Warning: Spoilers for Pokémon Horizons episode #65Pokémon Horizons has just set the stage for a massive change which the original series always shied away from: a true redemption arc for its villain. While it's looking increasingly likely that Pokémon Horizons' Amethio may be in line for a redemption, the original series never really offered the same opportunity to Jessie and James, even as the series ended.

Episode #65 of Pokémon Horizons focused on Amethio and Liko, who were trapped in a cave together after Amethio's alleged teammates betrayed him and triggered a cave-in deliberately. Being stuck together in a cold cave, Amethio and Liko had the chance to speak to one another in a non-adversarial way for once, and Liko made note of the fact that Amethio is far more honorable than his colleagues in the Explorers tend to be.

The pair eventually worked together to escape the cave, then went their separate ways--but this, too, was part of the trap set for Amethio, resulting in him getting kicked out of the Explorers.

Amethio Could Get the Redemption Jessie and James Never Did

Amethio's Ejection from the Explorers Gives Him a Real Shot at Redemption

While Amethio is likely to try to get back into the good graces of the Explorers first, Liko's observations about him certainly make it seem like he's set for a redemption, rather than a simple return to the bad guys. This would be an opportunity that was never afforded to Team Rocket, despite numerous chances over the years to change their ways. Team Rocket often proved they had heroic qualities, most notably in the second movie, Pokémon the Movie 2000, in which they believed they were sacrificing their lives so that Ash could save the world.

Pokémon did toy with the idea of a Team Rocket redemption at a few points; Meowth once infamously ed Ash for several episodes, before it was revealed that this was all a complex ruse. There have also been times when Jessie or James have temporarily quit Team Rocket, only to end up back on board by the end of the episode. The series even gave Jessie and James' Team Rocket rivals, Butch and Cassidy, a redemption in Pokémon Journeys, revealing the pair had retired and gone on to open legitimate businesses. Ultimately, however, the status quo prevailed every time, and Team Rocket remained evil.

What An Amethio Redemption Could Mean for Pokémon Horizons

Fans Have Wanted Amethio's Redemption Since the First Episode

While Amethio has done plenty of villainous acts, he's had, since his first appearance, an air of being different from a typical Pokémon villain. Amethio saved Sprigatito when it was blown off the deck of the airship, and didn't intend to use Sprigatito as a bargaining chip to gain the pendant, even though that would've been easy to do. Many fans have anticipated he would get a redemption at some point, and now the stage is finally set for that to happen.

Amethio could prove a valuable ally if he ends up ing the Rising Volt Tacklers, or even if he remains independent. He's a skilled battler with some strong Pokémon, and his understanding of the Explorers' goals would be extremely helpful in thwarting them. While Amethio is still a long way from being redeemed, Pokémon Horizons has finally given him the first steps towards that redemption.