This episode is similar to Dent and Takeshi! Gyarados's Imperial Rage!! (2013) in that Cilan, Clemont, and Bonnie never learn that they are all Ash's friends. However, unlike that episode, they do learn each others' names.
This is the only time one of Ash's previous long-term traveling companions appeared in any form in Pokémon the Series: XY.
Cilan's Pansage is revealed to have learned Vine Whip.
Cilan is revealed to have traveled to Kalos for a fishing competition held in Lumiose City.
Cilan leaves Lumiose City to head to the Tower of Mastery.