Season 1 of 'Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated' was absolutely great, with an extremely high number of great episodes. A season where even the weakest episodes, such as for example "The Wild Brood", were still quite good. And where the best ones, such as "Escape from Mystery Manor" being absolutely outstanding. Had no doubt that "All Fear the Freak" would be at least good, considering the attention grabbing foreshadowing and the hype. On first watch, it was an episode that in every way stayed with me for a long time.
It was very much the same on rewatch. "All Fear the Freak" is superb in every way and not just one of the best episodes of Season 1 (joint best with "Escape from Mystery Manor") but also of 'Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated'. It is also one of the few episodes of the show to be pretty much perfect, whereas there were one or two minor issues in most of the great episodes of the show (for example obvious too early reveals, Velma's personality at times) there were no issues for me here in "All Fear the Freak".
"All Fear the Freak" is beautifully and atmospherically animated as to be expected. Love the background detail and the mix of vibrant and foreboding in the colours (mostly the latter which fits the darker mood). The music still fits harmoniously with the mood and what happens. Love the gang interaction and the voice acting is excellent. While Matthew Lillard nails it as Shaggy and always will be the best of Casey Kasem's replacements, Frank Welker is very moving at the end and expertly makes one feel sorry for Fred.
The Freak absolutely lives up to his freaky name and it is very easy to fear him. Did really like and appreciated that "All Fear the Freak" resolves the ongoing mystery that dominated the season concerning the Freak rather than dragging it out, while hugely anticipating future events in the next season (i.e. Professor Pericles).
What was also appreciated was the wise decision to keep the comedy at minimum and instead focused on the nail biting suspense and poignant drama more. Both are handled brilliantly individually, with the suspense being nail biting and the drama heart wrenching. "All Fear the Freak" contains one of the most shocking reveals in Scooby Doo history and the ending is incredibly poignant and wrenched my gut. The writing is smart and beautifully balanced.
Outstanding final episode to Season 1 all in all and what 'Mystery Incorporated' is all about. 10/10.
It was very much the same on rewatch. "All Fear the Freak" is superb in every way and not just one of the best episodes of Season 1 (joint best with "Escape from Mystery Manor") but also of 'Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated'. It is also one of the few episodes of the show to be pretty much perfect, whereas there were one or two minor issues in most of the great episodes of the show (for example obvious too early reveals, Velma's personality at times) there were no issues for me here in "All Fear the Freak".
"All Fear the Freak" is beautifully and atmospherically animated as to be expected. Love the background detail and the mix of vibrant and foreboding in the colours (mostly the latter which fits the darker mood). The music still fits harmoniously with the mood and what happens. Love the gang interaction and the voice acting is excellent. While Matthew Lillard nails it as Shaggy and always will be the best of Casey Kasem's replacements, Frank Welker is very moving at the end and expertly makes one feel sorry for Fred.
The Freak absolutely lives up to his freaky name and it is very easy to fear him. Did really like and appreciated that "All Fear the Freak" resolves the ongoing mystery that dominated the season concerning the Freak rather than dragging it out, while hugely anticipating future events in the next season (i.e. Professor Pericles).
What was also appreciated was the wise decision to keep the comedy at minimum and instead focused on the nail biting suspense and poignant drama more. Both are handled brilliantly individually, with the suspense being nail biting and the drama heart wrenching. "All Fear the Freak" contains one of the most shocking reveals in Scooby Doo history and the ending is incredibly poignant and wrenched my gut. The writing is smart and beautifully balanced.
Outstanding final episode to Season 1 all in all and what 'Mystery Incorporated' is all about. 10/10.
