Gravity Falls (Disney Channel – 2012-2013, Disney XD 2014-2016)
Late in Gravity Falls, beloved codger Grunkle Stan is mocked for watching a children’s show. He responds “I’ll have you know that it has a big mystery element, and a lot of humor that goes over kids’ heads!” An obvious wink at the show’s older fans, it’s certainly true that Gravity Falls has both in spades.
The show left a lot of breadcrumbs for its intriguing mystery that kept fans guessing, and there was rarely an episode without at least one expertly crafted gag. But the show also understood that a mystery is only as good as the characters caught up in it.
Great care was taken to make the Pines family a lovable cast of characters whose relationships you come to care about. It’s that heart that makes Gravity Falls one of the enduring hits of the decade.
–Chris Diggins
