Like before, spoilers are ahead! You have been warned!
Episode 11: Little Dipper
"Little Dipper" is a one-of-a-kind episode: it explores the theme of sibling rivalry without breaking a sweat. Mabel teases Dipper for being slightly shorter than her, which devastates him. Dipper takes a walk in the woods and finds a crystals that shrinks or enlarges any object. Dipper takes the enlarging crystal and uses it to be taller than his sister. From there, the episode is unpredictable, especially because of the parts with Gideon. Not only the story was great, there was a ton of humor. For example, the scene where Dipper and Mabel fight for the crystal is very funny. Earlier I mentioned Gideon, and he was a big part towards being a villain: he takes advantage of the conflict between the twins in order to have his revenge against Dipper, so he steals the crystal and shrinks him down to the size of a peanut, then he attempts to shrink Grunkle Stan for the Mystery Shack. However, I thought the humor coming out of Soos was forced an unneeded, because his stupidity didn't match the theme and plot of the episode. Still, it didn't take too much of the experience of viewing "Little Dipper". Overall, this episode could have been better, but it still was more than enough.
Episode 12: Summerween
"Summerween" is easily one of the best episodes of the season so far because it takes an idea so unoriginal and makes it funny and inventive. The twins find out that in Gravity Falls there is Halloween in the summer, leaving them alienated. Soos then tells them a legend of a child abductor called the Summerween Trickster. Dipper doesn't believe Soos, which only makes the monster come to their house. The Trickster wanted 500 pieces of candy until the last Jack'O'Melon (think a Jack'O'Lantern, only a watermelon) goes out. Because of that, Dipper gives up on going to a party with Wendy and goes to help his sister and her two friends find enough candy. In my opinion, just like most "Gravity Falls" episodes, "Summerween" is unpredictable and ridiculous, especially the ending. Also, "Summerween" was really funny, like the scenes were Grunkle Stan tries to scare some kids doing some very creepy things, but not succeeding. However, the kids come back to the shack to find Stan without a shirt, leaving them scarred for life. The writers nailed this episode: succeeding in combining just enough story with just enough humor. Overall, this is an episode worth viewing even if you aren't into "Gravity Falls" altogether.
Episode 13: Boss Mabel
"Boss Mabel" is a filler episode, one of many on this part. However, that isn't at all bad: there is a funny and original idea about Mabel taking over the Mystery Shack for three days while Stan is on vacation, and then seeing who earns more money. The story didn't progress, but I can certainly say that I learned more about Mabel's unpredictable personality. Stan goes on a game show, and almost wins a lot of money, but ultimately loses all of the cash while trying to earn more, and Mabel only earned just a little bit, making her win their bet. There wasn't enough humor, and I can definitely say that this is the worst episode of the season, and maybe this will be the worst of the show. The humor was just missing at some points, leaving me alienated at why the writers couldn't have had some gags. However, there some entertaining parts. For example, on of Mabel's goals is showing the audience real mystery, but that just ends up disturbing the crowd and making everyone wanting refunds. The ending was very disappointing, mostly because the "apology dance" wasn't funny. Alas, if you're watching the season, I recommend skipping this episode. Overall, this episode wasn't terrible, but it wasn't needed.
Episode 14: Bottomless Pit!
Oh no, another filler episode of "Gravity Falls", this time it's a collection of stories called "Bottomless Pit!". However, this episode is a lot better than "Boss Mabel", mainly because the stories manage to stay funny for just enough time. The episode begins with Grunkle Stan showing the twins and Soos the bottomless pit. They begin to dump into it useless things, but suddenly a gust of wind comes and pushes them into the pit. The pit inside is pitch black, but the group can see each other, so what better thing to do than tell stories. All the stories are funny and entertaining, but the episode was completetly useless, unlike "Boss Mabel", which at least developed Mabel as a character. In "Bottomless Pit!", there was no character developement, but only humor and crazy, unpredictable stories. There was one story done by each character, and the most memorable of them by Soos, telling of a time when he, Dipper and Mabel were sucked into a pinball game. The second most memorable was Dipper, who told of his cracking voice, and how Old Man McGucket helped him change his voice. "Bottomless Pit!" is another episode that you can skip if you're in a hurry viewing the season.
Episode 15: The Deep End
"The Deep End" is one of the best episodes to show that anything can happen in the town of Gravity Falls, Oregon. This time, Mabel falls in love with a Spanish mermaid called Mermando in the pool. One of the best parts of the episode is that it's entertaining and unpredictable, even with knowing that it's just filler to build up the story twists later in the season. The episode begins in the hottest day of summer, so the Grunkle Stan, Dipper and Mabel going to the pool. Each of them goes in different directions: Dipper tries to hook up with Wendy, Mabel finds the mermaid, and Grunkle Stan tries to find a place to tan. Each of the stories is funny in it's own right. Dipper's is the most unpredictable, because he ends up getting a job at the pool after wanting to be with Wendy, but he didn't know that the boss was absolutely insane. Grunkle Stan's place keeps getting taken by Gideon, and Mabel finds the mermaid. At one point, the mermaid becomes the focus, and she manages to set the mermaid free. Overall, I don't recommend skipping this episode because of the entertaining store and humor, but it isn't mandatory to understand the story to it's fullest.
Episode 16: Carpet Diem
Wow, another filler episode, but at least it provides a good concept. "Carpet Diem" is about Dipper finding a room in the shack that he wants to himself, and then everything goes berzerk. The twins fight over who will have the room, and Dipper continuingly tries to impress Grunkle Stan for having it to himself. Little did Mabel and Dipper know that the room held a carpet that has body switching properties. There are a ton of funny moments about that, including an entire scene about Soos being in Waddles' body. Dipper manages to win the room, but he has one big problem... He's lonely in there. In the end, he and Mabel sleep in the same room once more and they find out how great it is to sleep with another person in you bedroom. The humor is great, the story is unpredictable, but they had a great chance to make a lot of character developement, but they decided to do it only in the slightest. Overall, viewing isn't necessary, but some funny moments make "Carpet Diem" worthwhile.
Episode 17: Boyz Crazy
Finally, "Gravity Falls" has a truly hilarious episode: "Boyz Crazy" is a satire of boy bands like One Direction, but just in the right fashion, making the parody ridiculous and unpredictable like many previous episodes. In "Boyz Crazy", Mabel and her quirky friends go to a boy band concert, only to find out that it's sold out. The girls sneak in backstage, but it's revealed that the boy bands are kept away from reality in cages. Mabel and her friends release them, and takes them to the shack. From there, "Boyz Crazy" becomes completely unpredictable. Meanwhile, Dipper attempts to persuade Wendy that Robbie, her boyfriend, is brainwashing her with his songs. Finally, with the help of Grunkle Stan, convinces Wendy that Robbie's song hypnotized her. Wendy dumps Robbie, but Dipper feels ashamed for ruining their relationship. The humor in "Boyz Crazy" was great: Soos was himself, and the scenes with Mabel's two friends were funny. However, just like the previous two episodes, "Boyz Crazy" is filler. There is no character developement, and hardly any progress in the buildup for the appearance of Bill Cipher. Overall, "Boyz Crazy" is fine, but it didn't fulfill it's potential.
Episode 18: Land Before Swine
"Land Before Swine" is the best episode of this season of "Gravity Falls" for the great story and the theme about trusting family. "Land Before Swine" starts with Stan giving a tour to tourists in the shack, leaving Mabel to be herself with Waddles, then passing out, making Stan trip on her. Waddles begins intimidating Stan unpurposely, which leaves him justifiably saying that the pig should be outside. Mabel disagrees while stating that outside there are "predators". Meanwhile, Dipper and Soos are trying to capture a photo of a monster roaming around Gravity Falls, but out of stupidity Soos ruins the picture they took while Dipper was developing it. At the exact time, Mabel went to a store to buy a strap for holding Waddles, leaving Stan with the pig. Stan puts him outside, but immediately after he leaves a pterodactyl flies taking Waddles away with itself. Luckily, yarn was left giving the crew a way a path to follow, leading them to an old church, then to a mine shaft, and from there the story develops, but doesn't become any more ridiculous, but in "Land Before Swine", that's a good thing. This episode deals with serious themes and ridiculous plots won't fit the ideas. As much as "Land Before Swine" was entertaining, it is important to people trying to tell stories that serious content should not be dealt without being serious.
Episode 19: Dreamscaperers
The most important episode of this season of "Gravity Falls" is "Dreamscaperers" for one important reason: Bill Cipher. His reveal is so surprising, while still being funny and original. The episode begins with Stan calling the crew to torment Gideon on his commercial, then hearing him come in trying to steal the deed to the Mystery Shack. However, Stan has a broom, so he just hits him until he goes away. Gideon is devastated, so in his journal he finds Bill Cipher, and he summons him to retrieve the deed to the Mystery Shack for him. From there the episode is so surprising and funny that words can't describe it and you'll have to see it to believe it. The humor in "Dreamscaperers" is flat-out shock value, but in a good way. Some of Grunkle Stan's memories are eye opening and really surprising. However, there weren't any good morals in "Dreamscaperers", which stopped it from being the best episode of the season. Overall, it's important to the story and introduces Bill Cipher in just the right way.
Episode 20: Gideon Rises
Finally, the final episode of the first season of "Gravity Falls": "Gideon Rises". In the end of the previous episode, Gideon bombs the Mystery Shack and steals the deed, and then kicks out Stan, Dipper, and Mabel, leaving them to stay with Soos and his grandmother. The crew tries to infiltrate the shack, but fail miserably after Mabel blows the cover. Afterwards, Dipper and Mabel try to corner Gideon with gnomes, but fail at that too and costing Dipper his journal. From there, the story becomes ridiculous as do many episodes of "Gravity Falls", and the humor is great. In the end, Dipper stands up towards Gideon, by kicking his ass. Gideon has a giant robot which explodes, showing evidence that Gideon has been filming all the citizens of Gravity Falls. Meanwhile, Stan is racing to show that Gideon has been giving away pins that double as cameras, and that he noticed it since it interfered with his hearing aid. The humor is great, but like in "Dreamscaperers", the lack of morals and themes made "Gideon Rises" extremely close to greatness. Overall, "Gideon Rises" is a great finale to a great first season.
That's it for this time! Look tomorrow for the review of the season 2 premiere of "Gravity Falls".