Ford is a good uncle and really loves kids 2k15

Ok ok ok so I know I’ve been irrationally pro-Ford from the jump but hear me out. Ford loves kids. Capital-L loves. I-want-8-of-my-own loves. Why am I saying this? Well, look at his fucking nerd face when he finds out Dipper and Mabel are his great niece and nephew

He was ready to murder Stan less than .2 seconds ago and now he’s smiling like a dork and getting down on his knees to shake hands. And that’s another thing - Ford gets down on his knees with the kids. He’s not asserting adult dominance by hovering over them - he’s putting himself at their level. That is a such a positive social behavior like holy shit bad guys don’t do that stuff

I don’t think there’s been a single scene yet with Ford where he doesn’t smile at the kids at some point. When he’s chasing down the cycloptopus he has this deadly serious expression on his face - that thing is dangerous and the work he’s doing in the basement is serious business. But as soon as the danger is over and the thing is KO’d, the first thing he does is grin at the kids. He’s telling them that it’s okay.

And again, after telling Dipper that he can’t go down into the basement or follow in Ford’s footsteps - “well, call me for dinner!” and another goofy smile. He lightens everything. He’s gentle with the kids, way less intense than usual. Characterization-wise, it’d be a safe argument to say that the way Ford acts around Dipper and Mabel is much more reminiscent of teenager-Ford than it is of crazy-paranoid-angry-adult-Ford.

everything’s fine

Ford is willing to drop everything to play with Dipper. He promised Stan to stay away from the kids and not put them in danger - and that’ exactly what he’d been doing. He wasn’t distancing himself from Dipper and Mabel because he wanted to, he was doing it to protect them. Then Dipper invites him to play a board game, and Ford finds his in. A safe outlet for the two of them to share their similar interests. Ford isn’t an idiot - he can see he and Dipper have a lot in common, and he wants to be close to these kids. He even kept the picture Stan had of them on his desk. Yeah, I know, Mabel’s half is covered up but that looks like it was more for symbolism in the animation than in Ford’s intent. By that I mean I don’t think he purposefully put Mabel’s half of the photo behind the TV screen thinking, ha show this little bitch I’m gonna steal her brother’s affections and leave her with nothing. It was probably displayed that way to show the distance between Dipper and Mabel - Dipper has sold himself to Ford, essentially. He and Ford have a bond now that Mabel and Ford do not (yet? hopefully).

And when Ford tells Dipper to keep the rift a secret, he’s not doing it because he wants to cause problems with Mabel - he’s doing it because he knows Dipper’s bummed out about not getting to go adventuring with the author down in the basement like he wants. It’s like when little kids get the pilot stickers on airplanes - obviously this 5 year old isn’t going to be taking the controls anytime soon, but the sticker makes them feel wanted and included. This secret is Ford’s way of telling Dipper I like spending time with you, I trust you, I want you to be a part of my life here. That’s kind of a big deal for Mr. Have-You-Come-to-Steal-My-Eyes. Ford ain’t exactly what we Americans call “trusting”. Not to mention, Ford has spent 30 years on his own, fighting and struggling to survive, with nothing but his thoughts. He’s had time to reflect on his actions and mistakes. Ford isn’t some prideful 20-something anymore - he’s an old man, who’s pride and refusal to destroy his own work for the better of humanity has gotten him trapped in the portal he created for more than half of his life. Talk about regret. Ford’s paranoia is what got him into this mess, and you’re (probably) wrong if you think he isn’t aware of that. With everything he’s seen, he’s probably realized that losing research isn’t the worst thing in the world. Maybe, maybe spending 30 years entirely alone has made him a little more willing to trust - to try and have faith in humanity. And he’s starting with a child, because kids are awesome and innocent and pure. This is called “character development”. I know, take a moment to digest.

Last but in now way least, Ford doesn’t pull Dipper into his issues with Stan. Unlike Stan, who literally hits Dipper on the head and tells him to stay away from his brother. The only thing Ford says to Dipper in relation to the fight he’s having is when he’s explaining why he dismantled the portal and he tells him, “that’s why I was mad at Stan for using it. He saved me, but, as I feared …”

He doesn’t say “Stan was an idiot for turning this thing back on - look what he did! He caused this super dangerous rift that could tear us all apart! He never thinks of the consequences of his actions, he just does what he wants and then expects a thank you!” That’s why I was mad… He saved me. Ford is explaining his own reasons for being angry without trying to convince Dipper to take his side - he even validates Stan’s actions. Ford isn’t looking to destroy Dipper’s image of his grunkle, even though the relationship between the brothers is strained at best. Ford still thinks Stan purposefully sabotaged his science project, ruined his future. The last memory Ford had of his brother for 30 years was being pushed back over the line, watching Stan watch him get sucked into the portal. But for Dipper and Mabel, Ford is willing to ignore all those bad feelings. He even invites Stan to play with them - probably in part because he can see that Dipper is desperate for Stan’s approval. Stan and Ford are ready to start fist-fighting over the living room, and when Stan starts to make fun of the game, Ford says “don’t mock our fantastical monetary system!” This is his thing with Dipper - and it’s got him projecting. BUT he recovers fast, going from 0 to 60 and inviting Stan to join them.

Ford is willing to share his bonding time with Dipper - something that can’t exactly be said for Stan at this point. By the end of the episode, even Stan has seen the error of his ways and apologizes for trying to stop Dipper and Ford from having a relationship.

So, to conclude, Stanford Pines is a huge teddy bear when it comes to children and he’s good at dealing with them. He doesn’t patronize Dipper or try to pull the “because-I-said-so” card - he levels with the kids, places himself as their equal, without giving them too much information or putting them in dangerous situations. This man is a cinnamon roll. Too precious for this multiverse.

-Ally