HBO recently released episodes of “Velma”, an R-rated cartoon about Velma, a main character from popular series “Scooby-Doo”. The show is intended to be a prequel to the rest of the “Scooby-Doo” series; however, only two episodes in, the show is receiving a lot of hate. 

Several changes were made to the original characters; Shaggy himself was reformed into “Norville” and given a whole new look and stereotype. Given that the show is targeted more to adults than children, each character is even a bit meaner and Velma herself does not hold back. 

There is particular controversy over episode two, in which we see Velma have two panic attacks. The first instance occurs during an investigation of Fred’s mansion, and the other at the end of the episode while Velma is with Daphne. 

In hopes of stopping the first panic attack, Norville confesses his feelings her, immediately putting her in disbelief and thus causing her to laugh, ceasing her panic attack. 

The second attack is later in the episode, while Velma is with Daphne receiving information regarding the disappearance of Velma’s mother. Daphne kisses Velma in attempt to calm her down, and when asked if it worked, Velma responded with, “It did.”

Many viewers were enraged with these scenes, yet many is not all. 

While many Twitter users like “@ComicLoverMari” argue that, “Nobody acts like this when you have a PANIC ATTACK and I hate the fact that the only way she can stop having them is laughing at someone’s feelings,” others like “@marcusth2020” suggest “Not me defending Velma lmao but she’s not laughing at his feelings, she just thinks he’s joking because they’ve always been like siblings/good friends. Also, you’re overthinking about her panic attack, she JUST realized laughing is A way to stop them. Unnecessary hate.”

Others were comparing the recent G-rated blockbuster “Puss in Boots: the Last Wish” to the scenes from “Velma”. In the film, Puss has a panic attack much different from Velma’s. He reacts differently to the attack and comes down differently.

During the attack, the beating of his heart drowns out other noise, and he is lying down with his hand on his chest rising and falling rapidly. The character Perro tries to calm him down and ends up laying his head on him as Puss slowly eases into comfort.

In regards to the two pieces of media, Twitter user “@NNovasaur” said, “Meanwhile, Puss in Boots has the most accurate depiction of a panic attack in media I’ve seen–this is exactly how it feels. You can’t think, can’t speak, and sometimes even the sound of a loved one trying to help gets drowned by your heart beating out of your chest.” 

However, user “@Shockin404” states, “It’s the fact that people are using this to go after Velma that didn’t handle panic attacks well and that show is so unserious why were you expecting accurate panic attack representation y’all need to go outside😭”

The arguments and debates continue, and it’s only the first week of the release. Viewers can only wait and see what will be in store in the next episode.