Ep 3. The Gruesome Game of the Gator Ghoul

The Scooby-Doo Show is a classic animated TV series that first aired in 1976. It follows the adventures of a group of teenagers and their talking Great Dane dog, Scooby-Doo, as they solve mysteries involving supernatural beings and criminals disguised as such. Season 1, episode 3, titled "The Gruesome Game of the Gator Ghoul", is another such mystery.

The episode begins with the gang – Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby-Doo – making their way through a swamp in their Mystery Machine van. They've been called in to investigate some strange goings-on in the area, which have been scaring away tourists and ruining the local economy. As they drive, they hear the sound of a loud engine following them, but when they look back, nobody is there. They soon arrive at their destination, a small village called Gatorsburg that's populated by alligator farmers. They meet the mayor, who tells them about a legendary monster called the Gator Ghoul that has been terrorizing the villagers for years. The monster is said to have the head of an alligator and the body of a man, and it comes out of the swamp at night to steal animals and scare people. Nobody has ever seen it up close, but they all believe in its existence.

The gang splits up to investigate. Fred and Daphne go to interview some of the local farmers, Velma goes to the library to research the monster, and Shaggy and Scooby-Doo explore the swamp. Shaggy and Scooby-Doo are scared at first, but they quickly get distracted by a nearby alligator wrestling tournament. They watch as a man named Big Earl takes on some of the biggest, meanest alligators in the swamp and wins. They're impressed by his bravery and skill, but they soon notice that he seems to be working with a shady character named Mr. Greenway, who owns a rival alligator farm. They decide to follow Big Earl and see what's going on.

Meanwhile, Fred and Daphne are attacked by a group of men in alligator masks. They manage to escape and report back to the gang. Velma has discovered that the legend of the Gator Ghoul is based on a real person – a man named J.J. Jenkins, who was a famous alligator wrestler in the 19th century. Jenkins had a unique costume that included a fake alligator head, and he used to steal animals from local farms to use in his shows. The villagers, mistaking his actions for those of a monster, eventually chased him into the swamp, where he disappeared.

The gang starts to put the pieces together. They realize that Big Earl and Mr. Greenway are stealing animals from other farms to use in their alligator wrestling tournaments, and they must be the ones behind the Gator Ghoul hoax as well. They set a trap for them, using Scooby-Doo as bait. In the end, they catch the criminals and unmask them as Big Earl and Mr. Greenway. The villagers are pleased that the monster scare is over, and they thank the gang for their help. Shaggy and Scooby-Doo even get to try their hand at alligator wrestling, with mixed results.

Overall, "The Gruesome Game of the Gator Ghoul" is a fun, lighthearted episode of The Scooby-Doo Show. It has all the classic elements of a Scooby-Doo mystery – a scary legend, a group of suspects, a trap, and an unmasking – but it also has some unique elements, like the alligator wrestling and the swamp setting. It's a good showcase for the skills of all the main characters, particularly Velma, who gets to show off her research abilities. Whether you're a fan of the show or just looking for some nostalgic entertainment, this episode is worth a watch.