Yep good filler, always a good idea to bring a character back, even if it is only for a few episodes. I can't stand Togepi, I'm sorry, but it's overated to hell, I think it's best they got rid of it.
Team Rocket were cool, though the Russian accent for the motto was crap(the motto's usually my favourite part). Hanson seems like a real villian, something that Pokémon in this department has SERIOUSLY lacked over the years.
Sorry Max, but Misty still remains the champ at ear-pulling, some brute strength in that
It's poised nicely for the next episode tomorrow, which I hear is supposed to be very good, so fingers crossed.
PS

lease bring back Gary (I demand his Japanese voice actor to return at once!), because there's yet again, far TOO much arse kissing between the characters, we need someone to shake it all up, it's all getting too cosy for them....