'Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated' "Through the Curtain" (2013)
Opening thoughts: 'Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated' for me was a great show and one of the better Scooby Doo shows, the best and most consistent of the modern ones anyhow. It has a very high number of great and more episodes and not a bad ones, even the weaker ones are still decent if uneven. Memories of my first watch of "Through the Curtain", despite being one of the episodes seen later than most of the show, are vivid and in the best of ways and after watching the whole show on first watch it for me up there with the standout episodes.
"Through the Curtain" is yet another outstanding episode of the show, and sadly it's the penultimate episode. But what a penultimate episode it is. Setting things up for what's to come in the finale and already answering the necessary questions and deepening characters and relationships, in what feels like a first part to a two part finale. It is not just outstanding for 'Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated' and for the franchise but it is exceptionally high quality in its own right as well.
Good things: Can't fault anything to fault it really. The animation has plenty of rich detail, colour variety and atmosphere. The music never jars, never sounds dull and has eeriness. The voice acting is spot on, as is the character writing and interaction with no exception. The writing is thought provoking and balances serious, poignant drama, intensity and amusing moments expertly.
Also love the story, which is suspenseful and full of emotional impact with nothing coming over as dull or obvious. The conflict is at its most sinister yet, with Pericles at his most megalomaniac up to this point. Absolutely love how the gang interact, with it being obvious how much they care for each other, and all have come on a long way in their development. A lot goes on but it is not rushed or over loaded in my view, plus it made me excited for what was to come next (and it is certainly well worth the wait on a side note). The voice acting is spot on, Udo Keir for example is perfect sinister casting for Pericles.
Closing thoughts: Overall, outstanding.
10/10.
