A brief leg this week that we’ve bulked up with plenty of Wild Area shenanigans and by playing ahead to Wyndon JUST A LITTLE BIT. But you’ll be glad we did, because there was PLENTY to take care of this week, especially for Josh who toiled for hours to catch Tanner a Stonjourner that he doesn’t even like. Special apology to anyone from New Hampshire this week.

It's been a generation or two, but eventually the water routes come for us all. Fortunately, this time we have the aid of a beleaguered doctor who mysteriously controls all of the bike technology in Galar, and he's upgraded our Bikes into Water Bikes. Hope our indentured Rotom like to swim! On the far shore, we discover that Marnie is yet another nepo baby, who takes us to her family's private entrance to the giant garage that is Spikemuth—and away from the riot of challengers who she decided weren't worthy. Turns out her brother Piers isn't either, because his team is a joke.

Lock up your Hot-Mom-loving spouses and loved ones this week—at least, if you’re playing Shield, because Circhester (pronounced see-sir-shrrr-sr) Gym has plenty to go around! You ever just start writing a sentence just to see where it goes? We're as surprised as you are by that last one. Anyway, the other game has someone called Gordie. ¯\(ツ)/¯

Tough week for Drew England as we check in on all the various Wild Area competitions, but can he redeem himself in a head-to-head battle with Smithsmith’s team of titans? To find out, you'll have to follow us through the unsavory, drug-addled Glimwood Tangle, into Ballonlea (pronounced baloney-ah)—where we’re invited to battle in an opium den—and through a sidequest to secure a representative for the great state of Vermont. It’s quite a journey.

Drew England spends some time chilling in the Wild Area, and Wellington Smithsmith recruits a new entrepreneur there after learning about another one of Chairman Rose's sham companies while touring Hammerlocke. Josh reveals a provocative new theory about Galar's Two Princes, and Tanner has some provocative thoughts about Gigantamax Gengar as well as Ball Guy (as usual). They also unveil a couple of new competitions—both of which Josh didn't know about—both for themselves as well as you, Bug Catchers. Check out the Rotom Circuit #1 on our socials @expsharepod, and send us your high score after YOU do the math!

*We'll be taking next week off for the Fourth of July, and back with your regularly scheduled episode on Tuesday, July 11th.*

Drew & Wellington push on this week into new ventures and new areas as they finish what they now know was essentially the opening tutorial sequence. With just Kabu left to stop them, a pitiful Fire-type gym leader, it’s only a matter of time before their sick machinations are unleashes upon the Galar region. (We’re talking mostly about Wellington Smithsmith here, obviously.) It was a pretty breezy visit for both gents, to be honest. But at least they got the chance to stop by and see Motostoke’s famous Fireman Octillery!

The route was short and yet, it was still full of terrors. Or maybe that's just the bit when we tried to figure out how to battle each other online for the first time. You be the judge, but please don't make fun of us too much. We're two grown adult men after all, how were we supposed to know that a hidden menu is what you use to fight each other, rather than the one on the main menu THAT SAYS "VS" ON IT. Please excuse us. We also have a controversial pick for Trainer Danger, but Joshy's Sweetie and Tanner's Ew Make Me Barf Pokémon of the Week certainly are not.

We’re joined by Greg Leatherman this week, aka Madison Sinclair, who is busy, busy, busy building the most fabulous team of “Pokémon Drag Race” stars. Meanwhile, Drew England and Wellington Smithsmith are just trying to make it to Turffield so they can take on *checks notes* J.K. Rowling? Huh. Along the way we learn about hawk in Timbs, a pretty complicated conspiracy about Gigantamaxing, and a Pokémon that’s just a big wad of, well, it’d be impolite to day what it looks like. 

Notes: Thanks to Greg for joining us again! You can find him on Twitter @whitewing & Instagram @lysander03.

‘Ello guv! Welcome to a new season of EXP. Share on an all-new system, in an all-new region, and on a lovely emerald isle (close enough) FILLED with all-new Barfies and Sweeties. Join wealthy industrialist Wellington Smithsmith and New England ambassador Drew England as they make their way to Motostoke City for Galar's Pokémon League opening ceremony. Along the way they meet weird dogs with lovely voices, some rowdy and fun-lovin’ stans, and the single most dangerous stranger to date: The Ball Guy. Chip chip, cheerio!

Season 7B/C draws to a close, even if maybe everyone participating in it didn't quite make it to the finish line. We've cleared the runway for David Sims, aka GringusD, to join us again after a brief hiatus to talk about Let's Go, the first time he played versus returning to it. Aside from traversing the surprisingly devastating Victory Road and taking on the Elite Four, we cover what we like and don't like both about the game and our own EXPLocke—with which one of our hosts once again struggles to keep a firm grasp on the rules of his own damn playstyle variant. You might as well call Josh & Tanner Pete & Chasten at this point because they're a family of Mayors Cheat.