The general consensus is that the quality level ramps mostly upwards throughout season 1. A lot of people don't especially like the first 5-7 episodes (Exactly how many they dislike varies from person to person). Even then, you need to get into the teens before you hit any of the episodes that I've occasionally seen people call their favourite episode of season 1. (And I would not bat an eyelash if someone claimed that the top three episodes of the season were #23, #25, and #26).
Season 2 is weird--I'm not sure what I think of it in general. (Lauren Faust also wasn't involved in season 2, but all the rest of the talent was).