In a unique episode of the Pokémon series, Ash, Misty, and Brock find themselves caught in a whirlwind of events in the beautiful coastal town of Porta Vista. This episode, known as “Beauty and the Beach,” is notable for its delayed release and controversial content, which led to it being considered a “Lost Episode.” We will dive into the plot of this fascinating installment, exploring the challenges our protagonists face as they strive to save a struggling restaurant and participate in an exciting Pokémon beauty contest.
Plot Summary (Spoilers Ahead)
Our story begins as Ash, Misty, and Brock decide to take a well-deserved vacation in the picturesque town of Porta Vista, following the harrowing experience of the St. Anne sinking. They enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and eventually embark on a boat cruise. However, a terrible mistake leads them to inadvertently steal a yacht, which they subsequently crash into a dock after encountering a Gyarados submarine.
Moe, the owner of the yacht and the dock, arrives on the scene. After forgiving the trio for their mistake, he enlists their help to save his struggling restaurant, which is being overshadowed by the success of Brutella’s establishment. As it turns out, Brutella is a ruthless entrepreneur who has a hold over Moe due to his outstanding debt to her. To make matters worse, she enlists the notorious Team Rocket to sabotage Moe’s business further.
With determination, Ash and his friends work tirelessly at Moe’s restaurant to revive its fortunes. They even enlist the help of their Pokémon to assist with promotions, cooking, and serving. Meanwhile, Team Rocket works at Brutella’s successful restaurant, plotting ways to bring down Moe’s establishment.
Despite their best efforts, Ash and his friends struggle to keep Moe’s restaurant afloat as Team Rocket successfully executes a series of underhanded tactics to undermine their progress. However, they refuse to give up, motivated by Moe’s dream of traveling the world on his yacht once his debt is repaid.
An unexpected visit from Professor Oak and Delia brings a glimmer of hope. They inform the group of a local Pokémon beauty and costume contest that could potentially attract enough customers to Moe’s restaurant to pay off his debt to Brutella. Eager to help, Misty enters the contest and creates imaginative costumes for her Pokémon.
The contest proves to be a lively event, filled with excitement and surprises. James from Team Rocket crossdresses and makes a memorable entrance with inflatable fake breasts, while Gary unexpectedly shows up with six girls from his fan club. Despite the fierce competition, Ash and his friends remain focused on their goal of saving Moe’s restaurant.
In a final act of sabotage, Team Rocket uses their repaired Gyarados submarine to disrupt the contest and create chaos on the beach. However, their plans are ultimately foiled by Ash, who cleverly uses his Pokémon to send a heat-seeking missile back towards Team Rocket, causing them to crash into Brutella’s restaurant and blast off into the sky.
With Team Rocket and Brutella defeated, Moe’s restaurant is saved, allowing him to repay his debt and embark on his dream journey around the world. As Ash, Misty, and Brock bid farewell to Moe, Delia, and Professor Oak, they resume their Pokémon journey, carrying with them the memories of their adventures in Porta Vista.
Issues and Plot Holes
It seems that the “Beauty and the Beach” episode features a mix of dated dialogue, odd character interactions, and peculiar plot points. For instance, Ash, Misty, and Brock’s actions and reactions throughout the episode don’t always align with their typical behavior, such as Ash not understanding Misty’s appearance as “girly,” and Brock suddenly showing romantic interest in Jessie.
Additionally, the episode features several inconsistencies and confusing moments, such as characters appearing in the same location despite being presumed dead and not being properly informed about their situation. The bathing suit contest also raises questions about age restrictions and the appropriateness of such an event for young characters like Misty.
While there are some amusing moments, the episode as a whole may not make complete sense or have a solid narrative. However, it does serve as an interesting insight into the early days of the Pokémon series and the controversial nature of the episode’s content.
Pokemon Banned Episode Final Thoughts
Overall, this episode left me with mixed feelings. The plot seemed somewhat bland, relying heavily on tropes and cliches. The whole boat theft and subsequent crash felt like a forced plot device, and the business rivalry coupled with a contest to raise money was nothing special.
The cameos from side characters seemed more like an attempt to make the episode more interesting, but their presence didn’t add much to the story. The fact that Gary didn’t battle Ash and the lack of acknowledgment about Ash’s presumed death were disappointing.
Additionally, the fanservice aspect of the episode felt out of place in the Pokémon series. While some parts, like the James cross-dressing scene, provided a bit of humor, it didn’t make up for the overall lackluster episode.
In the end, the episode felt like a mishmash of tropes and forced storylines, with little to make it stand out or be memorable.
