Why you should watch Scooby-Doo: Mystery Inc. (2010) instead of Velma (2023)
If you’re a fan of the classic Scooby-Doo series, then you’re in for a treat with Mystery Inc. This newer iteration of the beloved franchise offers a fresh take on the Mystery Gang, delving deeper into the characters’ personal lives and relationships.
One of the standout elements of the show is the dynamic between the main characters. The Mystery Gang are all actual friends and hang out together in a relatable and realistic way. We also get to see their families for the first time, with Daphne having four sisters, Shaggy being weirdly rich, Fred living in a McMansion with his adopted father, and Velma’s parents running a museum dedicated to the Gang’s solved mysteries from the 60s show.
Scooby-Doo himself also gets some cute moments, such as when he beats up a robot dog with a forklift and quotes Alien. The show also has some fun nods to other popular culture, like a Twin Peaks-esque episode and a nicely artistic parody of Andy Warhol and the Velvet Underground.
One of the more entertaining aspects of the show is the inclusion of magic and the fact that the monsters are often real. This adds a newer layer to the world of Scooby-Doo and has a host of implications for the characters.
The show also has some noteworthy guest appearances, including comedian Lewis Black as a character named Mr. E, who acts as a Cigarette Smoking Man-type instigator of mystery, and the Hex Girls come back as sometimes helpers.
Another aspect that sets Mystery Inc. apart is the depiction of the characters’ romantic relationships. Fred and Daphne have a realistic and healthy relationship that ebbs and flows, and Velma and Shaggy have a realistic breakup when it turns out they make better friends. The writers got close to having Velma and Marcie (aka Hot Dog Water, on account of her wool sweaters) be a queer-coded couple.
All in all, Mystery Inc. offers a fresh and exciting take on the Scooby-Doo franchise, with a strong emphasis on character development and a heightened sense of realism.
Plus, who doesn’t a polka-loving Shaggy, and writing like in the photos here? https://instagr.am/p/CnyKu3fMtfj/
