It was really the first time that Team Rocket was an actual threat in recent memory. I didn't think they'd win, but, for a moment, I thought....
Meanwhile, Wobbuffet proved its usefulness, so win-win all around, there. Until the end with Jiggly singing to the freezing Rockets -- that's just sadistic.
Frankly, the Rockets just made it interesting, because I didn't care for Todd and his quest. We've been there before, haven't we?