Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2010-2013)

The Scooby-Doo franchise has been near and dear to me since I was old enough to load my family’s VHS tapes into the VCR myself. I was an incredibly sensitive child who, contradictorily, held a strong affinity for all things spooky and scary. Still, I was often too afraid to watch traditional horror movies or TV shows. Instead I fixated on a show that offered elements of terror while simultaneously including disarming characters that kept me from losing my five-year-old mind. Not much has changed on my end, but Scoob and the gang have gone through several transformations throughout the years. With their most recent incarnation becoming a fan-favorite among watchers, I can’t think of a more seasonally appropriate show to watch leading up to the big day at the end of this month.

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated is, arguably, the best rendition of the series since the original debuted in 1969.

The 2010 reboot is a complete revamp of the original that does right by the iconic Hanna-Barbera property. True to form, the gang unmasks all sorts of “monsters'' in their hometown of Crystal Cove, much to the chagrin of their guardians.

All while the teens find themselves investigating a greater mystery that goes much deeper than even their quaint, coastal city. This overarching, “hidden” narrative is an element seen only in certain Scooby-Doo series.

Another unique facet of Mystery Incorporated that I personally adore is the fact that the phantasmal is canon! This adds an incredible amount of flexibility and complexity to the  potential twists and turns of the narrative. Now, Scooby and his friends have a lot more to worry about than their typical, one-dimensional antagonist; facing off against a greedy banker or selfish trust-fund baby is nothing compared to the fantastic, paranormal forces beyond the comprehension of mere men…and dogs.

There is just so much to unpack and appreciate in this series! Heck, even the casting is top notch.The absolutely iconic Matthew Lillard reprises his role alongside the Freddy Herman Jones himself, Frank Welker. Mystery Incorporated goes on to add the outstanding Patrick Warburton, a phenomenal actor who offers a refreshing air of fun to the roster of whimsical supporting characters. They are joined by other remarkable actors like the incredible Udo Kier as well as the versatile, vivacious Vivica A. Fox. This iconic cast only helps to set the scene for a sometimes spooky, always campy horror-mystery romp fun anybody can enjoy!

Every episode of Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated pays unabashed homage to the horror genre in all aspects, from genuinely frightening to just plain jovial.

One of my favorite references is a recurring, supporting character inspired by and modeled after the late, great, Vincent Price (named Vincent Van Ghoul).

Other allusions, tributes, and references manifest in every inch of the program—from the soundscapes and set pieces to characters and plot points including the Twilight franchise, CARRIE, the works of H.P. Lovecraft, and Twin Peaks.

No trope is taken for granted either; ditsy teenagers practically plunge to their doom, sci-fi monsters run amok and ravage the town, folklore creatures, centuries old, cross entire oceans to wreak havoc and terror. (Honestly, don’t even get me started on all the interdimensional travel!) Mystery Incorporated makes a point to portray each nook and cranny of the horror genre rendering it nearly impossible for horror fan of any ilk to not feel acknowledged.

The sheer amount of reverence shown to honoring horror in all its glory exemplifies how much love and care was at the center of Mystery Incorporated’s production team’s approach.

For the old-heads who remember the O.G. Scooby-Doo Where Are You! from 1969, there’s a menagerie of callbacks to some of the most notable ghouls like the Space Kook, Miner Forty-Niner, and The Creeper (who still unnerves the jinkies out of me).

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated elevates the franchise with the addition of mature themes not only adding substance, but also allowing accessibility to a broader range of ages.

Perhaps in reference to the 2002 film, the franchises’ first live-action adventure, which was already primed to provide a twist or two. Written by James Gunn, SCOOBY-DOO turned out to be considerably more ‘adult’ than any other Scooby-Doo production, even earning an R-rating before being recut due to pressure from concerned parents for a more ‘kid-friendly’ movie.

Another exciting expansion to the franchise Mystery Incorporated offers is an extensive focus on its lore. This particular band of mystery-solving, meddling teens are charged with uncovering long-guarded family secrets and scandals that turn the town on its head time and time again. Clues to an overarching mystery, cleverly concealed and flagrantly obvious alike, are scattered throughout the episodes. However, even those with an eye for detail won’t be able to clock the story’s most shocking twists until their revelation towards the end of the series’ run. Including the paranormal, serialized storytelling, and deeper sense of mythology raises the stakes with real danger and lifelong consequences. I know it may sound silly considering the source material, but these nuances make the program all the more engaging.

I cannot recommend Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated enough to y’all. It’s the middle of the month, there’s only two seasons (which is both a blessing and a curse—literally) and these episodes are exactly what any connoisseur of the creeps could ask for when looking for something fun and light to ramp up their anticipation into the spooky season.