Gravity Falls
UGH Gravity Falls, it is so good to be back. Did you miss me? Admit it... you missed me. That fresh Oregon air, mysteries around every corner... all amalgamating together to make one of the greatest animated TV shows ever. You know, I started watching Gravity Falls at an extremely late age. It's actually what made me want to pursue a career in animated television in the first place (unfortunately, extenuating circumstances may derail that dream, but I'll get there eventually. So anyways, thank you Gravity Falls and thank you Alex Hirsch for "And lucky Stan- the roll's on black. He got his life and family back."
Stan Pines is my favorite character, possibly ever. You know, dear reader, I used to be a Stanford Pines truther. No matter what anyone would try and tell me, I was always Team Ford. Until I opened my eyes and realized that Stanley Pines is the single greatest character ever written. I don't care what anyone has to say, and I'm certainly not going to change my mind. Stan is the epitome of what Gravity Falls represents: the importance of family, strength in the face of adversity, and the pertinence of sticking to your guns. This is my extremely short love letter to Stan Pines, and everything he's given this show and to me.
(02.12) Tale of Two Stans
No one is surprised. I love backstories, and I love backstories that provide some extra payoff through making a character more believable, which Tale of Two Stans does extremely well. The entire episode is just immaculate and, while I got spoiled about Ford before I started watching the show, I couldn't imagine how watching it live would have felt. The only complaint I have is when the woman goes on the PA at their school and says "Pines Twins to the Principal's Office," when she could have just said "Stan Pines to the Principal's Office." Just an extraordinary episode all around that is completely rewatchable, unlike the next episode on the list.
(02.11) Not What He Seems
Another entry where I cannot even fathom how it would have felt watching it live. "Not What He Seems" is a definite turn from what the other episodes of Gravity Falls are like, especially with the tone of the episode feeling like the ultimate mystery compared everything else Dipper and Mabel have faced. As the audience, we are caught between our love of Grunkle Stan and the growing list of grievances drawn up against him. Just like the differences between Dipper utilizing logic and Mabel using her emotions to make decisions, the audience is inevitably split on whether or not they trust this character we've been taught to trust for a season and a half. It all cumulates to a finale worthy of being the episode that reveals the ultimate twist of the series. Unfortunately, the emotional brevity of this episode is -in my opinion- best experienced the first time. It loses some of its magic on rewatch, which is the tiniest thing that puts it at second.
(02.04) Sock Opera:
I know I just talked about two of the most defining episodes of the entire series (save for the finale), and that there are many other options that can fill this third slot that have more relevance to the overarching plot of the story, but Sock Opera is the perfect episode of television. From someone who is no stranger to the gentle art of sock puppets, Sock Opera is daunting, hilarious, and heartfelt. Everything about this episode (save for the lack of Stan) makes it one of the most seamless "every day" episodes of Gravity Falls. The best part about this episode is how Bill Cipher is utilized so incredibly well. Dipper finding the computer in the bunker feels like an extremely big opportunity to both Dipper and the audience, and to have Bill Cipher subvert that almost immediately shows how utterly powerful he is. Sock Opera reminds the audience of Bill Cipher's power as well as providing a hilarious, seamless story that is so incredibly rewatchable.
