I liked this episode. I didn't have high hopes going into it, but I ended up enjoying the episode. A lot of it definitely had to do with Dr. Gordon and Team Rocket (in that order, which is highly unusual for me). Not that Xander and his caterpie/metapod/butterfree weren't interesting, but the doctor and TR made the show. Here are my two cents:
-- Yay, hugshipping's confirmed!

I didn't miss the hearts in Cacnea's eyes when it squashed James. Okay, that sounds just plain weird. LOL But that scene was great. Interesting that it didn't go to hug James until then.
-- Dr. Gordon has got to be the best hostage, human or pokemon, Team Rocket's ever had. Not only doesn't he freak out after Team Rocket take off with him (there's been a few too many characters who freak out for no good reason, like those cutsie nidorans in that OI episode), but he's perfectly calm riding on Dustox and falling through the air. LOL, either that doctor's on something or he's EXTREMELY confident he'll be saved.

Either way, that was a very refreshing difference. That was the best non-professor (or unofficial professor) in a lab coat I've seen since Seymour and Westwood V.
-- I liked that nearly all of Team Rocket's pokemon got to do something in this motto (poor Chimecho just got its motto cameo). Wobbuffet got the mystery candies, Cacnea battled and grew huge, Dustox had a great battle and lots of screentime, and Seviper fought well in the lab. Awesome.
-- Interesting that even with an Officer Jenny in the mix, and a mix of comedy and drama, there was no Brock romance in this episode.
-- I loved the animatronic Jigglypuff microphone and Dr. Gordon accidentally making himself fall asleep. I also liked all of Team Rocket and the doctor being confused after the supersonic attack.
Overall, 8.5/10. Now bring on the haircut!!!