Summary for "Freeze Frame" (AKA the Search for Articuno Part 3)
by Steven Reich
Episode Title Origin: A Freeze Frame is a still from a video. Also, Articuno is the Freeze Pokémon.
Teaser:
Our friends (plus Todd) are walking towards a big mountain in search of
Articuno. They haven't found it yet, but they do find something rather odd:
Jigglypuff frozen in ice.
Challenge to test my skill...
So Ash defrosts Jigglypuff, and they learn that, in fact, Articuno was in the
area. Meanwhile, Team Rocket is climbing up the mountain, preparing to set a
trap for the good guys. At the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny
brief our heroes on the legend of Articuno. Meanwhile, Jessie, James, and
Meowth fall victim to a flock of Spearows and are trapped on a ledge, only to
be saved by none other than the bird itself and dropped outside the Pokémon
center. They are brought in, and tell their story. Todd decides to go out
looking for the legendary bird. Team Rocket follows, stealing Officer Jenny's
snowmobile.
The second half starts off with a terrible snowstorm. Suddenly, Articuno
appears. The reason is apparent when the storm clears-our heroes were just
steps from falling into oblivion. Todd tries to take a picture, but Team
Rocket attacks and Articuno is forced to defend itself. In the resulting
struggle, Team Rocket, Ash, Todd, Pikachu, and Jigglypuff wind up in the
valley. Team Rocket, always a turncoat, tries again to catch the bird. They
and the singing air sac are subsequently blown away by the big bird's
blizzard attack. Before leaving, Articuno gives Todd the shot he wanted. Todd
splits with the group as they leave the Pokémon Center.
Tag:
Trapped in a cave, Team Rocket must stay awake to stay alive. Too bad
Jigglypuff shows up. To Be Continued now appears in the lower-right corner.
Who's That Pokémon: Charizard
Moral of the episode: The bird is the word.
Analysis: This episode seems pretty crummy compared to the other two, until
you put it in context of Pokémon: The Movie 2000. Articuno got the least tim
e, and assuming this is the same Pokémon (the movie does state that the
legendary birds are unique species), well, it sets up some interesting
concepts.
Steven Reich
Webmaster Pokéwatch
http://www.smbhq.com/pokewatch/
