Am a big fan of Scooby Doo and have always liked but not loved 'The New Scooby Doo Mysteries'. Some episodes are better than others, and it is very common for when two episodes are doubled that there is a difference in quality, in some cases a big difference. Even as a child, "Scoob-e or Not Scoob-e" was great, but again as a child "The Stoney Glare Stare" left me indifferent and the premise for that episode is a lot less appealing.
Of all the episode couplings, this is one of the couplings that has one of the biggest divides quality-wise along with "Night of the Living Toys"/"South Pole Vault". Have always loved the premise for "Scoob-e or Not Scoob-e" and the episode does absolutely nothing to waste it, in fact it's one of my favourites of the show. "The Stoney Glare Stare" never appealed to me and still is one of the weakest and most forgettable 'The New Scooby Doo Mysteries' efforts.
"Scoob-e or Not Scoob-e" (9/10)- There is very little to dislike about this one. My only real issue is that the conclusion was too predictable due to the suspects being too few.
However, it is one of the best looking episodes of the show. Especially the spooky looking exterior backgrounds. The music is haunting, especially the first appearance of the Sea Monster and the discovery of the oil, and also has playfulness when necessary. The intro is very 80s but is nostalgic and catchy, loved the "Thriller" vibe. The voice acting for particularly the regulars is very good.
Really liked the writing too, with some amusing humour like Shaggy and Scooby reenacting 'Hamlet' with deliberate butchering of the text. There are some great 'Hamlet' references that will be a delight to spot for any older viewers familiar with the play and a genuinely spooky atmosphere, with a cool looking and scary sea monster and every bit as creepy Hamlet's ghost. While the ending is predictable, there is a twist that was surprising.
"The Stoney Glare Stare" (5/10)- This episode had its moments and good things though too far and between. It's well animated enough and the music fits well and doesn't feel discordant with the atmosphere. Did enjoy the Ancient Greek mythology references and the caricature of Peter Lorre, as well as the exotic Greek setting. The voice acting for the gang, all on top form, is very good.
It is let down quite a lot though by the paper thin story that has very few surprises, the truth about a character that goes missing is obvious very early on. The pace is dull from trying to stretch out the story's thinness and nothing about the ending surprises. The villains are more annoying than menacing and the supporting characters are not particularly memorable. The humour goes too far on the silliness and is never really imaginative.
Overall, one episode is great but one doesn't work on the whole. 7/10.
