Indigo League, Episode 22: "Abra and the Psychic Showdown"

Season 1, Episode 22, Original Air Date: August 26, 1997 (JP), October 6, 1998

 

Picking up where we left off; everyone is still on their way to Saffron City, and they're arguing over where they are while an ominous voice says it's "time for us to play." Ash spots what appears to be a little girl in the forest; and nearly follows her off a cliff before Bulbasaur hoists him back up with its Vine Whip! Fortunately, everyone has reached Saffron City as they're greeted by a couple of hula dancers at the front gate; saying they've won a special prize! Unfortunately, they grab Pikachu and say they've "won" a trip through the Warp Tile! I guess this is this episode's equivalent of the spinner tiles at Silph Co.?

On top of that, it turns out the hula dancers are actually Team Rocket in disguise! Ash is disgusted at how they let them kiss him. Boys will be boys, huh? One part that's unique to the dub is their motto on the monitor; but they don't even care and just casually have some tea! I really like how Misty and Ash dismiss it as boring; saying their show will get canceled soon.

Ash then demands they return Pikachu, but then their monitor cuts out! The little girl from before freezes Team Rocket, returns Pikachu and teleports them outside in front of the gym! A bearded man warns Ash to stay away, but one thing I've always wondered was how it was dark when they got to Saffron City; but it's light now that they're at the gym. How long where they in that room?

Everyone heads inside the gym, and after witnessing a room of psychics testing their powers; they're met by a masked man who demonstrates telekinesis with a spoon. Ash is unfazed by this, and after bending the spoon by hand; requests a match with Sabrina, to which the man agrees.

It turns out the little girl was a vessel for Sabrina; and after the masked man is scared off by Sabrina's psychic powers, Sabrina agrees to the match on the condition that if she wins; they all be her friends and play with her. Ash agrees while giving the peace sign. That's not worrisome at all!

Sabrina reveals herself, repeating the "time for us to play line" that opened the episode; and sending out her Abra! Though Abra sleeps 18 hours a day, it can still use its powers while it's asleep!

Pikachu makes the first move with Thunder Shock; but Abra evades the attack and evolves into Kadabra through sheer will! Little fun fact: apparently, real-life psychic Uri Geller unsuccessfully tried to sue Nintendo over Kadabra allegedly misusing his image; and I am not making that up.

Pikachu sends its electric attacks through the whole gym, but Kadbra is upon Pikachu with its Confusion and Psychic attacks! Ash can't bear to see his friend suffer; and concedes the match to Sabrina. As per their agreement, they have to play with Sabrina!

Sabrina teleports them again, and it turns out that they've all been teleported into Sabrina's dollhouse! Sabrina looks down on them, and they've all been shrunk!

Somewhere, a young DisplayThisAnyway probably got inspired watching this.

Everyone tries to escape the toybox they're in; but they reach a dead end that's marked by Sabrina's family portrait! We will come back to this in a couple episodes; so remember that.

Sabrina nearly crushes everyone with her ball; but the bearded man from before teleports everyone out just as the ball hits the photograph! Sabrina's vessel says that was fun, and to play again sometime as her older form looks on. Anyone else getting "Living Doll"/Phoenix Force vibes from this part?

Everyone is back to normal outside, but the man says that he might not be able to save them next time! He tries to dissuade them from coming back on the grounds they can't beat Sabrina; but when Ash tries to insist otherwise, he telekinetically pulls Ash's pants down. ... Next!

After pulling his jeans back up, Ash still insists for advice on how to beat Sabrina; not stopping when the man shoves him back or flips him overhead!

No matter how much the man uses his powers; Ash is still determined by his own admission; and when Ash asks for his help one last time; he tells him to go find a Ghost Pokémon in the neighboring Lavender Town before teleporting away! Ash is then given new motivation, and we close on Meowth still hauling the frozen Jessie and James behind him.

Like I did in my look at "The Ghost of Maiden's Peak," this episode really spooked me when I was younger; so I didn't enjoy watching it for years (and not just because of the bit with Ash's boxers). Now, I rarely pass up a chance to revisit this. On that note, "Abra and the Psychic Showdown" is a strong start to the 3-part mini-arc of sorts for the Saffron City gym challenge. This kicks off a very strong run of episodes that have been in rotation for ages; and I will tell you more next time. My look at the next episode is already written, and I will have it edited and ready to post by Halloween night at the latest. To be continued...