Japanese Title: Tag Battle! Final!!
Original Airdate: October 25, 2007
US Airdate: February 1, 2008
Chimchar is determined not to let his new trainer down.
Chimchar is again pressed into battle...though this time, it's as Ash's Pokémon. Can he prove Paul wrong for abandoning him, or at least get some satisfaction on the way out?
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- Badass Bookworm: Conway once again shows his impressive ability as a Pokémon trainer, and in battle, overwhelming Ash and Paul simultaneously, especially overwhelming Paul’s Elekid, and countering every move Elekid had, reading Paul like an open book.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: Paul's Torterra makes short work of Brock's Croagunk and Holly's Farfetch'd.
- Insane Troll Logic: Despite Chimchar defeating Conway’s Heracross, Paul insists it was his Elekid evolving into Electabuzz that resulted in Heracross’ defeat, claiming Heracross was still standing after being hit was Chimchar’s flamethrower. Bonus oblivious points for Paul completely ignoring the fact that Heracross was down from Chimchar’s attack, and Electabuzz hadn’t even landed a solid hit against Conway’s Pokémon upon evolving.
- Irony: As Conway lampshades, Ash and Paul, the two partners who were the least compatable with each other, ended up winning the entire Tag Battle Tournament.
- It's All My Fault: Holly blames herself for her and Brock losing their semi-finals match against Ash and Paul—so much so that after their loss, she abruptly leaves with the intention of training even harder to become the kind of tag-team partner Brock deserves.
- Karma Houdini: Didn't Nurse Joy order Paul to let Chimchar sit yesterday's battle out? And didn't Paul disregard that order? So...no follow-up lectures?
- Keep the Reward: For winning the tournament, Ash and Paul each receive a Soothe Bell, which makes Pokémon more friendly. Paul quickly tosses his to Ash, saying that he doesn't need it. No surprise there.
- Oh, Crap!: Brock and Holly have this reaction when they see just how powerful Paul's Torterra really is.
- The normally unflappable Paul has this reaction when Conway reveals that his Heracross knows Feint, allowing him to break through Elekid's Protect.
- Pet the Dog: From a certain point of view, Paul giving Ash the Soothe Bell. While it shows that he's a jerk because he's giving away something that would make his Pokémon happier, at least he's not throwing it away just to spite his rival.
- Rule of Symbolism: When Paul receives a Soothe Bell for winning the tournament, he gives it to Ash. Of course he would have no use for something that makes a Pokémon happy.
- Season Finale: This is the last episode of Season 10: Diamond and Pearl.
- Status Quo Is God: At least, as far as Brock's love life is concerned, as Holly goes bye-bye shortly after she and Brock lose in the semi-finals.
- Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: Paul continues to resist cooperating with Ash during the tournament in this episode, especially notable in the third round. He doesn't even care when Torterra's Hyper Beam accidentally grazes Ash's Staravia.
- Took a Level in Badass: Paul's Elekid evolves into Electabuzz.
- Wham Episode: Continuing from the previous one, Chimchar accepts Ash's offer to join his team and it ends up doing wonders for Chimchar's happiness and its overall development for the rest of the saga.
- What Happened to the Mouse?: While her plan to continue training in order to become a better tag-team partner for Brock seems to suggest Holly would return in a later episode, we never hear from her again.
- Yank the Dog's Chain: Brock seems to finally find a girl that returns his affections in Holly, who has bonded with him over the course of the tournament. But after they lose the semi-finals to Ash and Paul, Holly blames herself so much that she abruptly leaves, Nurse Joy relaying her message to Brock that she intends to become stronger and be the tag-partner Brock deserves. Brock is just disappointed that the girl that he actually got to like him is gone now.
- You Will Not Evade Me: Conway's Heracross is able to use Feint, a move that allows it to strike through even Protect or Detect causing it to land a surefire hit on Paul's Elekid when it was using Protect. Even Paul was caught off-guard by it being able to learn it.
