Pokémon Emergency!

Prepare for trouble! Hans, Ryan and Stu meet Team Rocket for the very first time, and they’re not impressed: matching uniforms, a Meowth hot air balloon and an intro budget Giovanni should be asking questions about. Plus Officer Jenny’s legendary skid, a room full of Pikachu running to power a hospital, a Pikachu supercharged by a push bike, and the theory that Ash has been in a coma since Episode 1. The verdict: one Poké Ball and two Great Balls.Next week: Episode 3, “Ash Catches a Pokémon”.Watch along live on Altcaster: https://altcaster.com/casters/wildrewatchQuestions for Can’t Escape: [email protected]

Where it all begins! Hans, Ryan and Stu press play on the very first episode of the Pokémon anime, as Ash oversleeps, gets a Pikachu that won’t go in its Poké Ball, and learns the hard way not to throw rocks at a Spearow. We share our memories of first watching it, make our predictions, rate it from Poké Ball to Master Ball and start the season scoreboard.

A wild rewatch appeared! Hans, Ryan and Stu are rewatching every episode of the Pokémon anime, all 1,000+ of them, starting from Ash's very first adventure in Kanto. Before we set off, Episode 0 introduces the trainers.In this episode:Why we're doing this, and how it connects to Altcaster, the alternative commentary platform the three of us co-foundedHow the show works: live watch-alongs on Altcaster, our predictions before each episode, and a new podcast every weekOur first memories of Pokémon: racing home to watch it on TV, belting out the PokéRap, Red vs Blue, giant link cables, and a sister who swore she had MewThe grind: levelling Pidgey and Rattata for hours as kids versus replaying FireRed in our mid-30sShiny Venusaur, lost card collections, and our new podcast goal of three PSA 10 Charizards (one each, to avoid fights)Choosing our starters: Charmander, Squirtle or Bulbasaur?Our predictions for the rewatch: Cringe Fest, a slightly strange Professor Oak, and why Ash doesn't just catch them allNext week is Episode 1, "Pokémon, I Choose You!" Join us live on Altcaster to watch along and comment. We'll share the time on socials.Got a question for the show? Email [email protected]. Find us on Instagram and TikTok by searching "Wild Rewatch", and follow Altcaster too.An Altcaster podcast.