>>45076358It was there to then make the impact of them bonding stronger. The focus is not on the battle but their bonding.
You have this arrogant bitch who cost Ash the win - yet Ash is not angry at hin but on the contrary after all that STILL gives his everything to save him - and THAT makes that moment so powerful.
Imagen he HAD won him that battle, well of COURSE I am gonna everything to save my strong pokemon who just won me that battle, that would lower that impact considerably - but after he has been SUCH a bitch for not only that battle but so many episodes before? Now THAT shows chrizard how stupid he behaved and you can see the moment he realizes that and feels embarrassed about himself.