'Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated' "The Midnight Zone" (2012)
Opening thoughts: "The Midnight Zone" was one of the 'Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated' episodes that wowed me over on first watch. Especially the atmosphere, characterisation and writing, plus the emotional impact of a major event that sent shockwaves through the fandom and was very hyped up was deeply felt afterwards. While the darker and more dramatic Season 2 started off very solidly with none of the episodes being less than quite good, it was around "The Gathering Gloom" where it began to hit its stride.
Which is obvious in "The Midnight Zone". The episode wowed me on first watch and on rewatch my high opinion of it did not change in any way. Like almost all the previous episodes, except for "Web of the Dreamweaver", this was even better than on first watch. Pretty much everything still worked brilliantly but made even stronger impressions. Not only is "The Midnight Zone" one of the best episodes of Season 2 but also one of my favourite episodes of 'Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated'.
Not so good things: It is at its least impressive with the main mystery. It was still quite good, don't get me wrong, though not one of the most intricate or surprising of the show. Am only saying this though because everything else was so superbly executed.
Good things: Can't fault the beautifully detailed and atmospheric animation, which is becoming more elaborate and ambitious with each episode. The music has energy and spookiness that are never overdone or muted. The theme tune is memorable and clever still. The character writing continues to be strong and is becoming deeper and more interesting all the time, the only misstep being Brad and Judy still being on the vague side.
The character interaction likewise, while the voice acting is dead on all round. "The Midnight Zone" benefits hugely from its very creepy atmosphere and the every bit as creepy villains (by far what makes the main mystery, without them it would have been borderline forgettable perhaps). Loved also the affectionate, nostalgic and clever references written by someone with a clear love for the genre.
All the writing is balanced perfectly. The comedy is a sizeable amount and is very well timed and funny with no signs of straining or immaturity. The more dramatic moments are not too soapy and the fate of Cassidy absolutely broke my heart on first watch and still does, quite bold too. The Crystal Cove story still intrigues and continues to advance.
Concluding thoughts: Overall, wonderful.
9/10.
Opening thoughts: "The Midnight Zone" was one of the 'Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated' episodes that wowed me over on first watch. Especially the atmosphere, characterisation and writing, plus the emotional impact of a major event that sent shockwaves through the fandom and was very hyped up was deeply felt afterwards. While the darker and more dramatic Season 2 started off very solidly with none of the episodes being less than quite good, it was around "The Gathering Gloom" where it began to hit its stride.
Which is obvious in "The Midnight Zone". The episode wowed me on first watch and on rewatch my high opinion of it did not change in any way. Like almost all the previous episodes, except for "Web of the Dreamweaver", this was even better than on first watch. Pretty much everything still worked brilliantly but made even stronger impressions. Not only is "The Midnight Zone" one of the best episodes of Season 2 but also one of my favourite episodes of 'Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated'.
Not so good things: It is at its least impressive with the main mystery. It was still quite good, don't get me wrong, though not one of the most intricate or surprising of the show. Am only saying this though because everything else was so superbly executed.
Good things: Can't fault the beautifully detailed and atmospheric animation, which is becoming more elaborate and ambitious with each episode. The music has energy and spookiness that are never overdone or muted. The theme tune is memorable and clever still. The character writing continues to be strong and is becoming deeper and more interesting all the time, the only misstep being Brad and Judy still being on the vague side.
The character interaction likewise, while the voice acting is dead on all round. "The Midnight Zone" benefits hugely from its very creepy atmosphere and the every bit as creepy villains (by far what makes the main mystery, without them it would have been borderline forgettable perhaps). Loved also the affectionate, nostalgic and clever references written by someone with a clear love for the genre.
All the writing is balanced perfectly. The comedy is a sizeable amount and is very well timed and funny with no signs of straining or immaturity. The more dramatic moments are not too soapy and the fate of Cassidy absolutely broke my heart on first watch and still does, quite bold too. The Crystal Cove story still intrigues and continues to advance.
Concluding thoughts: Overall, wonderful.
9/10.
