hornsbyhavoc Reviews

Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Storm (2005) Season 1, Episode 12

The First Masterpiece

[10/10 · 16 August 2017]

After the twin disasters that were Jet and The Great Divide, it looked like ATLA might be running out of steam.

Rest assured. It's not. Because in this one episode, so much depth and emotion is uncovered that it instantly redeems its predecessors and truly starts the show on its way to greatness. The Storm is a true masterpiece, one of the most pathos-inspiring backstory episodes in TV history, brings our protagonist and most direct antagonist narratively closer together, and is the real beginning of the development of Zuko, one of the best characters in the history of animation.

The premise of this episode is simple: Team Avatar, heading north to get to the Northern Water Tribe, run into a storm. Zuko and his crew, following them, are likewise caught. A fisherman angrily yells at Aang for disappearing a century before, and Zuko's lieutenant on the ship becomes fed up with Zuko putting his chase of the Avatar ahead on anything else, including his own crew's safety. Aang explains his backstory to Katara around a fire in a cave they are hiding out in, as Iroh tells Zuko's story around a fire on the ship's lower deck. What follows is a dual tragedy that really makes us feel Aang's pain, and singlehandedly redefines how we see Zuko.

Aang's story has already had some of the gaps filled in: he didn't want to be Avatar, was told too young, and ran away. This is now filled in: the revelation of being the Avatar socially isolated Aang, and the monks of the temple decided to begin training him rigorously at the Eastern Air Temple and separate him from Monk Gyatso, his father figure who attempted to protect him. Rather than be separated from everyone he knew and loved, Aang made a rash decision and ran away, resulting in him almost dying and freezing himself for 100 years. We truly feel Aang's pain here, but it;s nothing compared to what we feel for Gyatso. The tragedy of the man who never harmed Aang and who died at the hands of the Fire Nation without ever having found out what happened to the boy he treated like his son is one of the series' saddest stories. It's truly a haunting story, and yet it's somehow upstaged by the story running alongside it.

We've mostly known Zuko as an obsessed, evil person hunting down Aang for his personal want of honor. While we'd seen his want to be accepted by his father, this story line blows open and reinvents his entire character arc. We see flashbacks of a young, smiling, ambitious Zuko who challenged a general's decision to send new soldiers into battle as bait. This moral, upstanding Zuko is a surprise, but we soon find out what made him into such a damaged character. His uncle explains that, rather than the general, Zuko would have to face his own father in an Agni Kai (Firebending duel) and that, rather than strike his own father, Zuko asked forgiveness and for mercy. His father did not listen, and Zuko's shriek whilst being burned and receiving his scar is among the most disturbing sounds from any children's show. Zuko's good side is seen in the present when he saves a falling crew member, and his decision to exit the storm and save his people, rather than hunt for Aang, lets everyone know he may not be all bad. The transformation of Zuko from the smiling kid to the hurt exile is one of the most painfully emotional moments of the whole series, and the pathos the audience can now feel for Zuko is incredible for a very hate-able character just an episode before.

The look that Aang and Zuko share as each escapes the storm--Aang on Appa, Zuko with his crew--perfectly sums up the whole episode. These are two broken characters with their own personal demons, and it's a great piece of parallelism. The Storm is a masterpiece, completely flawless, and one of the high points of Avatar.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Jet (2005) Season 1, Episode 10

Yikes

[3/10 · 16 August 2017]

Oh Jet, you grass blade-chewing psycho. This is an episode that could have been interesting, introducing a host of cool and driven characters with their vigilante ways of dispensing justice, but squanders its potential and is mostly useless. Characters suddenly act differently, nothing feels natural, and it begins the worst 45 minute run of Avatar as one of its only two bad episodes.

While journeying through the woods, the crew are ambushed by Fire Nation troops. These troops are in turn ambushed by some renegade tree-dwelling warriors, led by the charismatic Jet. The interesting bunch have all been wronged by the Fire Nation and seek to make them pay. After charming Aang and Katara, Jet's true personality is revealed when he brutally attacks an old man purely for being part of the Fire Nation. Sokka's the only one who sees, and thus Aang and Katara don't believe him and are happy to help Jet by unknowingly using their Waterbending powers to play a key role in drowning a whole town, some of whom are Fire Nation but mostly innocents. Surprise, surprise, they find out the truth, defeat Jet, and Sokka saves the town with help from the old man.

I hate this episode. I hate, hate, HATE this episode. I usually don't talk cultural issues in reviews so bear with me. Katara instantly falls for the dashing Jet and immediately refuses to hear any criticism of him, and mocks Sokka when he tries to tell the truth. For a show so progressive in many of its episodes, this yanks Katara into the old "women let emotions get in the way of their logic" trope. Aang, a kid, is likewise gullible (another reason why the romance they're setting up between Aang and Katara is stupid: HE IS A CHILD) beyond all reason. These characters have been mistrustful of everyone else they've met. Why do they just immediately trust this tool? Who knows. Some subplot involving Sokka's "instincts" is here and it's terrible too. I give it three stars for the great animation and interesting supporting characters, but make no mistake: this is a rare slip-up for the Avatar franchise and arguably the worst episode of the whole show. To make matters even worse, the next episode doesn't help.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Great Divide (2005) Season 1, Episode 11

The Show's Worst Episode

[2/10 · 16 August 2017]

Aang's lie at the end of this infamous episode is enough to rank it this low alone. What a terrible decision from the writers. How did no one in storyboarding or production catch this? Well, here we go.

If you've seen any episode of Avatar, it's probably this one, since Nickelodeon insisted upon playing it every day for years. What a shame. The monsters are a little interesting and the environment is neat. The exaggerated personas of the tribes' leaders are amusing enough. That's about it. The characters are simplistic and one-dimensional, nothing is believable, the sloppiness vs. cleanliness argument is absurd, and the whole thing is nothing like the charming, thoughtful, funny show we thought we were watching. And then there's Aang's lie, when instead of just ridiculing the absurdity of the group's differences to make them see why there's no reason they shouldn't get along, he invents a backstory that trivializes the origin of their conflict. This lie is destructive and malicious and doesn't solve anything. I vented out most of my anger in the Jet review, so just know this is worse. You can skip right over this episode and not miss a beat. Just don't watch it. It's horrible.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Waterbending Scroll (2005) Season 1, Episode 9

Appa Ex Machina

[6/10 · 16 August 2017]

Another solid episode that better serves as part of a whole, the occasional problems suffered by this episode are evened out by the humor and light feel. It advances Aang and Katara's learning of Waterbending and has some nice sequences that put it in the "good" territory, though nothing is great enough to do more than that.

With Aang needing to learn Waterbending by the summer, Katara begins teaching him what she knows. She's upset when moves she'd taken months to practice come to Aang with ease, and when the gang comes across a group of pirates in a nearby village she swipes a Waterbending scroll the pirates had stolen from her tribe. After escaping the pirates, Katara again becomes upset with Aang when he quickly masters the more advanced moves on the scroll. While her continued pettiness is quite annoying, it's also understandable. Recklessly sneaking out at night to keep practicing, Katara lands everyone in trouble when Zuko, on a tip from the pirates, catches her. The pirates, who have Aang, and Zuko, who has the scroll, arrange to swap them, until Sokka uses his wits to pit the two against each other by outing Aang as the Avatar. The ensuing fight is highly entertaining, and along with Uncle Iroh's humorous quest for a Lotus tile for a game of his adds a lightheartedness to the episode. Sneaking off during the battle, Aang, Katara, and Sokka find themselves going over a waterfall, until a whistle Aang had earlier purchased summons Appa (hence this review's title). With the ongoing subplot of Zuko having Katara's mother's necklace adding some dramatic heft, this is another good but not great episode. It has some pacing issues and Katara comes across as annoying rather than sympathetic; however, the humorous touches and lightness of the story still make it an enjoyable watch.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Avatar Roku (Winter Solstice, Part 2) (2005) Season 1, Episode 8

One of the Best Yet

[9/10 · 16 August 2017]

After an episode that began to explore the spiritual connections that Aang has as the Avatar, this chapter both clues us in to the connection he has with his past lives and sets a worrying time limit on when Aang must face the leader of the Fire Nation by. Its expansion of the series's lore is fantastic, and the tension that fills the episode pays off spectacularly.

After seeing in a Spirit World vision that he must converse with Avatar Roku in the Fire Nation about a comet, the journey they take is hampered by both a blockade (led by Commander Zhao) and a pursuit by Zuko. The different shrewd tactics used (Zhao letting Zuko through in order to be led to Aang; Zuko secretly diverging course while in the mist) are all well thought-out and fit with the characters' resourcefulness. Upon entering the temple where Roku's statue stands, Team Avatar is met by guards who have betrayed their duty to serve the Avatar, instead declaring their Fire Nation loyalty. A lone guard remains loyal, helping them find the room where Roku's statue is. Sokka uses his smarts to trick the guards into opening the doors and Aang sneaks in. The plot of the show is drastically changed when Roku informs Aang that Sozin's Comet, which comes every 100 years and dramatically strengthens Friebenders' powers, is coming this summer and Aang must defeat the Fire Lord before it is too late. Found by both Zuko and Zhao, everyone else is tied up before one of the best sequences of the show to date begins. The Avatar emerges from the room, but he's taken on the form of Roku, who destroys the temple and causes everyone to flee, saving Katara and Sokka in the process. The animation is incredible, and the moment has gravity, mysticism, and power. While the gang flies away on Oppa, the helpful guard is taken prisoner by Zhao, but his sacrifice was worth it.

Featuring breathtaking animation, moments of real power and gravity, and a tense plot, this is possibly the best episode yet. It continues and expands upon the spiritual themes of the show, gives it a soon-approaching deadline, and is a terrifically done television episode.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Spirit World (Winter Solstice, Part 1) (2005) Season 1, Episode 7

Introduction to the Spirit World

[8/10 · 15 August 2017]

In the first half of this two-parter (which basically act as their own episodes), we get a glimpse at the spiritual side of Avatar, while also seeing more evidence of Zuko and Iroh's close bond and Firebending skills. This new aspect is a great addition to the show's universe, and it's one of the best episodes so far.

On their road trip, Team Avatar come across a forest that has burned down, followed by a town in need of Aang's help. With the solstice approaching, the physical and spiritual worlds are growing closer together, and a malevolent spirit is abducting townspeople. As the Avatar, Aang is the bridge between worlds but has no idea how it works yet. After Sokka is abducted, Aang's attempts to find the spirit result in him being transported to the Spirit World, where he comes across the animal companion of Avatar Roku, his predecessor. The dragon-esque creature leads Aang to a temple where he will be able to communicate with Roku on the solstice, soon approaching. Learning the angry spirit is that of the burned down forest, Aang imparts wisdom that someday the forest will return, and the creature (revealed to be a huge panda-type bear) leaves and releases everyone. A simple story introducing a more complex and spiritual aspect to the story, this is very well done and a new and interesting addition. Elsewhere, Iroh is captured by Earthbenders, and Zuko temporarily gives up pursuing Aang to save his uncle. Their ensuing battle with the Earthbenders shows the duo's synchronization and closeness, and it's a neat subplot to pass the time. With Team Avatar having to go into the Fire Nation to find the temple where Roku is, an interesting premise for the next episode is set up.

Altogether, the addition of the spiritual aspect to Avatar (a long-running theme in the show) is a fascinating and intriguing one, and handled quite well here. Both stories are simple but pulled off quite well, and it's one of the best early episodes of the show.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Imprisoned (2005) Season 1, Episode 6

Not the Best, Not Bad

[6/10 · 15 August 2017]

Another solid but not great standard episode of Aang, Sokka, and Katara helping people, this works better as part of a whole than on its own but is still worth the time. While a little overdramatic in some places, and a little by-the-numbers for the most part, it's another pretty good episode showing the gang on their adventures.

While venturing through the Earth Kingdom, the crew come across a young Earthbender named Haru, whose village has been taken over by the Fire Nation. Not allowed to Earthbend openly, we learn through a slightly overly melodramatic scene that Haru's father was taken prisoner after resisting the Fire Nation. After helping an old man by Bending, Haru is betrayed and taken prisoner, with the gang following him to the prison. A metal ship designed keeping the Earthbenders far from their element, this is a solid idea for a hopeless location, and Katara's attempt to rally the troops fails. After a pretty hilarious scene involving two soldiers informing their superior about finding Appa, the crew come up with a plan. In relatively standard fashion, they combine their skills and smarts to rally the Earthbenders and save the day. Katara loses her mother's necklace and it's found by Zuko, an interesting way to end the episode.

While mostly a standard episode, seeing the power of the Earthbenders and the introduction of some interesting characters lifts it to being a decent episode. Best watched as part of a marathon, it fits better into the overall storyline than as its own episode, but there isn't anything particularly wrong with it.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: The King of Omashu (2005) Season 1, Episode 5

Great Fun

[7/10 · 14 August 2017]

I love this episode. It may not have a ton going on, but it's so completely insane and hilarious that it makes it all worth it. The plot may be simple but the character of the eponymous king and it being arguably the funniest episode of the whole show make it a pretty good episode in its own right, despite having the least surprising twist ending of anything ever (Spoilers Ahead).

Off on another campaign of fun whilst traveling to the North Pole to learn Waterbending, the gang stop by the Earthbending kingdom of Omashu so that Aang can ride in the mail system carts. Taking advantage of the Earthbenders' system of using gravity to carry mail through downhill lanes, Aang's old friend Bumi had made it into a makeshift roller coaster, and Aang follows in his footsteps. The first five minutes of this episode are pure comedy gold as the crew rides through the complicated system, getting chased by knives, soaring through roofs, entering and exiting people's houses via windows, foiling the "My Cabbages!" guy, and generally causing mayhem. Arrested and brought to the king, terrible puns ensue ("Let us leave"/"Lettuce leaf") while the crazy king devises a series of increasingly bizarre challenges for Aang. The revelation that it's Bumi is no surprise, but it's nice to see Aang reunited with an old friend and he's a funny, truly wacky character in a great guest appearance. The plot is straightforward, lighthearted, and uncomplicated, making for a fun, funny experience. It doesn't have the emotional complexity of some other episodes, but for what it is it's a great time.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Warriors of Kyoshi (2005) Season 1, Episode 4

Solid Episode

[7/10 · 14 August 2017]

While this episode can't help but pale in comparison to its predecessor, "The Warriors of Kyoshi" is another really good step forward for the series. Addressing sexism, letting fame go to one's head, and the destruction of war, this still manages to have some great fun and humor in it.

Wanting to ride some giant koi fish, Aang takes the gang to Kyoshi Island, where they are mistaken for Fire Nation agents and taken hostage by the island's defense of female warriors. Sokka's annoying sexism is addressed, thankfully, and his brief romance with leader of the warriors Suki is a good deal better than the set up and forced one developing between Aang and Katara. Learning about using opponents' strength against them is the beginning of Sokka's development as a warrior himself, and it's the true start of his character growth. Aang, on the other hand, is beloved by the village after proving he's the Avatar, accumulating something of a fan club who chase him around like The Beatles in A Hard Day's Night. His spinning marble trick that causes one onlooker to foam at the mouth from excitement is one of the most bizarrely hilarious jokes of the entire show, and the riding of the various lake creatures is good fun. Aang learns not to let fame go to his head, and when his presence attracts Zuko and the Fire Nation, he witnesses the horrors of war as the town is burned. This theme would remain throughout the series, and Aang's willingness to reduce damage by having a lake monster spray water on the town is an early example of his practice of nonviolence. The story is simple but effective, and it's a fun time on top of that.

While the topics addressed are hit a little too directly (Sokka's blatant sexism and Aang's immediate overindulgence in his fame could have been a little more subtle), they're noble intentions, and pulled off well enough for a children's TV show. The Aang-Katara set up romance already feels tired at this point, but the new characters and location, along with the good action and lessons learned, make up for it. It's another good, solid early episode.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Southern Air Temple (2005) Season 1, Episode 3

Further Depth Added; Best Episode Yet

[9/10 · 14 August 2017]

The dual stories of Aang and Zuko really get going here, and the depth of the show is taken to the next step. It's got some of both the best (Aang in the Avatar State) and worst (the CGI doors to the Sanctuary don't hold up too well) animation in the show to date, and tons of character development. Aang's realization of the destruction of his people and Zuko's desperation to be accepted by his father are hugely emotional topics, and the show handles them with grace and maturity for a fantastic early episode.

Aang, Katara, and Sokka's first order of business on their journey is to visit the Southern Air Temple, Aang's home. The former paradise, filled with monks, bison, and lemurs, and Aang's relationship with his father figure, Monk Gyatso, are explored by Aang's memories, and his finding of a sanctuary housing statues of every Avatar to date deepens the lore and history of the show. However, Aang soon comes to discover that, despite his optimism in the face of hopelessness, the Fire Nation did attack the temple while he was away, and he finds Gyatso's skeleton, triggering another Avatar State. Aang's pain and anger at losing everyone he knew and loved is powerful and his inability to control the emotions and entrance into his Avatar State alerts everyone that the Avatar is truly alive. While Katara's soothing soon leads to his anger subsiding, Aang's pain at this revelation is the show's most emotive moment to date, and while the crew's befriending of the lemur Momo rounds out the squad for the time being in a positive way, the emotions are still strong.

Meanwhile, Zuko's failure to capture Aang leads to significant damage to his ship, requiring repairs. While at the Fire Nation base to get the ship fixed, Zuko and his Uncle Iroh (formerly a General in the Fire Nation army) bump into Commander Zhao, the arrogant and cruel Firebender who mocks Zuko for his failure. We learn more about Zuko's troubled past with his father, the leader of the Fire Nation, and Zuko's desperation to feel accepted by his father drives home the emotional narrative of his character. For the first time, we get to see a Firebending duel between Zhao and Zuko, and it's a great action scene. Zuko's victory after heeding Iroh's advice regarding fighting, and his refusal to kill Zhao, lead to Zhao attempting to attack Zuko while his back is turned. Iroh interferes to stop him and insults Zhao by calling even the banished Zuko more honorable than he, showing the closeness between the uncle and nephew, with Zuko genuinely touched by Iroh's words.

Altogether, after a solid first two episodes, this is where Avatar really gets going. Aang's emotional devastation and Zuko's desperation are highlighted, and their need to rely on those close to them is a major point as well. The dual stories of the two are getting better and better, and this is by far the best episode to date.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Avatar Returns (2005) Season 1, Episode 2

The Journey Begins

[7/10 · 14 August 2017]

A good step forward following the first episode, this episode really begins the adventures of Aang, Katara, and Sokka, as Aang seeks to become trained in each of the elements. While occasional moments hold it back from being truly great, the show's grasp on its story and the first hints of what Aang could truly become lift it to a solid beginning of the journey.

After Aang and Katara accidentally set off a booby trap in a forbidden ship, cluing Zuko and the Fire Nation to where the Water Tribe is located, Sokka and Gran-Gran (understandably) banish Aang from the village. While the farewell is a bit over- emotional (with some pretty terrible child acting), it sets the stage for the invasion of the Fire Nation. Sokka's dismal attempts to protect his village are pathetic but brave, and the show's portrayal of it as comedic takes away from it a fair deal. Once Aang returns and voluntarily goes with Zuko to prevent the destruction of the village, however, the episode does pick up a bit. Sokka and Katara's decision to rescue Aang, and their grandmother's farewell as she wishes them good luck, are much more effective examples of emotion than the earlier farewell. Appa the flying bison's first airborne appearance is a crowd-pleaser, and leads the two to Aang, held hostage onboard the Fire Nation ship. Aang's single-handed escape from his confines are both goofy and impressive, showing the ease at which he could defeat opponents just by Airbending as well as his refusal to kill or cause serious harm. But it's Zuko's last- second attempt to drag Aang down that causes him to fall into the ice-cold water, and we suddenly get a sneak peek at the Avatar State, in which Aang temporarily gains waterbending abilities and once again defeats Zuko (with help from Katara's waterbending of her own). This preview of Aang's true power is the first glimpse of what he'll become, but for now it merely serves as a getaway device. As the trio sets off aboard Appa, the adventures to come ahead are planned, and the youthful enthusiasm as Aang details his plans for fun ends the episode on an optimistic note. After a consistently good but not great premier, the second episode of Avatar has lopsided quality, with a mediocre first half and great conclusion. It comes together solidly, though, and promises more adventure ahead. The show would later achieve far greater heights, but for a second episode this one's just fine.

Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Boy in the Iceberg (2005) Season 1, Episode 1

A Good Beginning to a Great Show

[7/10 · 14 August 2017]

Avatar: The Last Airbender is one of the true greats of the small screen, and one of the most astonishing TV shows made for children ever made. It addressed tough issues like prejudice, morality, and the struggle with oneself, and included discussions of Eastern philosophy and wisdom against a backdrop of great characters and gorgeous animation. The first episode, while not as great as the show would become, is a solid start to it. The characters are all introduced, the show's hilarious comedy has some great moments, and everyone's motives are established well.

With four nations all based around the elements (Earth, Wind, Fire, Air) and "benders," masters of their element able to control its very movement, and one Avatar, the master of all four, the show sets up an intriguing universe. 100 years before the beginning of this show, when the Avatar cycle came around to the Airbenders, a young boy named Aang became the Avatar. With the Fire Nation attacking the others, he at some point vanished, freezing himself into the sea until being discovered a century later by two siblings of a Water tribe, named Sokka and Katara. With Fire Prince Zuko and his Uncle Iroh in pursuit of the Avatar (Zuko doing so to regain lost honor), this sets up a truly unique premise of the show. Every character is fleshed out well, and while there are some growing pains and awkward moments it's a good beginning. The fun (the delightful penguin racing), humor ("Call me Gran-Gran"), and heart (Sokka and Katara's missing of their father away at war) are all in place and set up the show's premise and characters well. While the show would obviously achieve much more spectacular highs, this is a solid starting point for one of the greatest television shows ever made.

Gravity Falls: The Hand That Rocks the Mabel (2012) Season 1, Episode 4

Introduction of Gideon

[8/10 · 18 June 2015]

In this episode of Gravity Falls, we are introduced to Lil Gideon, renowned child psychic and Stan's chief nemesis. Interested by a TV ad, Dipper and Mabel attend one of his shows, but immediately after, the twins see straight through him and conclude he is an even bigger fraud than Stan, but there is more to Gideon they are not aware of. He begins to develop a downright creepy obsession with Mabel, calling her his "queen" in an obviously one-sided relationship that Mabel is continuously peer-pressured by the people of the town into staying in. When Dipper tries to break up with Gideon for her, though, things get heated. With one of the most important villains of the series getting his debut here, this episode is the most limited in terms of subplots (the only one being Stan's attempt to ally with Bud Gleeful, Gideon's father, to share profits from their businesses) but doesn't really need them with such an important character and his driving force for the rest of the season being introduced. Yet another good (though not great) episode in the series, this episode makes up for any shortcomings by inserting the most startling and intriguing ending since "Tourist Trapped," and is another winner in the show.

Gravity Falls: Headhunters (2012) Season 1, Episode 3

A Strange, Yet Enjoyable Episode

[9/10 · 16 June 2015]

"Headhunters" is the third episode of Gravity Falls, and is another winner. When Soos accidentally opens a door at the beginning, Stan's long-forgotten wax figure collection is revealed, only for them to discover that the wax Abraham Lincoln, Stan's favorite, has melted. Seeing Stan's displeasure, Mabel resolves to make him a new one, and decides to build it in Stan's likeness. When the statue is found missing its head, however, the plot begins to thicken. With characters such as Toby Determined and Pizza Guy making their debuts in the show and Sheriff Blubs and Deputy Durland having their first speaking parts, and an unexpected, creepy twist, this episode is another warped yet funny and entertaining episode from creator Alex Hirsch. The villains in the episode are funny, creepy and fun to watch, and the fight scenes are enjoyable. Altogether, although this is probably the least-strong episode of the series so far (though it's not because this episode it bad; merely because the two preceding episodes were so good), its another fun episode in the series that, as usual, has one last mystery.

Gravity Falls: The Legend of the Gobblewonker (2012) Season 1, Episode 2

Another Creative, Funny Episode

[9/10 · 16 June 2015]

After a successful debut in "Tourist Trapped," Gravity Falls is plugging right along with its second episode, "The Legend of the Gobblewonker." In this episode, Dipper and Mabel journey with Soos to seek out a mythical water monster that lurks in the lake. Meanwhile, Gruncle Stan, who brought them out to the lake to have some bonding time, feels left out and tries to make new "fishing buddies" with the other Gravity Falls citizens out on the lake, often with hilariously disastrous consequences. Some excellent examples of the show's humor is incorporated into this episode ("Who wants to put on some blindfolds and get into my car?"/"Yay! Wait, what?") and some of the minor characters, like Old Man McGucket, Manly Dan, and Tyler are introduced. This episode was, like its predecessor, an overall balanced episode that combines some warmer family moments with the trademark mystery and both child- and adult-oriented humor, while remaining viewable by audiences of all ages, and, like "Tourist Trapped," throws in one final mystery to intrigue the audience. Continuing the winning streak, "The Legend of the Gobblewonker" is another great episode in the series.

Gravity Falls: Tourist Trapped (2012) Season 1, Episode 1

A Quirky, Funny First Episode

[9/10 · 16 June 2015]

As the first episode of the offbeat, wacky Disney series Gravity Falls, the pilot "Tourist Trapped" starts the ball rolling and introduces several key points to the series. When siblings Dipper and Mabel Pines are sent to the small town of Gravity Falls, Oregon, they think it will just be another summer, spent for their part-time con man great uncle (or, as they call him, "Grunkle") Stan, who initially seems to simply care about money but eventually reveals a more caring side, at his tourist trap The Mystery Shack. However, not all is what it seems, as Dipper finds a mysterious journal in the woods and the twins realize that this summer could be much more interesting than they originally thought. After reading the journal, Dipper becomes concerned that Mabel's new boyfriend, Norman, is a zombie, and tries to rescue her before it is too late. Altogether, this was a quirky, entertaining and very funny first episode of the series, with an interesting mystery beginning to form. The five major characters who appear in the show the most (Dipper, Mabel, Stan, Soos, and Wendy) are introduced, and the show immediately manages to find the balance of mystery and comedy, becoming an entertaining first outing while beginning the overarching plot of the series. And just when you think it's over, one final twist is added at the very end of the episode before the credits. After several years of relatively disappointing television, Disney finally seems to have hit their stride with a darker, funnier, more intriguing show designed for enjoyment by children, teens, and adults alike. The beginning of a great series.