I don't know if this eppie is going to repete the same plot device. However...*thinks*

This sounds a bit like the eppie where he catches Subame. It doesn't sound like The Little Big Horn though because in that eppie Brock saved a baby Stantler and tried to get it home. Also, we had the enjoyment to watch half the cast hallucinating.

Here Comes the Squirtle Squad was completely different. The Squirtle were EVIL and they teamed up with Team Rocket to try and get Pikachu. Then in the end Ash earns respect of the Squirtle of the Squirtle earn some respect for themselves and the Squirtle decides that he wants to join Ash.

This does sound like the eppie where Tracy caught Scyther, however. Both have a pokemon who left the group for some reason. Then both were seen and nearly/captured by the gang and then both returned to help his group from Team Rocket and then in the end both belong the a person in the group.

I think this is only the second time we see a plot device like this. However, it is possible the producers forgot about the eppie (since it took so long for me to remember) so it is possible this was an accidental plot repeat.