'A Pup Named Scooby Doo' "For Letter or Worse' (1988)
Opening thoughts: Really liked "For Letter or Worse" on first watch, and even as a child it was to me one of the better 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo' episodes. Especially for the villain, the setting and the ending, and the show had come on a good deal from its still solid start. The show does not have a great reputation with fans, but personally have always found a lot to like about it (while also some issues) and consider it one of the better 80s Scooby Doo shows. Also find it a lot less childish than it sounds.
"For Letter or Worse" is still immensely enjoyable, actually even more so now with more to appreciate and the things that still stand out making even bigger impressions. It still is one of the best 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo' episodes and is one of the more original ones as well. The Scooby Doo franchise more often than not excelled at TV studio-set episodes, a couple missed such as 'Scooby Doo and Guess Who's' "Quit Clowning" but overall it was one of the frequently used settings that delivered consistently in the franchise.
Bad things: It isn't perfect, none of the episodes are. Fred is still really annoying. He's just too dumbed down, being a very stupid character (evident for example in blaming a character who has the wrong physique for the ghost to even be considered a suspect, really liked the breaking the fourth wall moment when revealed that it couldn't possibly be the accused) with his rash conclusion jumping and stupid conspiracy theories getting on the nerves.
Will admit to not even noticing for a long time the clue that incriminated the responsible so for my previous viewings that clue always felt rather out of the blue and there will be that feeling for anybody who missed it too.
Good things: However, "For Letter or Worse" does have one of the best villains of the show. The ghost of Al Cabone (parents are going to get a kick out of recognising what that name is parodying) is very well designed and very freaky (Frank Welker's inspired mobster voice helps a lot), as well as very unique. The ending is a strong contender for the show's most satisfying, not only is the perpetrator a complete shock (didn't even suspect them) but there is a truly clever and leaving one floored twist on the suspects that no other 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo' episode even went near. One that is also very creative for the franchise, while the motive also wasn't obvious. Loved the staging of how the villain is trapped, one clever way of outsmarting a villain.
Loved the TV studio setting, which made me nostalgic for all the gameshows that were watched as a without fail routine after school. Shaggy and Scooby are delightful, Shaggy's very once upon a time-like narration is a nice way of moving the storytelling forward without over explaining. The animation is bright and colourful, especially loved it for the character design of Dr Croaker and for the wacky facial expressions and reactions. The music is very catchy, with the theme tune being the most memorable and fun one of the 80s Scooby Doo incarnations. John Debney always delivered on providing music that made one sing along and toe tap and that is the case with the songs featured.
The writing didn't come over as childish, apart from with Fred, actually thought it was quite clever and witty and actually liked its increased broadness and goofiness. The humour is at its best though when it's more self-aware, seen in the fourth wall breaking with the clue finding and the summings up in the reveal. The mystery is lively and wacky, personally didn't think it was too baby-ish even with it being more geared towards younger viewers with the gang as kids. Actually, this is one of the mysteries that would have worked equally as well in the earlier incarnations. The voice acting is fine, particularly from Welker.
Concluding thoughts: Very good episode with many great elements.
8/10.
Opening thoughts: Really liked "For Letter or Worse" on first watch, and even as a child it was to me one of the better 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo' episodes. Especially for the villain, the setting and the ending, and the show had come on a good deal from its still solid start. The show does not have a great reputation with fans, but personally have always found a lot to like about it (while also some issues) and consider it one of the better 80s Scooby Doo shows. Also find it a lot less childish than it sounds.
"For Letter or Worse" is still immensely enjoyable, actually even more so now with more to appreciate and the things that still stand out making even bigger impressions. It still is one of the best 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo' episodes and is one of the more original ones as well. The Scooby Doo franchise more often than not excelled at TV studio-set episodes, a couple missed such as 'Scooby Doo and Guess Who's' "Quit Clowning" but overall it was one of the frequently used settings that delivered consistently in the franchise.
Bad things: It isn't perfect, none of the episodes are. Fred is still really annoying. He's just too dumbed down, being a very stupid character (evident for example in blaming a character who has the wrong physique for the ghost to even be considered a suspect, really liked the breaking the fourth wall moment when revealed that it couldn't possibly be the accused) with his rash conclusion jumping and stupid conspiracy theories getting on the nerves.
Will admit to not even noticing for a long time the clue that incriminated the responsible so for my previous viewings that clue always felt rather out of the blue and there will be that feeling for anybody who missed it too.
Good things: However, "For Letter or Worse" does have one of the best villains of the show. The ghost of Al Cabone (parents are going to get a kick out of recognising what that name is parodying) is very well designed and very freaky (Frank Welker's inspired mobster voice helps a lot), as well as very unique. The ending is a strong contender for the show's most satisfying, not only is the perpetrator a complete shock (didn't even suspect them) but there is a truly clever and leaving one floored twist on the suspects that no other 'A Pup Named Scooby Doo' episode even went near. One that is also very creative for the franchise, while the motive also wasn't obvious. Loved the staging of how the villain is trapped, one clever way of outsmarting a villain.
Loved the TV studio setting, which made me nostalgic for all the gameshows that were watched as a without fail routine after school. Shaggy and Scooby are delightful, Shaggy's very once upon a time-like narration is a nice way of moving the storytelling forward without over explaining. The animation is bright and colourful, especially loved it for the character design of Dr Croaker and for the wacky facial expressions and reactions. The music is very catchy, with the theme tune being the most memorable and fun one of the 80s Scooby Doo incarnations. John Debney always delivered on providing music that made one sing along and toe tap and that is the case with the songs featured.
The writing didn't come over as childish, apart from with Fred, actually thought it was quite clever and witty and actually liked its increased broadness and goofiness. The humour is at its best though when it's more self-aware, seen in the fourth wall breaking with the clue finding and the summings up in the reveal. The mystery is lively and wacky, personally didn't think it was too baby-ish even with it being more geared towards younger viewers with the gang as kids. Actually, this is one of the mysteries that would have worked equally as well in the earlier incarnations. The voice acting is fine, particularly from Welker.
Concluding thoughts: Very good episode with many great elements.
8/10.
