Yet another fun fact: this explains why - despite knowing that supernatural stuff is real - Stan never bought Gideon's psychic act. Gideon always called him "Stanford" and a real psychic would know that HE ISN'T STANFORD PINES.
My favorite cipher. In the promotional video entitled "Gravity Falls Police Station Audio: Grunkle Stan Laments (Part 1 of 3), the cryptogram "PQXJIBV FP OBXI" can be seen. Decoded using the caesar cipher backwards (i.e. taking "PQXJIBV FP OBXI" as the decoded word, and the result as the cryptogram), it translates to "STAMLEY IS REAL." 21:11
Fun fact: so many fans correctly guessed that Stan had a brother, and that said brother was the author of journals, that Alex Hirsch actually went out of his way to 'leak' a fake spoiler image of McGucket writing in the journals.
Also, McGucket was given the first name 'Fiddleford' specifically to muddy the waters if any early scripts or memos referring to someone called 'Ford' made it out of the studio.
"The summoning spell for Gachnar can be shut down in one of two ways. Destroying the Mark of Gachnar..." "...is NOT one of them, and will in fact immediately bring forth the fear demon itself!'" - He learned from the best 😁
Granted! Although, if you notice -- what it says on Journals 1 and 2 are plenty to convey the warning. Even without 3, you can still see "THE DEVICE IF FULLY OPERATIONAL COULD TEAR OUR UNIVERSE APART".
@@TheBigE9999 Yeah. And I think part of the answer to that has to do with things that ARE spoilers for episodes coming up, so I don't want to go into it here. But, my point is that Stan finds out that there's a lot more written in the Journals in invisible ink, in Scary-oke. Now, BEFORE he finds that out is when he photocopied J3 and then gave the original back to Dipper. So we know he wouldn't be able to see any of the stuff in J3 that's in blacklight. (Unless he, like, tip-toed in and took the book while Dipper and Mabel were asleep, or something; but there's no evidence that he did.) But the moment Stan finds out about the invisible ink -- and he's shown specifically reacting to it -- we KNOW that he must have gone and looked through J1 and J2, and read all of what was in there. And he would have seen those warnings about "tear our universe apart". I think that's deliberate on the writing team's part. It shows us that, to Stan, NOTHING is more important than fixing the Portal and getting his brother back. What we'll find out in coming episodes is how his brother feels about it, in the present.
@RCUdeogu *_{Rapunzel of the Remnant}:_* "So like from 2012, to 2023; Dana Terrace, Matt Braly, and Alex Hirsch were/are *_THE_ Creator * Trio, of their own AMU, (Animation Mythos Universe)?
Codes: "MY COMPASS GOES HAYWIRE THE CLOSER I GET TO THEM. DOES THIS MEAN WHAT I THINK IT DOES? THE ANSWER MAY BE UNDERGROUND." "GUVAMENT" "THE ORIGINAL MYSTERY TWINS" "THIRTY YEARS AND NOW HE'S BACK, THE MYSTERY IN THE MYSTERY SHACK."
Important to know: when this released, not only was the fandom blown away, we were sitting on the edge of this cliffhanger for LITERAL MONTHS until the next episode finally released. I joined the Gravity Falls fandom right before this episode released so I remember being desperate for Gravity Falls news for quite a long time.
You got it right so early on. And you got it because Alex dared to put the brother in a single shot, all the way bck in "The Time Traveler's Pig". And from there, every other clue slowly fell into place. And you caught all of them. There were a ton of misdirects in this episode, sure, but the look on your face when that six fingered hand picked up the journal says it all. You really need to stop calling yourself a idiot, and start calling yourself a genius. Also, the code is, "Thirty years and now he's back, The mystery in the Mystery Shack."
People like her (the clever ones) are the reason Alex panicked and put out that McGucket author hoax 😂 Some people are so damn smart they made the author panic
@@HotDogTimeMachine385 As Alex admitted in the DVD commentary, it wasn't like the show offered any competing theories (at least not before the McGucket hoax)
First clue I personally found was Stan's license plate though at the time it didn't click. I remember going "why does Stanford have a license plate that seems to read "Stanley Mobile" in short hand? Oh well"
@@Omniscient87 Yeah, even a lot of the fans who subscribed to the Twin Theory thought that the STNLYMBL license plate meant that the *missing* twin was "Stanley", and Grunkle Stan (Stanford) had just started using his car as well as his house. You can still come across fan-art from before ATOTS airs that calls the Author "Stanley".
Now that you know, a cool thing to note is, this is the reason that "Stan" knew Gideon was a fake psychic. Because if Gideon was real, he wouldn't have called him "Stanford"
Soos protecting the kids from Stan makes me tear up every time. Soos is such a good dude and as much as he LOVES Stan, in that moment he thinks Stan could be a threat to these kids and he was not going to let anything happen to them. There’s a scene in the finale that gives makes me emotional for how much Soos cares about the kids in the show tho it’s kinda played for laughs in that episode.
i was so mad and amazed that you saw such a small detail, then started putting the pieces of the puzzle together. I cant say ive seen anyone else point out that one small detail. This is why you're one of my favorite reaction channels
I love how this episode highlights Mabel and Stan's relationship that they've built over the summer. While he's kind of more parental with Dipper, Stan and Mabel relate to each other by being more emotion-driven and willing to embrace impulse. The episodes they share like Boss Mabel and Land Before Swine, B-plots in Dipper vs Manliness and Fight Fighters, and the act of Stan giving Mabel the sticker in Golf War all go a long way to show that they've become close. And then, throughout this episode, Mabel keeps trying to rationalize and make excuses for Stan's behaviour, because she doesn't want to admit that he's a bad dude. And for his part, Stan's pleading with Mabel stings a little more when you realize that she's honestly the person he's been that close with for probably the better part of his life, certainly since his childhood. And that their shared humanity isn't lost in a moment of high tension really is such a strong moment for those two characters.
Now the fun part is either remembering or rewatching the series with this knowledge. The broken swings, the boat, the glasses in the extra room and how in this episode Stan says it’s unnatural for siblings to get along that well.
There's a discussion of Darth Vadar I once heard that made a lot of sense. Consider the story of Anakin; how he started out as an innocent child, went through some very tumultuous teenage years, ended up being a cruel, vindictive mass-murderer, only to come around in the end to save Luke and kill the Emperor. We've all seen villain redemption arcs; they're wonderful things to see. But Anakin is special; he wasn't just a villain, he didn't just flirt with villainy, he was balls deep, no holds barred. His first day of Bad Guy Camp he murdered children without hesitation. Villain arcs are one thing, but there is such a thing as going too far so as to make the redemption unbelievable. How, then, could it possibly work? The answer: family. Anakin loves his family, he always has. That was the throughput. He became a wunderkind because he loved his mom... and he became a murderer for the same reason. He snapped when Padme betrayed him (or so he believed) and again when he learned she died; the only family he had left. The Emperor was his mentor; he never had a father, so of course he was loyal... right up until he had to choose between the Emperor's life... or his son's. Every step of the way, Anakin chose family. In the context of neck-breaking tonal shifts, Grunkle Stan is very similar; all along we see him as a casual swindler and good-time-haver, but then we see glimpses of his underground lair; is he secretly a genius? Is he secretly EVIL? HE HAS THE OTHER BOOKS?! How could this C-class showboating layabout be ... THAT OTHER GUY? That is a huge tonal shift, and it begs for a tie to bind. It begs for something to make it make sense. Especially during that countdown, where you KNOW, without a doubt, that Stan is a liar and a thief of the highest caliber, betraying family and country without a second thought, and yet, when he pleads with Mabel not to press that button, you KNOW - without a doubt - that she shouldn't. How do they combine such disparate elements into a cohesive narrative? Family. ... that, and damn good writing. Honestly, this show is a work of art.
I remember back in the day when this show was still airing that the theory of stan not actually being stan and that he had a brother was going around and i thought the theorists were looking way too deeply into a kids show and being ridiculous, and then the absolute shock i had when this episode aired and it turned out they were right
Remember in Boss Mabel, Stan didn’t like using the word ‘please.’ In this episode he actually said it to Mabel. Maybe that’s why she took a leap of faith.
Amazing work, you called it and we've all been twisted up in knots since you did! So, Stan knows that he has only hours to go before everything changes forever. So he chooses to give the kids one last afternoon of crazy fun with the uncle they have known all summer. Soos in this episode though, choosing to protect the kids no matter what. Given what we learned a few episodes ago about Soos' relationship with his father, he knows what it's like to be betrayed by a parental figure, and he is just there for them, despite the fact that we literally just learned that he wants Stan to adopt him. The scene in the room with the device, especially the part with Mabel floating isolated in front of the portal is one of the most breathtaking peices of animation in the show, and what a performance from Kristen Schaal, you feel every bit of Mabel's conflict and betrayal. Also, I've only just noticed 'The Jasmine Throne' on the shelf behind you, as if we needed any more indicators of your good taste.
Remember when Stan was storing brown meat and buying gold for the end of the world? He knew he was going to cause the end of the world by using the portal. Stan read the warning's in the journal and didn't care. He was going to bring back his brother consequences be damned.
4:15 - *“We know Stan isn't what he seems, but is he **_evil?”_* Yes. I mean, you _did_ watch the preceding 30 episodes, didn't you? Not exactly a big twist revelation, there. 8:24 - *“The laptop said ‘Property of F’.”* Yeah, but you already know that "F" is for "Fiddleford" (McGucket) .9:14 - *Klunk!* _"Gah! Hot Belgian Waffles! Wait; I'm alone… I can swear _*_for real!_*_ SON OF A-"_ And here it is, the _huge_ plot twist of the episode. This is where we found out that Stan _censors himself_ around the kids. That means the Stan whom we've seen all summer, the one we thought we knew, is actually the _toned-down, kid-friendly version!!_ What a complete _mind-blower_ of a revelation! It's no wonder that this episode is one of the highest-rated in the show. 😉 17:20 - *“There's something in Stan's - or, sorry, fake Stan's - expression and voice that makes me think that this isn't a malicious reason he's doing this.”* True. But always remember: just because you're not doing something out of _malice_ doesn't make it a _good idea_ or mean that it won't end up hurting somebody… Having good intentions and actually doing good deeds are two completely separate and unrelated things, as history has shown us over and over. And, especially for the next episode, you should keep in mind that "having understandable, emotional motivations" doesn't even rise to the low standard of "having good intentions". 19:55 - *“I was **_fuckin' right!!”_* Yes you were, and it was _majorly_ impressive how you worked it out from context clues that most people only ever pick up on, during their second viewing of the series. Suddenly Stan's weird instant attachment to a wax double of himself (in episode 3) takes on a new light: It was only _partially_ because of his monumental narcissism! 21:45 - *“I am so excited to watch the next episode.”* And now imagine having to wait four months for the next episode to come out. 'Cause that's what happened, when this originally aired. 😁 22:10 - *“There was something in his voice and his face that I just… **_trusted.”_* Which is, of course, an essential quality for a professional con-man to have… 😉 The code in the end credits is, *"The original Mystery Twins"* and the code on the "journal page" puzzle piece reads: _Thirty years, and now he's back,_ _The mystery in the Mystery Shack._ See you next time! ❤
Re. this being the kid-friendly version of Stan, Alex Hirsch said in answer to a question that if he'd been allowed to by Disney, he would have had Stan drinking real alcohol, AND smoking a cigar. Even so, Stan's voice *sounds* like that of a heavy smoker.
I'm fascinated by how you caught on super small details and put together the author but noticed very recently that the hand on the journals has six fingers 🤣
Congratulations on calling it! I absolutely didn't figure it out my first time through and I know a lot of people who didn't either. Time to give yourself some well-earned credit for figuring it all out! Somebody probably beat me , but here it is anyway because it gave me chills. "30 years and now he's back, the mystery in the mystery shack."
Now imagine having to wait months for the next episode cuz when this was first airing this episode was sorta a mid season finale and gravity falls took like I believe a five to six month break before the next one would air. I remember being so mad when I first watched this lmao
4 months -- this aired in March, and the next one aired in July. But still -- four agonizing months! (And for some of it, not really knowing exactly when the next one would air.)
So Stan always knew Gideon was a fake because he never called him by his actual name. And there are a ton of references and clues to his brother scattered across earlier episodes.
I bestow upon you, the title of master theorist. As you are the first person i have found, that correctly predicted the twist so early on! I have been looking forward to your reaction of this episode since time traveler's pig! When you noticed the glasses and the nose of "young Stan" i was very impressed because when i watched that episode way back when, i never noticed it before.
Now that you know the truth, go back to when Stan held a funeral for his wax duplicate. remember how we all thought that Stan was a crazy narcissist when he eulogized a wax figure figure that was his twin? Now that you know he had an actual twin who was lost, possibly dead 30 years ago, does that change the meaning of that entire scene? Yep. Now that was a clever piece of misdirection.
THIRTY YEARS AND NOW HE'S BACK THE MYSTERY IN THE MYSTERY SHACK My favorite of all of the end credit ciphers! Gives me chills. Anyway -- adding my congratulations for how much you paid attention to all of the little details that Alex Hirsch and the rest put in there, and YOU WERE RIGHT! Very impressive! When the show was airing, and fans often had months between episodes to pore over every frame looking for clues, only some people came to the "Twin Theory" conclusion (using a lot of the evidence you pointed out), while others didn't believe it until this reveal.
They look like identical twins, but they do have a few physical differences like you pointed out. My theory is that they were identical at first but when they were still in the womb something went wrong and made the author develop a little bit differently, which just adds to the weirdness of the 6 fingers and paranormal investigator vibes.
If they are maternal twins (highly likely) the dominant gene for 6 fingers could have been suppressed in one twin through epigenetic factors. Gene expression is not always guaranteed (see: intersex). The big difference between these two twins is extremely unlikely though.
@@boghag Yes! There's been other essays written by fans that go into the epigenetic factor theory in more detail. I think that the person whose essay I read said that *Stan* not having the cleft chin and not getting the six fingers almost makes him more anomalous than his twin.
The creator of the show said that it was hinted that Stan had A twin brother since the wax museum episode, after all we see how distraught Stan is about a exact double of himself it destroyed, there's A psychological implication about how he'd feel as if he lost his brother.
There's also a bit of a hint in the 2nd episode, although it makes sense not to pick up on it. When the twins and Soos rejoin Stan, he says he's been having a great time, "talking to my reflection". And there he is, that whole episode, sitting in a little boat called the Stan o' War.
This episode is so brilliantly written that even Mosco, who completely called everything (kudos, by the way, that was mighty impressive!) got caught in the rhythm and the emotions to the point of doubting her own head.
When you've finished the series, you should really watch "Between the Pines" which is a special where Alex Hirsh talks about the show and secrets and more!
Still under having seen 10 reactors do this show, but getting close, and you are the only one so far to pick up on the brother twist. But not just reactor, you are actually the only one I know of who was able to see it coming. Good job.
I don't know if anyone has mentioned it yet, but in the episode Dreamscaperers (season 1 episode 19) you can see a glimpse of Stanford whene Gideon is talking to Bill.
I love the fact that you picked up how important the glasses were in the Carpet Diem episode and then noticing the diffrence in their faces. I did figure out that there was a twin for Stan, but not that early. A little fun fact. Gideon has always said Stanford, but everyone else just say Stan. Which I caught on my rewatch of the show. Man this show is soooo good!
I haven’t personally been keeping up with your reactions, but after seeing how spot on you were with your running theory, I NEED to see how you came to your conclusion!
The agent hugging Waddles reminds me of an anime where the Japanese government decides to combat a declining population by arranging marriages between compatable people. The girl being rich and eccentric meets her proposed husband by parachuting through his window in a kimono.
Great job figuring out the reveal, Mosco! Just 'cause you're an idiot doesn't mean you're not brilliant! Gravity Falls was the first of the Disney 'mystery revealed in a theoretically serialized show'; Amphibia and Owl House both came after, but this set the bar really high for them, and pushed them to be even better having cut their teeth on this show (both Matt Broly and Dana Terrace worked on GF). So glad you're getting to see and enjoy. Now, just wait until you realize that Stan was originally dating Eda from Owl House, but she cursed him and Soon after the end of Gravity Falls to become frog-people in Amphibia!
i dont like mable's character that much too.. but let me tell you about the actual CHILLS i had when she let go of the button and said "i trust you" , i wouldnt want to be in her place either fun fact: Dana from the owl house actually worked on animating the "brother reveal scene" in this episode
This is why I think you are much smarter than you give yourself credit for. You were right all along! I very much enjoyed watching your reactions to this episode. This is easily my favorite episode of the series, and I love watching people respond to it. There's still plenty more good stuff to come! And I'm so excited to see how you react to the coming episodes!
4:08 this is just the perfect mindset to be in while reacting to this episode. The uncertainty of which way this is gonna go, and what’s going to change.
There's scene's from the last few episodes done in an anime style by a channel called Mike inel, they are amazingly done. Something to look into, because I at least think it's cool.
Oh man I was disappointed to see this was just the premiere notification. I thought the video was up for a second there. Oh well, looking forward to this!
Truthfully, there were hidden hints throughout the entire first, and second season. You just had to know where to look. In season one episode three Stan’s reaction to his wax double, Time Traveler’s pig, the time travel back to the shack, Carpe Diem stan, finding those pair of glasses. These are just some of the hints that Stan dropped about the truth
Someone make an a video edit of that scene in evangelion when everyone is like "congratulations" and replace shinji with Mosco. Because thats all this comment section is
@@anobservatory4227 yes. Though Im just now remembering I forgot he didn't have a line this episode. I have been holding that joke since she started the series and it got away a little early. I didn't want to make the joke till he entered the series
I can't believe it's the same person who didn't figure out the true identity of King from Owl House when it was revealed to the audience, but did hit on a theory about siblings... definitely, their mind is something... mysterious.
