Ep 5. Escape from Mystery Manor

Scooby-Doo and Friends season 1 episode 5, titled "Escape from Mystery Manor," follows the gang as they are called to investigate a reported haunting in an old, abandoned mansion on the outskirts of town. The episode begins with the gang receiving a call from the owner of Mystery Manor, who is desperate for their help in dealing with an otherworldly presence that has taken over the estate.

Upon arriving at the estate, the gang is immediately struck by the eerie atmosphere of the place - the creaking of old boards, the musty smell of neglect, and the sense that they are being watched from every corner. Undaunted, however, Scooby, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma begin their investigation, splitting up to search the various rooms of the massive mansion.

As they search, the gang discovers various clues that point towards the haunting being a hoax - strange wires and gadgets hidden behind the walls, disguised speakers playing eerie sound effects, and even some suspiciously human-shaped footprints. Despite this evidence, however, the gang remains convinced that there is a real ghost lurking somewhere within the manor, and they press on with their investigation.

Suddenly, a loud crash shakes the mansion, and the gang quickly rallies together in an attempt to find the source of the disturbance. After some wandering, they finally stumble upon a hidden room that seems to serve as the control center for the various gadgets they discovered earlier. And standing there, surrounded by wires and switches, is the true culprit behind the haunting - none other than the owner of the mansion himself.

The owner - revealed to be a renowned special effects artist - confesses that he was using the mansion as a testing ground for his latest creations, hoping to capture some truly terrifying footage for his new horror movie. While his plan had worked brilliantly at first, he quickly lost control of his own creations, resulting in a haunting that was far more real than he had intended.

With the mystery solved, the gang sets to work dismantling the various fake elements of the haunting and bringing the owner to justice. As they leave Mystery Manor behind, they reflect on the strange mix of fear and excitement that comes with the work of being mystery solvers. Despite the danger, and the many seemingly supernatural beings they have encountered in the past, they know that they will always be driven to seek out the truth - no matter where it may take them.