Scooby-Doo and the Gang: A Character Case Study (Part 1)

There are many elements that make a great story, but I believe how characters are written and portrayed makes a story memorable and rewatchable. Look at the TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer with its many seasons. They themselves were referred to as "The Scooby gang" various times. This is because the group had chemistry and everyone had strengths that helped the group deal with their supernatural situations. 

The Scooby-Doo gang is a group made up of members from different backgrounds who:

• Care for and rely upon each other
• Influence one another
• Communicate amongst themselves to solve the mystery and unmask the monster

The Scooby-Doo gang has been portrayed in many ways. This character study will reference in detail Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, What’s New, Scooby-Doo?, the two Scooby-Doo live action movies, the two Scooby-Doo live action TV movies and lastly, Be Cool, Scooby-Doo. 

---There are spoilers!---

Character Introduction

Each member of the gang fills a role necessary for the group’s success; What’s New Scooby-Doo? began to parody the original version and change the Scooby gang formula on occasion. This became a trend in many versions following What’s New, Scooby-Doo?. There will be more on that in Part 2.

Fred Jones: The Jock

From left to right: Fred in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, What’s New, Scooby-Doo?, Scooby-Doo (2002), Scooby-Doo! – The Mystery Begins, and Be Cool, Scooby-Doo

The gang looks to him for leadership. Fred is the one who announces when there is “another mystery on [their] hands” and tells the gang when to move onto the next step of their investigation, such as splitting up to search for clues. He is usually the one to come up with a plan to trap the monster, which may not always work. Depending on the version, Fred is the owner of the Mystery Machine, which is why he is almost always the one driving it.

Daphne Blake: The Popular Rich Girl

From left to right: Daphne in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, What’s New, Scooby-Doo?, Scooby-Doo (2002), Scooby-Doo! – The Mystery Begins, and Be Cool, Scooby-Doo

She is usually the one to be kidnapped by the monster and is nicknamed “Danger-Prone Daphne” since she is sometimes clumsy. In 2002, Daphne is given more personality and quirks in both What’s New, Scooby-Doo? and the first live action movie with Buffy Sarah Michelle Gellar portraying her. She uses her hair products to open doors (What’s New, Scooby-Doo?), learns self-defence (Scooby-Doo (2002)) and develops a love for puppets and theatrics among other things (years later in Be Cool, Scooby-Doo). She and Fred have a romantic relationship that is often hinted at or mentioned, depending on the version and where they are in their relationship. 

Velma Dinkley: The Intellectual

From left to right: Velma in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, What’s New, Scooby-Doo?, Scooby-Doo (2002), Scooby-Doo! – The Mystery Begins, and Be Cool, Scooby-Doo

Being the smartest of the gang, Velma uses her knowledge of the sciences, linguistics, technology, etc. to help the gang progress in their investigations. As soon as they’ve stumbled onto another mystery and run into the monster, Velma immediately researches the town’s history or asks around about the history of the building/location that is being haunted. Velma establishes the foundation for the haunting.

Norville ‘Shaggy’ Rogers: The Loveable Goof

From left to right: Shaggy in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, What’s New, Scooby-Doo?, Scooby-Doo (2002), Scooby-Doo! – The Mystery Begins, and Be Cool, Scooby-Doo

Shaggy’s the realist and heart of the gang, pointing out that they should avoid places with monsters and flees when one shows up. He and Scooby are usually the live bait in Fred’s monster traps. He loves to eat and was made a vegetarian in What’s New, Scooby-Doo?.

Scoobert ‘Scooby’ Doo: The Mascot & Shaggy’s Best Friend

From left to right: Scooby in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, What’s New, Scooby-Doo?, Scooby-Doo (2002), Scooby-Doo! – The Mystery Begins, and Be Cool, Scooby-Doo

Scooby is a dog, but acts like a human. He helps the gang track monsters and saves the gang from them as well. Scooby loves to eat as much as Shaggy, often stealing his food right out of his hands. When he and Shaggy refuse to be live bait for Fred’s crazy traps, Daphne or Velma will bribe them with “Scooby Snax,” (which is a product with a few different origin stories). In some versions, it is specified that Scooby is owned by Shaggy instead of being the collective pet of the whole gang like in Scooby Goes Hollywood.

Part 2 coming next weekend!

Image Sources

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jA8hGyD36Kw/maxresdefault.jpg

“It's Mean, It's Green, It's the Mystery Machine.” What’s New, Scooby-Doo?, directed by Joe Sichta & Scott Jeralds, Warner Bros. Animation, 2002. AVI.

“Mystery 101.” Be Cool, Scooby-Doo, directed by Shaunt Nigoghossian, Warner Bros. Animation, 2015. MP4.

Scooby-Doo. Directed by Raja Gosnell, Warner Bros. Pictures, 2002, AVI.

Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins. Directed by Brian Levant, Warner Home Video, 2009. MKV.

“Simple Plan and the Invisible Madman.” What’s New, Scooby-Doo?, directed by Swinton O. Scott III, Warner Bros. Animation, 2004. AVI.

“What a Night for a Knight.” Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, produced by Joseph Barbera and William Hanna, Hanna-Barbera Productions. 1969.