DVD Review: Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated – Season One, Part 2

Warner Home Video has done the right thing with the new DVD release, Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated – Season One, Part 2. The first half of this rebooted Scooby-Doo cartoon series was parceled out at four episodes at a time over the course of three DVD volumes. This new release consists of the final fourteen episodes of the season on two DVDs. Short of a full, complete season set, this is the way to do it. Some hardcore fans have carped about various changes made to the classic characters in this new incarnation – such as romantic involvement between Fred and Daphne as well as Shaggy and Velma. Maybe if I was a hardcore fan, I would care. But honestly, I don’t see these developments as a problem for Mystery Incorporated.

Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and their talking canine pal Scooby-Doo live in the town of Crystal Cove. This town capitalizes on its reputation as “The Most Hauntedest Place on Earth.” The spooky goings-on are the town’s financial bread and butter, roping in curious tourists from all over. Scooby and company, collectively known as Mystery Incorporated, are super sleuths with a habit of solving Crystal Cove’s various mysteries. This has the side effect of reducing the town’s lucrative tourist industry. Distinguishing Mystery Incorporated from previous Scooby-Doo series, there is a story arc that develops throughout the series. The team receives messages and clues about the curse of Crystal Cove from the unknown, mysterious presence known only as “Mr. E.”

While all of this transpires, Fred and Daphne’s relationship becomes quite serious, climaxing with the couple becoming engaged. Shaggy and Velma carry on a rocky relationship, with Shaggy’s loyalty to Scooby coming between them. This particular story thread seems to especially enrage some of longtime Scooby fanatics. If you’ve been on the fence about Mystery Incoporated, consider yourself warned if this sounds like a deal breaker. Regardless of on-going romances and Mr. E’s involvement, most of these episodes feature engaging stories in their own right.

Article Author: The Other Chad

My name is Chaz. A former co-worker (Dave) always misheard my name as "Chad." Complicating matters was a third co-worker, who was in fact named Chad. So Dave habitually called me the "other Chad."

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