117 replies to this topic

[InvaderNorbert]

So Disney Channel aired the first episode of their latest animated show last night, and created a topic for it so everyone can talk about it.

For those not in the know, the show is about siblings Dipper (Jason Ritter) and Mabel (Kristen Schaal) are staying with their Great Uncle's (Gruncle) tourist trap of a cabin for the summer in the titular mountain town, and Dipper slowly begins to discover that there's a lot of weirdness around him. The discovery of a weird journal telling him that Gravity Falls is weird and that he shouldn't trust anyone.

I have to say, I thought this was pretty good. I'm not gonna lie, this was probably one of the best first episodes of a show I've seen. It was funny, intelligent but not too much to go over kids' heads, the writing is sharp and clever (seriously, I did NOT expect the twist with the true identity of "Norman"), and...I want more. The show is looking like it's building some kind of interesting mystery arc about the town's quirkiness. I see this show becoming a G-Rated Lost or Twin Peaks, and I'm saying that as a compliment.

The show officially premieres on June 29th. I can't wait.

Edited by InvaderNorbert, Jun 16, 2012 @ 1:23 AM.

[jackjill]

I reluctantly watched with my kids last night, and I must say I laughed my butt off. It was well written, clever and a delightful surprise. I hope the rest of the series lives up to the truly absurd pilot.

[KerleyQ]

I was pretty much the same - didn't know if I was really eager to see it, but my so wanted to, so we watched. I thought it was great. And I, too, am hoping it lives up to this preview episode. It had just the right level of absurdity to it, imo. (Of course, I'm a big lover of absurd humor, so it was right up my alley.)

[ladyrott]

I enjoyed it too. I liked that Dipper and Mabel can count on one another. I can see this turning into one of my regular shows.

[qs933]

Downloaded the first episode for free on iTunes. I enjoyed it; reminded me of a short-lived show I watched as a kid, Eerie, Indiana.

[InvaderNorbert]

Well, the show officially premiered last night, and the second episode was just as great!

"Now who wants to put on blindfolds and get in my car!"
"Yay! Wait, what?"

I feel bad for Grunkle Stan. He actually wants to bond with his family, so he tries to bond with other people. I wonder if that ankle bracelet he got will come into play later on?

Man, Mabel continues to be hilarious. I absolutely loved her fantasy about getting the human-sized hamster ball, and the great callback when she busts into Dipper's fantasy in it.

BTW, has anyone been catching the codes that the show has been leaving us? They've been appearing for a split second at the end of the credits, as well as other places. There's one in the opening, and there was on in Dipper's book in the first one. You decipher it by replacing a letter with the letter three letters back than the one in the code. "D" is "A" and so forth. This week's code, for instance was "QHAW ZHHN: UHWXUQ WR EXWW LVODQG" translates to "Next Week: Return to Butt Island." I kind of forget the others, but they're something along the lines of "Stan is not to be trusted" and "Have you looked at Stan's tattoo lately?"

Also, the THIRD episode premieres tonight at 9:25pm EST after Let It Shine, and Sunday night at 9pm Disney Channel is showing all 3 episodes.

Edited by InvaderNorbert, Jun 30, 2012 @ 10:50 AM.

[Perfect Xero]

The Duck-Tective cold open was the greatest thing in the history of television. That duck is a genius.

[InvaderNorbert]

After finally seeing the episode, I am in total agreement. I hope we see more of him.

"Dude, you two are like the Mystery Twins."
"Don't call us that."

I loved the antics in the biker bar, especially the biker being totally into Mabel's cootie catcher. Once again, did NOT see the twist of the episode coming at all. Et tu, Wax Coolio? Hey, that was John Oliver as Wax Sherlock Holmes, as well as Coolio and Larry King as their wax counterparts. But you gotta admit, the thought of wax figures coming to life at night and being resentful at being stuck in a closet enough for murder.

This Week's Code: "He's still in the vents." Again, I hope we see more of Wax Larry King's Head.

Next Week: We see Stan's rival...a little boy.

[InvaderNorbert]

Face it: You'd watch Tiger Fist!, too.

Love The Mystery Sack: Put your money in, and it mysteriously disappears!

I loved Lil' Gideon, especially how Mabel only liked him as a friend/little sister. Fun Fact: He was voiced by Thurop van Orman, the creator and voice of Flapjack. His voice perfectly captured the fine line between innocent and creepy in him. And then he went full-on creepy but still managed to stay adorable. And...he's got a Caesar Book, too! I wonder who else has one?

Only 4 eps in and I totally don't doubt that Mabel would bedazzle her own face on a whim. And the front of Soos. Also, owning opera glasses.

Wendy gets more screen time! I think she was implying that she once dated the bouncer that was covered in tattoos from last week's ep.

This week's code: "CARLA, WHY WONT YOU CALL ME?" Who's Carla? (ETA: The announcer in Gideon's ad mentioned Carla during the rapid speech. "Carla, I love you but I've never had the guts to tell you.")

Edited by InvaderNorbert, Jul 6, 2012 @ 9:17 PM.

[lrdmordain]

I am really enjoying this show thus far. The characters are all amusing and have some depth, with the exception of Wendy but that's just because we haven't seen much of her yet. I keep expecting the symbol on Grunkle Stan's fez to come into play at some point.

Regarding the most recent episode, I admit I went through it expecting Gideon to be a fraud just like Dipper. I figured his tie was really a camera but low and behold they actually went with the unexpected by playing it straight.

So any bets on who has book 1? I'm willing to bet Stan has it, maybe it's why he set up the mystery shack in the first place, to make money off of all the book's secrets.

[jennifda]

Face it: You'd watch Tiger Fist!, too.

Only if Duck Detective wasn't on. It's just more cerebral, you know?

[ladyrott]

So any bets on who has book 1? I'm willing to bet Stan has it, maybe it's why he set up the mystery shack in the first place, to make money off of all the book's secrets.

I think so too. In the very first episode, we see him open that secret door behind the candy machine(?). I do wonder who the WRITER of the books is. At first, I thought maybe that was Gruncle Stan too, but I changed my vote on that one. I wonder if we will ever find out.

[InvaderNorbert]

"I am pretending to write something down." That was great.

So...Wendy is awesome. So is Dipper. And Mabel. Is it weird to say that if I was a little younger, I'd totally be in love with Wendy?

Mabel tripping on Smile Dip = Best. Thing. Ever. Really loved how her "You look nice today" message came back to bite her in the end.

Well, the twist of the episode was great. Ghosts of convenience store clerks who died from hearing "disrespectful" rap music haunts convenience store, and all the kids get trapped in increasingly frightening situations. Lee was stabbed by a spoon for god's sakes. But everyone's okay! You know what? This episode really reminded me that this show is pretty much Disney's answer to Regular Show, but I don't mind that one bit. This show remains awesome.

This Week's Code: RQZDUGV DRVKLPD! = ONWARDS AOSHIMA! (The flying-dolphin-with-arms-thing Mabel rode on her Smile Dip trip)

Next Week: Minotaurs teach Dipper how to be a man!

Edited by InvaderNorbert, Jul 13, 2012 @ 9:19 PM.

[willowneko]

InvaderNorbert thanks for translating those codes as they always say awesome things that I would miss as my tv is way too small to catch all of the codes. This is such a cool departure for Disney normal shows.

[ladyrott]

I was glad we got to know Wendy a bit in this episode. It was cool of her to cover for Dipper on how he got rid of the ghost. Spontaneous dance party for no reason...awesome! I love this show.

[stopeslite]

I've watched the first three, and I have to say I like it so far. Really like the Mabel character and how Schaal is playing her. Grappling hook! :)

[InvaderNorbert]

What I love about Dipper and Mabel is that they totally act like siblings. You don't see that very often in animation these days. And Mabel? She's still freaking adorable.

"Welcome to the first day of whatever is left of the rest of your life!" Really liked Mabel teach Grunkle Stan to show his soft side to ask out Lazy Susan. It was a good contrast to the Manotaurs teaching Dipper to be a man. And in the end, Dipper became a man because he stood up to the Manotaurs and Lazy Susan turned out to be a crazy cat lady. Everyone wins! Except Grunkle Stan, kinda.

This Week's Code: "PU. FDHVDULDQ ZLOO EH RXW QHAQ ZHHN. PU. DWEDVK ZLOO VXEVWLWXWH." = "MR. CAESARIAN WILL BE OUT NEXT WEEK. MR. ATBASH WILL SUBSTITUTE." What does that even mean? (ETA: Turns out it refers to the code that these messages are written in. The next episode's code will be written in Atbash.)

Edited by InvaderNorbert, Jul 20, 2012 @ 9:26 PM.

[stopeslite]

This episode was a lot more straightforward stereotypical girl/boy behavior, but I did like that at the end, Dipper trusted the word of his uncle that he was a man over the opinions of his peer group (if you can call a bunch of manotaurs a peer group to a 12 year old).

[lydibug]

I love this show so much! I think that Mabel is my new favourite character on television. I died when she was yelling at Dipper through the window and then asked him if he saw her at the window, so awesome!

This show is just so fantastic and odd, but in good way.

[greengirl]

Just adding to the GF love! My seven year olds have been regressing a bit, over the summer, so we're trying to get them away from Sprout and this show was the awesome bait.

[VeronicaBites]

I really appreciate that Mabel and Dipper actually like each other. In alot of kids shows the siblings are always at odds. They really seem to have each other's backs.

That and it's super clever. It makes me miss Chowder and Flapjack.

[ladyrott]

I really appreciate that Mabel and Dipper actually like each other. In alot of kids shows the siblings are always at odds. They really seem to have each other's backs.

Awkward sibling hug? Awkward sibling hug. Pat pat.

I love this too. They tease one another, but there is genuine affection there as well.

[lydibug]

Awkward sibling hug? Awkward sibling hug. Pat pat.

Teehee...I loved that part!

One of the best parts of this show is the theme song. Every time it's on I have to whistle along...it's just so catchy!

[InvaderNorbert]

"Party at the Mystery Shack. Kids and teenagers welcome. FREE?"

This Week: Gruncle Stan throws a party and we finally see kids Dipper & Mabel's age. I know it's just a vocal coincidence but I really loved that Mabel pretty much made friends with human versions of Lumpy Space Princess and BMO from Adventure Time.

I loved the clone plot here, teaching him that he needs to trust himself and not, well, other himselves. Man, I loved Dipper's fantasy with Wendy where he's the taller one with Soos in the background playing the trumpet. It was actually refreshing to see clones that are self-aware of themselves and their weakness (water) for once. Paper Jam Dipper was freaking creepy, however.

This week's code: "PAPER JAM DIPPER SAYS AUUGHWXQHGADSADUH!"

[lydibug]

I am so happy the show is back, I've missed it! I really liked this episode, although I wanted more Mabel! She's my favourite. I was excited to find out how Dipper got his name...too cute!

[Ladi Izz]

I wasn't too sure about this show when I saw the adverts for it, but I gave it a go since it looked a bit darker than anything else Disney Channel shows (but I still have massive love for Phineas and Ferb), I find myself really enjoying Gravity Falls. One of the little things I really love is that Mabel changes her sweatshirt. I understand that it is easier for animators to keep characters wearing the same thing, but it's refreshing to see it.

And Mabel saying "Do you know what this means?" and doing the barf/silly-string gag when she and Dipper found the copier machine cloned people had me rolling.

[ladyrott]

I was excited to find out how Dipper got his name...too cute!

That really was cool. But now I find myself wondering if Dipper is his real name or a nickname. :)

[lydibug]

And Mabel saying "Do you know what this means?" and doing the barf/silly-string gag when she and Dipper found the copier machine cloned people had me rolling.

That was a great moment! I half expected Mabel to start copying herself so she would have more people cheering for her, but I liked the way they ended her story. It's good that she has some friends like her.

[HybridIce]

What cracked me up the most, something you don't see often, was the literal sucker punch that dream Wendy gave dream Dipper followed by Dipper2 calling to confirm the same daydream.

I don't know why, but that just made me laugh incredibly hard, it's just something you don't see often in a literal sense, but you know people think in those concepts.

[jbreckenridge]

Mabel's befriending oddballs and being rejected by Popular Girl reminded me of Milo Oblong. I think they'd get along well.