defend it's honor and that of its trainer.
 
  +
:''"Ahh!"'' - Jessie and Meowth
 
  +
:''"Right, James. Better luck next time."'' - Narrator
Brock had an idea for a way Pikachu could beat Raichu and they all walked over to the Gym to try it out. However, they were blocked by Team Rocket, who said and victory cheer for Pikachu and ran off. Brock said it was disturbing and Misty cheerful waved them off.
 
 
They entered the Gym and once again Pikachu was battling Raichu. Lt.Surge laughed saying that they must have come up with a new way to lose. He sent out Raichu and told it to use Tail Whip. Raichu then did a Body Slam. Lt.Surge ordered another Body Slam to finish things off but Pikachu got up and used Aglility. Raichu tried to use Body Slam on Pikachu but it was way too fast. Brock revealed the strategy: Lt. Surge evolved Raichu to soon and it never got a chance to learn Agility.
 
 
Lt.Surge got mad and said to use Thunderbolt. Raichu did and it blew out all the windows in the Gym. Lt. Surge saw that Pikachu had dodged the attack by standing on its tail. Lt. Surge told Raichu to use ThunderShock again but it had used up all its electricity. Ash told Pikachu to use Quick Attack and Lt. Surge told Raichu to use Take Down. Pikachu was quicker and defeated Raichu.
 
 
Everyone congratulated Ash and Pikachu, even Raichu, embarassing Pikachu. Ash is given his Thunder Badge and gives Pikachu a victory hug, shocking Ash.
 
 
The episode ends with Team Rocket walking towards the sunset and James realizes that they never tried to catch Pikachu and they wasted the whole episode cheering for the good guys.
 
 
==Debuts==
 
'''Human Characters'''
 
*Lt. Surge
 
'''Pokémon Characters'''
 
*Raichu
 
'''Items'''
 
*[[Evolution Stones|ThunderStone]]
 
*[[Badge|Thunder Badge]]
 
 
==Bloopers==
 
* Pikachu whacked the Thunderstone from Ash's hand with its tail, but in later episodes, including ''[[BW071: Climbing the Tower of Success!|Climbing the Tower of Success!]]'', it is shown that if Pikachu even touches the Thunderstone at all, it will evolve.
 
   
 
==Trivia==
 
==Trivia==
  +
{{EpisodeSegment|WTP
*This is the first of few episodes where a main characters Pokémon battles its evolved form.
 
  +
|en1 = TB014 Im008.png
  +
|enDesc1 = Raichu's clue (English)
  +
|en2 = WhosThatPokémon14US.png
  +
|enDesc2 = It's Raichu! (English)<!--
  +
|jp1 =
  +
|jpDesc1 = ?'s clue (Japanese)-->
  +
|jp2 = TB014 Im002.png
  +
|jpDesc2 = It's Raichu! (Japanese)
  +
}}
  +
*"Who's that Pokémon?": [[Raichu]] (JA, EN and KO)
  +
*The battle from this episode is featured in the [[Pokémon Theme]]'s opening graphics.
  +
*This is the first of the few episodes where a main character's Pokémon battles its evolved form.
 
*This is also the first episode where Team Rocket does not try to capture Pikachu.
 
*This is also the first episode where Team Rocket does not try to capture Pikachu.
  +
*The battle against Lt. Surge in [[Pokémon Yellow: Special Pikachu Edition|Pokémon Yellow]] is based on this episode. Surge's Raichu has the same moves in Yellow as the Anime.
*A {{type|Ground}}-type is beaten by an {{type|Electric}}-type, even though Ground-type Pokémon are strong against Electric Pokémon.
 
  +
*James breaks the fourth wall at the end of this episode by saying that he, Jessie and Meowth "wasted the whole episode cheering the good guys".
*Misty's sister, Daisy, actually gave Ash the Cascade Badge.
 
  +
*This is one of the many episodes where Team Rocket doesn't blast off.
*The battle against Lt. Surge in Pokémon Yellow is based on this episode. Surge's Raichu has the same moves in Yellow as the Anime.
 
  +
*After Ash proclaims to Pikachu that their lucky star is shining for them today, Misty asks if they can see a star in the middle of the day. Oddly and interestingly enough, the Sun is a star and it's presence indicates that it's daytime.
*Though she was there, and except for laughter, Lt. Surge's female assistant didn't have any lines.
 
  +
*This is the first episode in which Ash earns a badge fair and square.
*The "Who's that Pokémon?" of this episode is Raichu.
 
*Misty asked Ash how could he see a star in the middle of the day, when The Sun is a star.
 
*If you translate the Japanese version of this episode, L.T. Surge uses Profanity.
 
*James breaks the forth wall at the end of this episode by saying that he Jessie and Mewoth waisted the whole episode cheering the good guys
 
   
==Quotes==
+
===Mistakes===
  +
*Pikachu whacked the Thunder Stone from Ash's hand with its tail, but in later episodes, including "[[BW071: Climbing the Tower of Success!|Climbing the Tower of Success!]]", it is shown that if Pikachu even touches the Thunderstone at all, it will evolve instantly. Thus, it should have evolved as soon as it touched the stone.
:''"Congratulations, you finally made it."'' &mdash; Narrator
 
  +
*When Team Rocket saw the re-match, Jessie and James' gloves were missing.
:''"Hip hip horray! Hip Hip Horray! HIP HIP HORRAY!"'' &mdash; Ash, Misty, and Brock
 
  +
*In the "Official Pokémon Handbook", it says that Raichu is so powerful that it uses its tail for ground but when Raichu came out of its Poké Ball, it didn't use the tail for the ground.
<br />
 
  +
:''"We haven't eaten anything decent for three days now."'' &mdash; Brock
 
  +
===Dub differences===
<br />
 
  +
*In the Japanese version Raichu's Pokédex entry mentions an Indian elephant while in English version it mentions [[Dragonite]].
:''"I guess we're all a little hungry, eh Pikachu?"'' &mdash; Ash starving.
 
  +
*Lt. Surge utters the English cuss word "goddamn" in the original Japanese version (which is changed to "okay" in the dub due to bad language) and includes English words often in his speech, as he is portrayed as a stereotypical American.
<br />
 
:''"I know why you're surprised. I look like all the other nurses don't I? My first cousin works in Pewter City, and my second cousin works in Viridian City. I think I'm the prettiest one, don't you?"'' &mdash; Nurse Joy
 
:''"Yeah."'' &mdash; Brock
 
<br />
 
:''"It's the fifteenth one brought in this month."'' &mdash; Nurse Joy's count of Pokémon losing to the Gym Leader
 
<br />
 
:''"A badge is a badge!"'' &mdash; Ash
 
<br />
 
:''"They say if two people fight, they really care about each other."'' &mdash; Nurse Joy
 
<br />
 
:''"The way they fight must mean they care a lot."'' &mdash; Misty about Ash and Pikachu
 
<br />
 
:''"Are we ever gonna go inside?"'' &mdash; Brock
 
<br />
 
:''"Hello, I've come for a Pokémon battle, to earn a Thunder Badge."'' &mdash; Ash
 
:''"Hey boss, another victim for the emergency ward."'' &mdash; Male Assistant
 
:''"Which one?"'' &mdash; Lt. Surge
 
<br />
 
:''"Whoa, he's huge."'' &mdash; Brock about Lt. Surge
 
:''"Is he the Gym Leader you have to beat?" ''Misty
 
<br />
 
:''"Welcome to *hugs Misty* Vermilion Gym! Oh, my next challenge is a cute one. Don't think I'll go easy on you."'' &mdash; Lt. Surge
 
:''"Excuse me, I'm not the challenger."'' &mdash; Misty
 
:''"Then who?"'' &mdash; Lt. Surge
 
:''"Me, that's who."'' &mdash; Ash
 
:''"Hm? Oh you. Ok baby."'' &mdash; Lt. Surge
 
:''"Gr, I'm no baby! My name is Ash Ketchum."'' &mdash; Ash
 
:''"Heh! I call everybody who loses to me baby."'' &mdash; Lt. Surge
 
<br />
 
:''"Huh? A Pikachu. Hey, look at this. Baby brought along a baby Pokémon."'' &mdash; Lt. Surge making fun of Pikachu
 
<br />
 
:''"Ok baby, if you wanna quit, now's your chance."'' &mdash; Lt. Surge warning Ash to give up.
 
:''"Raichu!" ''Surge's Raichu
 
<br />
 
:''"Ok baby, did-ums just come in just to show us your little pet?"'' &mdash; Lt. Surge continuing to insult Ash and his Pikachu
 
<br />
 
:''"Oh well. I guess you'll learn that playing with the big boys can be a shockin' experience."'' &mdash; Lt. Surge giving a final friendly warning
 
<br />
 
:''"Hehe, It's pretty gutsy for a toy."'' &mdash; Lt. Surge
 
:''"Pikachu!"'' &mdash; Ash
 
:''"I enjoy playing with toys, but playtimes over. Raichu, Mega Punch!"'' &mdash; Lt. Surge
 
:''"Now a Mega Kick."'' &mdash; Lt. Surge
 
<br />
 
:''"Now, give us the big finale Raichu."'' &mdash; Lt. Surge telling Raichu to finish off Pikachu
 
:''"Raiiiiiichuuuuuuuu!!!!!" ''-Raichu
 
*Pikachu's eyes widen, then gets hit by the massive attack*
 
:''"Aaaaahhhh!!!! Pikachu!!" - ''Ash, watching in agony as Pikachu gets hurt by the attack
 
<br />
 
:''"Pikachu, our lucky star is shining today."'' &mdash; Ash
 
:''"Where? I don't see it. How can you see a star in the middle of the day?"'' &mdash; Misty
 
:''"I don't mean it's actually shining. Let's go Pikachu."'' &mdash; Ash
 
<br />
 
:''"To protect the world from devastation-"'' &mdash; Jessie and James
 
:''"Ix-nay!"'' &mdash; Meowth
 
:''"We forgot."'' &mdash; Jessie and James
 
<br />
 
:''"That was really disturbing."'' &mdash; Brock
 
:''"Thanks for your support! Bye Team Rocket!"'' &mdash; Misty
 
:''"How did they know it was us?"'' &mdash; Meowth
 
:''"Lucky guess."'' &mdash; Jessie
 
<br />
 
:''"A strategy? So they've been plannin' a new way to lose. Go Raichu!"'' &mdash; Lt. Surge
 
<br />
 
:''"It can't lose!"'' &mdash; Jessie
 
:''"Not after the cheer we did."'' &mdash; Mewoth
 
:''"Maybe we did the wrong kind of cheer."'' &mdash; James
 
<br />
 
:''"It's working, just like Brock said."'' &mdash; Misty
 
:''"Right, Raichu evolved too fast and it never learned the speed attacks it can only learn in the Pikachu stage."'' &mdash; Brock
 
:''"Ok, use all the agility you got."'' &mdash; Ash
 
<br />
 
:''"Your Raichu's way too slow Surge. That's it's weakness."'' &mdash; Ash about Lt. Surge's Raichu
 
<br />
 
:''"Ok Raichu, give it a Thunderbolt. Shut it down!"'' &mdash; Lt. Surge
 
<br />
 
:''"What a'' shocking ''story."'' &mdash; Jessie
 
:''"That was quite a ''tail''."'' &mdash; James
 
:''"And now you've both been'' pun''-ished. *laughs*"'' &mdash; Meowth
 
:''"Koffing!" ''- James's Koffing
 
<br />
 
:''"Raichu, give it another Thunderbolt."'' &mdash; Lt. Surge
 
:''"Do somethin'." Lt. Surge''
 
:''"It's over. Raichu ran out of electricity."'' &mdash; Brock
 
<br />
 
:''"Nice victory Ash. You're no baby."'' &mdash; Lt. Surge congratulating Ash
 
<br />
 
:''"Thank you Pikachu, this was your victory."'' &mdash; Ash
 
:''"Wow. Now I can see lots of lucky stars."'' &mdash; Ash
 
<br />
 
:''"Drat, we wasted this episode cheering the good guys."'' &mdash; James
 
:''"Ahh!"'' &mdash; Jessie and Meowth
 
:''"Right James. Better luck next time."'' &mdash; Narrator
 
   
==Gallery==
+
==Gallery==
  +
{{Gallery Box|
<gallery type="slideshow" position="center" crop="true">
 
  +
TB014 5.jpg {{!}} The gang arrived to Vermilion City
IL014_5.jpg
 
  +
TB014 7.jpg {{!}} Everyone is exhausted and hungry
IL014_2.jpg
 
  +
TB014 2.jpg {{!}} Lt. Surge and Raichu
IL014_1.jpg
 
  +
TB014 1.jpg {{!}} Pikachu vs. Raichu
IL014_3.jpg
 
  +
TB014 3.jpg {{!}} Ash and the Thunder Stone
IL014_4.jpg
 
  +
TB014 8.jpg {{!}} Pikachu has to decide a path
</gallery>
 
  +
TB014 9.jpg {{!}} Ash and Pikachu vow to train harder
  +
TB014 10.jpg {{!}} Meowth pounds Jessie and James
  +
TB014 11.jpg {{!}} Raichu Body Slams Pikachu
  +
TB014 12.jpg {{!}} Raichu is out of power
  +
TB014 13.jpg {{!}} Pikachu's Quick Attack hits Raichu
  +
TB014 14.jpg {{!}} Surge gives Ash the badge
  +
TB014 16.jpg {{!}} Team Rocket realized they wasted their day cheering for the good guys
  +
}}
  +
==References==
  +
{{Reflist}}
   
==Images==
 
[[File:LtSurge&Raichu.jpg]]
 
   
  +
{{Pocket Monsters (season) episodes}}
[[File:ThunderBadge.jpg]]
 
  +
{{Pokémon: Indigo League episodes}}
==Links==
 
Watch this and other episodes: [http://www.pokemon-download.net/pocket-monsters/indigo-league/pokemon-episode-14-electric-shock-showdown/ Pokémon Episode 14: Electric Shock Showdown]
 
   
{{Pokémon: The Original Series}}
 
[[Category:Pokémon: The Original Series episodes]]
 
[[Category:Pokémon: Indigo League episodes]]
 
 
[[Category:Episodes in which a main character obtains a badge]]
 
[[Category:Episodes in which a main character obtains a badge]]
[[Category:Episodes with gym battles]]
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[[Category:Episodes featuring Gym Battles]]
 
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Pikachu]]
 
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Pikachu]]
 
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Ash]]
 
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Ash]]
[[Category:Episodes in which a main character's Pokémon learns a new move]]
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[[Category:Episodes featuring a main character's Pokémon learning a new move]]
 
[[Category:Episodes in which a main character's Pokémon refuses to evolve]]
 
[[Category:Episodes in which a main character's Pokémon refuses to evolve]]
[[Category:Article stubs]]
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[[Category:Episodes featuring Ash losing a Gym Battle]]

Latest revision as of 22:50, 18 February 2024

Electric Shock Showdown (Japanese: でんげきたいけつ!クチバジム, HepburnElectric Battle! Vermilion Gym) is the 14th episode of Pocket Monsters of Pocket Monsters (1997 series), Season 1 of Pokémon the Series, and Pokémon: Indigo League of Pokémon the Series: The Beginning.

Synopsis

Our heroes finally reach Vermilion City. They make their way to the Pokémon Center to refill their empty stomachs, but once there, they see dozens of injured Pokémon being treated. Pikachu and Ash are alarmed to learn that all of these Pokémon were injured in battles with the Vermilion Gym Leader, Lt. Surge. Nonetheless, eager to earn a badge, Ash challenges Lt. Surge. Pikachu reluctantly enters the battle only to discover that its opponent is a Raichu, a fierce Pokémon with tremendous electric power—and the evolved form of Pikachu! In order for Pikachu to successfully compete, it must demonstrate a stronger will in battle than ever before. Could Pikachu possibly have a chance against Raichu’s overwhelming strength?[1]

Episode plot

After two weeks of continuous trekking, our heroes finally make it to Vermilion City. Ash wants to go straight to the Gym, but Misty and Brock manage to convince him to go to the Pokémon Center first for rest. Upon reaching the Pokémon Center, they witness Nurse Joy and her Chansey rushing through with an injured Rattata. It is revealed to them that this has been happening alot due to challengers going against Lt. Surge, a brutal and tough Gym Leader, and the Master of the Vermilion City Gym. Seeing the casualties, Ash begins to worry about challenging this Gym Leader.

Misty also reminds him that he didn't beat any gyms prior, and his badges are all pity badges. This leads to a short exchange between Ash and Misty. When Ash's Pokémon are healed, they seem a bit nervous, especially Pikachu, the latter of which decides not to go to the Gym. Ash doesn't give him much of a choice. Going to the Gym, Ash finds himself and his Pokémon insulted by both Lt. Surge's subordinates and then by Surge himself, who chastises Ask for not evolving his Pikachu into a Raichu yet. After being insulted, his fear is overridden by anger, so he proceeds to fight, even when it is obvious he'll lose.

Brock and even Ash ask Pikachu to stop, but he refuses and continues to fight until he was defeated. Pikachu awakens in the Pokémon Center much to Ash's relief. But the question crops up of if they should evolve him or not, and when Nurse Joy presents a Thunder Stone, Ash begins to think seriously on this. In the end, he decides Pikachu should decide, and Pikachu rejects the stone in favor of fighting as a Pikachu for a Pikachu's honor.

Returning to the gym for their next battle, they focus on a new strategy. As it turns out, Lt. Surge evolved his Pikachu into Raichu too fast, and thus never got to learn the speed techniques that Pikachu can learn. And with this, Pikachu focuses on speed-based techniques, dodging attacks. In the end, when Raichu was too weak to continue, Pikachu finishes it off with a Quick Attack, officially earning a badge and respect from Lt. Surge and his Raichu.

Debuts

Character

Pokémon

Move

Item

Quotes

"I know why you're surprised. I look like all the other nurses don't I? My first cousin works in Pewter City, and my second cousin works in Viridian City. I think I'm the prettiest one, don't you?" - Nurse Joy
"Yeah." - Brock
"All right that's enough." - Nurse Joy
"She started it." - Ash
"Remember this is a hospital." - Nurse Joy
(Ash and Misty see other trainers staring at them)
"They say if two people fight, they really care about each other." - Nurse Joy
"Me care about her?! (turns away and crosses arms) Hmph!" - Ash
"Me care about him?! (turns away and crosses arms) Hmph!" - Misty
(Nurse Joy giggles)
"Hello, I've come for a Pokémon battle, to earn a Thunder Badge." - Ash
"Hey boss, another victim for the emergency ward." - Male Assistant
"Which one?" - Lt. Surge
"Is he the Gym Leader you have to beat?" Misty
"Welcome to *hugs Misty* Vermilion Gym! Oh, my next challenge is a cute one. Don't think I'll go easy on you." - Lt. Surge
"Excuse me, I'm not the challenger." - Misty
"Then who?" - Lt. Surge
"Me, that's who." - Ash
"Hm? Oh, you. Ok baby." - Lt. Surge
"Grr, I'm no baby! My name is Ash Ketchum." - Ash
"Heh! I call everybody who loses to me baby." - Lt. Surge
"Pikachu, our lucky star is shining today." - Ash
"Where? I don't see it. How can you see a star in the middle of the day?" - Misty
"I don't mean it's actually shining. Let's go Pikachu." - Ash
"A strategy? So they've been plannin' a new way to lose. Go Raichu!" - Lt. Surge
"Ok Raichu, give it a Thunderbolt. Shut it down!" - Lt. Surge
"What a shocking story." - Jessie
"That was quite a tail." - James
"And now you've both been pun-ished. *laughs*" - Meowth after punching Jessie and James
"Koffing!" - James's Koffing
"Drat, we wasted this episode cheering for the good guys." - James
"Ahh!" - Jessie and Meowth
"Right, James. Better luck next time." - Narrator

Trivia

  • "Who's that Pokémon?": Raichu (JA, EN and KO)
  • The battle from this episode is featured in the Pokémon Theme's opening graphics.
  • This is the first of the few episodes where a main character's Pokémon battles its evolved form.
  • This is also the first episode where Team Rocket does not try to capture Pikachu.
  • The battle against Lt. Surge in Pokémon Yellow is based on this episode. Surge's Raichu has the same moves in Yellow as the Anime.
  • James breaks the fourth wall at the end of this episode by saying that he, Jessie and Meowth "wasted the whole episode cheering the good guys".
  • This is one of the many episodes where Team Rocket doesn't blast off.
  • After Ash proclaims to Pikachu that their lucky star is shining for them today, Misty asks if they can see a star in the middle of the day. Oddly and interestingly enough, the Sun is a star and it's presence indicates that it's daytime.
  • This is the first episode in which Ash earns a badge fair and square.

Mistakes

  • Pikachu whacked the Thunder Stone from Ash's hand with its tail, but in later episodes, including "Climbing the Tower of Success!", it is shown that if Pikachu even touches the Thunderstone at all, it will evolve instantly. Thus, it should have evolved as soon as it touched the stone.
  • When Team Rocket saw the re-match, Jessie and James' gloves were missing.
  • In the "Official Pokémon Handbook", it says that Raichu is so powerful that it uses its tail for ground but when Raichu came out of its Poké Ball, it didn't use the tail for the ground.

Dub differences

  • In the Japanese version Raichu's Pokédex entry mentions an Indian elephant while in English version it mentions Dragonite.
  • Lt. Surge utters the English cuss word "goddamn" in the original Japanese version (which is changed to "okay" in the dub due to bad language) and includes English words often in his speech, as he is portrayed as a stereotypical American.

Gallery

References

  1. ^ (n.d.) . The Official Pokémon Website | Pokemon.com. Archived from the original on January 21, 2024.