So with the Gravity Falls hiatus in full effect I’ve been busy cooking up some fan theories about what lies in store for future episodes.

And that brings me to Tad Strange. Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of fanart in which Tad is a blue/purple “demon” with a vastly different personality from Bill Cipher. There has even been talk about them being siblings, which I could see as a definite possibility. However, I find this simple square character a bit… boring. Sure, it makes sense with Bill’s design elements - simple shape, single eye - but, unlike Bill, these descriptions of Tad are not reminiscent of any famous conspiracies/secret societies.

As we all know, Bill is based off of The Eye of Providence/All-Seeing Eye, which has been linked to multiple such organizations (like the Illuminati.).

But if you think about it, there is another HUGE secret society that is connected with this icon besides the Illuminati. In fact, Stan seems to be a member of this very organization…

That’s right… The world’s most (legitimate) well-known secret organization…

The Freemasons.

Think about it. Sure, the idea of Tad being a straight-up square is not a bad idea, not a bad one at all. But when it comes to naming a famous square that has been linked to secret societies, you simply cannot (at least I couldn’t).

UNLESS, that is, you think outside of the box (pun intended). Maybe not a geometric square, but a steel square, used by carpenters and masons.

Like this one…

So take your steel square, add a geometric compass, and what do you get?









THE FUCKING FREEMASONS. Therefore, I propose that Tad Strange would look something more akin to this…

Than just this:

Quick MS painting of my concept (This will probably be hilariously off but w/e)…

IF, and if, my hunch is correct, then the following could be assumed:

Tad and Bill are brothers, or at least come from the same dimension of origin.

Bill is focused almost solely on knowledge, secrets, conspiracies, etc., as that is what will bring him to power.

Tad is more spiritually focused; he does not seek knowledge or power - Tad sees the inherent good of human beings while Bill doesn’t.

Both are other dimensional beings with godlike powers; they are gods/demons in humanity’s eyes, but they are not actually so.

Tad’s goals primarily include keeping his brother in the mindscape, but at the moment he’s currently stuck in the body of Gompers the goat. (Bill’s “I LIKE HIM BETTER THIS WAY” from the AMA). That’s why he tries to eat Journal #3 in Episode 1.

The letters BC (Bill Cipher) are right next to each other in the alphabet, just like the letters TS (Tad Strange), but reversed - perhaps because he is the reverse of Bill?

(Bill Cipher) are right next to each other in the alphabet, (Tad Strange), but reversed - perhaps because he is the reverse of Bill? Tad is wearing a fez because that is for his secret-society that is based off the real-world Freemasons (but especially the Shriners). It would be like the current fez Grunkle Stan wears, and their icon represents Tad himself. This society would be dedicated to keeping Bill in check.

^Shriner fez for reference.

Perhaps Author Stan was a part of this Shriner-like society of men and they met in the current Mystery Shack. Author Stan was tempted by Bill to disband the local faction and retool the lodge to better suit our favorite triangle. Bill then promised Stan ultimate knowledge so as long as he built the portal. Things went bad, Grunkle Stan took his place fez and all yadda yadda yadda.

That said, here are some other Tad Strange ideas besides him being a “demon”:

Former human leader of the Shriner-like secret society, which was dedicated to studying Bill. Still took place in the Mystery Shack, makes a boatload more sense when the Bills of the shack are put into question. An investigative paranormal news journalist - still some awesome potential. Some sort of computerized being. A creature based off of the ensign of a past master, such as this:

Just look at this guy! I can practically hear Cecil Baldwin’s voice emulating from it! Plus, it would truly be strange!

In any case, WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT SO LOOOOOOONG.