Recap / Pokemon S 4 E 32 Freeze Frame

Japanese Title: Freezer VS Purin! In the Middle of a Snowstorm!!

Original Airdate: March 15, 2001

US Airdate: February 9, 2002

On their quest to capture Articuno on film, Todd and our heroes run into a frozen Jigglypuff! Ash uses his Cyndaquil to defrost the melodious Pokémon. When Todd asks Jigglypuff if it has seen Articuno, Jigglypuff nods towards Snow Top Mountain. Undeterred by the incredible height and icy conditions, the gang heads up the mountain where they run into a Pokécenter. Both Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy explain the legend of Articuno; Centuries ago, a group of travelers were lost on the mountain. Certain they would perish, they almost gave up hope but an Articuno appeared and guided the group to safety. As a tribute, they created a statue of Articuno that still stands today. Some say that anyone traversing Snow Top Mountain is protected by Articuno. After hearing the story, Todd is convinced there are Articuno on the mountain and continues his vertical journey. With Ash and Co. in tow, a blizzard kicks up and temporarily blinds the group. Brock and Misty want to stay put and let the blizzard pass, but Todd and Ash are determined to continue. Little do they know, directly ahead of them is a cliff edge and a deadly drop. Will Articuno come to their rescue? Is this Legendary Pokémon really the guardian of the mountain, or is it merely a legend?

Tropes

• Bodyguarding a Badass: Subverted. Ash offers to protect Articuno from Team Rocket, only for the legendary bird to show that it's more than capable of doing it alone.
• Gentle Giant: Articuno is rather docile and saves those lost in mountains from death, and Ash theorises that it somehow knew that Todd wanted to take a picture of it and showed itself because of that. This is in stark contrast to its portrayal in the second movie.
• No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Articuno saves Team Rocket when they were trapped a ledge of the icy mountain. This resulted in them repaying Articuno by trying to capture it to give to their boss.
• Noodle Incident: We'll probably never learn why Jigglypuff was frozen by Articuno or what she was even doing on Snowtop Mountain.
• Oh, Crap!: After Team Rocket remembers that falling asleep in the cold is bad idea, they freak when they see that Jigglypuff has wandered into the cave they're in.
• Ungrateful Bastard: Ash and Brock call Team Rocket out on trying to steal Articuno after it saved their lives.
  Ash: I can't believe you!
  Brock: How could you try to capture Articuno after it saved your miserable lives?!
  Jessie: That was then and this is now.