Not one of my favourites of the timeless 'Scooby Doo Where are You' series, the first and still the best of the numerous Scooby Doo incarnations, but still a very, very good episode.
There is actually not very much that is wrong with "Nowhere to Hyde". Those familiar with the Jekyll and Hyde story may find the perpetrator somewhat obvious, but actually it wasn't so much to me (there are far more obvious solutions in the show). At first it seemed obvious, but actually unlike a lot of the other episodes with obvious identities and predictable solutions "Nowhere to Hyde" does a great job throwing suspicion, so that you are convinced that somebody else was responsible.
For me, the element that came off least in "Nowhere to Hyde" was the song "Recipe for My Love". Season 2 saw 'Scooby Doo Where are You' using late 60s-early 70s-type songs to accompany the longer and more elaborate chase sequences, and to be honest if there was a personal preference the show worked better when these songs weren't included. They're not awful songs on their own, but they are more of the same in sound and style and don't always fit, sounding somewhat more dreary than exciting or tense. That is the case with "Recipe for My Love".
The animation is lively, atmospheric, lushly coloured and nicely drawn as always. The music adds to the impact the atmosphere creates, and it is very difficult to resist the classic theme song, even with a slightly groovier and updated re-vamp, one of the most iconic in animation. Love the opening credits too, which due to being a different season with different villains are different, where it is so fun spotting and recognising the villains.
"Nowhere to Hyde" excels in giving off a creepy atmosphere throughout, while Mr Hyde is cool-looking and quite scary in numerous ways. As with the best of Scooby Doo, it also entertains hugely. The dialogue is pure vintage Scooby Doo, and Shaggy and Scooby with their charming chemistry and endearingly goofy antics steal the show. Best moments include with the disguises and televisions, the stretcher, the disappearing ice cream and with one of them biting the other's nails. Fred, Velma and Daphne are no less enjoyable and one has to love the interaction and team-work.
Don Messick and Casey Kasem, definitive as Scooby and Shaggy, stand out from the uniformly good voice acting, and Frank Welker is also solid and remarkably for nearly 50 years on still has it.
In conclusion, very, very good episode and a great take on the Jekyll and Mr Hyde story. 9/10 Bethany Cox
