'Scooby Doo and Guess Who' "Scooby on Ice" (2020)
Opening thoughts: The Scooby Doo franchise have often done winter themed episodes really well. 'The New Scooby Doo Mysteries' "The Nutcracker Scoob" being a primary example and have always been fond of "That's Snow Ghost" ('Scooby Doo Where are You') and "Ghost of Bigfoot" ('The New Scooby Doo Movies') as well. On first watch, feelings were mostly very positive and Season 2 in general was a lot more settled and consistent than the first.
"Scooby on Ice" was a lot of fun as an episode, liked it on first watch and my feelings are still positive a few rewatches later. Not one of the best episodes of Season 2 ("The Last Inmate" being up there) or of 'Scooby Doo and Guess Who', but as far as the first half of Season 2 goes it is closer to being one of the better ones than one of the worst.
Bad things: Actually didn't have very many problems with "Scooby on Ice" but not everything worked. The chase sequence is far too dragged out and is not very imaginative.
Did also find Simone annoying and unnecessary and Kate Micucci continues to be too shrill and abrasive.
Good things: However, a lot is good. The anination is very colourful and atmospheric, while the character animation is a lot more detailed and ecpressive compared to the first season. The music has enetgy and atmosphere, and while the theme tune is too short it is always great to hear such an iconic tune in any variation accompanied by a creatively designed titles sequence. Other than Micucci, the voice acting is very good. Love Matthew Lillard as Shaggy.
Tara Lipinski is a witty and quirky guest star and really liked the dynamic between her and the gang and how the episode saw her in action in her occupation. She isn't underused and she also isn't used too much. The setting is wonderfully wintery with the right amount of spookiness and nostalgia. The villain is suitably creepy and liked that it was a throwback to "That's Snow Ghost's" villain.
Really liked the writing, which was funny and smart and true to classic Scooby with a more contemporary twist. There is plenty of humour and all of it lands, with Tara's commentaries, Fred's dad joke and Shaggy's finishing of sentences standing out. The mystery is not over stuffed or too simple, with some nice energy and creepiness. The action is never dull or chaotic. The reveal wasn't a big shock, but it also wasn't blatantly obvious.
Closing thoughts: Very well done episode all in all.
8/10.
Opening thoughts: The Scooby Doo franchise have often done winter themed episodes really well. 'The New Scooby Doo Mysteries' "The Nutcracker Scoob" being a primary example and have always been fond of "That's Snow Ghost" ('Scooby Doo Where are You') and "Ghost of Bigfoot" ('The New Scooby Doo Movies') as well. On first watch, feelings were mostly very positive and Season 2 in general was a lot more settled and consistent than the first.
"Scooby on Ice" was a lot of fun as an episode, liked it on first watch and my feelings are still positive a few rewatches later. Not one of the best episodes of Season 2 ("The Last Inmate" being up there) or of 'Scooby Doo and Guess Who', but as far as the first half of Season 2 goes it is closer to being one of the better ones than one of the worst.
Bad things: Actually didn't have very many problems with "Scooby on Ice" but not everything worked. The chase sequence is far too dragged out and is not very imaginative.
Did also find Simone annoying and unnecessary and Kate Micucci continues to be too shrill and abrasive.
Good things: However, a lot is good. The anination is very colourful and atmospheric, while the character animation is a lot more detailed and ecpressive compared to the first season. The music has enetgy and atmosphere, and while the theme tune is too short it is always great to hear such an iconic tune in any variation accompanied by a creatively designed titles sequence. Other than Micucci, the voice acting is very good. Love Matthew Lillard as Shaggy.
Tara Lipinski is a witty and quirky guest star and really liked the dynamic between her and the gang and how the episode saw her in action in her occupation. She isn't underused and she also isn't used too much. The setting is wonderfully wintery with the right amount of spookiness and nostalgia. The villain is suitably creepy and liked that it was a throwback to "That's Snow Ghost's" villain.
Really liked the writing, which was funny and smart and true to classic Scooby with a more contemporary twist. There is plenty of humour and all of it lands, with Tara's commentaries, Fred's dad joke and Shaggy's finishing of sentences standing out. The mystery is not over stuffed or too simple, with some nice energy and creepiness. The action is never dull or chaotic. The reveal wasn't a big shock, but it also wasn't blatantly obvious.
Closing thoughts: Very well done episode all in all.
8/10.
