#hz015

Spinel's whole thing underneath his outwardly nasty actions is thinking primarily in terms of facts and logic, meticulously arranging things to go a certain way based on assessments of all variables, and being 100 steps ahead, but he doesn't account for emotion and connection and how it can flip the script against him in surprising ways.

His first plan to steal Liko's pendant was to try to bait her into an alleyway using her kindhearted nature against her, then temporarily wipe her memory, incapacitate her, and swipe the pendant and escape without leaving a trace, while using the time she spends wandering around and misdirecting Dot through fake online posts to stall the RVT while he escapes without any trace of his existence of proof that he was around. He knew the memory wipe was temporary, but in his eyes, it would buy him enough time that once she did regain her memory, it would be too late to catch up to him and he'd be back at the base with the pendant in hand. What he didn't account for was Dot, not just in her ability to use her clout as Nidothing to her advantage, but the fact that Liko for the past several episodes before that went out of her way to befriend her and try to reach out to her was something Dot was grateful for. She decided to repay that kindness by going out of her way to find her using her clout and connections to her advantage and also fighting for her out of sheer loyalty. Dot was the unknown variable because of Liko specifically, where things Liko did for her led to her getting involved out of emotional investment and successfully backing him into a corner.

His other plan to get Amethio suspended from the Explorers involved trapping him specifically with Liko together in a cave, and he deliberately chose a cave that had a small opening to above ground, and had Beheeyem spy on that spot to record footage of Amethio escaping together with Liko. He used Amethio's more honorable nature against him and knew both that Amethio was smart enough to figure out how to escape and that he would not hesitate to help someone when necessary, even if said person is an adversary. What he didn't account for was the fact that Liko would actively take the time they were in that cave together to try to connect with Amethio and understand him. So even though he successfully managed to frame Amethio, he didn't account for the fact that it led to him and Liko forming a genuine connection and bond, and even though Amethio never formally joined her, he's been willing to ally with her when necessary ever since. And it's obvious from the way he talks about them, even in the recent episodes, that the fact that Amethio and Liko have an alliance is something he feels genuinely threatened by.

She was also the big factor once again post-timeskip when Spinel doubled down to mentally crush Amethio and force him to give up, knowing that he was tough enough to stay alive but by relentlessly pursuing him and forcing him into isolation he'd resign himself and give up trying to fight. Liko was the biggest factor in not only finding him but him coming back and being ready to fight again, much more than any of Zirc, Onia, or Hamber were. Sure, the former two are unwaveringly loyal to him, and Hamber is also his surrogate parent figure, and they went out of their way for him, but they alone could only do so much. It was when Liko got involved, thanks to Zirc and Onia running into her and knowing how much Amethio respected her, and in turn asking her to help them find him, that made the big difference. Liko is very attuned to emotion and feelings, and she figured out where he was through the family photos in his mansion, which was something Zirc and Onia couldn't figure out by themselves (no disrespect to them).

He is SHOWN to care for Umbreon. His Umbreon is shown to care for him. There's no hint of ill will towards either side. Spinel clearly, absolute certainly, cares for his Pokémon, Umbreon being the number one partner. This has me very intriqued on his character and makes me wonder what is ultimate motive in helping Gibeon is.

It seems like they started building a connection between Dot and Spinel's characters in the recent episodes. I wonder if we'll just see it in this arc, or if it will be a recurring thing.

Beyond their similarities such as them both mostly operating from their rooms and barely leaving them or changing hairstyles depending on their modes (Dot changing hairstyle before making videos as Gurumin, and Spinel tying his hair when he goes outside and wants to blend in), they are also tech savvy and seem reclusive.

Dot is the one who noticed that the communications seemed cut off in HZ012 which led to Friede finding out that Spinel's Rarecoil was jamming the signal. This week's episode (HZ015) also had Dot and Spinel fighting on the tech front. In order to find Liko, Dot looked for info online and found reports of sightings of Liko and Nyahoja. Except the info was fake and made up by Spinel so he could distract the Rising Volt Tacklers and buy time. Dot eventually realized it and tries to think of a way to find real info, so she gets the idea of making a collab with Nanjamo to find Liko, which eventually makes her confirm that Liko is in Hakkou City. So she is thwarting Spinel on this front.

At the end of the episode, Roy and Dot find Liko and Dot as Gurumin seems to send a specific message to Spinel, as she says that they all won't lose to anyone as long as they work together. Nanjamo even points it out, as she wonders who Gurumin thinks she is fighting against.

Spinel was watching the collab between Gurumin and Nanjamo and he actually acknowledges Dot. That seems significant to me (as Spinel doesn't hand out acknowledgment just like that).

Compared to the way he considered Friede in the previous episode ("so that's all you're capable of"), this is the first time Spinel directly acknowledges someone from the crew, and it's Dot since this whole collab thing was her idea in the first place.

In the first place, Dot rarely leaves her room and it's Spinel's actions that were the incentive for it. Dot had a personal resentment against Spinel in the episode as she says she can't forgive someone tricking her and her friends (she openly calls the Rising Volt Tacklers her friends, and I think it's the first time she does in the series).

Dot also seemed to try to think from Spinel's perspective as to why he didn't flee immediately after getting the pendant when Friede brought it up, so she came to the conclusion that he was probably stalling for time.

She also seemed to have a much more personal reaction to the reveal that Spinel used Orbem to alter Liko's memories to steal the pendant.

Taking all of this into account, and the fact that Dot's first onscreen battle will apparently be against Spinel's Pokemon given the preview for next week's episode, I feel like it could be interesting if these two characters impacted each other throughout the story.

Dot is very knowledgeable about Pokemon (since she makes a lot of videos about them as Gurumin), and Friede said in HZ007 that she can be strict on trainers, so I wonder if she has some experience battling? Either way, I think her wits will come in handy against Spinel. And given the way running away is a valid alternative in HZ, she doesn't exactly have to win against him in their battle, she could just break the communication devices Spinel uses to battle remotely which would end the battle this way or force Spinel to come out.

Either way, I just think it's interesting. Narratively speaking, Spinel's introduction and acting as an antagonist coincides with Dot's arc of opening up and meeting Liko and Roy. It also seems like next episode will be an important step for Dot and Kuwassu (officially becoming partners if they aren't yet and having their potential first battle together?), so all these character moments are happening in parallel to Spinel's character being properly introduced.

Coral, Sidian, and Chalce talked for the first time in the episode when he failed and pointed out flaws in his character, which are actually quite accurate. And when you consider how the three of them are in hindsight, their mockery of him fits.

Coral: Laughs her ass off, pointing out how the guy who's "prepared for everything" failed and slipped up.

Coral is the exact opposite of him. She doesn't plan or prepare for anything. She goes all in head-on, she's bold and brave, she acts on a whim (and on impulse), and she gladly takes risks for the sake of triumph. She's impulsive, but adaptable to situations and is head-on and aggressive precisely because she doesn't plan.

So she has no respect for the guy who meticulously plans things, takes zero risks, and refuses to deviate from his plans because he's so afraid of taking risks.

Sidian: Curtly and coldly points out how Spinel was foiled by tunnel vision

That's right. Spinel was foiled by tunnel vision. He's a brilliant schemer but he's so full of himself and overconfident that he has tunnel vision and cannot foresee any cracks and holes in his plans. Sidian, although somewhat ruthless at times, is humble and is thus not foiled by tunnel vision, because he has sound judgment and remains calm. Even if he loses he gracefully accepts defeat.

So he has no respect for the arrogant shithead who cannot foresee gaps in his plans, and loses his composure the moment things don't go according to plan.

Chalce: Decides to ask Spinel about what he knows. Spinel deflects and says "Read my report, that's all I know". Chalce knows that's not true and that he's hiding things. "I see, you're being cautious. Or shall I say, cowardly".

She's the calm and smart intellectual of the group, and she tries to pry this lowly man for information, but she knows he's hiding shit, being dishonest and refusing to share information that he personally doesn't want to share. Chalce notes there's caution, if not downright cowardice, in his choice not to disclose the full scope of what he knows, which she sees through and can catch, and points out to his face, highlighting Spinel's lowliness.

Side note but much later after this Amethio, Spinel's biggest hater, throws his own insult at him too lmao.

"Spinel, that worm". Amethio, who like the other three non-Spinel admins, is at least honest and attacks head-on, straight up calls Spinel a "worm".

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And before that on the RVT's end they have absolutely no respect for this despicable worm.

Roy and Dot have zero respect for this rat of a human being.

Friede was straight up pissed at this lowlife sewer rat. "You're awfully shy, aren't you? Are you too afraid to face me? Come out here and show your fucking face!"

Dot showing her haughty and snobbish side haha.

"Hey, you arrogant shithead! You said we don't have the slightest chance of winning, right? Well guess what man, we just beat your ass!"

Taunting him and rubbing it in his face, yeah Dot!

This weak man got pissed at Dot's taunt.

"Ugh...these fucking rookie children beat me! Ugh! I can't believe I have to send my beloved Umbreon on these...children!"

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A lot of stuff but I just love how everyone has a very low opinion of Spinel as a person, whether peer or foe. No one respects this man. As far as everyone is concerned, he's filth, subhuman trash, and a rat and they're up and front in saying it.

Highlight thou: DOT!!! She actually went out to find Liko, and it seems only Roy and Liko didn't know what she looked like. But now they do, and I really enjoyed how Dot was done in this ep!

Friede and the others are speculating on who could be behind Liko's disappearance, and Mollie wonders if it's the Explorers. Friede says that if it were Amethio, he would have faced them head-on so he brushes off that possibility.

Anyway, I really like when there is mutual respect and trust between adversaries like that. Even though Friede and Amethio are at odds, there is a sense that they both know what kind of person the other is and what he would or wouldn't do. Despite the fact that Amethio was irritated that Friede wasn't fully focusing on their battle (during HZ005), Friede was properly looking. Friede already got to know what kind of person Amethio is through their multiple confrontations (they already faced four times in HZ001, HZ002, HZ003, and HZ005), and he knows that Amethio wouldn't remain hidden if he had to come after them. Amethio acknowledged Friede as a worthy opponent (HZ004), so it's nice to see that Friede holds him in the same regard. I wonder what kinds of confrontations they'll have from now on, since Amethio isn't after the pendant anymore.

This makes me wonder what kind of missions Amethio was doing before this one though. According to Spinel, it's not like him to fail so this implies that he is competent and usually fulfills tasks that are given to him. Amethio is too honorable though, so it feels like if he has to resort to subterfuge, he won't.

I liked this exchange between Friede and Dot. Friede being supportive of Dot the way he is with Liko and Roy is nice to see, since he tells her he understands how she feels. He told the same thing to Liko and Roy in HZ007 when they told him they wanted to become stronger.