If you’ve watched Scoob! (I haven’t yet) and are wanting to watch more Scooby Doo, or if you think that you’ve reached the end of Netflix, then do I have a show for you. I know, I know. I’ve already talked about Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated (as well as a few other hidden gems on Netflix), but I could honestly talk about it several times. Seriously I love this show and I think that everyone should watch it. I have tried to convince every person that I know to watch this show, so it only seems fair that I lay out my reasons on why you should watch it. No lie this is one of my favorite tv shows. It is in my top ten; along with shows like Veronica Mars and Psych, just so you know that I’m not crazy.
Mystery Incorporated ran for two seasons (52 episodes) from 2010-2013. This version of Scooby Doo takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to the characters. This show has an ongoing story arc that plays out over the course of the show, so it makes for a great binge. You can find Mystery Incorporated on Netflix and Boomerang.
This is quite possibly one of the strangest, best tv shows I’ve ever seen. It belongs in the conversation of great cartoons and here are just a few reasons that you should check it out.
It’s a new take on the characters
In this iteration the characters are very similar to what you remember, but they are given the time to develop. There is actual characterization here, characters make mistakes and learn from them. You can actually invest in the relationships in this show. There are ships to root for, that matter. Fred (Frank Welker) is so much more than a straight man. Velma (Mindy Cohn) isn’t just the brains. Daphne (Grey Griffin) isn’t a damsel in distress. Shaggy (Matthew Lillard) and Scooby (Frank Welker) are both given opportunities to be the heroes.
Not only do the main characters get development, but so do the side characters. Crystal Cove is a fully fleshed out town with recurring townspeople. Side characters are given their own story arcs and in a very different move from previous iterations characters can die. When they die they stay dead.
There is an overarching mystery
Most of the episodes could stand alone, there is a ghost, they solve the mystery, voila. The big difference here is that most episodes are pointing towards the bigger mystery surrounding the gang and the town of Crystal Cove. They find clues to try and work out exacting what is going on and because I don’t want to give too much of the mystery away that’s all I will say on the subject. Just know that even though the villain of the week has been unmasked there is more mystery to solve.
It’s laugh out loud funny
I found myself laughing a lot during this show. The dialogue is funny and not just for children. There are jokes for every age range, including some that would go over kids heads. Fred is somehow both inteligent and stupid. He is the source for many of the funny moments in the show. His inability to realize just how into him Daphne is one of the funniest parts of the show. In the first episode he steals a body, like a dead body, from a crime scene. He’s a total idiot who tries to care about Daphne, but is mainly just obsessed with making traps.
There are so many references
So many references, like enough references that I often found myself asking who this show was made for. They recreate the red room from Twin Peaks. There are several horror movie references including: Nightmare on Elm Street, Saw, The Shining to name a few. Characters from other Hanna-Barbera properties show up like: Speed Buggy, Jabberjaw, Captain Caveman, Funky Phantom, Dynomutt and several references to Johnny Quest. I don’t think that most kids would recognize the references being made and I’m sure that I missed some.
You need to watch it to know that it’s real
Okay so this might not really be a legitimate reason, but this show is nuts in the best way possible. The storylines and characters and references are so bizarre that you need to see it. I have attempted to explain this show to people, but they think that I am crazy. Trust me it does sound completely bonkers, but this show is worth watching. Here’s a prime example in one episode there is a zombie ska band that hypnotises people into uncontrollable dancing…. Yeah. There are Nazi robots and an owl in a straight jacket. Scooby Doo says “They drew first blood, not me.” What more do you need?
Have you watched Scoob? Are you going to check out Mystery Incorporated? Let me know what you think!
Brilliant analysis. Show was a blast to watch. Enjoyed every aspect minus the eventual ending of the show. Great write up