I honestly believe that the beginning of the series, was a very well thought out, enjoyable anime. When newer games were released, it took a turn for the bad, and basically became less of an enjoyable series to watch, and morphed into a cash cow.
The beginning episodes had more feeling, more details into what a world with Pokemon is like. The Pokemon Centers, the mystery of how many Pokemon there were... Catching that first Pokemon, etc. Each episode had a unique plot, usually focusing on the Pokemon that was being featured.
Now, the series is basically, "OMG POKEYMANS -- OH LOOK THERE'S A NEW PORKEYMON FOR THEM NEW GAMES!!1111ONE -- OH LOOK, THEY'RE GETTING INTO HILARIOUS ANTICS -- OK, EVERYTHING IS RESOLVED."
Episodes like how Pikachu was almost near death, and Ash risked his life, simply for a mouse... How he encounters his traveling companions... The Pokemon he gets and how they grow and changed. The sideplot with Giovanni and Team Rocket. It wast truly plotted out, and written rather well.
I can honestly say, I stopped watching Pokemon entirely, simply because I wasn't very fond of 4kids, 'nor english translations of it PERIOD. But what happened to the original team rocket? Does it still exist? Ash and co. shouldn't be fooled by their disguises anymore. Does team rocket even have a point in capturing Pikachu anymore? Elements like the fact that their Boss, Giovanni, doesn't even care what those 3 fools do anymore.
I mean, the original anime was suppose to be a marketing tool, but Pokemon these days remind me of Power Rangers, and it's never ending series of "the universe is always in trouble constantly."