I have to kinda agree that PM2019 right now feels a bit too much like 'fluff'. It might have some payoff later on, but to build that up through somewhat generic episodic plots doesn't feel as satisfying (though in fairness it's hardly the first series to do such).
The thing is it seems to be following off of SM's more episodic free range storytelling, however even with its erratic pacing and handling, SM seemed to quickly grasp a 'core' basis of what it wanted to be, a more laid back character driven series that would quietly world build and let viewers slowly seep in the region and its inhabitants this time round. Even some more subtle motifs like the 'king in their own element, fish out of water outside it' plots for many of the protagonists was demonstrated or foreshadowed quite early.
To compare PM2019 doesn't seem to have any specific goal just yet, some recurrent theme to build on, just random fun with Ash and Go which isn't BAD, but gives less long term to be excited about. I admit the filler process isn't quite as monotonous as early series at least, it has more entertainment value on that approach than say, DP and XY would with just their fillers, but it's not really something worth making the entire bulk of the show about. Only a handful of rewarding elements for long term fans have been demonstrated so far (eg. Pikachu's backstory, Mimey getting an active role, a male companion that's actually a proactive character), though given all the trends SM broke by its final season, you never know what might come.
