i wasnt trying to say the first 19 episodes are pointless...i mean they have to lay groundwork on the main 4 characters (well, not that much on sakura), but yea...

at times it seems like the main story of naruto is the exam, since its like 60% of the episodes so far...

well then again, it is the main topic.

so i guess i'm trying to get at since the chuunin exam is a big chunk, its makes everything else seem a lot...less

i dont know, i guess the rushing was necessary, as itachi_ said.