Memories of my first watch of "The Creeping Creatures" were quite vague, other episodes stuck in my mind more when watching 'Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated' when it started airing. Other than not being totally enamoured with the animation style and finding the responsible too obvious. There have been plenty of Scooby Doo episodes in most of the franchise's shows where first impressions weren't great but the episodes fared a good deal better on rewatch.
"The Creeping Creatures" is one of those episodes that fared a good deal better on rewatch, and a better appreciation of the animation is one of the main reasons. It is not one of my favourite 'Mystery Incorporated' episodes and the show understandably is still finding its feet. Yet the large amount of promise shown in the previous episode "Beware the Beast from Below" continues here in "The Creeping Creatures" and on the whole it is a very good and well crafted episode.
It is brought down a bit by the excessive over-obviousness of the final solution, not just the responsible (in an episode with a severe shortage of suspects) but also the how and the why.
Did think that the gators at times were more goofy than menacing.
Having said all of that, the animation has really grown on me a lot and there are some very unsettling images present throughout. The music fits the action very nicely, with a strong brooding atmosphere that adds a lot to the mystery. The intro is memorable musically, with a great mix of spy adventure and spookiness.
Writing is superior here, though it was more than solid in "Beware the Beast from Below". It is funnier, especially with Shaggy and Scooby in vintage endearingly goofy Shaggy and Scooby fashion. It is also creepier, with a genuinely spooky atmosphere and the mystery continues to intrigue. The setting is one of those where one would think twice about staying at. The characters are fine, had no problem with Velma. Shaggy and Scooby, as well as their friendship, steal the show. The voice acting is great all round.
Overall, very well done. 8/10.
"The Creeping Creatures" is one of those episodes that fared a good deal better on rewatch, and a better appreciation of the animation is one of the main reasons. It is not one of my favourite 'Mystery Incorporated' episodes and the show understandably is still finding its feet. Yet the large amount of promise shown in the previous episode "Beware the Beast from Below" continues here in "The Creeping Creatures" and on the whole it is a very good and well crafted episode.
It is brought down a bit by the excessive over-obviousness of the final solution, not just the responsible (in an episode with a severe shortage of suspects) but also the how and the why.
Did think that the gators at times were more goofy than menacing.
Having said all of that, the animation has really grown on me a lot and there are some very unsettling images present throughout. The music fits the action very nicely, with a strong brooding atmosphere that adds a lot to the mystery. The intro is memorable musically, with a great mix of spy adventure and spookiness.
Writing is superior here, though it was more than solid in "Beware the Beast from Below". It is funnier, especially with Shaggy and Scooby in vintage endearingly goofy Shaggy and Scooby fashion. It is also creepier, with a genuinely spooky atmosphere and the mystery continues to intrigue. The setting is one of those where one would think twice about staying at. The characters are fine, had no problem with Velma. Shaggy and Scooby, as well as their friendship, steal the show. The voice acting is great all round.
Overall, very well done. 8/10.
