ENGLISH NAME	JAPANESE NAME	POKEMOPOLIS NAME	DODGINESS RATING	ANIMATION	STORY	TEAM ROCKET	MORAL LEARNT
803: Grooming Furfrou!	812: Pokémon Torima to Torimian!	Wobbuffet: Runway Model			The twerps fight a crime against fashion	Beaten by a blind rat and a poodle	It's really tough to break into an established marketplace

Today finds some lady what nobody knows trembling as she prepares to brush the hair of her big ol' dog/horse looking Pokémon in the shade of a city park. The dog-horse is having none of it though and takes off, leaving the lady feeling rejected and having to give chase. Elsewhere in the park, the twerps walk down the path with an excited Bonnie racing ahead to peer at a fountain and just have fun spinning around on the path. Clemont calls for her not to race too far ahead and get lost but she happily insists that she is fine, when her little mind is completely sidetracked by the sight of a strange looking Pokémon. Ash's own little mind is similarly occupied by the sight and he checks it out with his Pokédex. It is a Furfrou, a "Poodle-Pokémon" that were bred to act as guard-dogs for the King of Kalos back before the Kalosian Revolution where all the nobles were beheaded during Pokespierre's Reign of Terror.

Well the latter is mostly implied, anyway.
Ash notices that the image in his Pokédex doesn't match the one walking by, which has far less fur, much of which is coloured while the image is all white. Serena explains that this town (which goes unnamed, it ISN'T Lumiose City anyway) is famous for a Pokémon Groomer, and the Furfrou has probably been there and gotten a makeover. She shows Ash an image of the famous store and explains for Pokémon Groomers are (they groom Pokémon!), saying she wishes she could meet the famous groomer. Bonnie agrees (children of the internet, you should beware of people who are trying to groom you!), she'd like to meet him too. She gets her wish in a roundabout way when the Furfrou that broke away from the girl earlier suddenly leaps out of the bushes and knocks her over. The lady comes rushing out after it, the Furfrou having stopped to check on Bonnie, obviously realising it has fucked up. The lady is shocked to see that Bonnie has scraped her knees, but Bonnie cheerfully tells her not to worry about it. Fair enough too, she's a little girl, if something didn't scrape her knees they'd find a way to scrape themselves!


Clemont puts bandages on her knees and she checks on Dedenne in her bag (it was curled up sleeping and had no idea there was anything wrong) before happily rushing about and insisting to the lady that she is fine. Ash comments on her Furfrou looking like the one in his Pokédex and she explains that it hasn't been groomed yet. She introduces herself as Jessica (does she protect the world from devastation?) and the twerps all introduce themselves. Bonnie, getting a good look at Jessica for the first time, suddenly declares with delight that Jessica is a keeper and - dropping to one knee - asks her to "look after" Clemont. Horrified, Clemont hauls her off the ground with one of his mechanical arms and whines that he told her not to do this anymore, but she happily unrepentant. She explains that SHE can't be expected to look after Clemont forever, so she needs to find him a wife - a dependable one!

With this embarrassment out of the way, they head on up the path with Furfrou in the lead and a fascinated Bonnie following close behind. Jessica explains she is in training to be a Groomer, and Serena asks when she will groom her Furfrou? She wants to, but Furfrou runs away every time she tries to do so. She explains a Furfrou won't listen to a trainer until it feels a connection with them, and Bonnie rather thoughtlessly asks if this means Furfrou doesn't see Jessica as being her trainer. Clemont is mortified but Jessica doesn't get mad, and offers to show them where she works as her way or making up for the scraped knees. They head on to the Grooming Salon, surprising the twerps who discover it is the famous place Serena showed them in her travel guide. They enter and discover the world famous trainer - Sherman - who is introduced to the twerps. Serena shakes his hand and gasps that he is a superstar, which amuses him, claiming this is a bit of an overstatement. He asks Jessica to lead them on a tour through the salon, so she takes them into the grooming room where a Furfrou was in mid-groom. It greets Sherman happily, while Jessica explains why there is a basket of fruit there. Grooming is about more than cutting hair and adding dye, it involves getting to grips with the physical and mental conditioning of the Pokémon and adjusting grooming techniques to suit. As she explains nutrition, Ash's head suddenly starts smoking and his eyes go all curly. At first I thought this was a strange edit or I just missed seeing Ash take a bite of one of those red-hot berries, but given what he says it seems that Ash's poor brain just couldn't keep up with such strenuous information as,"Pokémon gotta eat good food."

Jessica shows off some of the shampoos and conditioners they use, and Sherman asks her to show them their two latest clients. She opens the door and two Furfrou rush in, showing off the different cuts/styles of their grooming as well as the dyes used to brighten up their fur. The twerps are suitably impressed even if the designs aren't exactly what you'd call cutting edge, and poor dim Ash needs to use his Pokédex to actually confirm they are Furfrou. Jessica wistfully says she wishes she could style her Furfrou like this, and Serena is sure she will be able to. Sherman agrees, saying that it is important to be confident, but while he believes that he also thinks she needs to be patient and not try to push things. Realizing that the twerps have never been in this unnamed city before, he suggests Jessica show them around on her lunch break. She agrees even though that is HER time and not his, goddammit, and takes them on down the streets to show them a spot with a beautiful view. As they walk, Ash overhears a familiar voice calling out to Pikachu, and he turns and discovers one hell of a sight greeting him.



This kind of thing probably rarely happens to you and me.
James introduces Jesse as the world famous super-stylist Jessally! Surprisingly none of them have ever heard of this famous person, including Jessica who is involved in the fashion industry. She's also never heard of any of the trophies and accolades that James and Meowth insist she has won. James pushes on past that though, declaring that Jessally has now become a top Pokémon Groomer, and Jesse invites them in to see examples of her work... and that is when something magical happens.


Yes, Jessally's "creations" are an enthusiastic and pleased Wobbuffet frantically slipping on different costumes and wigs (and make-up!) while music plays and James MCs the whole event. Wobbuffet is Napoleon! Wobbuffet is that one weird dude who goes to basketball games! Wobbuffet is a punk/Fearow! Wobbuffet is a blushing schoolgirl! Wobbuffet is Marie Antoinette! Wobbuffet is the Mona Lisa! Wobbuffet is a young fashionable Parisian lady! Wobbuffet is a sporty tennis playing rich WASP with legions of admirers!

The twerps sit and watch this in bewilderment as Wobbuffet struts his stuff for them, only Bonnie seemingly impressed and even then only because she thinks Wobbuffet was cute in his curly-haired afro! It seems that Serena at least kind of got into this as well about the halfway point, claiming that this wasn't so bad. Jessally insists she is the top of the class though, nobody is a better groomer than her.... in fact she'd be willing to demonstrate this on Pikachu!

Pikachu immediately waves this off nervously and Ash laughs that Pikachu is happy as he is. Bonnie is disappointed, and quickly turns to Serena and asks her if she'll let Fennekin be groomed, imagining the little fox with a curly afro. Serena - who seemingly can see Serena's thought bubble! - admits that she doesn't mind the idea of Fennekin's ear-hair being braided (that is so gross) and brings out her Pokémon. It leaps into her lap and she asks Jessally if she will groom it for her. Jessally grumpily complains she wants Pikachu and James slaps his hands over her mouth, whispering that this is their chance to get their hands on a Kalos Pokémon. Jesse elbows his stomach to get him away, then puts on a big smile and graciously accepts, saying her skills are second to none. But the moment she has Fennekin in her hands they shove the twerps and Jessica out the door, James explaining that Jessally works her magic in private. Serena complains she wanted to watch her work her magic (there's probably 1000 erotic mangas out there on this theme!) but James just wags his finger and insists that her grooming magic is an industry secret. It'll only be an hour though, and sadly Serena accepts and they head off down the street, leaving behind the giggling Team Rocket enjoying their successful scam.

Entering the park where presumably the fountain can be found, Serena is sad she didn't get to see Jessally groom Fennekin. They forget that when they spot Officer Jenny though, Serena walking up to thank her for her help in the Rhyhorn Race. Of course there are a couple of problems with this - one is that this was a DIFFERENT Officer Jenny, and Jenny shows them a photo of her and a class of graduating officers, ALL OF THEM identical. The second problem, of course, is that Officer Jenny didn't actually fucking do anything at the Rhyhorn race other than mop up the mess after the twerps did all the work!

With the requisite,"There are many Officer Jennys!" out of the way, she gets down to her own business - have they seen the con artists she is looking for? Because she's tried doing nothing and the case still hasn't managed to solve itself, so maybe she can get help from some little kids? Surprisingly that works, as the horrified twerps discover that there are a team of four con-artists (it's actually really endearing that Wobbuffet is included in the four and not just considered a Pokémon) who steal people's Pokémon by pretending to that one of them is a world class groomer. They (and Officer Jenny) race back to the salon but it is now deserted, nothing but a couple of overturned shelves and a pot plant left behind. Fennekin is gone and cannot be retrieved... until Furfrou sniffs the ground and picks up the scent and races off on their trail, followed by Jessica, the twerps, and Officer Jenny.

In the park, Team Rocket have settled down to gloat over their success instead of getting into their fucking balloon and flying the fuck away Jesus Christ Team Rocket haven't you learned anything? Fennekin is wrapped up in a sack, quivering in fear (why not Ember its way out?) as Meowth holds on tight. But as Jesse and James celebrate, Meowth feels an intrusive presence... there's a Furfrou sniffing his butt! He leaps away in fright while Jesse and James immediately decide they want to capture it. But then the twerps arrive, Ash yelling at them to give Fennekin back. Figuring there is no need to keep up the pretence any longer, the Trio whip their clothes off (it's NEVER what you think it is, Gentle Dodgers) and kick into the motto, because surely that isn't going to end with them being blasted off again!

"Prepare for trouble, pushy twerps!"
"And make it double, we're primo perps!"
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all people within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jesse!"
"And James!"
"Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now, or prepare for one stylish fight!"
"Meowth, dat's right!"
"Wobbuffet!"
Jenny demands they return the stolen Pokémon (Fennekin was NOT the first), and for some bizarre reason Team Rocket don't just stop and go,"Oh okay, our bad, sorry we didn't realise you wanted them back." Jenny calls out her Pokémon, and it seems in Kalos that Jennys (or at least this one) use Manectric as their Pokémon of groupthink vat-grown clone choice. Serena checks it out with her Pokédex, while James sends in Inkay to fight.

Manectric opens with a Thunderbolt but the little Inkay easily dodges and then scores a direct headbutt with Tackle. It does little damage to Manectric though, which instantly comes back with Quick Attack and sends Inkay flying back. Panicked, James orders a Psybeam and Inkay's "circles" glow bright as it unleashes a burst of psychic energy that smashes directly into Manectric. Confused by the attack, Manectric blasts electricity in a wide semi-circle which almost hits Clemont, Bonnie and Serena and DOES hit Officer Jenny... right in the chest! She goes down hard but manages to recall Manectric to its Pokéball, and thus ends any proactive role that Jenny might have played in this episode as a law enforcement officer. Instead, Ash steps up to the plate with Pikachu. Pikachu uses Quick Attack but Inkay is able to dodge, and then... blasts a thick wad of black goo into Pikachu's face!

A slight colour change and this episode would be rated 18+ only!
Bonnie is horrified to see Pikachu blinded by the attack, but suddenly realises that she has the solution. Triumphantly opening her sidebag, she calls to Dedenne who... is curled up like the fat lump of pudding it is, sleeping blissfully! Frustrated, she turns to Clemont and insists her brother fix things, and he prepares to call out Bunnelby. Surprisingly, Ash stops him, smiling and insisting that he and Pikachu can still finish this.

Inkay flies in with tackle but Ash gives Pikachu warning to dodge and he does so. James follows up with another psybeam, but once again Ash gives Pikachu direction, and Pikachu has no problem whatsoever following orders - there's that whole bond thing that Jessica is lacking with Furfrou, Pikachu absolutely trusts Ash to be his eyes. Pikachu rolls to avoid the attack, then turns around and uses Thunderbolt. Clemont is enthralled by what he sees, but Team Rocket are working well in conjunction with their Pokémon as well. Jesse sends in Wobbuffet to counter the Thunderbolt, and Pikachu has to leap high to avoid being hit by his own attack. Following Ash's instructions again, he flips and prepares to blast Wobbuffet with an Iron Tail, but Jesse has Wobbuffet dodge.

But Ash demonstrates that battle-savant talent of his once again, having positioned the players perfectly. He orders another Thunderbolt at Wobbuffet, knowing exactly how Jesse will react. She unwittingly plays her part, telling Wobbuffet smugly that he knows what to do, and Wobbuffet counters the attack. But as Thunderbolt blasts back, Ash has Pikachu jump up, and the reflected (and enhanced!) attack crashes into the floating Inkay instead - Wobbuffet and Inkay had positioned themselves on either side of Pikachu and put themselves in the firing line!

Jessica is impressed by how in synch Ash and Pikachu are, but Clemont says he's actually past being impressed now, because he knows this is just the way Ash and Pikachu are. Bonnie simplifies it - they trust each other. For some reason this never occurred to Jessica as being the source of her problems with Furfrou, but now she remembers her earlier attempt to brush Furfrou's hair. She was trembling and obviously nervous, and Furfrou didn't trust her to do the job right. Her timid and uninspiring efforts were bound to fail, and in contrast to Ash's simple confidence and Pikachu's open trust, she fully realises how badly she has fucked things up. Furfrou isn't to blame here, SHE is.

Inkay tries to tackle Pikachu who once again successfully dodges thanks to Ash's warning, while Jesse takes her eyes off the ball to creep up through the bushes and toss an expanding energy cage onto Furfrou. Jessica is horrified, and flashbacks to the time the two have spent together. Finally putting aside her self-confidence issues, she lets herself get angry and storms forward demanding they give her back her Furfrou right now! She grabs at the energy bars, zapping herself in the process (she REALLY took inspiration from Ash!), but her efforts don't go unnoticed by Furfrou.

Bonnie insists once again that Clemont do SOMETHING instead of just standing around looking like 1 O'Clock half struck. He brings out Bunnelby and has it use Mudshot on the cage, but Wobbuffet counters the attack and sends it back. Bunnelby uses Dig to avoid its own attack, leaving Wobbuffet peering about bewildered, where did the bunny go!?! The answer comes from below as Bunnelby emerges and uppercuts Wobbuffet with one of its ears (I love this show), sending the blue blob spinning through the air in surprise.

With Wobbuffet out of the equation, Ash has Pikachu just do a direct blast of Thunderbolt at Inkay, which can only gape (hilariously!) in horror as the electricity blasts towards it and directly into it. Jessica takes the lull in action to grab a nearby stick and smash at the cube atop the energy cage, shattering it and freeing Furfrou. The cube falls in front of Jesse and explodes in her face, and when the smoke clears Team Rocket finds themselves facing the pissed off twerps (Pikachu's face now cleaned off by Bonnie), Jessica and her Furfrou, and oh yeah also Officer Jenny is there too.

Realising that Furfrou wants to fight, Jessica orders a Charge Beam, and it follows her directions happily not that she has demonstrated the depth of her feelings for it. The attack smashes into the unprepared and unhappy Team Rocket, and sends them blasting off again, leaving behind the sack of balls (haha!) and Fennekin. Officer Jenny picks up the sack and says she will get the Pokéballs back to their trainers. She thanks Ash for having done her job for her after she completely failed in every respect, and that's basically it for her this episode.

The twerps note that Jessica's Furfrou listened to her, and she asks it if it will finally let her style it now. It seems to nod and bark in agreement, and soon she is back at the Grooming Salon. The twerps and Sherman watch as she confidently brushes Furfrou's hair, washes and dries it, snips away, adds dye where she feels it is necessary, and finally completes her masterpiece. She brings out Furfrou and everybody is - of course - impressed, even though Furfrou's new style doesn't look anything unique or special. While the twerps coo and awww over Furfrou's indifferent new design, it's telling that Serena asks Jessica to groom her Fennekin WHEN she finally becomes the best groomer she possibly can be. I mean, sure it's great that you did this generic and unimpressive first effort on your own Pokémon and I'll be nice and compliment you on it, but stay the fuck away from MY Pokémon till you've actually developed your skills, thank you very much!

The sun sets, the twerps wave their goodbyes to Sherman and Jessica, and off up the road they go. As they do, Serena comments to herself that it must be nice to have a passion for something. Clearly she does not, she doesn't know if she wants to be a trainer, doesn't really feel the same urge to be a Rhyhorn racer that her mother does, and in general just doesn't quite know what she wants to do with her life. Ash hears her talking but doesn't get the gist of what she is saying, and because she doesn't want to admit she lacks the passion that Jessica or he himself clearly has, she just laughs it off and says she can't wait to get to Lumiose City. Clemont seems troubled by this statement, which seems to confuse Bonnie, but the episode ends before we can get any elaboration. Serena races on ahead up the road and Ash happily runs along with her, not really understanding what is going on but loving any excuse to just run blindly ahead. Ash has a passion, Serena wants a passion (other than wearing Ash's pants while he's still in them), Bonnie has a passion for cute Pokémon and Clemont has a passion for SCIENCE.... but Serena is hiding a secret and it seems that Clemont is too. We'll maybe find out answers to what the latter is next episode, and maybe not, but for now this story is...

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