I haven't watched the series regularly since 1999 after WB was dropped here. Since then, I've only seen an episode here or there. A friend of mine in Ohio started to tape episodes for me, so I managed to see all of the Orange Island eps that way. After that, I didn't get to see it as much and seemed to only get around to seeing raw eps.
I liked the first two seasons, and I loved the Orange Island episodes since it was pretty much based on nothing, and I found it very well-done, and I enjoyed Kenji's character and his profession (imo, he was pretty much a researcher; I wish he could've accompanied Satoshi on his journey along with Takeshi too).
The only downside to Pokemon now, is the fact that there are just too many Pokemon so I don't know them very well now. I'd take the first 151 any day in that regard.
Oh, as for TR...I really like how they were in the very beginning. Every feared them, everyone was told to run for shelter, etc. I hate the fact that they have been toned down to that of solely being comic relief. Too bad they can't be portrayed as how they are for the games which is how they were for the early part of the series, imo. Dark and menacing.