Ash trains Turtwig to use Energy Ball, but it does not go so well. Kenny thinks Turtwig should focus on creating it, but knows it will go well, as Turtwig has a lot of concentration. Ash knows that Kenny would like to go to his own training, as tomorrow is his Contest. In addition, Dawn is training her Pokémon as well. Ambipom spins and uses Swift. The stars bump into each other and sparkles are coming down, making Dawn give Ambipom a Poffin for such performance and to her other Pokémon as well. Dawn remembers there were Double Performances, but this time she is bound to win.
During the night, Jessie disguises herself as Jessilina. Jessie can't wait for the strategy James came up with, but he forgot. Jessie hears that, but Meowth and James promise to think of something. As she smiles, they are scared to think she will punish them so hard if they do not do something. Next day, the Contest begins. Pachirisu, Buneary, Piplup and Pikachu are ready to cheer for Dawn and Ambipom. Dawn, Kenny and Jessilina are already planning to get the ribbon. Dawn's mom already watches the contest from her TV.
First is Kenny, who sends Breloom. Breloom starts using Stun Spore. Breloom launches the Energy Ball and smashes it using Mach Punch, releasing glitter. Dawn remembers that she has worked hard and cannot lose now. Piplup is worried about Dawn, but Ash and Pikachu calm him down, as she will do great. After some performances, Jessilina comes. She sends Dustox, who uses Whirlwind to levitate Jessie in air. With a Psybeam, an explosion is made, but Dustox and Jessilina are unharmed. Meowth and James are very happy to know they won't get punished.
Next is Dawn, who sends her Ambipom. Ambipom uses Double Hit, causing powerful sound waves, then follows with Swift, causing sparkles by making the stars collide. Zoey watches the Contest from a TV in a Pokémon Center. With a faster spin, more stars collide and more sparkles come out. Brock worries it might a bit too much. Ambipom finishes spinning and Dawn's performance is over. When she goes in the room, Ash and Kenny confess they are amazed by the performance. The announcer is about to show the second round Contestants. Dawn tells Ambipom to prepare for te second round, but...
... but she did not appear on the screen. Dawn's mom stands up and worries about her. The screen matches the battles. Jessilina and Kenny will battle some other Coordinators. Ash goes to cheer Dawn up, but Brock stops him. Dawn think a while and congratulates Kenny on the victory. Surprisingly, Dawn acts a bit more cheerful than she should, pushing Kenny to prepare on his battle. Jessilina goes to push Dawn away, but Dawn would like to stay to watch the battle. Ash notices Dawn has her hand clutched, worrying him for her. Jessie and Kenny made it to final round. Prinplup uses Drill Peck, but gets stopped by Psybeam. Dustox levitates Prinplup using Whirlwind and stops Prinplup's BubbleBeam using Poison Sting. Time ran out and Jessilina is the winner.
Jessilina receives the ribbon. Meowth and James are somewhat surprised by the victory, thinking she had brains to actually win. Kenny goes to leave and thinks Dee-Dee should be on the next Contest. Dawn does not think so, though Kenny makes it clear he won't let Dawn quit the Contests. Dawn promises to be there and Kenny leaves them, seeing that Dawn might have lied. Dawn goes to bed and sees the ribbon and feels powerless. Next day, Ash and Brock still wait for Dawn. Zoey came and wakes Dawn up, then challenges her to a battle. At the battlefield, Ambipom spins and uses Swift. Zoey orders her to concentrate - Ambipom, surrounded by stars, is no longer seen. With an Iron Tail, Glameow stops Ambipom and uses Shock Wave, hitting Ambipom.
Zoey reveals she was spending time thinking what she could change, it is why she did not compete in Solaceon Town Contest. Zoey knows they will clash, but Dawn got her spirit back and Ash and Brock thank Zoey for this advice. Ash says they are to Veilstone City, so Zoey orders him to win, to make it a present for Dawn, then leaves the heroes to the journey.
- Professor Oak's lecture: Bibarel
- Pokémon senryū: たいぼくを かじれビーダル はがいのち Taiboku o, kajire Bīdaru, hagai no chi.
- This is the first official Contest that Jessie has ever won. However, she uses another name in her entry, Jessilina.
- This is the last episode to use By Your Side ~Hikari's Theme~ (Winter Version) as an ending theme well as By Your Side ~Hikari's Theme~ in general.
- An instrumental version of By Your Side ~Hikari's Theme~ is played during Dawn's performance. It is present in both the original and the dub.
- Ambipom's performance was similar to May's Skitty's performance in the Hoenn Grand Festival where they kept using the same move over and over again.
- In every Contest shown since those in the Kanto region, contestants have been shown to be able to use a different Pokémon for the Appeals and Battle rounds. Despite this, Jessie used Dustox in both rounds.
- Dustox participates in what turns out to be its final Contest.
- When James and Meowth were pretending to make a plan for a Contest, the Background Music is from Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team.
- Dawn's Pachirisu and Piplup are wearing the same cheering outfit as Buneary, while Pikachu wears a male kimono. This suggests that both Piplup and Pachirisu are girls. However, in a later episode, Piplup is confirmed to be male.
- Team Rocket doesn't blast off or recite their motto in this episode.
- The black portion of Ash's hat exceeds out of its normal boundaries in one scene.
- The credits started in the middle in the initial dub airing for no apparent reason.