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The Big Picture
-
Gravity Falls
exemplifies Disney’s ability to appeal to all ages with captivating mysteries and a diverse, relatable cast. - The show cleverly blends comedy and horror to keep viewers hooked, pushing boundaries without crossing them.
- Fans continue to yearn for a potential follow-up, showcasing the lasting impact and popularity of the two-season series.
Across its 100-year existence, Disney has created many timeless pieces of media that have defined childhoods, especially on the small screen. Series like DuckTales, Darkwing Duck, and Gargoyles have sparked several iconic characters and cemented the studio’s reputation as a dominant force. While these older series are often more revered by fans, a relatively recent entry, Gravity Falls, exemplifies what makes Disney special: its ability to appeal to younger and older audiences.
Though Gravity Falls only ran for two seasons, the show remains a cultural juggernaut. Throughout its four-year run in the 2010s, fans who watched the series live and braved the countless hiatuses and delays, experienced an unpredictable television event. With inventive new media, such as a book detailing events from the perspective of antagonist Bill Cipher (Alex Hirsch), and a mysterious tie-in website, Gravity Falls continues to attract new fans while keeping old ones engaged. Given the transcendent quality of the original series, it’s no wonder why fans of all ages continue to yearn for a potential follow-up.
Gravity Falls
- Release Date
- June 15, 2012
- Seasons
- 2
‘Gravity Falls’ Features Intriguing Mysteries
Regardless of age, it’s hard not to be captivated by the eponymous town of Gravity Falls. With its mix of vampires, gnomes, and dimension-traversing demons, the setting is ripe for storytelling, and the show makes the most of it. Unlike its contemporaries, Gravity Falls leans heavily on serialization rather than episodic stories, featuring ongoing plots and mysteries that keep viewers hooked.
Gravity Falls will occasionally feature a villain-of-the-week storyline, but the series’ main focus is the characters’ quest to uncover the author of “the journals,” mysterious, hidden texts that reveal the secrets of the creatures and evil lurking in the shadows. Though the show primarily follows the limited perspective of its main characters, the creative team often invites viewers to piece together clues on their own. Cameos, cryptic messages in the end credits, and even a real-life scavenger hunt encourage audience participation. Sometimes, these Easter eggs offer significant hints about upcoming plot twists, while other times serve as brief winks to the audience. Their challenging nature adds an interactive element that fosters a strong social aspect to enjoying Gravity Falls. While viewers can enjoy the show solo, the numerous ongoing mysteries and storylines make it even more engaging when shared with friends, family, or fellow fans to discuss wild theories.
‘Gravity Falls’ Mixes Comedy and Horror
Unlike most children’s programming on Disney Channel and Disney XD, which is typically wholesome and educational, Gravity Falls is edgy, blending elements of comedy and horror. Purely based on its content, it’s always shocking to remember that the show is a Disney property — it’s more reminiscent of The Simpsons meets Twin Peaks than anything like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. The provocative tone naturally appeals to older audiences, while also offering a captivating watch for kids looking for something different.
Though some parents might disapprove of the content in Gravity Falls, the show skillfully pushes boundaries without crossing them. The animated series periodically features disturbing imagery of monsters and demons, but thanks to its exaggerated animation and constant barrage of jokes, the moments of terror are usually brief or overshadowed. By all accounts, Gravity Falls is an anomaly; for adults, it evokes nostalgia for children’s horror properties like Coraline, Goosebumps, and Are You Afraid of the Dark?, which are far less prevalent today. Instead, Gravity Falls occupies a similar niche as projects like Five Nights at Freddy’s, providing a harmless way for parents and children to get a quick thrill, without risking a traumatic experience.
Fans of Gravity Falls are likely drawn to its horror aesthetic, but they inevitably stay for its daring comedy, which infamously got on the nerves of Disney executives. The show prides itself on wacky scenarios and one-liner non sequiturs that entertain younger viewers, while also incorporating dark, more mature humor for older audiences. For example, in Season 2’s “The Last Mabelcorn,” a parody of drug-bust scenes, depicts officers arresting a gnome for dealing fairy dust. These brief jokes add another layer of satire for those who get it, without detracting from the central story.
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‘Gravity Falls’ Features a Relatable Cast
Given that Gravity Falls was broadcast on children’s cable channels, the show targets younger demographics by crafting two highly relatable tweens, Mabel (Kristen Schaal) and Dipper (Jason Ritter). They’re guided by their great uncle Stan (Hirsch) and his maintenance person, Soos (Hirsch), who occasionally offer advice and join in on the adventures. The show doesn’t stick to the usual Disney morals, but its well-developed characters deliver stories that connect with kids and adults.
Though they’re twins with distinct personalities, Dipper and Mabel’s singular character arcs provide valuable lessons for younger viewers. Mabel, known for her positivity and naivety, matures by embracing change and taking on new responsibilities. Meanwhile, Dipper, who tends to be more uptight, learns to lighten up and accept life’s unpredictability. This growth isn’t sudden; it’s carefully developed over an entire summer, mirroring how a real child might respond to such events. As Dipper and Mabel navigate the awkward stage of childhood, their characters become vessels for more mature lessons, particularly on relationships, offering valuable insights into consent, communication, and honesty that everyone can learn from.
While older viewers may see themselves, or at least a younger version of themselves, in Mabel, Dipper, and the other child characters, Gravity Falls also features a diverse cast of older, dynamic characters. Grunkle Stan, in particular, is a deeply flawed, curmudgeonly con man who often preys on unsuspecting townsfolk for a quick buck. Though he might seem easy to dismiss, Stan is a fully developed character to whom many adults can relate. His greed and ego stem from insecurity and deep regret over a mistake he made decades ago — a mistake he’s continually striving to rectify. Most kids’ shows generally frame adults as antagonists, so it’s understandable that older fans would resonate with his realistic depiction.
Stan is one of the more complex characters in Gravity Falls, but there’s also Soos, the eccentric Mystery Shack employee, presumably in his early 20s. While many people his age might dread working a similar dead-end job, Soos’ enduring optimism and devotion to family are inspiring. His eventual promotion is a testament that, no matter how stuck you may feel in life, there’s always room for improvement. The surprising depth of the Gravity Falls cast, gradually revealed throughout the show, is a major reason it continues to captivate fans of all ages.
Gravity Falls is available to stream on Disney+ in the U.S.
WATCH ON DISNEY+
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