Treatment of the Supernatural
- Each plot line in either series is driven by an event that seems to be supernatural, but is actually an elaborate hoax by a villain
- In each of these episodes/plot lines, the detectives use deductive reasoning to prove the wary public wrong and uncover the true mystery
- Both series encourage the reader to search for reason in their own lives, rather than blindly trusting superstition
- Velma represents Holmes' superior reasoning and deductive skills
- Fred represents Watson's hands on approach to mystery solving
- Daphne represents Watson as an intermediary between Holmes and his clients; she is the "front woman" of the group
- Scooby and Shaggy represent Watson's status as a lonely alcoholic; while he binges in the tavern, Scooby and Shaggy binge on inhuman amounts of food