My Thoughts on The Book of Bill

[@scootie_scoot]

I think ford being questioned about his sexuality being framed as something negative to him is so interesting. His nightmares surround him being questioned about what he’s attracted to, and he can only give answers about logical things like planning and equations. Maybe he feels like his weirdness and logical nature make him not worthy of love! It’s such a neat detail !!!

[@NerdOwlLover487]

I don't blame Ford for thinking that since he's been surrounded by people, including girls, who are so narrow minded about who he is as a person.

[@Mehhhhhhhh]

He is a Gen x'er edging on baby boomer so yeah he most likely grew up with a heterocentric worldview on sexuality. I hope after all this he's still not ashamed about it but given how the book ends i think the Pines family accepts him and that makes him very happy and grateful. His sexuality takes a backseat considering he's messed around with a TRIANGLE man, not just a human man

[@BecquerelI]

It’s super interesting when you contrast it with Journal 3 as well since there’s a tidbit in there about how Fiddleford keeps a photo of his family on his desk to “ground him.” Ford expresses a similar sentiment about the photo he keeps on his desk, which is a photo of Nikola Tesla. You could argue that he’s a narcissist who only wants people “as smart as him”, but it’s much more reasonable to think he wants someone who actually understands him. While Fiddleford has an actual concrete romantic interest, Ford’s interests have to be much more nebulous due to his fear of being the other.

[@dx.feelgood5825]

@@BecquerelIi love this interpretation oh my god

[@JollyMcCrowner]

God this book was so good. It sorta gives bill more depth even when he himself says it won’t. *I honestly loved this*

[@thatredpoison]

someone said "he never left the denial stage" and omg did they hit directly in the center

[@Mehhhhhhhh]

Even his lies are lies

[@TheInfintyithGoofball]

type that into the website. ​@@Mehhhhhhhh

[@scootie_scoot]

This book was such a treat. It gives us so much more information, but subtlety to let our imaginations fill in the gaps. And the higher age rating made it so Alex could really tell the story with more weight. It’s fun to see his macabre sense of humor in full force without having to hide from sensors (hide too much anyways)

[@NerdOwlLover487]

I don't blame Ford for thinking that since he's been surrounded by people, including girls, who are so narrow minded about who he is as a person.

[@goldenwarrior1186]

@@NerdOwlLover487 oops I think this might be the wrong thread

[@Bealzabub]

I think one of my favorite things about how Bill's backstory was handled is the fact that while it is tragic, it is never used as an excuse for his actions. If anything, it explains WHY he so stubbornly refuses to admit that he's responsible for his own actions. Edit: Also as a BillFord shipper, I will fully admit that the toxic power imbalance is part of the appeal. I personally think it's very telling that one of the most popular fanfictions for the ship right now is also very transparently marked as being psychological horror.

[@gracekim1998]

I don't ship it but i understand what you mean🤷‍♀

[@SerenDark]

Is this fic the one that's like 800k-900k words, or is it a different one?

[@Bealzabub]

@@SerenDark It's 87k according to Ao3? It's the top result when you sort by Kudos.

[@SerenDark]

@@Bealzabub Ahh, Statement Abnegation, thanks! The 900k one is Knowing Me, Knowing You

[@jerseyfoxarcade6858]

My headphones actually glitched out bad while I was looking away from my phone and thought it was just a joke for the video. Book really is cursed.

[@misfits9294]

I literally love this book so much, it gives so much new context and themes to the show. Like Bill and Ford were toxic exes and truly showed what happens when you don't have solid support networks, like what Dipper and Mabel had in each other. Whether you ship them or not, it's clear Bill very much acts like a toxic partner, using manipulation and isolation to further his control over Ford. And that is FASCINATING. It was there in the show and Journal 3 but now it's on full blast here. The joyride scene is what got me, because jesus christ, the backlash and outburst Bill gave when he felt his control over his play thing (and only being in the multiverse he actually let vaguely close to him other than his henchmaniacs) slipping. The book was a journey, and I'm really glad it wasn't just a Bill backstory book, it has it's own message and story to tell that expounded on the themes of the show and made you look on it with fresh eyes. EDIT: I'm not surprised or upset by Bill's backstory of "regret" because I saw a very old video theorizing (correctly) that Bill is based on the Flatlands book and that he destroyed it in the favor of 3D, and I think him regretting isn't out of character actually? Like I always read him as clearly insane because he destroyed his entire dimension, no matter how evil you may be that is a messed up thing to watch a whole dimension just...be destroyed like that. And I think it was straight up an accident actually, I interpreted it as him trying to break out to the third dimension and show to everyone he's not crazy, he's right, look what they're missing, but that act destroyed the fabric of their world's reality, thus ending it. I'd imagine, even under all the insanity, he'd feel bad about it. And it's important to his relationship with basically all of his puppets; he doesn't want them to leave him like his family. He quite literally goes about it in the worst way so it's not exactly overly sympathetic but still, key component there.

[@kay-jay1581]

Yea I completely agree, I do think that Bill was so traumatized by his actions in Euclidya and also that maybe there was another monster involved? Or maybe he is mis remembering things. Because those events to his life are deeply suppressed. He knows he caused a fire and believes he liberated them/got rid of them on purpose for other reason. But the guilt and regret is buried deep inside.

[@StarMechV]

Personally my headcanon when reading the bit about dream was that sending them to Stan for the summer was because of a fight, but more so they could use the time to get some counseling rather than straight up go to a divorce, but given Dipper's own fears he could have interpreted as being where it was heading. Also what I like of Bill getting a backstory is that even if you can argue what he experience was bad and what he tried to do was out of good intentions, his unwillingness to admit his mistake is very realistic but not in a redeemable way. There's a lot of people that are flat out jerks, because they internalize to themselves that whatever problem they had it's either not their fault or not relevant, narcissism to the finest and Bill represents that to a tee. He decideds to create chaos and do whatever he wants because the alternative is admit to himself that he was wrong, and toxic narcisists just can't do that, even if a part of them KNOW is true. That doesn't make them redeemable. ALSO, it makes him a cool dark mirror of the Pines; Thru ought the show we have seen that a lot of the issues Dipper, Mabel, Stanley and Standford got into were because of their unwillingness to accept a situation and rather double down on it. Hell, a big part of what caused the fracture between the Pine twins was neither side wanting to truly accept or move past Stanley's mistake, which lead to him doubling down on his tricks and Standford becoming overconfident on his own smarts and easily falling prey to Bill. The Pines are the good reflection of the idea that when situations happens and mistakes are made, you can rely on others and admit you screwed up and try to be better, while Bill rejects that notion and simply thinks doubling down and making a bigger mess until you can get away with it is the better policy, but also leads to a lonely existence.

[@tunabeans]

as someone who only owns the B&N edition, thank you so much for showing the differences! I was aware that there were extra pages in the B&N edition, but wow the way they squeezed them in there was SO much more satisfying than i expected. They fit so perfectly - great additions for those who were able to get it, but also nice that those who couldnt get the B&N edition aren't missing out on too much! Haha i wish i knew of TBOB earlier so i could have gotten a signed addition!!! Crazy enough, I decided to revisit a super important piece of my childhood - Gravity Falls - last month just for fun, not even knowing about The Book of Bill until I was almost done with rewatching season one! But god did it make re entering the fandom so much extra fun! The way Alex handled what happened to Bill after the end of the series was so fulfilling! Not to mention THE CODES in this book. The fact that it's tied to an ARG is INCREDIBLE to me, especially considering that I wasn't able to participate in the cipher hunt (didnt even know about it back then!) I could gush about TBOB forever

[@eee-xd5bo]

As someone who only owns the regular version, I appreciate being able to see what the exclusive pages are like B)

[@ThatGFFAN]

See you all in 2030 for the review of The Book of McGucket (JK) UNLESS?!

[@jvdos]

@@ThatGFFAN 2066: The book of Stan

[@PrincessUnattainable]

2090: Straight Blanchin by Little Big Dawg, the single

[@PotatIsBack]

@@PrincessUnattainable lol

[@pizzanarwhalisntpossessed]

2100: JOURNAL 4??!!!

[@PrincessUnattainable]

@@PotatIsBack thx

[@pigidinedits]

YOUR "dorito wants to get illuminaughty" CODE WAS WILD HABHAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBA

[@Joe-rz3fd]

Ford wrote in the journal about several parallel earth dimensions. He also wrote about a 2D dimension called Exwhylia (X-Y-lia, as in, the X and Y axes). He ALSO wrote about a parallel earth dimension that ceased to exist when two parallel Fiddlefords touched each other, one which a third parallel Fiddleford managed to escape to tell the tale. So my theory is that Exwhylia and Euclydia were once parallel dimensions. Bill's plan to show his dimension that the third dimension exists was to invite himself over from Exwhylia (remember, Bill from Exwhylia could probably also see his parallel self from Euclydia). But then they touched each other, and the entire dimension of Euclydia collapsed and burned. (Exwhylia was as unaffected as Parallel Fiddleford's dimension, but they were happy to get rid of their freak who kept talking about an extra dimension of reality.)

[@BillPlunderbonesTew8]

the next book we should get is Mabel's Scrapbook imagine the fun we could get with that

[@TentacledProductions]

Still having not read the book, it just seems really sad, and I love that they’ve kept the emotion in there. Bill obviously was mentally damaged by the destruction of his dimension, leading him to become a psychopath. Also, the bit where Ford saw one of Stan’s commercials on the TV is enough to make someone tear up. The whole Tale of Two Stans storyline is still going.

[@knotsoangelic]

I actually disagree with the ending nitpicks! It’s more realistic for a villain to have a fucked up/tragic backstory than for them to have absolutely no true motive other than boredom. What solidifies it is the fact that Bill is stuck in the denial stage - so of course he’s still going to be “evil”. Also, hi, toxic old man yaoi truther here. “One thing led to another” there is no other way to read that imo lmao. I think it makes it even funnier that ford had a situatjonship with a triangle

[@dx.feelgood5825]

Not to mention the flirting when Bill first appears? 😭

[@gracekim1998]

yeah but I don't fully see it as romantic since we know Bill doesn't propperly understand love and well you know the whole 'pet' thing...

[@dx.feelgood5825]

@@gracekim1998 he def considered him a romantic partner. He just thinks fear is another way to gain love and respect. He thinks fear is a form of love; that’s what he replaces the lack of actual love in his life. He believes he doesn’t need it, he doesn’t need the love of family he used to have if he has people to fear him, people who will obey his every order

[@knotsoangelic]

@@dx.feelgood5825 ‼️‼️‼️ this!!!! you get it!

[@gracekim1998]

And that’s precisely why it’s toxic because he views Ford as a ‘pet’ or tool and doesn’t properly understand love comparing it to fear😅

[@Floweramon]

I think the regret makes Bill's ultimate fate even better. If he wanted he has the perfect opportunity to help himself heal, get better, and move on. But Bill does not want to heal, because healing requires admitting the hurt, regret, guilt, ect. It's easier for Bill to say "I'm a monster, there was never any other way this could be, and I'm gonna fully lean into that" than to say "I made a huge mistake that I can't take back or make right, it didn't have to be this way if I had made different choices, I don't know what to do." And while there's always hope for the future (which is why I think the Axolotl proposed this "trial" in the first place) the fact that he ends the book insisting that he is fine does not bode well for him doing what needs to be done. Theraprism is truly the best punishment for a character like Bill. Also him being a chronic liar is part of the point, you get so much told out of the obvious lies he tells. I especially think the Morality page highlights this best.

[@amicopalooza2870]

just letting u know Hyperion Avenue is Disney. It's an imprint that is part of Disney Publishing Worldwide.

[@Ariel18__]

It's a good day when ThatGFFAN uploads!

[@drartemisa21]

Agreed!

[@pizzanarwhalisntpossessed]

It is indeed

[@dogekakesdaking]

the book of tad

[@brainlessfreakazoid]

Hope it comes out in 3000!

[@Rippley_fan]

BROS BEFORE DORITOSSSS!!

[@JustDEV1]

@@Rippley_fan chip

[@RandomAnimatonFan3]

NEW VIDEO ON THE BOOK FINALLYYYY

[@Nooper_96]

Great job again! there’s so many things to pick out about this book, really shows how much history and love contribute to the gravity falls franchise.

[@jvdos]

The review is here!

[@whatsha2532]

I’m pretty sure the Secret chapter you probably won’t find is the Barnes and Noble pages. I think it is in the right place in the table of contents.

[@Aegistab]

The book of bill is my favorite book (other than journal 3)

[@arsonzartz]

my thoughts on the book of bill: yes.

[@Figaroma]

WOOH IM SO EXCITED TO WATCH THIS

[@Ausy.A]

Guys I put the book under my pillow now I keep having Dreams the book of Bill just keeps popping up i think bills in my head Cool

[@showd6229]

Happy I got the exclusive version just for the trolley problem pages, those were some of favorites in the book, my type of humor

[@GMMYSHRKS]

14:50 as apart of the billford community’s, I feel I can talk for all of us when I say we just love toxic old man yoai

[@gracekim1998]

I am grateful that you acknowledge it is toxic😅 not everyone who ships them is willing to call it what it is: Toxic

[@tytalego5592]

Love your videooooss :D Edit: I'm still waiting on my copy of the Book of Bill. Can't wait to watch this videi when it arrives :D For the time being, I'll just wait patiently at the doorstep

[@miachir69]

5:53 I think that ghost Dipper is most likely a result from them losing to the old ghosts in "The Inconveniencing".

[@Aphelia.]

Can't wait to read it myself. Thank you for this video :)

[@borkrz]

who pissed on the barnes and noble edition

[@Mehhhhhhhh]

Me

[@strangewatermelon97]

I just got into Gravity Falls again after hearing about the book of bill coming out, and seeing your copy of the book with sticky notes in it that have the code solutions is sooo surreal and funny to me because I did the same thing with my copy. It's funny because I guess on instinct I did that, and that's the popular way of doing such a thing. Just seeing those small sticky notes with the writing translated just makes me feel like we are all so similar

[@TARDIS1963LORE]

YESS LETS FUCKING GOOOOO also I’m glad I was part of this madness in r/gravityfalls!!

[@jvdos]

Hi Mikey 😁

[@TARDIS1963LORE]

@@jvdos hey!! :D

[@bronyprevedus1724]

Ordered both versions - "regular" and "exclusive". Still waiting them cuz regular comes from China, Exclusive right from USA and I'm in Russia...

[@Darkshade7575]

Yay! Book of bill time!

[@BliskMyth]

I’m not a big ARG person and knowing that the book is good without having to go into it is good.

[@Fernanimati0n]

There's something familiar about the "love cage" on the Love chapter…hmmmm

[@Weremsye1]

hmmmmmmmmmmm......

[@LemLam8362]

bros before doritos is so true

[@nameless-d1f]

Honestly, i dont think disney liked this book, and thats why theres very little reference to the disney/ GF

[@gracekim1998]

They also didn’t allow the writers to include swearing

[@AnthonyWeust]

The bill cipher KZbin channel is a real thing

[@NerdOwlLover487]

Thanks for making this Book of Bill review video since I turned 21 today. Stay weird!😁✌🏻 Also, I should mention that Film Theory made it clear that the "ex lover" that Mabel was referring to wasn't Ford, but rather his ex girlfriend, the being from Dimension 52, who helped Ford have the metal plate in his skull and the plans for the quantum destabilizer.

[@Revalyw55]

Happy birthday! :D

[@sasishere5121]

Nope it was ford (in a joke kind of way ) On same page Mabel says “here some tips on getting over gluncle ford”

[@kay-jay1581]

Yeah that’s true The oracle was clearly an Ex of Bill. But it’s also clear that Bill was very obsessed with Ford not just be I see his plans but he actually like him. He probably saw a part of himself in Ford, maybe he liked the attention, he liked his misadventures, or his mind. Or a combination of everything. Either way Bill was very bitter and actually upset when Ford broke off their relationship. To me it’s clear that Ford was meaningful to Bill and that itself is a surprise. It adds layers to Bill’s character

[@dx.feelgood5825]

I still heavily doubt that one because the book really hammers it in the idea of an abusive relationship between them. It’s not even subtext, it’s just straight up text

[@ItzYaGirlSophie]

3:48 "Would take forever" *Alright, somebody call Hana.*

[@Joe-rz3fd]

It makes no sense that the lost journal pages would show Stan so openly, after the real journal took great lengths to keep his identity a secret. That was the biggest problem I had with the book.

[@Weremsye1]

Why do you think they're lost? Ford removed them on purpose. We know he has a somewhat erratic personality. He regretted writing them.

[@Sora__Z]

THE BARNES AND NOBLES HAS ALL THE GRAVITY FALLS BOOKS ONLINE AGAIN I dont know why..

[@Sora__Z]

they also have "Gravity Falls: Happy Summerween! / The Convenience Store . . . of Horrors!" as a pre-order option which I though was pretty silly

[@PeteyBirdd]

9:48 why is there a one eyed king here? Mine doesn’t have that did you put that there?

[@LauroArt1]

@@PeteyBirdd he was trying to find out the text on baby bill

[@jimbag_777]

Yo! Awesome video!

[@ThatGFFAN]

Thanks :P

[@TentacledProductions]

Question: Do the Pines family possess the Book of Bill in the official canon? Do they know of Bill’s fate, or is everything past their notes on not to trust him how far they got, and they don’t know what happened afterwards?

[@MysteryFallsOfficial]

Nice review so far! :D I'm currently this far in the book: 11:08. So I'll continue watching the review after I've finished reading The book of Bill.

[@car9723]

Congratulations That GF Fan! I gotta watch a whole review one by one, and I'm one who isn't afraid of spoilers

[@corbin1690]

How did you get the exclusive edition it’s like a lot of money

[@Laz_Is_cool]

WOOOOOO YEAHHH

[@tyrannosauruswrex123]

Nice 😊😊😊😊

[@itsofficiallypluto3670]

I like the fact that even zombie Mabel has braces 5:48 😅

[@MewGamer-bj9in]

The book was so fun to read

[@erdood3235]

5:35 what's written on screen at 5:35?

[@I_Like_Fnafyay]

Its "Remember Scrimbles"

[@johngraber3986]

I can't wait for a new show, but its more PG-13

[@TheInfintyithGoofball]

25:59 it drives me nuts that Mabel's hair is partially blocking Wendy's face in this video AND I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO UNSEE IT AGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!

[@itsofficiallypluto3670]

13:46 either he regrets it or he accepts he’s a monster 😅

[@Mew-928bq2]

THE REVIEWWWW IS HEREEEE HAHAHAHAHAAH

[@supmatto16]

Hey did you know if you make the book of Bill into a acronym it's says bob?😂

[@NerdRaptor_27]

Yay!

[@JustoneofthoseGravityFallsfans]

14:03 bro's before Doritos! 😂

[@superwluigifans]

I live I. The uk the bookofbill is in the uk on Monday don't ask how exited I will be waiting in line for it 😂😂😂😂

[@PrincessUnattainable]

I literally read it in less than two days

[@nameless-d1f]

is is it bad that i finished it in 2 hours

[@gracekim1998]

Nah that means you were so excited

[@levifout60882]

I just got my copy in the mail.

[@iamawesome4026]

I read the book and it was so amazing. Any secrets that people have seen on a secret read

[@pavelkrutskykh7494]

Im a big fan of you

[@jakytmk]

have someone decoded all the code in this video yet

[@EternalKHFan0]

I got most of them: 5:35 UHPHPEHU VFULPEOHV=REMEMBER SCRIMBLES 14:06 2-18-15-19 2-5-6-15-18-5 4-15-18-9-20-15-19!=Bros before triangles! 15:49 FTQ IQUDPQEF RMYUXK UZ ADQSAZ!=THE WEIRDEST FAMILY IN OREGON! 29:15 BCK POQY HC PSUUWBU RWGBSM TCF HVS UT OFH PCCY=NOW BACK TO BEGGING DISNEY FOR THE GF ART BOOK The only one left is the one in 21:59 (IXUDSX PLYST SX FHS DAARZDYLRFESN).

[@GarbageLord6543]

Yay ❤.

[@gracekim1998]

ooooo so cool

[@Charlie_A24]

" beware the impostor " lmao

[@AftonsRoboticsINC]

has anyone tried doing black light on it i want to see if there is stuff hidden like journal 3 special edition

[@blobfish7109]

@@AftonsRoboticsINC unfortunately none of the book of bill has invisible ink, but it makes sense due to how expensive it would’ve been to print.

[@carolineneh2791]

Hey That GF Fan Quick Question will the Book of Bill be available in other countries such as Africa more specifically South Africa

[@WithoutaLight]

But many people already shook the real statue's hand, sooo... 😄

[@EnderBirdAnimations]

We are doomed 😔

[@LazyLAOX]

Cool

[@pavelkrutskykh7494]

15:50 secret Code

[@Laz_Is_cool]

😋😋😋😋😻😻😻A REVIEW

[@SpiritedSpy]

19:56 The trolley problem page was exclusive?!?! That was my favorite page! I'm so sorry for anyone who didn't get to read those pages.

[@nameless-d1f]

is is it bad that i finished the book in 2 hours

[@strangewatermelon97]

No that's normal

[@noobtablet101]

Bro recorded the audio in one take and said yep lets ship it. It's very distracting man, be more thorough in your editing

[@creationisntgood942]

Hi

[@pavelkrutskykh7494]

I got the paperback 😂 #Bookofbill

[@kaileypickford8244]

Hey

[@nonamemclovenakamr.n8100]

Let hope ash Williams doesn't get drunk and shack bill hand

[@pavelkrutskykh7494]

#billcipher #billnyethescienceguy

[@Rehpicllibeye]

W@##@ M@#3 @ DEAL?

[@finnlaymoth2171]

Yo I am so early....

[@justinbones001]

Hate It, wont lie.😒

[@TheAuthor4911]

Lore-wise? Huge nothing burger. But a fun read nontheless. Baby Bill Forever ^

[@Weremsye1]

wdym "huge nothing burger"...😭what the hell are you talking about. we got SO MUCH lore.

[@TheAuthor4911]

@@Weremsye1 Not much that contributed to the story I meant, I do agree that its interesting but Gravity Falls could stand on its without it. Although the theme of the show is mystery, and there was a lot left unsolved by the end, so I guess thats what book of bill intended to fill in.

[@Raspberrymonkeyvr]

🫨🙂‍↕️ i found new emoji lol

[@vipwiktor]

first no way

[@eeeeee_____]

10:53 LMAO the ancient aliens reference 😂

[@nameless-d1f]

12:23 oh my god the sticky note is that what it says??? wait that's so cute omg 😭😭

[@hazel011]

Not sure if I found all the codes but I found some but I couldn't manage to decode one of the ones I found. "UHPHPEHU VFULPEOHV" Translates to: "REMEMBER SCRIMBLES" "FTQ IQUDPQEF RMYUXK UZ ADQSAZ!" Translates to: "THE WEIRDEST FAMILY IN OREGON" "BCK POQY HC PSUUWBU RWGBSM TCF HVS UT OFH PCCY Translates to: "NOW BACK TO BEGGING DISNEY FOR THE GF ART BOOK" The one I couldn't decode was "IXUDSX PLYST SX FHS DAARZDYLRFSEN" I tried Caesar -3 , Caesar +3 , ATBASH. There's probably something I'm missing but these codes are always fun to decode. Thank you so much for the video HK, loved hearing your thoughts and opinions. The Book of Bill is 100% my favorite GF book. And as always, keep up the hard work and stay weird :)

[@pigidinedits]

it's Atbash and Caesar+14 and it translates to "dorito wants to get illuminaughty" 😭😭😂

[@hazel011]

@@pigidinedits Oh my goodness thank you so much that's actually really funny 😅

[@pigidinedits]

@@hazel011 IK AHBHBA I kinda lost it on this one golly 😭😭

[@firelight3806]

@@pigidineditsBruh moment

[@strangewatermelon97]

This needs to be the top comment now thank you

[@DudleyKetsukane]

14:44 i cant believe the book of bill invented toxic yoai again