Team Rocket's first appearance.
To date, this is the only episode of the series in which any of Ash's male relatives are mentioned. Delia mentions that it took his father four days to reach Viridian City from Pallet Town and that Ash is the "apple" of his eye. In the Japanese version, Delia also mentions Ash's grandfather but this is omitted in the English dub.
First appearance of Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny.
This is the first time Team Rocket blasts off.
On the wall at the Pokemon Center, the engravings are of Arcanine, Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres. Ash misidentifies the Ho-Oh he saw in the previous episode as Articuno.