Gideon Rises

Plot

Gideon announces at a press conference his plan to turn the Shack into a theme park called Gideonland, which the family sees on television. Attending another conference, they learn Gideon holds their pet pig Waddles hostage. Unable to convince the town of Gideon's true nature, Mabel worries about their future. At the Shack, Gideon reveals to his father Bud that his book was written long ago by an unknown author who learned Gravity Falls' secrets and hid journals; when brought together, they lead to "a gateway to unimaginable power.

Gideon believes Journal 2's codes and maps indicate the remaining journal is hidden on the Shack's property. Stan tells Dipper and Mabel they must leave Gravity Falls on the next bus to their parents in Piedmont. Using advice from Journal 3, they enlist gnomes who had tried to kidnap Mabel to retake the Shack, but Gideon's pig whistle causes the gnomes to defect and restrain the twins. Gideon takes the dropped journal, leaving Dipper despondent.

With no other option, Dipper and Mabel leave town by bus. Gideon discovers the stolen journal is actually the third journal, having believed only two existed.

Broadcast and reception

The episode premiered on the Disney Channel on August 2, 2013, as the first season's finale, drawing 3.2 million viewers and a 0.5 18-49 rating in the United States. The A.V. Club gave it an "A" grade, noting that while no single half-hour could resolve all the season's questions, the episode showed skill in choosing which to answer and which to leave aside. The review highlighted Stan's reaction to Dipper's journal, where he could not fully hide his genuine excitement before resuming his oblivious disguise. The episode received a Golden Reel Award nomination for Best Sound Editing - Sound Effects, Foley, Dialogue and ADR Animation in Television.