【2015 Archives】

Summer015 Archivesjust around the corner, and there's no better way to celebrate than by watching Gravity Falls. Airing from 2012 to 2016, Gravity Falls is a show that captures the feeling of childhood summer vacation in all its glory: going on adventures, spending time with family members, and fighting off interdimensional chaos demons.

Okay, okay, so maybe that last one isn't a universal experience, but for the main characters of Gravity Falls, twins Dipper and Mable Pines (voiced by Jason Ritter and Kristen Schaal), it's an all-too-common occurrence.

These 12-year-olds have been sent to the small town of Gravity Falls, Oregon to stay with their Great-Uncle (or "Grunkle") Stan (voiced by Gravity Falls creator Alex Hirsch) for the summer. Stan is a lovable con man who operates the Mystery Shack, a tourist trap featuring ridiculous curios like the "Rock That Looks Like A Face Rock" or the "Grizzlycorn."

The Mystery Shack's exhibits may be fakes, but Gravity Falls is home to its fair share of very strange (and very real) phenomena. Think gnomes, zombies, and evil child psychics. Dipper discovers all this and more when he stumbles upon a mysterious journal in the woods. Eager for adventure, he investigates the journal's findings and the identity of its unknown author. Of course, he can't do it without the help of his bubbly, ever-joyful twin sister Mabel. Together, the two of them take on monsters, solve mysteries, and unearth devastating family secrets.

There's something familiar about the events of each installment of Gravity Falls, like trips to the local pool or making new summertime friends. However, there's also an element of adventure that transports you to the realm of the impossible. It's a perfect show to watch to inject some excitement into your life, especially since there are coded messages just waiting to be solved in every episode.

These mysteries and adventures are only a part of the fun of Gravity Falls — the rest comes from getting to know the characters and experiencing summer alongside them. Dipper, Mabel, and Stan are the glue that holds the show together, thanks in no small part to Ritter, Schaal, and Hirsch's strong voice work. They're joined by equally awesome characters like Mystery Shack handyman Soos (also voiced by Hirsch) and Wendy (voiced by Linda Cardellini), the coolest teen in town.

As you watch more and more of the show, you'll even find yourself getting attached to the Gravity Falls townspeople who make small appearances now and again. There's a real sense of this town being a home away from home for the Pines twins and for viewers, even if it is constantly beset by supernatural forces.

Gravity Falls is exactly what you need to get excited for summer. It's got humor and heart in every frame, and at only two seasons long, the show itself is short and sweet. Just like with summer break, you know it has to end, but you won't want to leave Gravity Falls — both the show and the town — behind.

Gravity Falls is streaming on Disney+.

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