After Hoenn, it went downhill.
1st and 2nd seasons summary:
Yay.
Rest:
Ash: Yay, having fun.
Team Rocket: -repetitive poem-
Ash: Oh no. Something bad happens.
Ash & co: Yay, it's good again.
Team Rocket: We're blasting once more. Wobbaforget.
EDIT:
Like Yu Gi Oh. Loved the show and cards, then the original storyline passed and I couldn't follow it anymore, it just became another stuff card game.
I still have my original deck.
I have a friend who still collects them.
I am watching the original episodes right now, I have decided to. I am on 2nd episode at 12 midnight >.< But I started 30 minutes ago, so.