Team Rocket doesn't recite their motto in this episode.
James attempts to release Inkay, but Inkay decides to stay with him. This mirrors the events of Pikachu's Woods (1998), 814 episodes earlier.
James's Inkay remains outside of its Poké Ball throughout the episode.
One of the flashback scenes with James and Inkay features James disguising Inkay as Pikachu while wearing an Ash disguise himself. This scene takes place during Ta-da! Fake Satoshi Appears!! (2014), although it was never seen in said episode.
Ash, his friends, and Team Rocket encounter the evil Malamar again from Madame X's Plot! The Scary Calamanero!! (2014).