In the last few years, I’ve personally been of the opinion that animated TV shows were starting to pick up in quality once again, and for the first time since the 90’s, starting to find that balance of action, comedy, and quality storytelling. So far, these last few years have given us several cartoons worthy of anyone’s time, from the surreal nature of shows like Regular Show and Adventure Time, the more well rounded and moral strong My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, to the hilarious and witty like Phineas and Ferb. Now another show has joined in the ranks, and it may just be the best of them all, and it’s barely 10 episodes in. Ladies and germs, I give you Gravity Falls (well, I don’t really give it to you, you get my drift).
The brainchild of Alex Hirsch, former writer for cartoons such as The Marvellous Misadventures of Flapjack and Fish Hooks, brings a new and unique cartoon to the Disney Channel, unlike anything currently running from the channel that is slowly going from the heavier teeny bopper sitcom approach that the channel has been notorious for being in the latter half of the 00’s.
The premise of the show is about a pair of 12 year old twins Dipper and Mabel Pines, who are spending their summer in the lazy forest town of Gravity Falls Oregon with their Great Uncle Stan, or Grunkle Stan. Grunkle Stan runs the Mystery Shack, a low rent Ripley’s tourist trap, which usually overcharges their customers to see the useless junk within. However, Dipper and Mabel’s boring world begins to rapidly change when Dipper finds a mysterious book with a 3 on it, which seems to mention various mysterious creatures and anomalies within Gravity Falls. Now the duo have to deal with everything from evil gnomes, a giant lake monster, evil teen-hating ghosts, a broken photocopier that can make copies of people, and so much more.
The main cast is very interesting, each with their own hilarious quirks. Dipper (voiced by Jason Ritter) is the straight man character, who usually finds himself over-thinking situations, and usually getting himself in more trouble as he learns more about the strange goings on of the town. Mabel (Voiced by Kristen Schaal) is the lovable comic relief, whose personality and optimism is as colorful as her many sweaters. Grunkle Stan is a con-artist and a skinflint, who usually seeks out any opportunity to squeeze money from the townsfolk. Also along for the strange ride are Soos, the fat manchild janitor of the Mystery Shack, and Wendy, the cool laid back 15 year old cashier who Dipper has a massive crush on.
Gravity Falls has its share of interesting antagonists. Including Lil’ Gideon, a young boy and former psychic who seeks Mabel’s affection, while also being out to destroy Dipper. He has the 2nd volume of the mysterious books the show has established so far. There’s Robby, the guitar playing teen that is the rival of Wendy’s affection. And there’s also Pacifica Northwest, the spoiled rich girl/Mabel’s main rival. Other characters in the town include Manly Dan, the incompetent police officers Sgt. Blubbs and Deputy Durland. Toby Determined, the town’s news reporter with a creepy crush on far more qualified reporter Shandra Jimenez. Old Man McGucket, the town coot, and so many other characters.
The show works on so many levels. The comedy is fast, with far more hits in the humor than misses. The main cast are all charming and likeable with really no traits that make them annoying or despicable, and being given enough dimensions and traits that keep them from feeling stale and stock like other versions of these character types. The show is filled with mystery and background sight gags, with everything from references to Slenderman and the Illuminati. Even the end credits have strange code words.
There’s definitely many things in the show so far that remind you of so many classic mystery and paranormal shows and books. There’s a hint of kiddy horror like something out of Goosebumps, there’s the paranormal elements of the X-Files, as well as the overall strangeness of Twin Peaks. But I think what it reminds me of the most is a short-lived 90’s show called Eerie Indiana, about a supposedly normal town with strange events happening all the time. And so far, Gravity Falls has managed to use all of the elements of those things, and continue to make itself original, and fun. And it’s all working perfect, as so far the show is earning massive critical praise, and has become one of Disney Channel’s highest rated programs. It’s also earning a massive fanbase very quickly.
Gravity Falls in my opinion is one of the best new cartoons in a long time. Its near flawless writing, humor, lovable characters, and intriguing universe makes every episode a must-watch. Once you get hooked, you’ll not only wish you could spend your summer in Gravity Falls, you’ll want to live there.
All pictures and video are properties of Disney and Alex Hirsch.