Absolutely adored "The Last Inmate" on first watch and found it one of the absolute best episodes of 'Scooby Doo and Guess Who'. Loved everything about it, Morgan Freeman, the unique interview-mockumentary structure, the references, the setting, the villain, everything. 'Scooby Doo and Guess Who' did have some episodes that missed and guest stars that were handled poorly, but when it hit it was wonderful (same with the guest stars) and it hit more than it missed.
On re-watch, "The Last Inmate" is still amazing and has gotten better and better with each viewing with more to love. Everything that worked first time works brilliantly still and even more so. For me, it is not just one of the best episodes of 'Scooby Doo and Guess Who' but is the best. Even better than the brilliant Hex Girls episode "I Put a Hex on You", and the best episode definitely since that. It is what the Season 2 premiere "The Phantom, The Dog and the Hot, Hot Sauce" should have been but wasn't.
Two things immediately stood out. First is Freeman, have always loved him and his immediately recognisable can listen to for hours voice and 'The Shawshank Redemption' is an all time favourite and he is my favourite of all the show's guest stars. His voice is put to perfect use and it was great that the episode didn't go overboard on saying all the time how great it is (an issue with the George Takei episode "Hollywood Knights"). He is tremendously funny and his presence full of gravitas, not to mention that his interaction with the gang (often done in interview style) was perfect.
Standing out too is the episode's story structure, which for the show is unique and it certainly stands out of the franchise. Very few other episodes in the Scooby Doo franchise adopt the mockumentary-interview structure, or at least all the way through (an episode of 'Be Cool Scooby Doo' did but only at the start), and it was truly illuminating hearing more about how mysteries are solved through deconstructing them, the catchphrase meanings and reasons behind them and the gang themselves.
Loved the gang and all of them this time, had no problem with Velma this time (who tends here to be annoying and too much of a know it all) and her flashback was actually one of the episode's funniest moments. Shaggy and Scooby are nailed. "The Last Inmate" sees the best use of the gang of the show and the story structure really helps in this regard, as it really feels like a Scooby Doo episode with all having plenty to do. Which was great after seeing some of the gang underused or the gang feeling too much like guest stars or dominated over.
When it comes to the mystery, "The Last Inmate" is one of the show's best. It is eventful and entertaining, also with a truly creepy atmosphere and a clever reveal that was one of the few truly unexpected ones. The villain is pretty terrifying and the setting is the best use of a prison setting in the franchise since 'The Scooby Doo Show's' "The Creepy Case of Old Iron Face". The animation is colourful and atmospheric and had no issue with the placement or tone of the music. The writing is funny and smart, with nostalgic references to old cases and Scooby Doo like the Captain Cutler one and some nice Hanna Barbera in-jokes, and the voice acting is great, especially from Matthew Lillard and Freeman.
In summary, brilliant. 10/10.
On re-watch, "The Last Inmate" is still amazing and has gotten better and better with each viewing with more to love. Everything that worked first time works brilliantly still and even more so. For me, it is not just one of the best episodes of 'Scooby Doo and Guess Who' but is the best. Even better than the brilliant Hex Girls episode "I Put a Hex on You", and the best episode definitely since that. It is what the Season 2 premiere "The Phantom, The Dog and the Hot, Hot Sauce" should have been but wasn't.
Two things immediately stood out. First is Freeman, have always loved him and his immediately recognisable can listen to for hours voice and 'The Shawshank Redemption' is an all time favourite and he is my favourite of all the show's guest stars. His voice is put to perfect use and it was great that the episode didn't go overboard on saying all the time how great it is (an issue with the George Takei episode "Hollywood Knights"). He is tremendously funny and his presence full of gravitas, not to mention that his interaction with the gang (often done in interview style) was perfect.
Standing out too is the episode's story structure, which for the show is unique and it certainly stands out of the franchise. Very few other episodes in the Scooby Doo franchise adopt the mockumentary-interview structure, or at least all the way through (an episode of 'Be Cool Scooby Doo' did but only at the start), and it was truly illuminating hearing more about how mysteries are solved through deconstructing them, the catchphrase meanings and reasons behind them and the gang themselves.
Loved the gang and all of them this time, had no problem with Velma this time (who tends here to be annoying and too much of a know it all) and her flashback was actually one of the episode's funniest moments. Shaggy and Scooby are nailed. "The Last Inmate" sees the best use of the gang of the show and the story structure really helps in this regard, as it really feels like a Scooby Doo episode with all having plenty to do. Which was great after seeing some of the gang underused or the gang feeling too much like guest stars or dominated over.
When it comes to the mystery, "The Last Inmate" is one of the show's best. It is eventful and entertaining, also with a truly creepy atmosphere and a clever reveal that was one of the few truly unexpected ones. The villain is pretty terrifying and the setting is the best use of a prison setting in the franchise since 'The Scooby Doo Show's' "The Creepy Case of Old Iron Face". The animation is colourful and atmospheric and had no issue with the placement or tone of the music. The writing is funny and smart, with nostalgic references to old cases and Scooby Doo like the Captain Cutler one and some nice Hanna Barbera in-jokes, and the voice acting is great, especially from Matthew Lillard and Freeman.
In summary, brilliant. 10/10.
