I didn’t review this show when it first came on, mostly because I was perplexed by it. It was a good perplexity, but still, I wasn’t sure how to take the revamping of the tried-and-true (at least most of the time) setup of Scooby-Doo. I may be a long-time Scooby-Doo fan, but I did recognize the method, though effective, was tired and slightly broken, so I was thrilled to see a fresh spin on the series. Let me cut to the chase and get to why I am falling more in love with this show, even though there are some things that annoy me about it:
Things I Love
- The vintage look. I love how everyone and everything is pretty much straight from the late ’60s to mid ’70s. It’s a nice throw back to the original series as well as a celebration of everything vintage. Sure, the Mystery Machine has a GPS and there are such things as cell phones in this world, but still, the vintage style is pretty awesome, and as a vintage lover myself, it makes me very happy.
- The fresher take on the characters and their personalities. Actually, it’s more like concentrated versions of their personalities. Everybody who knows even a smidgen about Scooby-Doo knows about the rumored-now-canon relationship between Fred and Daphne, the fandom relationship between Shaggy and Velma, Fred’s love of traps, etc. In this version of the show, Fred’s love of traps is more of a wild obsession, Daphne’s pining for Fred goes unrequited, and (gasp!) Velma and Shaggy are together. Also, the jokes are sharper, the stories are wilder, and even though the mystery’s payoff is still as hokey as the old show’s mysteries, the ride toward the end is actually much scarier.
- The overarching plotline. I really like that the plotline gives the whole show a purpose. Sure, episodic shows are great, and they make it so that you don’t have to watch every episode to keep up, which can be a relief sometimes when you’re trying to catch up on all of your favorite shows in one night. But the fact that there is a definite track for the characters instead of just solving the same mystery each time means that the show is going to be more serious and spookier. Also, there’s the anticipation of an even larger mystery that will make going through the smaller ones worth it (hopefully).
- Shaggy! My favorite character still has his integrity through the changes, and the change of Matthew Lillard from Casey Kasem as Shaggy’s voice is genius casting, especially since Lillard’s performances as Shaggy in the live-action movies was basically his audition. He keeps Kasem’s original spiritedness, which is awesome. Even more awesome-Kasem is still there as Shaggy’s dad. It’s like Leonard Nimoy passing the torch to Zachary Quinto in Star Trek.
- Frank Welker as Fred! The only original castmember from the first Scooby-Doo series is still as good as he was way back in the day. On this show, not only is he doing Fred’s voice again, but he’s also doing Scooby’s voice as well. Anyone who’s versed in cartoon history would know that Welker does all types of voices, including animal sounds (like Mulan’s horse Khan in Disney’s Mulan).
Things That Are Annoying
- Velma. This is odd, since I’ve always liked Velma. She was the smart one that wore glasses, and as a kid, I figured I was most like her. But now that she’s actually with Shaggy, she’s become almost unbearable to me. Like, I can take her snark and monotone voice, since that was always part of her character; that’s what makes her her. But, I can not take her bossing Shaggy-her boyfriend-around. Doesn’t he deserve some respect?! He could dump her, and then she can see where she’ll be. I understand that some boys need prodding, as well as the fact that some boys actually like being bossed around, but forcing Shaggy to not say “Like” and wear his trademark pants (when she still wears the same unflattering turtleneck)? UNBELIEVABLE! At the very least, he did stick up for himself and reclaim his pants and “Like”. But hopefully, there will come a time in the series when he puts his foot down about the bossiness.
- Velma and Shaggy’s relationship in general. Not to beat an almost-dead horse, but even though I kind of like the idea of them together (I did ship them at one point in my life, although now I’m more with the unconventional Shaggy/Daphne), but I don’t get why Shaggy’s so afraid of telling everyone he’s with Velma, just because he doesn’t want to upset Scooby, his best friend. I doubt that Scooby will care in the long run (in one episode, it seemed like he did know, since he was telling Shaggy that he wouldn’t tell Velma about Shaggy eating junk food, yet another thing she wants to strip from his personality and way of life. If she wants a healthy prep, she should’ve dated a healthy prep!). While I don’t like Velma being all bossy-pants, I don’t like how Shaggy’s afraid of telling people. No one will care. They might be mildly shocked, but no one will care so much that they’ll be up in arms.
- Angel Dynamite. I should say first-off that it’s not that I hate her; actually, I like her a lot. But her purpose? The reason why the gang hangs out at the radio station with her while she’s doing her show? None of that is explained. I’m sure her purpose has to do with the overarching plot, but as to why the gang knows her? I wish that was put in some exposition somewhere.
So that’s that. What do you guys think? Also, you can check out Scooby-Doo! Mystery, Incorporated on Cartoon Network every Monday at 7 p.m. eastern time/6 p.m. central time. If you happen to miss episodes, Cartoon Network throughout the week; check the schedule for exact times.
haha, you hate shagma. i agree, though. velma is TOO bossy, and they’re setting her up to get dumped. i’ll feel bad for her, but she’s got it coming to her…is there any way you could tell us where to watch this show if we miss it? or when they re-air episodes?
Good call, Ash. I’ll have to add that information. Once I figure that out, of course
And I will not feel sad for Velma when Shaggy finally gets tired of her ish. She fully deserves it.
I completely agree with you. I kind of liked the idea of Velma/Shaggy in the older versions of Scooby Doo. However, I completely hate the couple in this show. Perhaps it was a good idea theoretically… but not in reality. Shaggy was always my favorite character. And I never really hated any of the Scooby Doo Gang. In fact in one of the incarnations of Scooby Doo (when it was just Shaggy & Scooby) I missed the gang. Though now I completely just absolutely hate Velma, and her being with Shaggy just makes me hate her even more. Though I do like Fred/Daphne together, that was long overdue. I also think Angel has something on the “original” mystery gang going missing. She kind of gave an evil look at the end of the 3rd episode.
@Ashley: Idk if you have optimum, so I’m not sure this will work for you. But I have optimum so on my TV I get these episodes for free on demand. It might be the same with other cable providers like Verizon. ;] Worth a check. You could also try the cartoonnetwork site. Hope this helps.
As for the re-airing you can check that on Cartoonnetwork’s site. I think they replay them on Saturday. I watched the second episode Saturday night… at 9.
Thanks for the info on optimum. As far as “Shelma” is concerned, I hope they hurry up and break up before the season’s over. Or at least during the beginning of next season. Velma used to be one of my favorite characters, so I don’t know why they decided to make her so overbearing this go-round. Like, I don’t mind the snark, since it’s Daria-esque and I liked that show, but everything else has got to go. I can’t wait to see what Angel has to do with the mystery; she seems likable enough, so I’d hate for her to be evil.
Velma really is annoying… It seems like she’s trying to mess up the team dynamic. It makes me miss the original Velma; Smart, but still nice.
She is really being a total biotch in this show. I thought now that she and Shaggy have broken up that she’d just be weepy and finally realize that she’s the problem, but no, she’s still horrible. I hope she realizes it soon.
thank u so much for pointing out the pros and cons of the new scooby-doo. granted the old formula for scooby-doo episodes or movies was starting to get tired or stretched out, i still see no reason to make velma such a bit$h. honestly if i’ve learned anything from being a scooby fan. its that the “gang” were a team. they all cared 4 each other since the start. now thay have gone and taken a beloved character like velma. changed her into some she beast, causing a complete girls vs boys mentality within the whole group.i may seem to be a bit overly heated by this change, but damn it. its what i grew up with!
honestly after watching the latest episode i gotta say if velma’s new attitude isn’t crucial to this seasons “big picture” mystery. then the writers have made a big mistake. but after hearing her say ” maybe the gang isn’t a team anymore” in ep 11. i gotta wonder if there isn’t more goin on with her mood swings then we know? hopefully….. i hate wishin to see scooby maul velma like the last scooby snack outta the box.
Well, Jaded, we’re about on the same page. I’ve had it up to here with Velma. I HATE how they messed up a character I actually loved growing up. Her going out with Shaggy was trouble from the start. Her trying to change him was bad enough, so bad that I was counting down the episodes until they would break up. I’m so glad they did. And now she’s still being annoying! I would just appreciate if she at least cried over the doggone separation or something, or did some retrospective thinking about how she was the problem in the relationship, but no, that’s obviously too much to ask for. But, you do bring up a good point; perhaps her sour mood is something that is involved in the bigger mystery. Maybe it has something to do with why Mr. E. keeps dropping clues about what they need to do to keep the gang together unlike the first Mystery Inc. group. There MUST be some explanation!
[...] written at length about the new show Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated and how much I love it, so it wouldn’t be much of a stretch for me to be a big fan of the [...]
Same. I am really really REALLY happy that Velma and Shaggy just… didn’t work out.
This new Velma freaks the living daylights out of me. Although I didn’t really like Velma and Shaggy together in the first place, I could have bared it if it was VELMA. Not this crazy-overly-bossy-know-it-all person who creeps me out more than the people they uncover!
She is just not right! Though, I have to say I like the changes in the other characters. XD Trap-obesssed Fred is a riot, and Daphne knows how ol’ Fred feels!!
Yeah, me too, I really don’t like this NEW Velma, because she is NOT like the Velma of the previous series, specially how she tried to change Shaggy… I’m sure she would never do that before!
I’m realy not liking this new serie to much, but I hope they would make it up in the next season =)
And by the way, thanks for the review, I was searching if someone was also not liking this new Velma (I really think this is another girl, that just looks like Velma and have her brains).
PD: Sorry for my english.
I agree, I have watched the final episode and when you watch the concluding episodes everything comes together and makes sence. I was angry that they made the gang go all romantic but I’m glad Scooby is the same. But the final episode… one HELL of a cliffhanger. Fred finding out who his REAL parents are, the meaning of the locket and we find out who Mr E. and paraclease is. Also the ending is so sad! Fred goes off looking for his real parents BREAKIN HIS ENGAGEMENT WIH DAPHNE! Shaggy is sent to an army training camp and Scooby is sent to a FARM! But they leave it on a cliff hanger when he sees Paraclease in the car next to him and he tells Scooby-Doo that he now has 2 puzzle pieces and flys off, Scooby yells out the car as Paraclease flys off into the night how he will get the gang back together and defeat him. CAN’T WAIT FOR THE NEXT SERIES WHICH IS COMING!!!