D&P cause of Pokemon's seeming collapse?

[Wolfofdoom]

You know I found that Diamond and Pearl really doesn't have the magic the prior Arcs did. Some can say it is because the Show is 12 years old. Sure that may be true but then why are the Simpson's still so popular after all that show is as old as I am and, for those of you who don't know I'm currently 20. (Yeah I'm an old guy I know, but few members are older). I think it's boring rehash is what really is what is hurting Pokemon.
I mean Comeone Dawn if one thinks about it is kinda like Misty in May form. Brock's never gonna get a girl friend and Ash while alot closer than ever before is still aways off From being a master. Team Rocket will never catch Pikachu and they need to give up. On the bright side. Ash's continuing quest keeps many older fans curious as too if he will ever do it. His new Rival Paul is a nice change of Pace from the yeah we're all Friends rivalries he's had. Personally think Ash needs new traveling partners and maybe one returning*Cough* May *Cough*. He needs new bad guys to Face Cause 12 seasons of "We're blasting off AGAIN!" is way too repetive and predictable.
But that rant is for another Topic. The real question is has Diamond and Pearl killed the show?

[cascade88]

Well personally, I think that D/P started out great. It seemed to many to be a Kanto 2.0 of sorts, a modern yet old school season of Pokemon. Fantastic. The problem? This didn't hold out, and any semblace of a throw-back to Kanto became mere copies of themes/ideas/episodes from way back when instead. (The episode where Pikachu again refuses to evolve, anyone?)

Although to be fair, I have to say that my above complaint was partially done intentionally, most likely. We that were 10/11/12 when the Anime began can easily recall the Kanto episodes, but the newer generation, espeically those half our age or less, do arguably need the flashbacks to know what's going on. In other words, we could look at the Pikachu episode and go "Ah, it's just like the Lt. Surge eppie." while younger kids have possibly not even ever seen that episode.

Along with the oldschool 'monz revival came refreshingly new elements as well. A female rival, amirite? And while Zoey was intially a fascinating, if not a bit mysterious, character, they decided for some reason to not have her show up so often later on. Her interactions with Dawn were great and interesting and amusing, but the redhead was eventually not so important anymore, as to make way for the 3billion other rivals that Dawn seemed to have.

There's Kenny, for one, but this doesn't make much sense either since he too rarely shows up. Then there's our dear brother Chuck, I mean Nando.

I think the writers were trying to be innovative in giving Dawn so many rivals. However, they spread themselves out too thinly and it ultimately failed.

Now, as for other things noted, yes, Dawn IS Misty in May form (very well put dude =D), as she (at least initially) exhibited both the redhead's temper and the brunette's former N00biness. However, in contrast to Ash becoming her teacher, he butted heads with her. Therefore, Zoey (again, at least initially) was there to play the role of teacher/surrogate mother away from mother to Dawn, as Misty had played the role of to Ash way back when.

Team Rocket... they'll be there until the last episode, most likely. Is their routine old? Sure. But one thing the writers have succeeded in is giving TR new perspectives and goals. Jessie legitemately winning a contest would have been unheard of before, now that's not so much the case. I think that even if the writer's have dropped the ball on most all else in the show, they certainly haven't as far as TR is concerned.

One last thing, having Paul, a rival that doesn't appear to be a jerk with a heart of gold, but just a jerk, period, is a great thing. The only way they'll ruin this is if they make him suddenly be the new Gary, all changed and nice and whatnot.

Over all, has D/P killed the show? Not yet, no. Has it killed interest in the show for lots of fans? Most likely. Can they redeem themselves for it? Time will tell.