Episode Stats:

Japanese Episode AG 053: "Eneko to Neko no Te!  Donmeru Bokujou!!"

("Eneko and 'Cat's Hand'!  The Donmel Ranch!!")

American Episode 325: "Game Winning Assist"
Orchid-Hakase Pokémon Lecture:  Pokémon Senryuu Contest information
Japanese Air Date:  November 27th, 2003
American Air Date:  November 13th, 2004
Important Characters:  Yohko (Julie), Don-chan (N/A)
Important Places:  Hono'o no Nukemichi (Fiery Path)

Our heroes are running away from a group of Magmag in the Fiery Path when they escape onto a large meadow.  There, the gang comes across a Donmel, a camel pokemon which doesn't seem to phased by anything our heroes do to it.  As Satoshi and his friends marvel at the pokemon, their owner, a young lady named Yohko, arrives on the scene.  Yohko invites the gang to her house, where Haruka and Yohko stage a battle to let Haruka's Eneko gain some fighting experience.  As the two battle, Haruka uses her Pokémon Zukan to determine what kind of attacks her newest pokemon can use, and one of them happens to be "Neko no Te" ("Assist").  Much to Haruka's surprise, Eneko produces an Ember attack, and then a Silver Wind attack!  Yohko explains that Assist allows Haruka's Eneko to randomly use any technique that the pokemon in her party are able to use.  The battle ends, and everyone heads back to the ranch to get some sleep.  That night, the Rocket-Dan appear in a giant Donmel mecha and steal all the pokemon on the ranch!  When Satoshi and his friends go outside to stop them, the robot inadvertently kidnap Haruka and her Eneko as well!  Haruka is able to rally the Donmel inside the mecha to break free, allowing Satoshi to appear and use his Pikachu to send the Rocket-Dan blasting off.  The next morning, Yohko shows the gang where they can find a ropeway to Entotsu Yama, allowing them to reach Fuen Town, the site of Satoshi's next Gym Battle.

---

Thoughts
Well, the first in the sting of non-filler episodes starts with this one.  I actually don't really see why fans have this obsession with separating the filler episodes from the non-filler episodes, but I guess people feel some sort of obligation to like an episode more if something occurs that advances the plot.  In this episode, we get a location from the game (the Fiery Path) and a new technique for Eneko, so because of this non-filler status we're supposed to like this episode now.

Well, I thought it was just OK.  Yohko was a bit intriguing to me because we have this girl who's out here, presumably by herself, taking care of these Donmel for no known reason.  Why is she taking care of them?  How did she get this herd of pokemon?  Maybe she's carrying on her family's business?  And why does she happen to have a spare room with two bunk beds?  I know this sort of overthinking can be applied to most of the one-shot characters, but for some reason I found myself questioning this character more than I do most others.

The dubbed version has a few changes for me to report, but otherwise it's your standard fare.

Cut--1 second
A second is cut from the opening shot of the episode.

Side Note
We all know how Julie has a bunch of Numel, right?  Well, in the Japanese version, she has a main Donmel whom she calls "Don-chan."  It's the first Donmel our gang runs into, and it's the one with the weird mark around its eye:

It's also the Donmel that she has her Eneko use Assist on inside the Rocket's mecha:

In the dub, this Numel isn't brought any special attention at all. 

Dialogue Edit
Right before the main commercial break, Max has this to say as he climbs onto the bed of Julie's truck:

Max:  "I hope ya got seatbelts back here."

Originally, Masato didn't say anything at this point.  4Kids was probably pressured into adding this line to calm the censors who are afraid that parents will write angry letters demanding why these kids are riding on the back of a truck like that.

Cut--1 second
A second is cut from the scene after the main commercial break.

Dialogue Edit
The scene after the main commercial break featuring Team Rocket talking about their plans after the heist is different in the Japanese version.

In the Japanese version, Kojirou dreams of having all-you-can-eat cup ramen and cup yakisoba, while James dreams of having ice cream.  Nyasu wants a cheeseburger and chocolate parfait, while Meowth wants a cheeseburger, large fries, a chocolate shake, and something called a "Poké-Mint" ice cream soda.  Finally, Musashi wants a BBQ featuring all-you-can-eat rice, while Jessie just wants the BBQ.

Food edits like this are a bit annoying (especially since the dub eliminates Nyasu's and Kojirou's hilarious reaction to Musashi's all-you-can-eat rice comment), but as long as they don't pull a One Piece and actually use digital paint to change the food on-screen, I won't be too bothered by it.

Cut--5 seconds altogether
The rest are time cuts.

Three seconds are cut after Kids' WB!'s final commercial break.

Two seconds are cut from the TO BE CONTINUED... screen.

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