Ep 1. Fool's Gold

The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo was a Nickelodeon TV series that premiered in 1996. It ran for three seasons and a total of 41 episodes and was produced by the Canadian company Decode Entertainment. The show followed the adventures of teenager Shelby Woo, who was an intern at the local police department and had a knack for solving mysteries.

Season 1 Episode 1, entitled "Fool's Gold," debuted on April 1, 1996. In this episode, Shelby stumbles upon a mysterious map in the police department's evidence locker, which she believes could lead to a buried treasure. The map was found in the pocket of a man who was arrested for drunk driving, but Shelby is convinced that it has to be more than a coincidence.

Shelby enlists the help of her friends, Vince and Angie, to decipher the map and figure out where the treasure might be located. They discover that the map is linked to a local legend about a wealthy man who buried his fortune on his property before he died. The trio decides to investigate the property and see if they can find any clues that could lead them to the treasure.

As they explore the property, they come across a strange man who seems to be lurking around. He tells them that he is a geologist and that he has been studying the area for years. Shelby and her friends are wary of him, but they decide to work together to find the treasure.

During their search, they come across various obstacles, including a locked gate and a booby-trapped pathway. They also discover that the strange man has been following them and trying to get his hands on the map. Shelby and her friends begin to suspect that he might be after the treasure as well.

In the end, Shelby and her friends manage to reach the spot marked on the map, only to find that the treasure is not what they expected. Instead of gold and jewels, they find a box filled with old letters and documents. The documents reveal the true story behind the legend and how the wealthy man buried his family's history along with his fortune.

Although they did not find what they were looking for, Shelby and her friends are satisfied with the discovery they made. They realize that sometimes the real treasure is not materialistic but rather the knowledge one gains from exploring.

"Fool's Gold" was a great introductory episode to The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo. It set up the premise of the show by showcasing Shelby's love for solving mysteries and her determination to uncover the truth. It also introduced audiences to the dynamic between Shelby and her friends, Vince and Angie, who often helped her in her investigations. The episode was engaging, suspenseful, and showed that not all mysteries have a clear resolution. It was a fun adventure and a great way to kick off the first season of the series.