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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''What the Hex Going On?''}}
  
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''What the Hex Going On?''}}
−
{{Expansion|Synopsis needs fleshing out.}}
  
 
{{Infobox Episode
  
{{Infobox Episode
 
| mainimage= Scooby_turns_the_tables_on_the_Ghost_of_Elias_Kingston.png
  
| mainimage= Scooby_turns_the_tables_on_the_Ghost_of_Elias_Kingston.png
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| writtenby= [[Ken Spears]]<br />[[Joe Ruby]]<br />[[Bill Lutz]]
  
| writtenby= [[Ken Spears]]<br />[[Joe Ruby]]<br />[[Bill Lutz]]
 
| directedby= [[William Hanna]]<br/>[[Joseph Barbera]]
  
| directedby= [[William Hanna]]<br/>[[Joseph Barbera]]
−
| previousepisode= ''[[Decoy for a Dognapper]]''
 +
| previousepisode= {{WAY105}}
−
| nextepisode= ''[[Never Ape an Ape Man]]''
 +
| nextepisode= {{WAY107}}
 
}}
  
}}
−
'''''What the Hex Going On?''''' is the sixth episode of the [[Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! season 1|first season]] of ''[[Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!]]''.
 +
'''''What the Hex Going On?''''' is the sixth episode of the [[Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! season 1|first season]] of ''[[Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!]]''
   
 
==Premise==
  
==Premise==
−
[[Mystery Inc.]] is headed to their friend [[Sharon Wetherby]]'s [[Wetherby Estate|estate]]. When they arrive, Sharon's [[Stuart Wetherby|Uncle Stuart]] disappears, and when they find him, he says he was beckoned by the voice of the [[Ghost of Elias Kingston]] from the [[Kingston Mansion]]. The gang find themselves wrapped in the tangle of the spooky ghoul of Elias Kingston and the ghost's want for the family treasure.
 +
[[Mystery Inc.]] is headed to their friend [[Sharon Wetherby]]'s [[Wetherby Estate|estate]]. When they arrive, Sharon's [[Stuart Wetherby|Uncle Stuart]] disappears, and when they find him, he says he was beckoned by the voice of the [[Ghost of Elias Kingston]] from the [[Kingston Mansion]]. The gang find themselves wrapped up in the tangle of the spooky ghoul of Elias Kingston who wants the family treasure.
   
 
==Synopsis==
  
==Synopsis==
 
A ghostly voice calls out from a spooky mansion, beckoning to a man walking in a trance. On their way to visit their friend Sharon Wetherby, the Mystery Inc. gang see this odd sight. When they arrive at the Wetherby's, they learn that Sharon's Uncle Stuart is missing, and they deduce that he was the man they saw going into the deserted Kingston mansion. Investigating, the gang find Uncle Stuart, but he has been transformed into an old man. He tells them that he was called out of the Wetherby house by the ghost of Elias Kingston, who demanded that the Wetherby fortune be surrendered to him, otherwise he would put an old-age hex on the family; he turned Uncle Stuart into an old man as a warning.
  
A ghostly voice calls out from a spooky mansion, beckoning to a man walking in a trance. On their way to visit their friend Sharon Wetherby, the Mystery Inc. gang see this odd sight. When they arrive at the Wetherby's, they learn that Sharon's Uncle Stuart is missing, and they deduce that he was the man they saw going into the deserted Kingston mansion. Investigating, the gang find Uncle Stuart, but he has been transformed into an old man. He tells them that he was called out of the Wetherby house by the ghost of Elias Kingston, who demanded that the Wetherby fortune be surrendered to him, otherwise he would put an old-age hex on the family; he turned Uncle Stuart into an old man as a warning.
   
−
While Mr. Weatherby goes to speak to the sheriff, the gang stay behind with Sharon and her enfeebled uncle. The voice calls again, and Stuart walks out in another trance. When Scooby wakes the gang, they find that not only is Stuart gone, but Sharon is missing also. They go to the Kingston mansion to investigate. Their first clue is a watchdog that has been left to guard the mansion: what does a ghost need with a watchdog? Then they find the mummified bones of Uncle Stuart, who apparently had another run in with the ghost. Finally, Elias Kingston himself appears and repeats his threat to the kids. They watch as he disappears into the Kingston family mausoleum in the cemetery next door and follow, noting that this supposed ghost has left behind fingerprints on the doorknob to the crypt. Inside they find a book on crystalomacy, but are trapped when the ghost locks them inside. They find a secret entrance out of the crypt and follow up on the crystalomancy book by going into town to consult a swami. The swami is out, and Scooby winds up impersonating the swami when a customer unexpectedly enters. After the customer leaves, the face of Kingston appears in the crystal ball and the table levitates, chasing them about the room. It crashes, revealing a fan-like motor beneath, and more clues quickly reveal themselves: packed suitcases, a professional make-up kit, and a closed circuit TV camera, suitable for broadcasting images onto the crystal ball.
 +
While Mr. Wetherby goes to speak to the sheriff, the gang stay behind with Sharon and her enfeebled uncle. The voice calls again, and Stuart walks out in another trance. When Scooby wakes the gang, they find that not only is Stuart gone, but Sharon is missing also. They go to the Kingston mansion to investigate. Their first clue is a watchdog that has been left to guard the mansion: what does a ghost need with a watchdog? Then they find the mummified bones of Uncle Stuart, who apparently had another run in with the ghost. Finally, Elias Kingston himself appears and repeats his threat to the kids. They watch as he disappears into the Kingston family mausoleum in the cemetery next door and follow, noting that this supposed ghost has left behind fingerprints on the doorknob to the crypt. Inside they find a book on crystalomacy, but are trapped when the ghost locks them inside. They find a secret entrance out of the crypt and follow up on the crystalomancy book by going into town to consult a swami. The swami is out, and Scooby winds up impersonating the swami when a customer unexpectedly enters. After the customer leaves, the face of Kingston appears in the crystal ball and the table levitates, chasing them about the room. It crashes, revealing a fan-like motor beneath, and more clues quickly reveal themselves: packed suitcases, a professional make-up kit, and a closed circuit TV camera, suitable for broadcasting images onto the crystal ball.
   
−
Back at the Kingston mansion, the gang lays a trap for the ghost. Shaggy and Scooby lure him out with a chest that is supposedly holding the fortune, which, instead of the Wetherby fortune, contains a water-squirting jack-in-the-box. They then use footage of the ghost himself with the special camera to frighten him into a trap. Back at the Wetherby estate, the ghost is unmasked as Uncle Stuart. He wanted to gain control of the family fortune and decided to get the fortune by tricking his family into giving it to him. He used make-up to make him look older. When Stuart is asked why he conspired against them, Sharon and Mr. Weatherby decides to let him explain his purpose to the sheriff as the group celebrates with dinner.
 +
Back at the Kingston mansion, the gang lays a trap for the ghost. Shaggy and Scooby lure him out with a chest that is supposedly holding the fortune, which, instead of the Wetherby fortune, contains a water-squirting jack-in-the-box. They then use footage of the ghost himself with the special camera to frighten him into a trap.
  +
  +
Back at the Wetherby estate, the ghost is unmasked as Uncle Stuart. It turns out that he was greedy and wanted the family fortune all to himself, so he decided to disguise himself as the ghost of Elias Kingston in order to trick the family into giving it to him, and used make-up to make himself look older. When Stuart is asked why he conspired against them, Sharon and Mr. Wetherby decide to let him explain his purpose to the sheriff as the group celebrates with dinner.
   
 
==Characters==
  
==Characters==
−
'''Main characters''':
 +
'''Main characters:'''
 
* [[Mystery Inc.]]
  
* [[Mystery Inc.]]
 
** [[Scooby-Doo]]
  
** [[Scooby-Doo]]
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** [[Fred Jones]]
  
** [[Fred Jones]]
 
** [[Velma Dinkley]]
  
** [[Velma Dinkley]]
−
** Tyler And His Friends/Kamen Rider Beetleborgs
  
   
−
'''Supporting characters''':
 +
'''Supporting characters:'''
 
* [[Mr. Wetherby]] {{Only}}
  
* [[Mr. Wetherby]] {{Only}}
 
* [[Sharon Wetherby]] {{Only}}
  
* [[Sharon Wetherby]] {{Only}}
   
−
'''Villains''':
 +
'''Villains:'''
 
* [[Ghost of Elias Kingston]] {{Only}}{{Green|Stuart Wetherby's disguise}}
  
* [[Ghost of Elias Kingston]] {{Only}}{{Green|Stuart Wetherby's disguise}}
−
* [[Evil Masked Figure]]
 
 
* [[Stuart Wetherby]] {{Only}}
  
* [[Stuart Wetherby]] {{Only}}
   
−
'''Other characters''':
 +
'''Other characters:'''
 
* [[Bulldog (What the Hex Going On?)|Bulldog]] {{Only}}{{NL}}
  
* [[Bulldog (What the Hex Going On?)|Bulldog]] {{Only}}{{NL}}
 
* [[Swami customer (What the Hex Going On?)|Swami customer]] {{Only}}
  
* [[Swami customer (What the Hex Going On?)|Swami customer]] {{Only}}
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* Bone
  
* Bone
 
* Chicken legs
  
* Chicken legs
−
* Enormous [[burger]]
 +
* Enormous [[Hamburger|burger]]
 
* [[Scooby Snacks]]
  
* [[Scooby Snacks]]
 
* [[Crystal ball]]
  
* [[Crystal ball]]
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* Make-up remover
  
* Make-up remover
 
* [[Shaggy Rogers|Shaggy]]'s [[Shaggy Rogers's roller skates (What the Hex Going On?)|roller skates]]
  
* [[Shaggy Rogers|Shaggy]]'s [[Shaggy Rogers's roller skates (What the Hex Going On?)|roller skates]]
  +
* [[Bathtub]]
 
* [[Suitcase]]s
  
* [[Suitcase]]s
 
* [[Telephone]]
  
* [[Telephone]]
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|-
  
|-
 
| [[Stuart Wetherby|Uncle Stuart]] as the [[Ghost of Elias Kingston]]
  
| [[Stuart Wetherby|Uncle Stuart]] as the [[Ghost of Elias Kingston]]
−
| He wanted to swindle his family out of the Weatherby fortune.
 +
| He wanted to swindle his family out of the Wetherby fortune.
 
|}
  
|}
   
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<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="Show" data-collapsetext="Hide">
  
<div class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" data-expandtext="Show" data-collapsetext="Hide">
−
<br>
 +
<br />
 
* '''Produced and Directed by''': [[Joseph Barbera]] and [[William Hanna]]
  
* '''Produced and Directed by''': [[Joseph Barbera]] and [[William Hanna]]
 
* '''Associate Producer''': [[Lew Marshall]]
  
* '''Associate Producer''': [[Lew Marshall]]
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</div>
  
</div>
 
{{Clear}}
  
{{Clear}}
−  
 
==Notes/trivia==
  
==Notes/trivia==
−
* The episode title is a play on the expression, "What the heck's going on?".
 +
* The episode title is a play on the expression, "What the heck's going on?"
−
** Apparently this needed to be clarified or there was a misunderstanding, as some sources, such as the Region 2 DVD, refer to this episode as ''"What the Hex is Going On?"''
+
** Apparently this needed to be clarified or there was a misunderstanding, as some sources, such as the Region 2 DVD, refer to this episode as ''"What the Hex is Going On?"''
 
* The following scenes are used in the [[Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! season 1|first season]]'s [[Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? (theme song)|opening and closing sequences]]:
  
* The following scenes are used in the [[Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! season 1|first season]]'s [[Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? (theme song)|opening and closing sequences]]:
 
:# The outside shot of the Kingston Mansion (however it looks much better maintained on the exterior and is either in a dark grey or blue tint, depending on the version of the sequence).
  
:# The outside shot of the Kingston Mansion (however it looks much better maintained on the exterior and is either in a dark grey or blue tint, depending on the version of the sequence).
 
:# [[Shaggy Rogers|Shaggy]] losing control on his roller skates, and crashing into a shower tub, setting it off. 
  
:# [[Shaggy Rogers|Shaggy]] losing control on his roller skates, and crashing into a shower tub, setting it off. 
−
:# [[Mystery Inc.|The gang]] walk past the bookshelf which opens up and the [[ghost of Elias Kingston]] looks out (however the ghost appears chalky white, Sharon isn't shown in the background, and Shaggy isn't wearing roller skates as the gang walks by the bookcase. Also, the camera zooms in on the ghost's face after this).
 +
:# [[Mystery Inc.|The gang]] walk past the bookshelf which opens up and the [[ghost of Elias Kingston]] looks out; however the ghost appears chalky white, Sharon isn't shown in the background, and Shaggy isn't wearing roller skates as the gang walks by the bookcase. Also, the camera zooms in on the ghost's face. This goes on to be used in the [[Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! season 2|second season]]'s sequences, however before the ghost looks out the scene is suddenly interrupted by the [[Ghost of Mr. Hyde]] from ''[[Nowhere to Hyde]]'' who appears on a plain blue background and looks at the viewer as the camera zooms in on him.
  +
* When Fred tells Shaggy he better throw his voice so make Scooby sound like a Swami, Shaggy agrees. This is surprisingly the only episode Fred knows about Shaggy's ventriloquism ability.
 
* This is the second time, after the [[Decoy for a Dognapper|previous episode]], that Shaggy swipes [[Scooby-Doo|Scooby]]'s [[Scooby Snacks]].
  
* This is the second time, after the [[Decoy for a Dognapper|previous episode]], that Shaggy swipes [[Scooby-Doo|Scooby]]'s [[Scooby Snacks]].
  +
* Syndicated airings of this episode, especially on [[Cartoon Network]] and [[Boomerang (Cartoon Network)|Boomerang]], don't include the laugh track.
   
 
===Miscellaneous===
  
===Miscellaneous===
−
* Disguises: Scooby as a [[Swami (What the Hex Going On?)|swami]].
 +
* [[Disguise tricks|Disguises]]: Scooby as a [[Swami (What the Hex Going On?)|swami]].
−
* [[Scooby Snacks]] bribe: 4.
 +
* [[Bribing Scooby-Doo and Shaggy Rogers|Scooby Snacks bribe]]: 4.
−
* "Zoinks" count: 3.
 +
* [[List of catchphrases#Zoinks|"Zoinks" count]]: 3.
−
* "Jeepers" count: 1.
 +
* [[List of catchphrases#Jeepers|"Jeepers" count]]: 1.
   
 
===Cultural references===
  
===Cultural references===
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===Adaptations===
  
===Adaptations===
 
* The premiere episode of ''[[Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!]]'', ''[[Mystery 101]]'', is a reimagining of this episode.
  
* The premiere episode of ''[[Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!]]'', ''[[Mystery 101]]'', is a reimagining of this episode.
  +
* The Ghost of Elias Kingston is a past villain of Mystery Inc. as stated in [[Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed]], where the costume was put on display in the [[Coolsonian Criminology Museum]].
   
 
===Animation mistakes and/or technical glitches===
  
===Animation mistakes and/or technical glitches===
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* When Scooby laughs after Shaggy uses the [[Velma Dinkley's fingerprinting kit|fingerprinting kit]] on Velma's hand instead of the doorknob of the [[Kingston Mausoleum]], the door itself is missing.
  
* When Scooby laughs after Shaggy uses the [[Velma Dinkley's fingerprinting kit|fingerprinting kit]] on Velma's hand instead of the doorknob of the [[Kingston Mausoleum]], the door itself is missing.
 
* In the establishing wide shot of the [[Mystery Machine]] driving to the [[Swami shop (What the Hex Going On?)|swami shop]], Shaggy is holding a map.
  
* In the establishing wide shot of the [[Mystery Machine]] driving to the [[Swami shop (What the Hex Going On?)|swami shop]], Shaggy is holding a map.
−
* After the levitating table crashes, the gang find packed suitcases. Velma's mouth moves to the words "Maybe somebody must moved in" but Daphne's voice is coming from Velma's mouth instead
 +
* After the levitating table crashes, the gang find packed suitcases. Velma's mouth moves to the words "Maybe somebody must moved in," but it's Daphne's voice coming from Velma's mouth instead.
−
* When Uncle Stuart is unmasked, Daphne says "And with a clever use of make-up, he made himself look old", but Velma's mouth moves to those words.
 +
* When Uncle Stuart is unmasked, Daphne says "And by a clever use of make-up, he made himself look old," but Velma's mouth moves to those words.
  +
* When the levitating table chases the gang, Velma says two of her lines: "It's after us," and "I've heard of flying saucers, but this is silly." The lens for her glasses are missing.
   
−
===Inconstitencies/continuity errors and/or goofs/oddities===
 +
===Inconsistencies/continuity errors and/or goofs/oddities===
−
* Whilst this episode refers to the practice of crystal-gazing as ''cystalomacy'', the actual term is ''crystallomancy''.
 +
* Whilst this episode refers to the practice of crystal-gazing as ''crystalomacy'', the actual term is ''crystallomancy''.
 
* Much of the action takes place in either the Wetherby Estate, or the [[Kingston Mansion]]. Unfortunately, the backgrounds for the two are sometimes mixed up, unless the [[Wetherby Estate]] is really full of cobwebs.
  
* Much of the action takes place in either the Wetherby Estate, or the [[Kingston Mansion]]. Unfortunately, the backgrounds for the two are sometimes mixed up, unless the [[Wetherby Estate]] is really full of cobwebs.
 
* The clock in the background is set at 8:00 throughout the episode.
  
* The clock in the background is set at 8:00 throughout the episode.
 
* The lights are on in the [[Kingston Mansion]], even when Stuart is not in there.
  
* The lights are on in the [[Kingston Mansion]], even when Stuart is not in there.
 
* Daphne says [[Stuart Wetherby|Uncle Stuart]] is going into the mansion when he walks right past the front door.
  
* Daphne says [[Stuart Wetherby|Uncle Stuart]] is going into the mansion when he walks right past the front door.
  +
* Why would Shaggy use roller skates inside the Kingston Mansion anyway? Even if the ghost would never catch him, it could still make enough noise to alert him as well as wake up the watchdog.
 
* Shaggy said that Uncle Stuart was wearing a blue suit, red tie, and tennis shoes. He was actually wearing a brown suit, black tie, and dress shoes.
  
* Shaggy said that Uncle Stuart was wearing a blue suit, red tie, and tennis shoes. He was actually wearing a brown suit, black tie, and dress shoes.
 
* For some reason, the skeleton is not wearing [[Stuart Wetherby|Uncle Stuart]]'s glasses.
  
* For some reason, the skeleton is not wearing [[Stuart Wetherby|Uncle Stuart]]'s glasses.
 
* The ghost threatens the gang and walks away. Curiously, they don't even try to follow him. 
  
* The ghost threatens the gang and walks away. Curiously, they don't even try to follow him. 
  +
* There must have been quite a few intruders and snoopers before the gang showed up for [[Uncle Stuart]]/Ghost of Elias Kingston to hire a watchdog to look after the mansion. It's also unknown of its fate after the episode. It's most likely the Wetherbys adopted the dog, or they and/or the sheriff took it back to the dog shelter.
 
* The fact that Velma brings out the [[Velma Dinkley's fingerprinting kit|fingerprinting kit]] out of nowhere is likely [[toon physics]]. Also, using one looks quite professional of them, but the fact that they only use it this one time when they could've used it at any time would've been useful (which is most of the time), it just looks too convenient. Although perhaps using only once was intentional as it probably would be less fun to keep relying on it even if it does look odd only using it once.
  
* The fact that Velma brings out the [[Velma Dinkley's fingerprinting kit|fingerprinting kit]] out of nowhere is likely [[toon physics]]. Also, using one looks quite professional of them, but the fact that they only use it this one time when they could've used it at any time would've been useful (which is most of the time), it just looks too convenient. Although perhaps using only once was intentional as it probably would be less fun to keep relying on it even if it does look odd only using it once.
 
* When the Ghost of Elias Kingston walked into the mausoleum it was actually already open so it would've been more obvious to do that, although perhaps they were assuming he would've opened and closed before. Of course, they would also have to assume he'd be the only one to touch it (which would probably be justified by it looking like it had been abandoned).
  
* When the Ghost of Elias Kingston walked into the mausoleum it was actually already open so it would've been more obvious to do that, although perhaps they were assuming he would've opened and closed before. Of course, they would also have to assume he'd be the only one to touch it (which would probably be justified by it looking like it had been abandoned).
 
* Fred tells Shaggy for whatever reason to use the kit, instead of doing it himself or just asking Velma to use her own kit. He is considered leader after all.
  
* Fred tells Shaggy for whatever reason to use the kit, instead of doing it himself or just asking Velma to use her own kit. He is considered leader after all.
−
* Once they get the ghost's fingerprints, they could've tried matching it with suspects to learn his identity. Although this would've taken more time than they had, but then again Stuart expects to get the entire family fortune on the spot.
 +
* Once they get the ghost's fingerprints, they could've tried matching it with suspects to learn his identity, although this would've taken more time than they had. But then again Stuart expects to get the entire family fortune on the spot.
 
* While trapped in the mausoleum, Daphne passes a window with bars that only go partway up. It certainly looks like they could squeeze through there.
  
* While trapped in the mausoleum, Daphne passes a window with bars that only go partway up. It certainly looks like they could squeeze through there.
 
* Just how far is it from the Wetherby Estate to the Kingston Mansion? Stuart travels the distance on foot while the gang travels it using the Mystery Machine.
  
* Just how far is it from the Wetherby Estate to the Kingston Mansion? Stuart travels the distance on foot while the gang travels it using the Mystery Machine.
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* How does Sharon end up on the top deck suddenly, after being tightly tied up and gagged? Does the ghost let her go or something? It is likely that the gang found and rescued her off-screen.
  
* How does Sharon end up on the top deck suddenly, after being tightly tied up and gagged? Does the ghost let her go or something? It is likely that the gang found and rescued her off-screen.
 
* Although Sharon admits that she saw Uncle Stuart's wig blow off, she is still shocked when the gang unmask the ghost.
  
* Although Sharon admits that she saw Uncle Stuart's wig blow off, she is still shocked when the gang unmask the ghost.
  +
* The camera used in the trap is supposed to be a closed-circuit TV camera, but Fred uses it like a projector.
   
−
== In other languages==
 +
==In other languages==
 
{| class="wikitable"
  
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Language
  
! Language
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! Meaning
  
! Meaning
 
|-
  
|-
−
|'''French'''
 +
| '''French'''
−
|La Maison hantée
 +
| La Maison hantée
−
|The Haunted house
 +
| The Haunted house
 
|-
  
|-
 
| '''Greek'''
  
| '''Greek'''
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| What the Heck is Happening?
  
| What the Heck is Happening?
 
|-
  
|-
−
|'''Hungarian'''
 +
| '''Hungarian'''
−
|Mi a csuda folyik itt?
 +
| Mi a csuda folyik itt?
−
|What on earth is going on?
 +
| What on earth is going on?
 
|-
  
|-
−
|'''Italian'''
 +
| '''Italian'''
−
|Che stregoneria è questa?
 +
| Che stregoneria è questa?
−
|What sorcery is this?
 +
| What sorcery is this?
 
|}
  
|}
   
Line 232: Line 238:
 
{{Quotes
  
{{Quotes
 
|
  
|
−
'''[[Velma Dinkley|Velma]]''': Hey, look! Suitcases!<br/>
 +
'''[[Velma Dinkley|Velma]]:''' Hey, look! Suitcases!<br/>
−
'''[[Daphne Blake|Daphne]]''': Maybe somebody just moved in.<br/>
 +
'''[[Daphne Blake|Daphne]]:''' Maybe somebody just moved in.<br/>
−
'''[[Shaggy Rogers|Shaggy]]''': Then let's move out.
 +
'''[[Shaggy Rogers|Shaggy]]:''' Then let's move out.
 
}}
  
}}
   
Line 245: Line 251:
   
 
{{Episode Nav
  
{{Episode Nav
−
| before= ''[[Decoy for a Dognapper]]''
 +
| before= {{WAY105}}
 
| series= ''[[Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!]]''<br />[[Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! season 1|Season 1]]
  
| series= ''[[Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!]]''<br />[[Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! season 1|Season 1]]
−
| after= ''[[Never Ape an Ape Man]]''
 +
| after= {{WAY107}}
 
}}
  
}}
   

Revision as of 20:40, 8 November 2019

What the Hex Going On? is the sixth episode of the first season of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!

Premise

Mystery Inc. is headed to their friend Sharon Wetherby's estate. When they arrive, Sharon's Uncle Stuart disappears, and when they find him, he says he was beckoned by the voice of the Ghost of Elias Kingston from the Kingston Mansion. The gang find themselves wrapped up in the tangle of the spooky ghoul of Elias Kingston who wants the family treasure.

Synopsis

A ghostly voice calls out from a spooky mansion, beckoning to a man walking in a trance. On their way to visit their friend Sharon Wetherby, the Mystery Inc. gang see this odd sight. When they arrive at the Wetherby's, they learn that Sharon's Uncle Stuart is missing, and they deduce that he was the man they saw going into the deserted Kingston mansion. Investigating, the gang find Uncle Stuart, but he has been transformed into an old man. He tells them that he was called out of the Wetherby house by the ghost of Elias Kingston, who demanded that the Wetherby fortune be surrendered to him, otherwise he would put an old-age hex on the family; he turned Uncle Stuart into an old man as a warning.

While Mr. Wetherby goes to speak to the sheriff, the gang stay behind with Sharon and her enfeebled uncle. The voice calls again, and Stuart walks out in another trance. When Scooby wakes the gang, they find that not only is Stuart gone, but Sharon is missing also. They go to the Kingston mansion to investigate. Their first clue is a watchdog that has been left to guard the mansion: what does a ghost need with a watchdog? Then they find the mummified bones of Uncle Stuart, who apparently had another run in with the ghost. Finally, Elias Kingston himself appears and repeats his threat to the kids. They watch as he disappears into the Kingston family mausoleum in the cemetery next door and follow, noting that this supposed ghost has left behind fingerprints on the doorknob to the crypt. Inside they find a book on crystalomacy, but are trapped when the ghost locks them inside. They find a secret entrance out of the crypt and follow up on the crystalomancy book by going into town to consult a swami. The swami is out, and Scooby winds up impersonating the swami when a customer unexpectedly enters. After the customer leaves, the face of Kingston appears in the crystal ball and the table levitates, chasing them about the room. It crashes, revealing a fan-like motor beneath, and more clues quickly reveal themselves: packed suitcases, a professional make-up kit, and a closed circuit TV camera, suitable for broadcasting images onto the crystal ball.

Back at the Kingston mansion, the gang lays a trap for the ghost. Shaggy and Scooby lure him out with a chest that is supposedly holding the fortune, which, instead of the Wetherby fortune, contains a water-squirting jack-in-the-box. They then use footage of the ghost himself with the special camera to frighten him into a trap.

Back at the Wetherby estate, the ghost is unmasked as Uncle Stuart. It turns out that he was greedy and wanted the family fortune all to himself, so he decided to disguise himself as the ghost of Elias Kingston in order to trick the family into giving it to him, and used make-up to make himself look older. When Stuart is asked why he conspired against them, Sharon and Mr. Wetherby decide to let him explain his purpose to the sheriff as the group celebrates with dinner.

Characters

Main characters:

Supporting characters:

Villains:

Other characters:

Locations

Objects

Vehicles

Suspects

  • None

Culprits

Culprit Motive/reason
Uncle Stuart as the Ghost of Elias Kingston He wanted to swindle his family out of the Wetherby fortune.

Cast

Don Messick Scooby-Doo
Mr. Wetherby
Bulldog
Casey Kasem Shaggy Rogers
Frank Welker Fred Jones
Stefanianna Christopherson Daphne Blake
Sharon Wetherby
Nicole Jaffe Velma Dinkley
Jean Vander Pyl Swami customer
John Stephenson Stuart Wetherby
Ghost of Elias Kingston

Full credits

The following credits are how they are seen on-screen (or as close as possible).


Notes/trivia

  • The episode title is a play on the expression, "What the heck's going on?"
    • Apparently this needed to be clarified or there was a misunderstanding, as some sources, such as the Region 2 DVD, refer to this episode as "What the Hex is Going On?"
  • The following scenes are used in the first season's opening and closing sequences:
  1. The outside shot of the Kingston Mansion (however it looks much better maintained on the exterior and is either in a dark grey or blue tint, depending on the version of the sequence).
  2. Shaggy losing control on his roller skates, and crashing into a shower tub, setting it off. 
  3. The gang walk past the bookshelf which opens up and the ghost of Elias Kingston looks out; however the ghost appears chalky white, Sharon isn't shown in the background, and Shaggy isn't wearing roller skates as the gang walks by the bookcase. Also, the camera zooms in on the ghost's face. This goes on to be used in the second season's sequences, however before the ghost looks out the scene is suddenly interrupted by the Ghost of Mr. Hyde from Nowhere to Hyde who appears on a plain blue background and looks at the viewer as the camera zooms in on him.
  • When Fred tells Shaggy he better throw his voice so make Scooby sound like a Swami, Shaggy agrees. This is surprisingly the only episode Fred knows about Shaggy's ventriloquism ability.
  • This is the second time, after the previous episode, that Shaggy swipes Scooby's Scooby Snacks.
  • Syndicated airings of this episode, especially on Cartoon Network and Boomerang, don't include the laugh track.

Miscellaneous

Cultural references

  • Before using the fingerprinting kit which was supposed to be for the mausoleum doorknob (but ends up being Velma's hand due to confusion), Shaggy says he'll give it the "old Sherlock Holmes touch."

Adaptations

Animation mistakes and/or technical glitches

  • As the gang drive to the Wetherby Estate, and Velma comments on how nice it is to be invited, Daphne has white sclera.
  • When Scooby laughs after Shaggy uses the fingerprinting kit on Velma's hand instead of the doorknob of the Kingston Mausoleum, the door itself is missing.
  • In the establishing wide shot of the Mystery Machine driving to the swami shop, Shaggy is holding a map.
  • After the levitating table crashes, the gang find packed suitcases. Velma's mouth moves to the words "Maybe somebody must moved in," but it's Daphne's voice coming from Velma's mouth instead.
  • When Uncle Stuart is unmasked, Daphne says "And by a clever use of make-up, he made himself look old," but Velma's mouth moves to those words.
  • When the levitating table chases the gang, Velma says two of her lines: "It's after us," and "I've heard of flying saucers, but this is silly." The lens for her glasses are missing.

Inconsistencies/continuity errors and/or goofs/oddities

  • Whilst this episode refers to the practice of crystal-gazing as crystalomacy, the actual term is crystallomancy.
  • Much of the action takes place in either the Wetherby Estate, or the Kingston Mansion. Unfortunately, the backgrounds for the two are sometimes mixed up, unless the Wetherby Estate is really full of cobwebs.
  • The clock in the background is set at 8:00 throughout the episode.
  • The lights are on in the Kingston Mansion, even when Stuart is not in there.
  • Daphne says Uncle Stuart is going into the mansion when he walks right past the front door.
  • Why would Shaggy use roller skates inside the Kingston Mansion anyway? Even if the ghost would never catch him, it could still make enough noise to alert him as well as wake up the watchdog.
  • Shaggy said that Uncle Stuart was wearing a blue suit, red tie, and tennis shoes. He was actually wearing a brown suit, black tie, and dress shoes.
  • For some reason, the skeleton is not wearing Uncle Stuart's glasses.
  • The ghost threatens the gang and walks away. Curiously, they don't even try to follow him. 
  • There must have been quite a few intruders and snoopers before the gang showed up for Uncle Stuart/Ghost of Elias Kingston to hire a watchdog to look after the mansion. It's also unknown of its fate after the episode. It's most likely the Wetherbys adopted the dog, or they and/or the sheriff took it back to the dog shelter.
  • The fact that Velma brings out the fingerprinting kit out of nowhere is likely toon physics. Also, using one looks quite professional of them, but the fact that they only use it this one time when they could've used it at any time would've been useful (which is most of the time), it just looks too convenient. Although perhaps using only once was intentional as it probably would be less fun to keep relying on it even if it does look odd only using it once.
  • When the Ghost of Elias Kingston walked into the mausoleum it was actually already open so it would've been more obvious to do that, although perhaps they were assuming he would've opened and closed before. Of course, they would also have to assume he'd be the only one to touch it (which would probably be justified by it looking like it had been abandoned).
  • Fred tells Shaggy for whatever reason to use the kit, instead of doing it himself or just asking Velma to use her own kit. He is considered leader after all.
  • Once they get the ghost's fingerprints, they could've tried matching it with suspects to learn his identity, although this would've taken more time than they had. But then again Stuart expects to get the entire family fortune on the spot.
  • While trapped in the mausoleum, Daphne passes a window with bars that only go partway up. It certainly looks like they could squeeze through there.
  • Just how far is it from the Wetherby Estate to the Kingston Mansion? Stuart travels the distance on foot while the gang travels it using the Mystery Machine.
  • It is shown that Uncle Stuart wore make-up to disguise himself as the ghost, somehow hiding his glasses and beard, which should've been at least partially visible.
  • How does Sharon end up on the top deck suddenly, after being tightly tied up and gagged? Does the ghost let her go or something? It is likely that the gang found and rescued her off-screen.
  • Although Sharon admits that she saw Uncle Stuart's wig blow off, she is still shocked when the gang unmask the ghost.
  • The camera used in the trap is supposed to be a closed-circuit TV camera, but Fred uses it like a projector.

In other languages

Language Name Meaning
French La Maison hantée The Haunted house
Greek Τι στο Καλό Συμβαίνει; What the Heck is Happening?
Hungarian Mi a csuda folyik itt? What on earth is going on?
Italian Che stregoneria è questa? What sorcery is this?

Home media

Quotes

Velma: Hey, look! Suitcases!
Daphne: Maybe somebody just moved in.
Shaggy: Then let's move out.

External links


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