I appreciate the writers firmly establishing Katy is a powerful Trainer because hoo-boy, was having to suffer through people claiming that Liko lost to “the weakest Gym Leader” a drag.

Speaking of, people kept calling the E4 weak, yet they ended up winning a majority of their battles. Funny.

Liko’s character development? Perfect, I’d say. They seamlessly blended in her learning to love battling with her goal of wanting to understand how Pokémon feel. She’s really grown from the girl willing to give up a fight just to make someone else feel good.

I am, however dreading the inevitable flood of “Liko-Meowscarada” jokes that’s likely going to spawn from the “I become one with Floragato” line.

As for Dot, her interactions with Penny were cute and awkward, as you’d expect from introverts.

I found it weird Dot didn’t seem to recognize Chalce, but I guess she was too hyper focused on shutting down the machine keeping Rayquaza stunned to get a good look at Chalce’s face. Adrenaline is powerful drug.

Also, Occulture! Not something I expected to see referenced, but it seems we’re setting up Paradoxes? Maybe that’s what they’ll fight at the end of this arc?