The only thing that didn't make sense about this episode was why was the evil corperation destroying the priceless ancient artifacts when it would be far more economically sensible to sell them on the black market!
3 Reviews
A menace in Pompeii
TheLittleSongbird6 December 2021
Despite loving Italy, with its exquisite locations, fascinating culture and delicious food, and being a huge Scooby Doo fan, "Pompeii and Circumstance" left me very indifferent on first watch. Namely down to the very weak story and how forgettable it was. Actually very nearly went off 'What's New Scooby Doo' when first getting into it, but stuck with it because of loving a lot of the previous episodes. Decided to give the episode another chance, hoping that it would be better.
It was marginally better on rewatch, but it did disappoint me and should have been a lot better considering the location and that the premise was a pretty good one. "Pompeii and Circumstance" is not a complete waste of time, actually it's nowhere near as bad as that, but of a generally solid Season 1 it is easily the weakest of the fourteen episodes and the only one to not do much for me. Also a lesser 'What's New Scooby Doo' episode in my view.
There are good things with "Pompeii and Circumstance". It is well animated, the Italian scenery is vibrant and Pompeii looks truly creepy at night. The ghostly gladiator is well drawn too. The music fits well in atmosphere and the groovy contemporary style of the show, while the theme song and intro are still catchy.
Also really liked the chase song/scene, that is the most exciting "Pompeii and Circumstance" gets and one of the few things about it that isn't forgettable. There are moments of creepiness as the gladiator is creepy, some amusing moments from Shaggy and Scooby and the setting is great.
"Pompeii and Circumstance" however is massively let down by the far too thin and predictable mystery that felt very over-stretched in pace, which made some of the episode drag badly. The villains' identities are far too over-obvious too in a case where suspects were too few, pretty much knew who it was straightaway.
Did think that the setting is too low on the suspense factor, which is not a good thing for such a creepy setting at night. The writing could have been tighter in spots, the supporting characters generally are bland and the episode overall is somewhat forgettable, an adjective one does not want to describe a Scooby Doo episode.
In short, watchable but rather underwhelming. 5/10.
It was marginally better on rewatch, but it did disappoint me and should have been a lot better considering the location and that the premise was a pretty good one. "Pompeii and Circumstance" is not a complete waste of time, actually it's nowhere near as bad as that, but of a generally solid Season 1 it is easily the weakest of the fourteen episodes and the only one to not do much for me. Also a lesser 'What's New Scooby Doo' episode in my view.
There are good things with "Pompeii and Circumstance". It is well animated, the Italian scenery is vibrant and Pompeii looks truly creepy at night. The ghostly gladiator is well drawn too. The music fits well in atmosphere and the groovy contemporary style of the show, while the theme song and intro are still catchy.
Also really liked the chase song/scene, that is the most exciting "Pompeii and Circumstance" gets and one of the few things about it that isn't forgettable. There are moments of creepiness as the gladiator is creepy, some amusing moments from Shaggy and Scooby and the setting is great.
"Pompeii and Circumstance" however is massively let down by the far too thin and predictable mystery that felt very over-stretched in pace, which made some of the episode drag badly. The villains' identities are far too over-obvious too in a case where suspects were too few, pretty much knew who it was straightaway.
Did think that the setting is too low on the suspense factor, which is not a good thing for such a creepy setting at night. The writing could have been tighter in spots, the supporting characters generally are bland and the episode overall is somewhat forgettable, an adjective one does not want to describe a Scooby Doo episode.
In short, watchable but rather underwhelming. 5/10.
The only one boring episode I've seen so far.
XueHuaBingYu15 November 2019
One paragraph plot summary : On the ancient site of Pompeii where it attracts tourists around the world, an ancient dress like Roman guy is disturbing tourists. On the other day, the Mystery Incorporated gang's arriving and they start to learn about those disturbance. Then they investigate and get a lot of clues after being chased by that guy. Step by step, they uncover the truth behind those disturbances.
This episode 12 is a little bit boring. I was nearly falling asleep. But it's not that bad either. At least, I could finish it. Maybe because I'm not interested in Pompeii or whatever ancient. That's why I felt like that. That being said, the motive is so clear. In some of the episodes, the motive of why the disturbances are keeping to happen. But in this one, it's so crystal clear. This is the only one thing that is good of this episode.
All in all, although it's a bit boring, but it's not that much. If they've made it less boring, I think it'd be better. I really hope that the next episodes will not be like this.
This episode 12 is a little bit boring. I was nearly falling asleep. But it's not that bad either. At least, I could finish it. Maybe because I'm not interested in Pompeii or whatever ancient. That's why I felt like that. That being said, the motive is so clear. In some of the episodes, the motive of why the disturbances are keeping to happen. But in this one, it's so crystal clear. This is the only one thing that is good of this episode.
All in all, although it's a bit boring, but it's not that much. If they've made it less boring, I think it'd be better. I really hope that the next episodes will not be like this.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
