Right? I don't see how anyone can not be touched by that part. I've got two little sisters, and I'll be damned if I didn't text them after watching that.

Yep, and Ghostbusters was a paycheck job for Bill Murray. But I did say "almost always" less good, not always, and for this very reason. The thing is, art that is mandated by the studio is, usually, worse. A show that has gone on beyond the point where the artists are creating it are doing so because they want to…

"Ya, the fact they're just 12 year olds isn't considered by me enough since they sound like they're older and say things way beyond any 12 year old I know."
While I don't disagree, I think that's just the nature of these kinds of shows. Kids never quite act exactly like their actual age. Just look at The Simpsons. …

He totally could. I think he could do a great job with any kind of story. From what we've seen with Gravity Falls, Alex Hirsch is an excellent storyteller. The problem is, if his primary motivation wasn't "I have this story that I'm passionate about telling" but "thanks for all the money!" the work will almost…

That's what I got out of it. This show is so awash in callbacks, while still advancing its characters and story. Gotta love the balance they strike with that.

Not only were they not going to be there for her birthday, but it would have been her last chance to see her best friends before going home. And who knows when next she'd be able to visit Gravity Falls. Even as an adult, I'd be having a pretty crappy day after that realization.

I was thinking the same thing. That seems like something a network wouldn't want to do (no commercials for an hour CAN'T be good business, can it?) but it would be so damn cool.

I'm all for that, the man deserves it for sure!

Maybe the weirdness wave turned it into something else?

See, but that would be terrible. 'Cause Alex Hirsch is making it out of passion right now. If he did more because of purely financial motivation, what are the odds of it being nearly as good?

Yeah, but when isn't that true?

I never watched Mad Men, but if you're saying there's hope, I'm happy to take your word for it.

Does it need a pairing to come true, though? I mean, the central relationship is Dipper and Mabel, and I think that is strengthened if neither of them finds a romance.

Okay I totally ship them, but I almost hope nothing DOES happen, only because if it does it'll probably be more of the ship sinking this show is so good at… just give Pacifica a few good lines, some nice moments with the Pines twins, and let me have Northwest Mansion Mystery. I'll settle for that!

Gotcha! Well, I must say, I disagree. I think you must consider that, as twelve-year-olds, they don't have a lot of perspective on things. Okay, so Dipper seems to have more in this circumstance, but really, he's wanted to grow up TOO much at times. Mabel wanting to hang onto childhood is incredibly understandable…

Me, too. Even in the little details, this show is just on fire these days.

I guess Weirdmageddon'll do that to you.

I know what you mean—the end of the world? Pfft, nothing difficult about dealing with that as a twelve year old!

It's heartbreaking. Especially since he knows it's not real, but he also probably knows that it's better than meeting his actual dad could ever be.

My partner and I speculated that it could be related to the UFO or perhaps Blendin/Time Baby. But I can see Ford arranging for it to happen to, though I'm not sure if even he can invent something powerful enough to contain the end of the world.