The Ransom of Scooby Chief is the final episode of Season one of Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo and it originally aired on January 5, 1980. Here we see the gang visiting New York, where Scooby, Shaggy and Scooby take the lead, as they are only dropped off by Freddy, Daphne and Velma.
Remember that stranger things episode in season 2 where we had that strange 7 episode where they feature other kids with special powers. This is what this episode is. It’s like the writers were toying with the idea of having a separate Scrappy-doo series with his puppy pals.
Unfortunately that never happened, and I say unfortunate as instead Scooby-Doo continued but we basically don’t get lead roles of the adult versions of Freddy and Velma for close to 18 years in Scooby Doo on Zombie island! Yes they do show up in A Pup Named Scooby Doo, but they are kids. And they also have cameos in a few of the shorter episodes, but never leading roles like they had in the past. Not a good way to start off the 80s in my opinion, but to each their own.
Scooby and Shaggy are kidnapped in this episode and it’s up to Scrappy to rescue them.
This is the last episode to feature a laugh track, and I’m sure that will make some people happy. Myself, it never bothered me. I could always tune it out.
This episode is also the first to not feature any supernatural villains – a trend that will continue for many episodes to follow.
Anyway, enough of my jibber jabber, let’s get on with the review.
The Ransom of Scooby Chief – Episode Review
The episode begins with the gang in New York City where Scrappy is meeting up with his old neighbourhood gang. We briefly see Daphne, Velma and Freddy before they leave Scooby, Shaggy and Scrappy in the streets.
Tony and Karl, who are two mean crooks, recognize Scooby-Doo and plan to kidnap him. Meanwhile Scrappy hooks up with Annie and Duke, two of his old buddies. Karl thinks Shaggy is super weird.
The criminals nab Scooby in the back of their truck and Shaggy runs after the truck to save him. Shaggy also calls out for help and is able to jump in the back of the truck, leaving the rest of the episode for Scrappy to track down the truck.
Scrappy’s first instinct is to run after the truck, but Duke explains they need to look for clues. Annie finds a sign for the Paris Warehouse, so all three dogs run off to find Scrappy’s Uncle Scooby.
Scooby and Scrappy make multiple attempts to escape the Paris Warehouse, but are foiled at every attempt. The crooks eventually transport them to a boat, and Scrappy and the other two pups follow the truck to the docks.
After lots of traps, chases and Hijinx the crooks are eventually caught and the crooks are sent off to jail.
Daphne, Freddy, Velma then pick up Shaggy, Scrappy and Scooby, and we are left to
My Thoughts
I give this episode a 5.5 out of 10. This episode is not my cup of tea as there’s nothing spooky about it or interesting. Heck, there’s not even a mystery. Still, there’s a bit of charm to this one, and it’s way better than the Scrappy shorts we get in the following season.
I can appreciate them trying to go down a different path with this one, but it certainly does not feel like a Scooby-Doo episode to me. I suppose it would be a refreshing watch in the January of 1980 if you were a 10 year old though as it does offer something different.
If you love Scrappy unconditionally, you’ll enjoy this one. And the other two pups, ain’t all that bad and have plenty of personality.
Well, that wraps up my review of Season one of Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo. Join me next week where I will be ranking my episodes from favourite to least favourite. Spoilers – this one was my least favourite.
Voices:
Don Messick: Scooby-Doo
Casey Kasem: Shaggy Rogers
Frank Welker: Freddy Jones, Duke
Heather North: Daphne Blake
Marla Frumkin: Velma Dinkley
Lennie Weinrib: Scrappy-Doo
