Ash learns that the Orange League's Gyms test a Trainer's skill through challenges rather than normal battles and thus operate differently from the usual Gyms.
This is the first time Team Rocket is seen inside their Magikarp submarine, which they would go on to use throughout the entire Orange Islands arc. The submarine they used in season 1 resembled a Gyarados.
Ash's Lapras is revealed to know Ice Beam.
Tracey's surname of Sketchit is revealed in this episode.
Ash defeats the Mikan Island Gym Leader Cissy and earns his first Orange League Badge, the Coral-Eye Badge.