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- The Plot of Mystery Incorporated
- Die-Hard Scooby-Doo Fans Love the Vibe and Respect for the Franchise
- Logistical Issues Have Tied Up the Remainder of the Episodes
As a long-time Scooby-Doo fan, I must say that I was thoroughly impressed with the pilot episode of Mystery Incorporated. The blend of high school drama and supernatural mystery was executed flawlessly, creating a mature yet familiar atmosphere that paid homage to the classic series.
Scooby-Doo, one of the most enduring characters in animated television, has been around for over 55 years and remains fresh by constantly evolving and trying new ideas. Though mostly animated, Scooby has dabbled in live-action on several instances. For example, you might remember the early 2000s movies starring Freddie Prinze Jr. and Sarah Michelle Gellar. More recently, there’s a live-action Netflix series produced by Greg Berlanti. But there’s also a lesser-known live-action series that even dedicated fans may have missed.
It’s important to clarify that the live-action Mystery Incorporated from 2022 isn’t an “official” Scooby-Doo production. Instead, it’s a fan-made and crowd-funded project, featuring familiar characters and settings. The creators aimed to bring something fresh to Scooby by blending elements of a typical teen drama and dark occult horror. This show had the potential to be groundbreaking, but unfortunately, only one episode was ever released. Issues with logistics and budget delayed the rest of the episodes. However, the team behind it remains determined to complete their vision. So, is this series a sincere homage to the detective gang, and will we ever see more episodes?
The Plot of Mystery Incorporated
The first episode of “Mystery Incorporated” dives straight into its plot by introducing the main characters in their familiar roles. The story kicks off with Fred Jones, the leader of the group, who’s been shocked to find his parents murdered by a demon with glowing red eyes. As we get to know the rest of the gang – Daphne, the fashionable one; Velma, the brains but socially awkward; and Shaggy, the laid-back drug dealer (a role that’s been hinted at for decades) – we discover Scooby, a regular non-talking dog, as part of the team. Initially, each member works separately, but fate brings Fred and Velma together.
Following Fred’s search for information about his demon, Velma shares that her mother had reportedly witnessed the same entity kill her father. Despite her initial doubts, Velma consents to aid Fred in gathering additional evidence. Their investigation leads them to Velma’s mom’s bookstore filled with occult items, where they unintentionally free another demon and unwittingly open a gateway to Hell.
In this first episode, Daphne finds herself grappling with a problem as significant as Fred and Velma’s supernatural hunt. While they battle demons responsible for killing their parents, Daphne learns that her chances of becoming Homecoming queen might slip away due to an election rivalry. Matters worsen when her boyfriend, a star athlete, concocts a plan to frame Daphne’s rival with drugs, jeopardizing both her victory and future. High school politics can indeed be quite intense. Shaggy, in disguise as “Norville,” provides the illicit substances at his school party. At the gathering, Fred and Velma recite an old spell to banish the demon to Hell, while Daphne accidentally poisons her rival’s drink. However, trouble brews again when we realize that the portal through which the demons entered remains open, allowing 12 more of them to come pouring in – concluding Episode 1. It is worth mentioning that Fred and Velma are the only characters who interact meaningfully in this episode.
Die-Hard Scooby-Doo Fans Love the Vibe and Respect for the Franchise
This pilot episode is undeniably bold, combining elements of two different shows. On one hand, there’s the typical high school narrative featuring Daphne, while on the other, Fred and Velma delve into a darker supernatural storyline. Yet, this blend surprisingly works well, establishing a more mature version of the classic Scooby-Doo world as a backdrop. The inclusion of a demon portal opens up avenues for the show to explore its adventurous side, touch upon the beloved franchise’s mythology and paranormal elements. This approach has resonated with fans, evidenced by the pilot’s 7.3 score on IMDb. YouTube comments under the episode are filled with viewers commending the darker, mature tone (and criticizing the Velma series in passing) and acknowledging the overall homage to the franchise. The pairing of Fred and Velma was particularly appreciated, as it’s an uncommon duo often overlooked.
This episode is packed with numerous references, appealing especially to hardcore Scooby-Doo enthusiasts. The book consulted by Fred and Velma contains various villains from the original series titled “Scooby-Doo! Where Are You?”. The concept of 13 demons’ pillars is a tribute to the classic ’80s show “The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo!”, which shares similarities with the gang’s mission of freeing demons. Lastly, the title itself echoes another popular series, “Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated” from the early 2010s.
Characters casually mention some well-known characters from the Scooby-Doo series, such as Ben Ravencroft from “Scooby-Doo and the Witch’s Ghost” and Vincent Van Ghoul from “13 Ghosts.” Interestingly, Fred’s lawyer is named Harvey Birdman, a reference to Hanna-Barbera’s renowned animated attorney. Later on, we see that The Hex Girls, who appeared in “Witch’s Ghost,” are actually Shaggy’s band and they’re secretly collaborating with the freed demons. Fans appreciated the creators’ careful attention to detail and their commitment to preserving the essence of the original series while introducing a more mature theme. Pay attention, Velma!
Logistical Issues Have Tied Up the Remainder of the Episodes
As a die-hard film fan, I must express my curiosity about why the team hasn’t produced more episodes of their beloved series, given how well the first one was received. The success of a crowd-funded project is heavily dependent on the level of support and contributions from fans. Unfortunately, some Reddit users have mentioned that they did contribute to the campaign for the second episode but haven’t heard much in return.
The team responsible has regularly posted updates about the show on its Indiegogo page. Initially, they aimed to commence production on the second episode immediately following the premiere, but encountered unnamed complications behind the scenes. Reports indicate that pre-production started in early 2023, only to be halted once again due to Dade Elza, who plays “Fred,” pursuing another project. Furthermore, they faced delays due to Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) strikes that halted all work during a six-month period.
The latest announcement from March 2024 indicates that work resumption will occur when all actors and crew members are back. They view each installment as a standalone “movie” within the series, always striving to outdo themselves. Creating multiple high-budget films on a shoestring, crowd-funded budget is no simple feat. It’s evident that the team is dedicated to advancing this narrative, and with the resolution of logistical and financial hurdles, there could be more thrilling moments ahead. At present, the full pilot episode of Mystery Incorporated can be streamed for free on YouTube.
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2024-09-21 04:31