SCOOBY-DOO! MYSTERY INCORPORATED : SEASON 2 EPISODE 24

SCOOBY-DOO! MYSTERY INCORPORATED :

SEASON 2 EPISODE 24 – GATES OF GLOOM

[Animation, Adventure, Comedy]

In this one, the gang gets back from the Yucatan Peninsula and discovers everyone but Sheriff Bronson and Mayor Nettles (who was with them for a bit in the Yucatan) have vanished underground. Velma blames the weirdness on an evil entity from another dimension. Yeah – she went there. Not very Velma-like, but she tries to use advanced science to explain it, so there’s that.

Art wise this one is pretty detailed, but we do see a bunch of rehashed ideas from earlier episodes. Part of this includes professor Pericles' crazy robot army. I am not going to say it’s bad, it’s not, but there isn’t anything new in this one.

Story-wise we find out how superficial Fred’s real parents are. Mr. E. tries once again to stand up to Professor Pericles. There is a great moment between Daphne and Fred that even has Velma crying. Both Shaggy and Sheriff Bronson muster some courage for this one and we get a short-lived supped-up version of the Mystery Machine. We also get some FIRST BLOOD and LOST IN SPACE references. What we don’t get is an actual mystery. The last 3 episodes exist almost exclusively to wrap up the 2 season story arc.

Fact – We find out there is a place called “The Franken-Spine” in Crystal Cove. It’s just one of the rad names they give places in this series.

Oddities – This episode is pretty straightforward. There is nothing odd about an evil owl subjugating the entire town and finding the doorway to another dimension.

Best Line – Oh please Bronson, they’re not even whipping you? – Mayor Nettles.

Second Best Line – Actually Shaggy, I think it’s Crystal Covians – Fred. The gang has a quick but funny discussion about what you should call people that are from Crystal Cove.

Overall this episode does move the overall story forward but feels very little like a Scooby-Doo! episode. For me, this was a really rough one in spite of a few tender moments. I give it a 3 out of 7.