The People vs. Fred Jones is the twenty-sixth and final episode of season 1 of Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!
Premise
Fred has to go to court after being accused of being the evil mastermind behind a recent mystery.
Synopsis
A man is running through a forest because something is chasing him. He then trips over a tree root and slams into two trees. The creature chasing him is shown to be big and glowing green. The man slips over a ledge and runs into a gas station, where he hits stuff and makes a mess. He then rolls away in a barrel and the creature growls revealing to be a mutated man. Suddenly, the scene is revealed to be a video recording on a tape being shown by a district attorney, named Dayton Knight in a courtroom. The Dayton then states that the monster is Fred Jones who is sitting at a table with Daphne in chains.
In the courtroom, Daphne is Fred's defense attorney and calls her first witness, Velma whose hair has been cut off. Daphne asks Velma to tell the court what happened on the night in question. Velma starts to explain as the scene turns into a flashback.
The gang was driving through the country in the Mystery Machine when Velma gets some disturbing news. The gold thief they caught in Altsvile, the Headless Minotaur. Has been let go because he says that he was set up by Fred. Fred denies this claiming that he just pulled his mask off in front of the police. Velma states that framing someone is considered meddling, while Daphne claims that to be safe one of them should make sure that they do all their mystery investigations by the book, legally speaking. She then plays a phone app game called "Bippy's Law School Adventure" where after beating the final level makes you a lawyer. Velma denies this, but Daphne doesn't listen.
Shaggy then spots a sing that says "Last Chance For Snacks" which makes him and Scooby scared and abruptly stops the Mystery Machine right at a snack stand. Realizing that sign just meant snacks outside of city limits. Shaggy and Scooby go outside to the stand and meet Gus who carves his problems out of his snacks. Shaggy asks for candied apples, but Gus claims he needs to restock because business has been slow ever since the Toxic Mutant started terrorizing the area, scarring Shaggy and Scooby. Gus says that it comes from an abandoned town that's just a couple miles down. Fred claims its a mystery a decides that they should stop the Toxic Mutant. But Daphne stops him claiming that these allegations are just here say and that the Toxic Mutant has afforded the right dew process of law and then continues her game. Velma agrees stating that they should let things cool down a bit before rushing into another mystery. However, Fred refuses claiming that he doesn't run away from danger.
The Gang Arrives at the abandoned town and finds it surrounded by a fence with warning signs saying "Keep Out, Toxic Danger." Velma also sees that the sign is dated 1955. Daphne then finds a sign on the ground that says "Welcome to Safty Springs" and Velmas says that she's heard about it. Safty Springs was home to the Happy Sunshine Chemical Factory, which was the world's leader in food preservatives. Then disaster struck as an experimental new chemical started a meltdown. The entire town was evacuated in an hour and has been abandoned ever since. Fred wonders in the town is safe to enter which Velma claims yes since the chemicals should have dedicated years ago. Shaggy and Scooby then arrive in hazmat suits for protection, Velma then notices that the suits shouldn't be more than a few years old and Fred asks them where they found them. Shaggy states that they found the suits under a blanket in the back of a pickup truck nearby. Daphne says that suits are illegal contraband, but would be hard to prove. Velma continues to deny Daphne's game which makes Daphne make a bet a Velma, with the wager being their hair.
The scene jumps back to the courtroom, Where Daphne asks Velma to reveal the stakes of the wager, Which was her bald. Dayton disregards these claims and leaves the courtroom in a huff, but then comes back and asks Velma about Fred entering Safty Springs and disregarding the warning signs, which Velma agrees on. The next witness is Shaggy who is eating a sandwich. Daphne then asks Shaggy to describe the Toxic Mutant since he was the first one to encounter it. Shaggy says that it was big and describes details that match Fred, Daphne then asks Shaggy to tell them what happened, which Shaggy reveals that Fred told them to split up and that Scooby and Shaggy should look for clues in the school. The flashback continues as Scooby and Shaggy and exploring the school. While exploring they find the school mascot and that the trophy case has no trophies in it. They then decide to explore the cafeteria thinking that there might be something edible there. They run through the halls and into the Toxic Mutant.
Back at the courtroom, Shaggy continues the story with him and Scooby running and screaming for their lives. The flashback continues with just that and then Shaggy and Scooby trick the Toxic Mutant by setting up the room they were hiding in as a classroom. Shaggy asks the Toxic Mutant to sit down and Scooby passes a note to him. Shaggy then grabs the letter and grabs escorts Scooby away by grabbing him by the ear. The Toxic Mutant then reads the letter showing a picture of him reading the letter and Shaggy and Scooby escaping. Causing him to roar in anger.
Meanwhile, Velma and Daphne explore all the clothing stores only to find them all empty. Daphne claims that the clothes should be worth a fortune by now. Velma finds this strange as people who evacuate a town tend to grab important things when leaving. Shaggy and Scooby then arrive claiming they saw the Toxic Mutant only to find him gone. Shaggy then wonders where Fred is.
Back at the courtroom, Dayton Knight addresses Shaggy's claims about Fred not being around when the Toxic Mutant attacked. Daphne objects Shaggy's claims which are sustained by the judge. Dayton then leaves the courtroom again in a huff then comes back to asks Shaggy what happened next which Shaggy claims that Dayton already knows what happened since he was there. The flashback continues just as Fred has rejoined the gang. Daphne asks Fred where he was which he explains that he was trying to find a men's neckwear shop because ascots were all the rage in the '50s, however, he instead claims he was looking for clues. Just then Dayton Knight appears with the police and asks the gang what they are doing here claiming Safty Sprigs is too dangerous. Fred tries to explain the Toxic Mutant is the only thing danger but Dayton claims that it's presence is proof the town is dangerous. He says that the mayor fears they could wind up with an epidemic, a toxic mutant army. Fred tries to explain the mystery in the town but Dayton refuses to listen claiming that he and his friends are trespassing. He orders the officers to escort the gang out of town and warns them that if he catches them in Safty Springs again he will be facing them in court.
Back at the courtroom, after Shaggy tells a false event which the judge allows Dayton once again leaves in a huff but then comes back and asks Shaggy about Fred's liking of vintage 1950s ascots. Which he uses against Fred claims of being in Safty Springs. Daphne then calls in her next witness, Scooby. Daphne asks Scooby to tell what happened next. The flashback resumes with the gang secretly sneaking into Safty Springs. While there Daphne lists the crimes they have committed by solving mysteries. Velma agrees and warns Fred about Dayton Knight's warnings, but Fred continues to follow his gut which leads to The Happy Sunshine Chemical Factory.
When entering the factory Velma tells them all it's safe to enter. Velma wonders why they don't reopen the town when Fred discovers that everything in the factory is covered in dust and grime expect some tapes. He removes the tarps which reveal three moving vans that aren't from the 1950s and are full of the town belongings. Suddenly toxic barrels fall down and the Toxix Mutant arrives. The gang hides in one of the moving vans and Fred drives them away from the factory with the Toxix Mutant clinging on. Fred manages to lose him by slamming him into a sign and into a dumpster. The gang then drives out of the town and right at Gus's snack stand. Suddenly Dayton Knight and the police arrive, Velma shows them what they found which leads to Dayton Knight placing Fred under arrest.
In the courtroom, Scooby finishes his story and Dayton then recalls all the mystery events the gang has been on as well as Fred being there when they happen to the jury, Which consists of culprits from past mysteries that the gang has solved. Then claims that this time Fred has committed both the crime and the mystery. With a picture of Fred with the truck of stolen contraband, Dayton Knight convinces everyone that Fred is guilty of every mystery he has ever solved. Scooby denies this but Dayton still proceeds that Fred is guilty. Out of desperation, Daphne calls Fred to the stand and asks him what happened next, with the flashback happening in the interrogation room. The gang visits Fred which he expresses how Velma was right about him going to far and putting the people he cared most about in danger all just to solve a mystery. Shaggy cheers him up by saying as their leader they choose to follow him and Velma assures Fred that truth and justice will win in the end by getting him a good lawyer. Just then Daphne finishes her game and is officially a lawyer, much to Velma's shock. Daphne is proud to represent Fred, which Fred thanks her for. Velma protests saying Fred needs a good lawyer, which causes Fred to realize that he just solved the mystery. Shaggy claims Fred is a little late but he decides it's not if they have more time. Daphne then asks for some scissors, ending the flashback and bringing everything up to the present.
Back in the courtroom, Daphne is handed some evidence that will prove Fred's innocence and discover the true culprit. Dayton Knight protests against but the judge allows it. Dayton then rants about all the nonsense happening in the courtroom before leaving in a huff again but keeps popping in and out of the courtroom through the door. The guard is about to take the evidence but suddenly the Toxic Mutant bursts into the courtroom. scaring everyone away and destroying things. He then grabs Daphne but the gang saves her by blinding the Toxic Mutant with light bouncing off of Velma's bald head. Fred then picks the lock of his handcuffs with a pen and places them on the Toxic Mutant, before Scooby knocks him out with the Judge's table leaving a big bump on its head.
Fred then unmasks the Toxic Mutant who is revealed to be Dayton Knight. Daphne then explains everything to everyone in the courtroom. Dayton Knight abused his legal authority as District Attorney in an attempt to steal the valuables abandoned in Safety Springs. Because of the toxic meltdown at the factory, everyone abandoned the town leaving all their valuables behind. Knight learned the chemicals were no longer dangerous and created the legend of the Toxic Mutant to keep everyone away from Safty Springs. The new hazardous waste suits the gang found proved that someone had recently been checking to see if the town was safe to enter in order to steal everything. Knight and his henchmen stashed all the loot in moving trucks hidden in the last place anyone would go, The Happy Sunshine Chemical Factory. But the gang got too close and believing he could rig the legal system Knight tried to turn Fred into his fall guy. Daphne also reveals to Knight that the evidence she received was actually a picture of him getting arrested and the gang laughing at him. Causing him to scream in anger as he is being taken away by the guards.
Fred thanks the gang for believing in him even when he stopped believing in himself. Daphne then states that Bippy has a game for every situation instead of just getting a law degree, which makes the judge asks how Daphne got her law degree. The scene jumps to the gang in the Mystery Machine with Daphne also having a bald head like Velma.
Characters
Main characters:
Supporting characters:
Villains:
- Toxic Mutant (only appearance)(no lines)(Dayton Knight's disguise)
- Dayton Knight (only appearance)
- Joe Simons (no lines)(cameo)
- Chuck Mangum (no lines)(cameo)
- Oopsy (no lines)(cameo)
- General Stall (no lines)(cameo)
- Old Tom (no lines)(cameo)
- Jonathan (no lines)(cameo)
- Gustavo (no lines)(cameo)
- Ruby Lutz (no lines)(cameo)
- Trudy Lutz (no lines)(cameo)
- Man in Headless Minotaur costume (only appearance)(no lines)
- Mallory O'Neill (no lines)(cameo)
- Dr. Cutler (no lines)(cameo)
- Dayton Knight's henchmen (only appearance)(no lines)(flashback only)
Other characters:
- Terrified man (only appearance)
- Audience (only appearance)(miscellaneous speaking)
- Stenographer (only appearance)
- Bippy (only appearance)(video game app screen)
- Pumpkin (only appearance)(food shape)
- Police officer 1 (only appearance)(no lines)
- Police officer 2 (only appearance)(no lines)
- Giraffe (only appearance)(no lines)(fantasy)
- Clown (only appearance)(no lines)(fantasy)
- Dayton Knight's girlfriend (only appearance)(fantasy)
- Giant eagle (only appearance)(no lines)(fantasy)
- Jennifer (only time mentioned)
- Miscellaneous police officers (only appearance)(no lines)
- Delivery guy (only appearance)
- Bailiff (only appearance)
Locations
- Courthouse
- Snacks by Gus
- Safety Springs (main story and flashback)
- Marty's Pharmacy (flashback only)
- Happy Sunshine Chemicals (main story and flashback)
- Safety Springs Elementary
- Sandra D's Fashions
- Debi's
- Al's Hardware
- L Bar
- The Slammer
- Idaho (mentioned)
Objects
- Handcuffs
- Gavel
- Velma's cell phone
- Fred's flashlight
- Velma's flashlight
- Hazmat suits
- Shaggy's flashlight
- Ice cream (flashback only)
- Ice cream cone (flashback only)
- Insta-Bacon (flashback only)
- Fire hydrant (fantasy)
- Bible
- Churro
Vehicles
- The Mystery Machine
- Pick-up truck
- Dayton Knight's girlfriend's car (fantasy)
- Police cars (flashback only)
- Moving vans (flashback only)
Suspects
| Suspect | Motive/reason |
|---|---|
| Gus | He was right outside Safety Springs. |
Culprits
| Culprit | Motive/reason |
|---|---|
| Dayton Knight as the Toxic Mutant | To steal all the left behind expensive products in Safety Springs. |
Cast
Songs
Continuity
- Daphne goes to put on her irony hat, which she also did in Me, Myself, and A.I..
- The jury is full of culprits from past episodes:
- Joe Simons (wearing his tree disguise) from Mystery 101.
- Chuck Mangum from Game of Chicken.
- Oopsy from Into the Mouth of Madcap.
- General Stall from Area 51 Adjacent.
- Old Tom and Jonathan from Eating Crow.
- Gustavo from El Bandito.
- Ruby and Trudy Lutz from Where There's a Will, There's a Wraith.
- Mallory O'Neill from Me, Myself, and A.I.
- Dr. Cutler from Game of Chicken.
Notes/trivia
- This episode was held back for more than a year in the United States, before being scheduled to air on Boomerang on June 20, 2017 at 4:30am.
- Professor Huh? Part 6 3/4 retcons the thefts as something Rose was trying to set up Fred with.
Miscellaneous
- Disguises: Shaggy as Professor I-Couldn't-Think-of-a-Name-Fast-Enough; Scooby as rebellious teenage student.
- Daphne Du Jour: Being a lawyer.
Animation mistakes and/or technical glitches
- At one point during the trial Velma is shown with a full head of hair after having been shaved.
Inconsistencies/continuity errors and/or goofs/oddities
- None known.
Home media
Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!: Season 1, Part 2 - Teamwork Screamwork DVD set released by Warner Home Video on January 16, 2018.- Be Cool Scooby-Doo!: Season 1 - Volume 2 DVD set released by Warner Home Video on January 17,2017
In other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Korean | 누명을 벗겨라 | Take the Blame Off |
Quotes
Fred: I pulled off his mask, well I pulled down his neck hole, right in front of the police. He said the "M Word". What innocent person even say's "meddling"? |
Bailiff: Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth? |
References
External links
- TBA
| Previous episode: | Series: | Next episode: |
| The Norse Case Scenario | Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! Season 1 |
Some Fred Time |