There's problems with this episode sure, but it's still very strong in places. And as the title shows there are still some funny jokes within it. I felt like they eliminated potential suspects too early so it was obvious by the end who was behind it all.
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (TV Series)
The Grasp of the Gnome (2010)
User Reviews
Review this title3 Reviews
A large gnome at large
TheLittleSongbird10 February 2023
"The Grasp of the Gnome" was one of those liked but not loved episodes on first watch. The humour stood out as did the villain, but it was undone by the predictability and by one not particularly well written character. Decided to watch the whole of 'Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated' after a long time, while on a Scooby Doo rewatch binge with more time on my hands, and my high opinion of the show and most of the episodes still stands with some growing on me in fact.
One of the episodes of 'Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated' that has fared pretty much the same on rewatch is "The Grasp of the Gnome". It is a good outing with a lot of good things, but at the same time there is something a little missing that the best episodes that happened later had. The best aspects, such as humour and villain, still hold up as particularly good, but what didn't work first time (namely the way one character is written) doesn't work here still. Good episode, but not a great one.
A lot is good here. Again, there is a lot of colour and atmosphere in the animation, as well as the meticulous detail. The music has character and creepiness, while the theme tune is as said a couple of times already a mix of spy thriller and haunted house that works wonders within the concept. The voice acting from all is great, Matthew Lillard a more than worthy replacement for Casey Kasem.
Most of the character writing is fine, Shaggy and Scooby and their chemistry are a sheer delight. Absolutely loved the atmospheric and quite imaginative setting. As well as that the writing was more humorous than usual, and luckily the humour is genuinely amusing and more. The mystery is a lot of fun and always compels, even with the lack of surprises. The gnome is a very visually interesting and menacing villain.
Despite also the low suspect count and the predictability of the reveal taking away a little. The Velma and Shaggy stuff is a distraction and an unnecessary one and Velma was still not doing much for me, too much of a bossy jerk.
Good episode all in all though. 7/10.
One of the episodes of 'Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated' that has fared pretty much the same on rewatch is "The Grasp of the Gnome". It is a good outing with a lot of good things, but at the same time there is something a little missing that the best episodes that happened later had. The best aspects, such as humour and villain, still hold up as particularly good, but what didn't work first time (namely the way one character is written) doesn't work here still. Good episode, but not a great one.
A lot is good here. Again, there is a lot of colour and atmosphere in the animation, as well as the meticulous detail. The music has character and creepiness, while the theme tune is as said a couple of times already a mix of spy thriller and haunted house that works wonders within the concept. The voice acting from all is great, Matthew Lillard a more than worthy replacement for Casey Kasem.
Most of the character writing is fine, Shaggy and Scooby and their chemistry are a sheer delight. Absolutely loved the atmospheric and quite imaginative setting. As well as that the writing was more humorous than usual, and luckily the humour is genuinely amusing and more. The mystery is a lot of fun and always compels, even with the lack of surprises. The gnome is a very visually interesting and menacing villain.
Despite also the low suspect count and the predictability of the reveal taking away a little. The Velma and Shaggy stuff is a distraction and an unnecessary one and Velma was still not doing much for me, too much of a bossy jerk.
Good episode all in all though. 7/10.
The Grasp of the Gnome
Prismark1019 February 2022
The annual Royal Knights Faire is taking place at Crystal Cove. A medieval affair with knights and princesses.
So Shaggy is not the only one attending dressed as a pirate. Lord Barry gets angry when he sees pirates. It is not appropriate to the period. Only the court jester is relaxed about it all.
Not as angry as a gnome with glowing eyes and hands who seems to paralyse people in pirate costumes with just a touch.
It is not long before Shaggy disappears and all the clues indicate that Lord Barry or the Queen of the Faire might be the culprit. They hate people in pirate costumes.
The stakes are raised when Shaggy is missing. Scooby Doo is upset. Velma gets a clue from Mister E.
It is easy to guess the culprit. Once again the Mayor of Crystal Cove eyes and opportun it to make money from the spooky goings on.
The ongoing relationship issues between Velma and Shaggy as well as Fred and Daphne are explored.
So Shaggy is not the only one attending dressed as a pirate. Lord Barry gets angry when he sees pirates. It is not appropriate to the period. Only the court jester is relaxed about it all.
Not as angry as a gnome with glowing eyes and hands who seems to paralyse people in pirate costumes with just a touch.
It is not long before Shaggy disappears and all the clues indicate that Lord Barry or the Queen of the Faire might be the culprit. They hate people in pirate costumes.
The stakes are raised when Shaggy is missing. Scooby Doo is upset. Velma gets a clue from Mister E.
It is easy to guess the culprit. Once again the Mayor of Crystal Cove eyes and opportun it to make money from the spooky goings on.
The ongoing relationship issues between Velma and Shaggy as well as Fred and Daphne are explored.
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