Assuming you mean the Jesse-James-Meowth-Wobbuffet quartet, I think that's right, though their characterization shifts a lot. People sure don't treat them like nasty evil villains. It almost feels like a game that they're playing, and everyone's in on it.
That's right, though I think "per se" doesn't make sense in this context. "Unpopular Opinion: Team Rocket Isn't Evil" is sufficient.