"The Creature from Chem Lab" was one of the first episodes of 'The New Scooby and Scrappy Doo Show' watched, along with "The Crazy Carnival Caper" and "Quagmire Quake Caper" (never cared for that) and "Who's Minding the Monster". "No Thanks Masked Manx" was seen not long after. As a child, both episodes from this double bill were very enjoyable in their own ways, particularly the former for having the stronger mystery.
Fom a young adult perspective, both "The Creature from Chem Lab" and "No Thanks Masked Manx" are still very enjoyable. The preference still being for the former. The double bills (which was almost all of the show apart from the two two parters that concluded it) were often a case of one episode being better than the other, sometimes by a little (like here) and sometimes there is a big difference ("Hound of the Scoobyvilles"/"The Dinosaur Deception" for example), this is a case of one being very solidly executed and entertaining but with the other being one of the show's best.
"The Creature from Chem Lab" (9/10)- Great and has always been a standout episode of 'The New Scooby and Scrappy Doo Show'. It isn't perfect, with there being some occasional roughness in the animation like the way the characters are drawn.
Did like the colours though, which are quite vibrant. The music gels well with the atmosphere and the energy of the story, while the intro is suitably creepy in visuals and music. Have always found it too short having said that. Really liked the school setting, as well as the consistently humorous and intriguing writing. The gang are on strong form, especially Shaggy and Scooby who particularly shine in their scenes with the monster. Daphne's character writing continues to be a refreshment. The story is fun and intriguing with a memorable climax, what a way to defeat a monster. The monster is great and one of the show's scariest, while this is one of the few times on the show where the perpetrator surprised me due to the episode doing so well in making one think it was somebody else. The motive is ahead of the time and unique for the franchise, only 'The Scooby Doo Show's' "Hang in There Scooby Doo" had similar. The voice acting is strong.
"No Thanks Masked Manx" (7/10)- Not as good, but very nicely done still. If there is one thing that is done better it is that it is better animated, especially the amazingly lavish setting that made me really envious of Daphne. The villain is quite a nice one, not quite living up to the set up for his character but he doesn't come over as too silly. The mystery is diverting and neat, while the climax is one of the show's best being very inventively staged and entertaining. Most of the writing is fine, delivering on the humour, and have no issues with the gang, the music or the voice acting.
It does have minus points having said all of that. The biggest issue being that the perpetrator was not a surprise at all, even as a child the broken glass incriminating clue was an obvious giveaway and there was something about them that seemed shifty. One joke is in bad taste.
Overall though, very well done. 8/10.
