Spoiler I'm not one to really discuss on how the scrapbook worked to jog Stan's memory, because dude, my grandma suffered from Alzheimers and I'm afraid that my Dad could suffer the same fate. In fact I was worried about seeing him dying because the guy's getting on in years and there was a health scare several months back that could have killed him and I just am SO GLAD he's okay now like I just called and told my parents I loved them because I never tell them that but even with all their crap I really really do love them and it's just I'm not ready to see them get old and die okay I just can't so this ending is so goddamn happy and it's more than what I could have asked (and yes I am pretty drunk right now lol. Spoiler GODDAMMIT WENDY GAVE DIPPER HER HAT MY FANFIC MY FANFIC OMG <3 <3 ULTIMATE SIGN OF FRIENDSHIP OMFG
I actually thought that was a beautiful finale. Spoiler: spoipers I was a bit iffy on the scrapbook too, but like @Alska said, I think it worked similarly to the capsules. Hell, maybe the memory gun doesn't work as perfectly as one would think--maybe it just shoves those memories deep down somewhere that would normally inaccessible. (I'm emotionally compromised rn so I can't really words.) And @Neurogabu also has a good point re: the Alzheimer's thing--my maternal grandma has advanced Alzheimer's, but sometimes little things will jog her memory just a bit. And granted, this was a lot more permanent than those tiny jogs would be...but it was also Weird Supernatural Shit, not actual dementia. So while it wasn't a perfectly-handled thing, I still liked it a lot. And the Stans finally getting their trip around the world made me cry a little in the best way. The little letter Wendy left them was what really got me, though. It may be the end of the series, but in-universe...it's not gonna just be over forever. Dipper and Mabel made bonds in Gravity Falls that will last a lifetime, and even if somehow they never end up going back, they're never gonna lose touch with the people they met. Also, I'm really glad that the moral of the series wasn't just "someday you've gotta Completely 100% Grow Up." Escape From Reality had me worried in that regard, but this really tempered that. Like, yes, you have to grow up...but that doesn't mean completely abandoning everything "childish." You can still have fun. You can still have dreams and fantasies. You just need to be able to accept reality as well--but while still knowing that the two aren't always mutually exclusive. Thank you, Alex Hirsch. It's been a wonderful ride.
Alright so, I'm not going to be ok, for quite a while. Which isn't a spoiler. It's just to say that I've been really invested in this show and... remember when ATLA ended? Pretty much.
SHRIEKS IN AGONY BECAUSE I WAS AT WORK WHEN IT AIRED AND I CANT FIND IT ANYWHERE AAAAAAUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHHHH
Spoiler: miscellaneous ranting So that sure was some mighty uncomfortable Billford in there <3 My need for giant robots has once more been satisfied, also bless the elder Pineses finally goddamn apologized to each other! I'm so glad they finally get their adventure, also glad said adventure apparently includes giant-squid-punching. THE COPS ARE CANON Also this is totally irrelevant but I really dug that we got to see a bunch of characters' handwriting in the Come Back Soon note.
Spoiler Okay so I can't think of anything else other than my Dad even after all of this and everything turned out happy because I just want him and Mom to be okay and live forever but I know that's not possible and they're in their 60s and I'm 2000 fucking miles away from them but goddammit if this show taught me anything it's that I want to be more loving towards them and just cherish the time we have left. Spoiler And another thing I felt mad connection to the fact that Dipper and Mabel are venturing on to the next part of their lives via bus because the bus always felt like a thing that bookends parts of my life and I just wanna say that while this has been a great chapter in my life I've always felt going back would erase everything. But maybe, just maybe, if I do feel like I need to go back home, it could still be the best time of my life. There's always something new and exciting to explore, and I for one have grown to love exploring new things and growing as a person even if it scares me either a little or a lot. iT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THE END. i CAN MAKE SOMETHING WONDERFUL FOR MYSELF. Just... THANK YOU ALEX.
Spoiler: Cryptogram! FADED PICTURES BLEACHED BY SUN THE TALE’S TOLD, THE SUMMER’S DONE IN MEMORIES THE PINES STILL PLAY ON A SUNNY SUMMER’S DAY. Spoiler Oh, I hadn't even THOUGHT of the Alzheimer's thing. That... makes it way better, really. And augh the cops are canon and the See You Next Summer note and the Stan o'War II!
Spoiler While I'm complaining about things I want to rant that the rescue party should have just shrunk down the people-throne and put it in their backpack to deal with later, when they're not INSIDE BILL'S PYRAMID. WHY ARE THEY TRYING TO DO ALL OF THIS WHILE INSIDE THE BAD GUY'S HOME BASE?? GET THE FUCK OUT OF THERE!! The denouement stuff (birthday party onwards) was pretty good, nice emotional tie-ups for all of the characters. That made a fitting ending. But like I said, I wasn't satisfied with any of the climax, which is a pity because there were some clever elements to it.
Spoiler I was so terrified that Mabel was going to fucking eat it. Like goddamn! Also makes me disappointed that Blendin didn't make one last appearance (at least, none that I could see). Looks like he really did run out of Time Dodge. Spoiler Also need to mention this but holy crap Wendy is just so fucking happy to be reunited with her family!
Spoiler @Alska They did not know they needed Robbie to do the thing until much later. And it is way faster and easier to pick up a bunch of small pieces than it is to try and sneak an entire town of normal-sized people out of a pyramid, which still would have been a better idea than standing around and trying to do the stop-bill-ritual in the middle of his lair.
Spoiler Here's the thing though; It's literally the heat of the moment. I doubt the characters can really plan out every little detail when the plan in of itself is very much a touch and go kind of mission.
Spoiler Surely they can come up with the very basic plan of "Hey, let's not stand around in Bill's pyramid for longer than absolutely necessary"? Like, I understand they're under pressure and have to improvise, but even improvisation should get them that much. Do what you can to enable you to leave, and then leave.
