…Can't unsee how this episode utterly contradicts every other one where we learn about their past. They supposedly went together to the Pokémon Tech then joined the bike gang when they were younger, but here they act as if they have never seen each other before.

They actually where stated to be one of the best team rocket teams operative until they met Ash and co.. After that because they only focused on Ash their performance went trough the drain until they decided to ignore Ash in Black and White. In hindsight that Pikachu is not that especial seeing him lose against countless opponents, and that Snivy level 5. He just somehow has its two abilities at any given time