As I mentioned in the previous top 10 settings article, I didn't think "Worst Settings" would make a good companion article for this, since I can't think of any instances where I disliked an episode based on the setting alone. So instead of that, I used an idea suggested by Matt, a regular commenter on the blog, and decided to pick out 10 episodes where I feel the setting is great, but isn't talked about very often. It was genuinely pretty tough to try to condense my list into just 10, but it was a fun challenge nonetheless. I don't have an order for these, as I don't really have a sense for which of these settings are more underrated than another. I feel all of these are underrated. Theater of Doom I mentioned this one in the comments but it was not mentioned in the actual post. I honestly think the episode in general is very underrated. I love how atmospheric the episode is in the sense all 22 minutes either takes place on the tiny stage, or in the creepy backstage-like basement. Having such a focus location greatly enhanced the plot and the creepiness of the mystery, and I don't think this episode gets enough recognition for that. The Exterminator In general, I think The New Scooby-Doo Movies is underrated for its settings as a whole, but this is one of the episodes that really stands out to me for its setting. It's not talked about much as a haunted house episode, but the creepy house on the hill makes a great haunted house. I also particularly like the inclusion of the paintings. The fact that several of the paintings and statues (like the bird with the piggy bank, for example) can suddenly move and grab you at any time makes the setting even more spooky and disturbing. Scooby-Doo, Where's the Crew? I don't hear this one talked about very much, but the ship's setting is so dark and terrifying. I would argue that this episode is as dark as any of the season 2 episodes. The gang being trapped on a ship lost at sea with three ghouls is really creepy, since there's literally no way they can escape. The atmosphere of the whole episode feels really dark in a way that not a lot of Scooby episodes do. Scooby's Peep Hole Pandemonium For an episode that has a very odd title, it has a really good setting; arguably the best of any of the 7 or 11-minute shorts. In comparison to the other series, it's not among the all-time best settings in the franchise, but I like how reminiscent this feels of a classic Scooby-Doo haunted house. The way this episode is able to do that despite the very different tone of the series from the 1960s and 1970s is definitely notable, and deserves more recognition than it gets. The Hand of Horror On that same subject, "The Hand of Horror" is another underrated setting. The Von Gizmo Estate presents another example of a setting feeling very atmospheric and being developed very well despite the short runtime. The Weird Winds of Winona This is another underrated The New Scooby-Doo Movies setting. The fact that this town is completely abandoned makes it feel foreboding, both at the farmer's house and the town hall. Admittedly, the short bit we get in the caves at the end of the episode isn't anything special, since this series seems to overuse caves a bit in my opinion, but the other two settings aren't talked about enough IMO. Night on Haunted Mountain I don't really know if "underrated" is the right word to describe this setting, but I never really hear anyone talk about this setting. The gang venturing up the mountain feels quite ominous, and the old ship remains have a very creepy vibe to them. I especially like the bit at the end with the El Aguirre's ghost showing up. I honestly wish he would have gotten his own episode, because his design is so amazing! The Ghostly Creep from the Deep This is the second-to-last New Scooby-Doo Movies that will appear here. I really like the setting of the old inn here. The fact that it is abandoned and in the middle of a swamp obviously enhances the setting quite a bit, but I also like the level of detail put into the outside of the inn. The inn looks very run-down and like it hasn't been used in years, which bumps this up a couple levels further in its spooky factor. The Frickert Fracas This episode is underrated in general, but I feel like a large part of that is the setting. Maude Frickert's farm has a very dark, spooky feel to it, and it's very challenging to do that with a simplistic setting like a farm IMO. The fact that most of the episode takes place at night adds to the creepiness of it, since the gang is walking around in the dark in a cornfield, where anything could jump out at them at any time. The farm itself is done in a very atmospheric way that really pulls you in, unlike "The Ghost of the Red Baron" a few episodes later, which kinda falls flat in comparison. This episode did an amazing job of using the farm to its full potential. The Beast Is Awake in Bottomless Lake
I notice that the settings I like best create a dark and foreboding atmosphere, and this is one where I feel it's done really well. Similarly to "The Weird Winds of Winona," the town being basically abandoned and the whole thing taking place at night creates an atmosphere with a creepy vibe. Moreover, the Beast appearing seemingly everywhere amps up the terror even further, which I love. Also, this doesn't factor into my feelings on the setting, but it never fails to amuse me that Canada puts up a cheap wooden sign that says "Welcome to Canada" at the border. No other tourist information or a fancy sign at all, just a little wooden sign haha. It was tough to condense my list into ten settings, but I hope you enjoyed reading this list! If you have any settings that you feel are underrated, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
33 Comments
Carson Maitland - Smith
2/21/2023 07:17:38 am
I wish The Harlem Glovetrotters made a movie with Scooby and the gang.
Reply
scoobydoouk
2/21/2023 11:26:13 am
The original concept painting for that 'What A Knight For A Knight' shot at the top of the page is available for sale right now! Except it's $1,250 hahaha
Reply
2/21/2023 01:06:33 pm
Awesome! That's a bit too steep of a pricepoint for me haha.
Reply
scoobydoouk
2/21/2023 04:13:53 pm
This website often has Scooby pieces available fairly cheaply.
Becker
2/21/2023 12:06:56 pm
Creepy Creature of Vulture's Claw, Don't Fool with a Phantom, Into the Mouth of Madcap, Midnight Zone, Tar Monster, Uncle Scooby and Antarctica
Reply
2/21/2023 01:07:10 pm
I agree that all of these are underrated, other than the Tar Monster one. That one never stuck out to me personally, other than the tar pool at night that the monster comes out of is pretty cool.
Reply
Jayden
2/21/2023 12:58:15 pm
The Frickert Fracas is legendry. Probably top 10 Scooby episode of all time
Reply
Matt
2/21/2023 01:25:47 pm
This is an excellent list, I agree with all of them to an extent, but especially Weird Winds of Winona and Night on Haunted Mountain, but the selection here I agree with arguably the most (which is weird because as some of you may know, I don’t hold the episode itself in the highest regard in comparison to several others from the series) may just have to be Beast is Awake in Bottomless Lake. I adore the setting and wish I liked the episode more lol
Reply
Matt
2/21/2023 01:28:29 pm
Forgot to mention, my biggest disagreement on your list is the comment about Ghost of the Red Baron setting in the Frickert Fracas. I agree that I would probably put The Frickert Fracas setting higher, but it almost feels pretty different to me. I guess I associate Ghost of the Red Baron more with a rural airfield setting and the farm is just corn fields, where Frickert Fracas just feels more like a normal farm
Reply
2/21/2023 02:07:01 pm
Thank you! I actually kind of agree with you that "The Beast Is Awake in of Bottomless Lake" could have been stronger, but in terms of setting, it's amazing. For me, I don't love the episodes where the monster is constantly showing up, which is what detracted from it for me. I feel those episodes often don't develop the mystery as much as they could, and there's often less suspense since you're not wondering when the monster is going to show up when it's constantly around haha. I'm not sure if that's the same issue you have with that episode, but that's my only critique of it. I have the same issue with "Jeepers, It's the Creeper."
Reply
2/21/2023 04:25:02 pm
Character designs for upcoming Mystery Pups series have just been leaked!!!!!!! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=K42xecVXi-Y 2/21/2023 05:26:17 pm
Thanks for the info! These look good! I just made a post about it.
Matt
2/22/2023 03:42:09 pm
I completely agree about Beast is Awake in Bottomless Lake. I’ve always thought that it had the atmosphere and setting of a season 2 episode which theoretically SHOULD make me like the episode way more than I do, but alas, it does NOT have the writing of a season 2 episode. It is one of those episodes like Creepy Tangle in the Bermuda Triangle that is strongest on the elements of the issues I have with the writing in season 3. My biggest disagreement with your statement is that I still love Jeepers It’s the Creeper as an absolute CLASSIC, even if it is only middle of the road for Where Are You 2/22/2023 08:05:11 pm
Yeah, the writing is the big difference here that made this episode not quite as good, but it definitely had potential. Oh I agree "Jeepers It's a Creeper" is a classic; I just feel it's more middle of the road than most of the other episodes in the series, which are pretty much all amazing.
Matt
2/22/2023 08:09:03 pm
“You oughta be ashamed of yourself Wildwind!”
Mr Neither
2/22/2023 07:05:35 am
Let''s see, do any come immediately to mind? Vulture's Claw is definitely one, lame mystery but super creepy setting. The Mirror World and The comic book world from 13 Ghosts, the latter I feel is often overshadowed by the earlier Zomba episode in the series. The alternate futures episode is another very well done one from that series. Gatorsburg, Big Top Scooby Doo. I'll leave it there for now.
Reply
2/22/2023 07:48:12 am
Agreed, Vulture's Claw, the Mirror World and Gatorsburg are great ones! The circus from Big Top definitely had a creepy vibe to it as well. I like the Comic Book World too, although Demondo was not the greatest villain IMO.
Reply
Mr Neither
2/23/2023 03:38:07 am
Oh yeah, Demondo was just an idiot. Another would be the mansion from Nightfright.
Jacob Staggs
2/22/2023 10:10:44 am
Hmm Underrated settings? There are several. To name a few.
Reply
2/22/2023 03:19:57 pm
I love the castle in Scooby's Luck of the Irish, that's a really underrated one. The middle of the storm in "A Creepy Tangle in the Bermuda Triangle" is excellent as well.
Reply
Shadowscooby
2/22/2023 12:21:43 pm
The Frickert Fracas:
Reply
2/22/2023 03:21:37 pm
I love this episode! Jonathan made a great guest star. I think it is awesome that Maude Frickert, one of his characters, appeared in this episode. I really liked the scarecrow as a villain and I agree with you that the fact that it took place at night made the setting spookier. Yeah, Simon was pretty obvious as the culprit.
Reply
Shadowscooby
2/22/2023 12:22:31 pm
Scooby Doo Where’s The Crew:
Reply
2/22/2023 03:22:20 pm
This was another great episode and a very underrated one for its dark setting. I really liked all of the villains! Agreed the culprits were pretty obvious.
Reply
Shadowscooby
2/22/2023 12:23:05 pm
The Hand of Horror:
Reply
2/22/2023 03:25:20 pm
This was a good episode with a very unique villain. The culprits' motivations were very interesting. I liked Pizza Louie's too haha.
Reply
Shadowscooby
2/22/2023 12:25:01 pm
Night on Haunted Mountain:
Reply
2/22/2023 03:24:49 pm
This was a great underrated episode. The Dark Lilith is a super creepy villain, particularly her shrieking sounds. Mount Diablo was particularly creepy to me but Scorpion Wells was also a great setting. Yeah, Handsome Jimmy was a super interesting character. It was a little surprising to me that the Lilith was Hot Dog Water. It was a very sweet moment between them at the end when Marcie gives Velma the disk piece. The ghost of Fernando El Aguirre appearing at the end is my favorite part, great note to end the episode on!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Author~ WildwindVampire ~ Categories
All
Archives
May 2023
|