Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated: S1 – Ep 9: ‘Battle of the Humungonauts’ (2010) – #TV #Episode #Review

A show that takes some time to begin to enjoy! 

Ok, so I have to say that the first season of TV shows, for whatever reason seem to some times be pretty bad... An examples of this (albeit not a great one,) is, 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer'.

You see, Buffy The Vampire Slayer season 1 was a great season, but almost every season after that, (til season 6,) was so much better! The reason being is that they were trying to find their way... (And they did a great job with this!)

Now the reason that I mention this is because one of the TV shows that I am beginning to realize had the same problem the Buffy season 1 had is, 'Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated'... And season 1, episode 9: 'Battle Of the Humungonauts' (2010) was a great example of this!

This is just one of the monsters that the Scooby gang is going after! 

Written by: Roger Eschbacher (The Super Maro Bros. Super Show!) & Directed by: Victor Cook (21 Grams). Starring: Frank Welker (Aladdin), Mindy Cohn (Sex & Death 101), Grey Delisle/Griffin (Batman: Arkham City), Matthew Lillard (Scream) & Fred Tatasciore (Marvel's Avengers Assemble).  

Well it looks like the paranormal is back in Crystal Cove again, this time in the form of some sort of Alien!

That's right, you see, at a concert a giant alien gorilla looking thing appears at the concert and just absolutely destroys things!

A party crasher,,,

This time though it might be more then the Mystery Incorporated team can handle!

What I mean by this is that there appears to be another one of these super alien monsters that is terrorizing the small town! But is it really an Alien? Or is it something more? With Mr. E helping the team, one can never know!

Now of course the idiotic desire of the town's leaders to have these creatures runs rampant in the city is still there... But it wasn't as bad... The truth is, is the best thing about this particular episode is it did a great job in finally bringing Scooby and the gang back to the greatness they had in the past!

So if you haven't seen this episode yet, then check it out, you might be glad you did!

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Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated: Season 1 – Episode 8: ‘The Grasp OfThe Gnome’ (2010) – TV Episode Review

Official Score = 2 Devils

You know, I have to admit that so far I have some pretty mixed feelings about: 'Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated'... I mean so far it does have some truly fun episodes... But like the first bunch of episodes that started out this season were really bad... But then the last episode was a total blast!

And now this next episode, 'The Grasp Of The Gnome'... Meh? Not great... But not the worst...

The Scooby Gang trying to find, 'Shaggy' in the latest episode of, 'Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated'!

Written by: Mitch Watson (Totally Spies), John P. McCann (Animaniacs) & Directed by: Victor Cook (21 Grams). Starring:  Starring: Frank Welker (The Real Ghostbusters), Mindy Cohn (Sex And Death 101), Grey DeLisle (Ultimate Avengers), Matthew Lillard (The Bridge), Patrick Warburton (Ted) & Gary Cole (The Town That Dreaded Sundown).

This story tells the tale of how while the gang is at a local medieval carnival, one of the carnivals patrons ends up getting attacked by a little, 'garden gnome' looking creature, and is paralyzed completely by this... Well of course it looks like a case for the, 'Scooby Gang' to find out who this paralyzing gnome is and stop him... And this time it's personal!

It looks like Shaggy & Scooby have fallen out of the case!

You see, the Gnome has taken Shaggy (Matthew Lillard) hostage, and it will be up to the Scooby Gang to rescue him before something dastardly happens!

Now the main reason why this episode is kind of bland... Well the basic story and what not is good, but the truth is, is the useless none-sense (like the, 'Mayor' and the 'Sheriff' hoping the bad guys will continue to commit crimes to profit the town,) is all back in it's dull ridiculous pattern...

In the end, if you are following the series, you should check this one out... It is not a bad episode, but there is not much point in watching this episode otherwise!

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated: Season 1 - Episode 7: 'In Fear Of ThePhantom' (2010) - TV Episode Review

Official Score = 3 Devils

I know that it has been awhile for a review for an episode of, 'Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated'... The truth is, is that most of the episodes that have come up till recently have kind of really sucked!

I mean the criss-cross between the 60s and the modern times was just plain weird... Fred's creepy obsession with traps, and his desire to be more a part of the, 'guys' as opposed to being with Daphne was odd (I know it is a kid's show, but it does touch upon, 'dating' and, 'love' and the like... And the last thing that has sort of been killing the show is the fact that all the officials in the town seemed to prefer to have the criminals running around committing crimes as opposed to being imprisoned (so that they can meet their bottom line!)

The fact that they got rid of most of this is just part of the reason why season 1 - episode 7: 'In Fear Of The Phantom' was such a surprise!

Daphne (Grey DeLisle) will go undercover as a singer for a famous rock band in this episode of, 'Scooby-Do! Mystery Incorporated.'

Starring: Frank Welker (The Real Ghostbusters), Mindy Cohn (Sex And Death 101), Grey DeLisle (Ultimate Avengers), Matthew Lillard (The Bridge), Fred Tatasciore (Iron Man And Captain America: Heroes United), Patrick Warburton (Ted) & Gary Cole (The Town That Dreaded Sundown).

"Listen, Hex Girls, carefully. You are bound for misery! This will be your final show. Or you will suffer endless woe! So saith the Phantom."
— Phantom to the Hex Girls ' (Quote from: Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, Season 1 - Episode 7: 'In Fear Of The Phantom')

This episode tells the story of the, 'Hex Girls', an all-girl heavy metal band that is real popular with teens (including the Scooby gang)... But when the Scooby Gang manage to get tickets, the show turns disastrous, when a party crasher decides to crash the party and destroy the fun for everyone!

This guys devotion to this band is killer! 

You see, his name is, 'The Phantom', and if the Scooby Gang can't stop him, then he might get his wish of, 't

aking out' the band for good!

In the end, like I said, most of what I mentioned above was gone... As a matter of fact, the only really annoying part to this episode is the Mayor and the Sheriff... But other then that, this episode was so good, I would have to say that even the music in this episode was a lot of fun!

So check it out... This is an episode that may take you by surprise, in a good way!

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated: Season 1 - Episode 6: 'The Legend Of Alice May' (2010) TV Episode Review

[caption id="attachment_325" align="alignright" width="263"] Official Score = 3 Devils[/caption]

Scooby-Doo... What can I say about the show? I mean to be absolutely honest with you, I used to watch this show pretty religiously back in the late 80s when it used to be apart of the Saturday morning cartoon lineup... Since then I have always been a fan of the series, and I maybe always will be!

With that said, I have to admit that from time to time I am guilty of some times judging a book by it's cover... I try not to do this, it is a bad habit... I mean some times you do end up loosing out on some of life's great points...

The reason that I mention all of this is the fact that I have done that very thing recently with the latest  reincarnation of the classic Scooby-Doo cartoon series called: 'Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated'... What I mean is that I have been going through the series, and one right after the other I have found that the series had just gotten progressively worse and worse (we had a small reprieve with episode 5, but still...)

Recently though I tuned in to watch the next episode in the series, and I have to say that Episode 6: 'The Legend Of Alice  May' (2010) was just great!

I mean don't get me wrong, this episode does have scary elements to it, but it is that toned down horror that makes it acceptable for children to watch, but still it was a truly fun episode!

[caption id="attachment_3455" align="aligncenter" width="450"] The new girl is about to introduce herself to the rest of the student body![/caption]

What I mean by this is that this episode tells of how prom is coming up  for Crystal Cove... Which of course is the perfect time for some spooky haunted goodness to show up...

During this time, the city government has become aware that a, 'Phantom Girl' has been taking wayward teenage boys, and they are never seen again. Well during this time a new student by the name of, 'Alice May' (Hyden Walch) comes to town and immediately Fred (Frank Welker), who up to this point has not only not been interested in Daphne (Grey DeLisle) who has been chasing after him vigorously, but as far as humans go, only seemed to show a very minor friendship vibe with them (with the exception of Shaggy (Matthew Lillard) for some reason...)

Fred actually shows strong interest in the new girl, and it will be up to Daphne and the remainder of the gang to discover the deep dark secret that this new girl is harboring and who this, 'Phantom Girl' is... Before the prom is ruined for all of them!

In the end, this episode truly is a breathe of fresh air, what with all the none-sense that made this episode so horrible being toned down to almost nothing!

In the end, this episode is a surprising turn of events, and was actually really quite fun, and take it from me, some one who up to this point has not been a fan of the series... give this one a try , you might like it... I did!

[embed]http://youtu.be/1mHED9Q_Zso[/embed]

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated: Season 1 - Episode 5: 'The Song Of Mystery' (2010) - TV Episode Review

[caption id="attachment_322" align="alignright" width="258"] Official Score = 1 1/2 Devils[/caption]

Jinkies Guys, finally a truly good episod of the latest Scooby-Doo TV Show! That's right folks, the biggest problem about this series to date is that just about every episode that has been reviewed on this website to date have for the most part sucked!

I mean the bizarre way that Fred has acted... (He is still weird, but they have toned it down,) the bizarre style choices of the way that the shows creators have regarding which generation the Scooby gang are in is still there but toned down... As a matter of fact, the only really annoying thing about, 'The Song Of Mystery' (2010), is the ridiculous nature of the authorities and how they more concerned with their revenue stream, versus the safety of the town!

Written by: Paul Rugg (Freakazoid) & Co-Directed by: Curt Geda (Batman: Mystery Of The Batwoman), Victor Cook (21 Grams). Starring: Frank Welker (The Real Ghostbusters), Mindy Cohn (The Facts Of Life), Grey DeLisle (Batman: Assault On Arkham) & Matthew Lillard (Scream).

The Children of Crystal Cove appear to be changing when a monster playing a pan flute plays his magical song and changes the children in to raving monsters... The person taking credit for this latest mystery for the Scooby gang is, 'Que Horrifico'!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] This kid heard, 'The Song Of Mystery' and now is a new child![/caption]

The Adults are clueless and abandoning their children as they themselves flee the town. The Scooby gangs parents have at least one of their children arrested to keep them out of it... And the authorities are only concerned with the town's revenue stream and absolutely nothing else.

The only thing that is going to save these kids and the town is the Scooby gang... And this one has a twist that hits right where the gang goes to School at!

At this point I know the show is for kids, the truth is, is I have no hope for this show, so to say that this episode is slightly better... That is not hope... This episode is not slightly better, it is just a little less bad!

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlcnXJ3A9lU&w=560&h=315]
 

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated: Season 1 - Episode 4: 'Revenge Of The Man Crab' (2010) – Tv Episode Review

[caption id="attachment_390" align="alignright" width="178"] Official Score = 1 Devil[/caption]

You know I am a person that is not hard to please when it comes to the type of entertainment that I like... So with that in mind when there is something that I just absolutely don't like, it is usually with good reason!

And you know what, 'Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated'  is just one of those shows that so far I just don't like! Don't get me wrong, the animation is pretty well done, and the talent is pretty alright... But the theme of series is all over the place, with the series seeming to be centered in modern times, but with far to many scattered elements that are spread through out the last 50 years! With clothing from the 70s, 80s, 90s and new millennium, as well as the attitudes of the people in the show being spread out that way to!

Another annoying thing is the fact that they make it pretty  evident that Fred gets a hard on for traps... And the Sheriff is more concerned about the towns financial portfolio!

And with all that is said and done... Episode 4 of Season 1: 'Revenge Of The Man Crab' is probably the worst of the series that I have seen so far!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] This latest episode... So far so bad![/caption]

Written by: Adam Beechen (Hero Factory) & Directed by: Victor Cook (21 Grams)... This extremely dull episode tells the story of how a Crab Monster is terrorizing a Crystal Cove Volley Ball tradition, and that the Scooby gang is having to deal with a disgruntled Sailor who maybe a part of it!

In the end, besides the obvious, there is nothing  good about this episode, except that maybe it is trying to pander to the dumbest of children on Earth... And frankly this episode, like this series, just wasn't worth it... At least that is my opinion!

http://youtu.be/GSPgUVKPpvI

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated: Season 1 - Episode 3: 'Secret Of The Ghost Rig' (2010) - TV Episode Review

[caption id="attachment_385" align="alignright" width="353"] Official Score = 2 Devils[/caption]

I will be honest and say that so far the first two episodes of this series were pretty stupid... The stories were kind of bland, the scripts kind of ridiculous, and frankly, Scooby & the Gang seemed to me to be really out of place in modern times... (They still looked the same that they did in the 60s, but in the modern day... I found this to be kind of weird...)

But I will be honest and say that Episode 3: ' Secret Of The Ghost Rig' truly is a breathe of fresh air!

You see this episode, which written by: Joe Ruby (Centurions) & Ken Spears (The Chipmunks), tells the story of a, 'Ghost Truck'... (A sort of voluminous truck that when it is seen on the road, looks like a truck with no one driving, and with flaming wheels)...

Well the truck seems to like to try and kill passing motorists by driving them off of the road... During this time, the town's crystal door knobs are being stolen bit by bit.

So it will be up to Scooby-Doo and the rest of the mystery incorporated team (with the help of, 'Mr. E') to try and find who is stealing these doorknobs, and who is responsible for the, 'Ghost Truck', before the town's Crytal Doorknobs disappear, and the Ghost Truck kills it's first victim!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="478"] The Mystery Incorporated team as they are being chased by the very entity that is trying to kill them![/caption]

In the end folks, there is still certain stupid elements that at this point in the series they haven't really gotten rid of... (Including the Sheriff being more concerned with the city's revenue stream, then lives, or, 'Fred and his ambiguous sexuality...' I know that maybe odd to say, but there is interest from the girls in the team with the boys, but Fred seems more interested in being friends with, 'Shaggy', then with responding in kind to, 'Daphne', and, 'Shaggy' seems more interested in, 'Scooby-Doo' then in, 'Velma'. I know it is a kids show, but if you are going to have the girls showing interest, then you should have the boys doing so as well!)

In the end, if this episode is an indication of things to come, then this show may finally be something worth checking out!

http://youtu.be/GP_i4o7rB5o

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Season 1 - Episode 2: 'The Creeping Creatures' (2010) - TV Episode Review

[caption id="attachment_390" align="alignright" width="178"] Official Score = 1 Devil[/caption]

You know I have to admit that so far this new series, 'Scooby Doo! Mystery Incorporated', just kind of sucks! Don't get me wrong, I know that most of the time a new series needs at least one season to begin to really get it's sea legs, but most of the time these first seasons... As disjointed as they some times can be, usually have at least a few good episodes to fall back on... So far granted I am only 2 episodes in to this series, but so far both of them have sucked!

Why have they sucked you ask? Well simple, the characters that make up Scooby & the gang look really out of place in a modern setting... I am not entirely unconvinced that, 'Fred' isn't, ' gay', considering the fact that, 'Daphne' is frequently throwing herself at Fred... And considering the fact that Daphne is supposed to be the, 'Femme Fatale' of this series, it is pretty weird that Fred wouldn't be eating it up... and enjoys his time with, 'Shaggy' & 'Scooby' a little to much... Also I guess really the other main problem is the fact that the animation itself is very disjointed... And lastly, I hate to say it, but the story for these main mysteries they solve have yet to prove themselves to be very fun!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] This gang is definitely not the gang we all grew up with![/caption]

So far the thing that I really enjoy... And I know this may seem kind of dumb, and I hope this continues on for the rest of the series, but the one thing I do like is the big reveal at the end of the episode, and how the bad guy would have gotten away with it if it hadn't have been for those, 'meddling kids'!

But as for this episode... This episode told to story of, 'Mr. E', an as yet un-named person sends the mystery incorporated crew to, 'Gatorsburg', a formerly prosperous town that had made it's fortunes killing Gators from the, 'mines' that seem to be full of them!

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="600"] One of the moron inhabitants welcoming the gang to, 'Gatorsburg'.[/caption]

Now at first everything seems to be mostly fine, (despite how strange the town seems to be)... But as the investigation really begins, they will find out the truth of the last remaining inhabitants of this town, and just how they planned to bring, 'Gatorsburg' back to prominence!

Remember I mentioned all the bad stuff and good stuff about this show so far... Well for this episode, there is another layer of stupid laziness attached to a scene that just looked lame... This cartoon may have been intended for children... But I have to imagine for this episode... We are talking young children...

http://youtu.be/aWvB2Tsi6e8

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated: Season 1 - Episode 1: 'Beware The Beast Below' - TV Episode Review

[caption id="attachment_322" align="alignright" width="258"] Official Score = 1 1/2 Devils[/caption]

When I was a kid, one of my favorite cartoon's were the old, 'Scooby-Doo' cartoons, they were always fun, with scares, and thrills, and Scooby and Shaggy were always a hoot when it came to coming up against the villains that they face in all of the episodes...

Well the truth is, is I have carried that enjoyment of that show as I have grown up, and because of that I believe is what, for me, made the movies so much fun, and even the Scooby-Doo/Johnny Bravo crossover episode fun as well! The problem is, is that this newest series, 'Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated.' so far has not lived up to the awesome fun time that it's predecessor has!

You see, this first episode, which was written by: Mitch Watson (Totally Spies) & Directed By: Curt Geda (Batman Beyond). Starring: Frank Welker (The Real Ghost Busters), Mindy Cohn (Hot In Cleveland)), Grey DeLisle (Ultimate Avengers) & Matthew Lillard (Scream), tells the story of how in High School the mystery solving friends, Fred (Frank Welker), Velma (Mindy Cohn), Daphne (Grey Delisle), Shaggy (Matthew Lillard), and Scooby-Doo (Also Welker) are just starting out as mystery solvers...

The only problem is that more often then not their solving of these mysteries ends up with them not only being in trouble with the Sheriff, but their parents as well... That is until a new mystery will help put them on the map...

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="400"] The, 'Mystery Incorporated' gang after their latest run in with the law![/caption]

The mystery being that while working underground, a group of workers ends up being attacked by an unknown monster... Well during this time, the gang of High School sleuths are on the case... They start off by searching out the tunnel after the attack occurred, but when they get down their they find a locket and the workers when they are paralyzed...

Well of course they decide to try and get the authorities involved... But when it looks like the Sheriff is not only not willing to help them, but is also seemingly only interested in the towns revenue stream, it looks like it will be up to, 'Mystery Incorporated' to solve this case before the town really will, 'Beware The Beast Below'!

Now the truth is, is that this episode had it's comedic moments, and it was fun to see a  new monster that turned out to be a crook trying to cause problems... But the problems are that this series seem to be set in the modern day, but Shaggy and the gang seem to be stuck in the 70s... This made things for me always seem to be a little disjointed through out the series...

Also, I really can't believe that even in a cartoon that the Sheriff would be more interested in the towns latest, 'attraction' or, 'revenue stream' then catching the bad guy...

Well I will say that this show has some minor promise, and I do intend to check it out further, but in all truth, if this episode is any indication, then I don't see much of a bright future for this series!

http://youtu.be/TvSuUj4ANzQ