Yet another failed attempt at stealing Pikachu ends in disaster for Team Rocket, who's tempers get the better of them and they decide to split up and strike it out on their own. Just as Ash and friends reach Pewter City, another scheme by Jessie and James' old rivals Cassidy and Butch lands all parties involved in a wild event where the tables turn on Team Rocket partnerships.
- Accidental Misnaming: Cassidy (disguised as Nurse Joy) calls Butch "Patch" during the presentation for the competition.Cassidy: Hey, Patch. Earth to Patch. Will you take this box like a gentleman?Cassidy: Whatever; just take it! We got work to do!
- Casanova Wannabe: Averted trope. Brock usually falls over heels for Nurse Joy or any other girls who aren't evil. however, but his heart felt off when seeing this "Nurse Joy"; something that Max noted after the ear pull. Later on, after Max revealed to the heroes that the tournament was a fake, May recognizes that Brock's heart was off.
- Continuity Nod: This isn't the first time a female Team Rocket agent has posed as Nurse Joy with a full face mask. Jessie previously did so in "Fire and Ice" and "Hatch Me if You Can".
- Laser-Guided Amnesia: Despite recognizing that Nurse Joy was a fraud in "Hatch Me if You Can", Brock doesn't catch on about what's different about Cassidy in disguise as quickly.
- Plot-Mandated Friendship Failure: One too many failures finally gets the better of Team Rocket, and they decide to go solo.... Or switch Team Rocket pairings: Jessie and Butch, as well as James and Cassidy.
- Series Continuity Error: May and Max recognize Butch and Cassidy, despite having never met them prior.
