DP074

Pika and Goliath! (Japanese: ピカチュウ！ライチュウ！進化への道！！ Pikachu! Raichu! The Path to Evolution!!) is the 74th episode of Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl, and the 540th episode of the Pokémon animated series. It first aired in Japan on April 3, 2008, alongside DP073 as a one-hour special and in the United States on August 30, 2008.
==Blurb==
Before he can get to Pastoria City, Ash has to battle a slang-talking Trainer named Sho. Sho wants to collect a Pikachu evolution set and he already has Raichu and Pichu, so he has his eye on Ash's Pikachu—but Ash isn't about to trade. Instead, they have a battle: Sho's Raichu vs. Ash's Pikachu. Raichu isn't afraid to go head-to-head with Pikachu, and it also knows Hyper Beam, a move that Pikachu can't learn unless it evolves. Not only does Raichu beat Pikachu, Paul drops by just long enough to sneer at Ash for not having evolved his Pikachu.
While Pikachu gets some serious rest and recuperation at the nearest Pokémon Center, Ash takes out the Thunderstone he received in Vermilion City. Back at the Vermilion Gym, Lt. Surge's Raichu beat Pikachu and forced it to consider whether it wanted to evolve; even though Pikachu decided to remain a Pikachu, what if it's changed its mind since then? Team Rocket saw the whole thing unfold and they still think Pikachu should stay the same, so they swipe the Thunderstone when no one is looking.
It's just as well, since Pikachu decides to beat Raichu itself. After some special training, it's time for a rematch. Instead of relying on raw power, Ash has Pikachu use strategic moves and spinning tricks to beat Raichu. Sho admits that Ash's Pikachu is pretty good—but if they ever meet again, the result will be different!
==Plot==
While is eating lunch, accidentally knocks a piece of food out of 's paw with his flailing arms. Disgruntled, both Pokémon run after the food. It stops rolling, and a eats it right in front of the duo. Pichu calls for its , a boy named Sho, who is particularly excited to see what he thinks is a Pikachu. and the others run over to find Pikachu and Piplup, but Sho orders them to keep away from his catch. He calls on his , and orders an attack. Ash counters Raichu's attack with an Iron Tail of his own, and both sides prove evenly matched. Sho realizes that Pikachu isn't wild, so he offers up a few Pokémon to trade; namely a , , and . Ash sternly turns down the offers. is curious as to why he wants Pikachu so badly, to which Sho replies that he wants a full-power evolution set.
Ash suggests he should evolve his Pichu, but Sho cannot be bothered looking for another Pichu. Ash decides to challenge Sho to a – his Raichu against Pikachu. Sho accepts on the terms that if he wins, Pikachu was his. However, Ash declines that offer. Still, the two Trainers agree to battle each other in test of strengths. Pikachu starts the match off with a . Raichu takes the electricity and is completely unfazed. Sho mocks Pikachu's power, and replies with . Pikachu also takes the attack, then launches ; however, Raichu also knows this move and uses it as well. Both of the Volt Tackles collide, creating an explosion. Raichu safely lands on its feet, but Pikachu slams into a rock and struggles to stand back up. Both Pokémon exchange Iron Tails, skidding backwards as a result. Ash assumes Raichu would be beaten with speed, so Pikachu charges ahead with . Despite the direct hit, Raichu is not harmed. Sho decides to finish things up with a . Pikachu prepares to dodge, but Raichu pins him to a nearby rock with its tail. Raichu charges up its Hyper Beam attack and hits Pikachu at point-blank range. Sho calls it a win as Pikachu faints from exhaustion. Ash, concerned, runs over to Pikachu and comforts him. Sho again offers to trade, but walks off after Ash refuses.
Unexpectedly, Paul arrives and tells Ash that he was pathetic. Ash remains optimistic, but Paul suggests he evolve Pikachu to even come close to being an equal to Raichu. Just as quickly as he appeared, he leaves again. Brock states that it's true that Pikachu can't learn Hyper Beam without evolving and Dawn says that Pikachu can't evolve without a Thunder Stone.
Before Pikachu can say anything, he passes out in Ash's arms. Pikachu is immediately taken to a Pokémon Center, where he is hooked up to a to check his pulse and heart rate. is seen outside, looking into the hospital room sadly as Pikachu's health began to deteriorate. Upon having flashbacks of his life, Pikachu's pulse and heart rates begin to plummet, so Nurse Joy uses the defibrillator and sets it to 200 volts. It is ineffective, so Nurse Joy calls for 300 volts instead. After three more tries, Pikachu's heart and pulse rates return to normal range, much to everyone's relief.
Later that afternoon, Pikachu wakes up to Ash and the others standing over him. He tries to rush off to get Raichu, but Ash puts him back in the bed, saying that he needs to rest. Ash takes out a Thunder Stone and explains that he has kept hold of it ever since he received from Nurse Joy in Vermilion City. As Pikachu still seems hurt, the group leaves the room after Ash places the Thunder Stone on the table next to the window. Outside, Team Rocket contemplate Pikachu evolving into Raichu. Jessie says that it wouldn't feel right, and is strongly against it, as he is proud not to evolve himself. Later that night, Pikachu glares angrily at the Thunder Stone, quickly turning away from it.
Ash and the others enter the ward room to find both Pikachu and the Thunder Stone missing. The group go off looking for Pikachu in the surrounding forest. A jolt of electricity in the night sky is seen and Ash runs off in that direction. Ash sees his Pikachu, practicing Volt Tackle on a rock and breaking it. Ash runs over, happy that Pikachu has decided to not evolve after all. His friends are equally relieved. Team Rocket make an unexpected appearance, and with the Thunder Stone in hand, implying that they planned to sell it before running off. 
The very next day, Ash and Pikachu get straight into special training to prepare him for a rematch against Sho's Raichu. A jolt of electricity bursts from out of the trees, interrupting the training. Ash quickly runs over, noticing that it was Raichu's Thunder. Ash immediately challenges Sho to another battle. Sho remarks that it would end the same, but agrees to a rematch. He lets out his Pichu to watch the battle unfold. Right before the battle starts, Pikachu taunts Sho and his Raichu, ordering them to go first. Angrily, Sho calls for Raichu to use Iron Tail. Ash's Pikachu puts his training into practice and spins to dodge it. Raichu uses Iron Tail again, but Pikachu spins around on the ground, dodging several blows. Finally, one of Raichu's Iron Tail attacks hits Pikachu before tossing him into the air. With Pikachu freefalling, Raichu charges forward with a Volt Tackle. Pikachu counters with an Iron Tail, landing safely on the ground. Raichu comes at Pikachu with another Volt Tackle, though Pikachu using his spinning technique to evade it and the follow up Iron Tail onslaught. With Raichu now tired, Pikachu retaliates with a Quick Attack which pushes Raichu back. Raichu comes back with an Iron Tail, though Pikachu leaps overhead and lands a blow with his own Iron Tail. Raichu unleashes a Thunder attack, but Pikachu speeds by and uses Volt Tackle. Raichu takes the hit and quickly stands to its feet. Sho orders a Hyper Beam, and Raichu again pins Pikachu to a tree with its tail. Pikachu counters with a Thunderbolt, cutting the damage sustained in half. With Raichu needing time to recover, Pikachu slams it with a Volt Tackle and Iron Tail combo. Raichu sustains the blow and rushes in for another Volt Tackle. 
Raichu is still able to get to its feet, and counters with Volt Tackle. Pikachu also uses Volt Tackle, resulting in an explosive clash. With both sides proving evenly matched, Sho calls for an Iron Tail. Pikachu returns the favour, adding a spin to his attack to toss Raichu into a tree. Raichu recovers and then replies with a Hyper Beam again, but its tail misses Pikachu. Ash's Pikachu uses the energy from the Hyper Beam to jump into the air and begins to spin while readying an Iron Tail attack. Pikachu slams directly into Raichu to win the match. is pleased to see her spinning technique could be adapted to Ash's advantage. Team Rocket, who have been watching the match, celebrate Pikachu's latest victory and renew their aims to steal him. Paul, on the other hand, is unimpressed and simply walks off. Afterwards, Sho finally recognizes Ash's strength and promises to give him a great battle the next time they meet.
==Major events==
* reveals that he still has the Thunder Stone he received in Vermilion City.
* Ash's Pikachu reaffirms his decision to not evolve into .
* steals Ash's Thunder Stone, planning to sell it.
===Debuts===
====Pokémon debuts====
==Characters==
===Humans===
* 
* 
* 
* Jessie
* James
* Nurse Joy (×2; one in a flashback)
* (fantasy)
* Lt. Surge (flashback)
* (flashback)
* Paul
* Sho
===Pokémon===
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* (; flashback)
* (Brandon's; flashback)
* (; flashback)
* (Sho's)
* (Sho's)
* (flashback)
* (flashback)
==Trivia==
* This episode follows much of the premise of Electric Shock Showdown by having Ash's Pikachu be defeated by a and choose whether to evolve or not. Clips from said episode are shown in this episode.
* Despite being released in the previous episode, Jessie's Dustox isn’t removed from the opening until the following episode.
* 's National Pokédex number, 113, was often shown in the seen in the Pokémon Center. In addition, 74, the number of this episode in Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl, is also shown. It could also be a reference to the animation production joke .
* To My Best Friend and Pokémon Symphonic Medley were both used as background music.
* The dub title is a reference to .
* makes an appearance in both of his two previous outfits in his flashbacks.
* Pikachu's spinning aerial is visually identical to 's neutral-aerial attack in the Super Smash Bros. series. Red's , Pika, also imitated this technique in the Pokémon Adventures manga.
* doesn't blast off or recite their in this episode.
* Team Rocket decides that, although they wouldn't mind having a Raichu, they can't bring themselves to want Pikachu to evolve. They decide to steal the Thunder Stone and cheer Pikachu on as itself. (Even though they tried to evolve him 53 episodes earlier.)
* This episode is featured on Pokémon All-Stars: Pikachu from 's series.
* Professor Oak's Big Pokémon Encyclopedia: Paul's Electabuzz.
===Errors===
===Dub edits===
* In the , when Pikachu quickly tries to rush off to get during his recovery in the Pokémon Center, Ash asks if he really does want to evolve into Raichu. However, in the original as well as in the English dub version, just says that he needs to rest.
== In other languages ==
074
Category:Episodes written by Shōji Yonemura
Category:Episodes storyboarded and directed by Masaru Koyama
Category:Episodes storyboarded by Masaru Koyama
Category:Episodes directed by Masaru Koyama
Category:Episodes animated by Izumi Shimura
Category:Episodes focusing on Ash
Category:Episodes focusing on Pikachu
Category:Episodes in which a main character's Pokémon refuses to evolve
de:Pikachu gegen Goliath!
es:EP543
fr:DP074
it:DP074
ja:DP編第74話
zh:宝可梦 钻石＆珍珠 第73集