Despite not caring for 'Scooby Doo and Scrappy Doo' as a show overall and considering it one of the weaker Scooby Doo shows, the first season of it overtime has really grown on me. While some episodes were better than others and none were franchise high points, fifteen of the sixteen episodes making it up at least feel like Scooby Doo and have some nice storylines and villains. As well as not suffering as much, unlike the following seasons, from cheap animation, lame jokes and Scrappy overkill.
One of the best episodes of Season 1, therefore also of 'Scooby Doo and Scrappy Doo' overall, is "The Scarab Lives". It is a very solid, and actually nearly great, start and proof that the show could be good. Is it a Scooby Doo classic? No, and the introduction of Scrappy Doo (the most hated character of the franchise within the fandom, actually consider Flim Flam from the 'The 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo' worse, actually like the show but have never liked him) to the franchise was not so promising. But it does benefit hugely from its setting and villain.
"The Scarab Lives" isn't perfect. This is only Scrappy's first episode and already he's annoying, the writers always exaggerated his over-zealousness and abrasiveness and his actions very quickly became very repetitive from overuse and that is already the case here. He also doesn't add an awful lot.
Like most of the episodes of the season, the identity of the perpetrator was not a surprise and was actually quite obvious (a case of "it could only have been them"), which dilutes the suspense a little. The twist on the motive was nice though and despite there being more than one suspect the perpetrator is the only one to fit the Blue Scarab's physique and to have the opportunity in the gang's first encounter with him.
Having said all of this, much of the animation in "The Scarab Lives" is fine. Especially the character design of the Blue Scarab himself. The music is characterful and haunting, with one of the best scored scenes being the very beginning which sounds eerily mysterious. The theme tune to the show is catchy. One of the most striking things about "The Scarab Lives" is the comic book setting, of the few Scooby Doo to have this theme this is probably the best one (do enjoy "Scooby in Kwackyland" from 'The 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo' but this episode has a vastly superior villain). The setting is done very imaginatively and has a lot of nostalgia for anybody who grew up reading comics.
Will always absolutely adore Shaggy and Scooby, as well as their endearingly goofy chemistry. Shaggy has a number of fun lines like in the diner and in the first encounter with the Blue Scarab. The story is lots of fun and the mystery is always intriguing, never too simple or complicated (didn't even pick up on a couple of the clues when younger apart from the incriminating one). The climax actually has suspense and a surprising air of jeopardy. What also makes the episode is, the obvious real identity aside, the Blue Scarab, very cool in look, intimidating in personality and voice and unique for the franchise at this point. The voice acting is good, while Casey Kasem and Don Messick will always be the best Shaggy and Scooby Pat Fraley's sinister voice work for the Blue Scarab stands out.
In conclusion, very solid start to a season that has grown on me, despite being part of a not so great overall show. 8/10.
One of the best episodes of Season 1, therefore also of 'Scooby Doo and Scrappy Doo' overall, is "The Scarab Lives". It is a very solid, and actually nearly great, start and proof that the show could be good. Is it a Scooby Doo classic? No, and the introduction of Scrappy Doo (the most hated character of the franchise within the fandom, actually consider Flim Flam from the 'The 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo' worse, actually like the show but have never liked him) to the franchise was not so promising. But it does benefit hugely from its setting and villain.
"The Scarab Lives" isn't perfect. This is only Scrappy's first episode and already he's annoying, the writers always exaggerated his over-zealousness and abrasiveness and his actions very quickly became very repetitive from overuse and that is already the case here. He also doesn't add an awful lot.
Like most of the episodes of the season, the identity of the perpetrator was not a surprise and was actually quite obvious (a case of "it could only have been them"), which dilutes the suspense a little. The twist on the motive was nice though and despite there being more than one suspect the perpetrator is the only one to fit the Blue Scarab's physique and to have the opportunity in the gang's first encounter with him.
Having said all of this, much of the animation in "The Scarab Lives" is fine. Especially the character design of the Blue Scarab himself. The music is characterful and haunting, with one of the best scored scenes being the very beginning which sounds eerily mysterious. The theme tune to the show is catchy. One of the most striking things about "The Scarab Lives" is the comic book setting, of the few Scooby Doo to have this theme this is probably the best one (do enjoy "Scooby in Kwackyland" from 'The 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo' but this episode has a vastly superior villain). The setting is done very imaginatively and has a lot of nostalgia for anybody who grew up reading comics.
Will always absolutely adore Shaggy and Scooby, as well as their endearingly goofy chemistry. Shaggy has a number of fun lines like in the diner and in the first encounter with the Blue Scarab. The story is lots of fun and the mystery is always intriguing, never too simple or complicated (didn't even pick up on a couple of the clues when younger apart from the incriminating one). The climax actually has suspense and a surprising air of jeopardy. What also makes the episode is, the obvious real identity aside, the Blue Scarab, very cool in look, intimidating in personality and voice and unique for the franchise at this point. The voice acting is good, while Casey Kasem and Don Messick will always be the best Shaggy and Scooby Pat Fraley's sinister voice work for the Blue Scarab stands out.
In conclusion, very solid start to a season that has grown on me, despite being part of a not so great overall show. 8/10.
