So, I just watched the first two episodes of Velma, the latest iteration of the Mystery Inc. gang from the Scooby-Doo franchise, and I gotta tell you – it is not as bad as it is being made out to be. I kinda like it so far. I can see where people are upset because Scooby-Doo is absent, but this is a new incarnation that is set before Mystery Inc is even formed hence why the ‘Big Dog’ is not present. Like many, I grew up watching Scooby-Doo and have seen nearly every series that has been released from the original (in reruns) to ‘Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated.’ So I am a fan, but, unlike most fans, I can turn my fandom down and be open to new interpretations. That is what ‘Velma’ is – a new interpretation. It doesn’t follow the traditional ‘Scooby-Doo formula’ because it is not a traditional ‘Scooby-Doo’ show. It is its own show. A lot of the ‘angry’ reviews that are beating this show down so hard are from those fans who had their opinions set before ‘Velma’ even debuted. I’m not saying ‘Velma’ is a great show, but it is not a terrible show either. It’s just different from what we are used to. The elements that made the Scooby-Doo franchise are still there. There is a mystery that must be solved, and the gang has to come together to solve it.
Unlike previous incarnations, ‘Velma’ looks to focus one a mystery that will span the entire season rather than be episodic like its predecessors. Mindy Kaling’s portrayal of Velma is passable. She brings her own flair to the character rather than try to emulate previous actors who have held the role. Mindy Kaling has been known for portraying quirky or awkward characters so someone like Velma may be suited for her. According to her in-universe bio, Velma has had several relationships and love interests, and her sexuality has changed depending on continuity. Norville “Shaggy” Rogers is at the top of her list (with whom she has a son in the DC comic Scooby Apocalypse), but she has also had interests in other media including Johnny Bravo, Ben Ravencroft, Sam Winchester (in an animated crossover with Supernatural), and many other male characters. However, since 2010, she has been depicted to have romantic interests in women, such as Coca Diablo in 2022’s “Trick or Treat Scooby-Doo.” James Gunn even conceived the idea of Velma having “eyes” for Daphne in early drafts of the script for the 2002 live action Scooby-Doo film, which was originally intended to be R-rated. Responding to comments on his Instagram in 2020 about Mystery Incorporated’s episode director labeling its version of Velma as being bisexual, producer Tony Cervone confirmed that his intension for this version of her to have a romantic relationship with Marcie “Hot Dog Water” Fleach, who refers to Velma as “my girl” in the series finale. The reason I bring this up is because of the budding attraction between Velma and Daphne that was depicted in the second episode of the HBO Max series and to provide a better understanding of why this path was chosen.
So, as I have said, Velma is not a bad series so far. It is watchable for anyone who is open to change. As a fan, I see no issue with this new take on the Scooby-Doo characters, in fact, it is welcome (IMO) because the formula that has been the staple for the franchise is being to run dry and something new had to happen. It’s a shame that the ‘angry reviewers’ aren’t fan enough to accept change. They burned this show at the stake before it even come to light, so their minds were already set. I will continue to watch Velma because I want to see for myself what this series has to offer. In the end, all I’m saying is that this show should be given a chance.
