This is an interesting set up. A great location not seen before in any Scooby Doo episode beforehand. A very rare excursion at this point of the franchise into prehistoria with one of 'The Scooby Doo Show's' standout monsters. An interesting premise, and hang gliding was yet another first. "Hang in There Scooby Doo" was one of those appreciate it rather than love episodes from the show as a kid and for some years for me there were episodes that were more memorable story-wise.
"Hang in There Scooby Doo" nowadays is a standout 'The Scooby Doo Show' episode with so much to love about it. It is another 'The Scooby Doo Show' to be even better now through young adult eyes with more to appreciate, and really liked that it made the most out of and didn't waste the things that makes it stand out. Even if it is not perfect, "Hang in There Scooby Doo" is one of the best of Season 2, which is a good one on the whole. And also by far one of the best episodes of the franchise to have a prehistoric theme.
My only issue was with the final solution, which did feel a little rushed and have always felt that the perpetrator behind the mask's identity felt somewhat last minute.
A shame because the pteradactyl ghost to this day is still quite terrifying, especially the cry, and is one of the franchise's more memorable villains (even being referenced many years later in the live action Scooby Doo sequel). The motive/plan was unique at this point of the franchise and at the top of my head it was another first. The mystery is good fun and is not hard to follow or too predictable, some clever clues and it is not a case of it only could have been one person. The climax itself is very exciting and actually has tension (one of the show's best), the hang gliding angle was done well throughout the episode but shines especially at this point.
For me, "Hang In There Scooby Doo" is one of the better looking 'The Scooby Doo Show' episodes. The locations are both sweeping and creepy, caves are familiar hauntings for the franchise but this one didn't feel recycled. The music never felt discordant from the action and reminds one very fondly of anything who loves the original 'Scooby Doo Where are You?' (puts hand up here). The theme song is the second catchiest of the 'Scooby Doo' franchise, the original of course being the most memorable.
Writing never stops being funny and interesting, just love the interaction between Shaggy and Scooby. The energy doesn't let up, even in the latter stages where the episode could easily have run out of ideas (as some of the show's episodes have had that problem). The final third also didn't feel repetitive or the chasing too much, with a lot of important things to solve the mystery found. The voice acting is typically solid, Casey Kasem and Don Messick will always be the definitive Shaggy and Scooby.
Concluding, great. 9/10
