#bill cipher analysis

Rising from the grave is corpses gaining power to be able to move their bodies around. I have so much thoughts on the death/loss of control parallels. But I choose to shut up. The henchmaniacs are all freaks, and were all probabaly ostracized by their respective homes- as most of them were implied to have been abandoned.

Except for Pyronica. She burnt down her city - But I can't see a reason not to beleive that it might've been a last straw. I'll just put this ball into your hands, the former is my personal headcanon.

Bill is dream demon, he walks in your dreams. He trancends reality, into the world of Ideas, dreams and abstractions. Perhaps a parallel to that. Besides this, This is..too a power move! yay.

WHAT GOOD IS A SHEPARD WITHOUT ANY SHEEP

Bill has an incredible relationship to being a cult leader. I've an inkling that it has long been an go to way to cope. You wonder, if you're really all that special? Or are you a simple fuzzy fool? Were you really the liberator? Or did You Kill Them All? Become a cult leader!

WE'LL START AT THE END

UNTIL WE BEGIN

"The End" here could have multiple meanings. Here are some from the top of my head:

The End could've been the metaphorical end to their "previous lives", where they got abandoned by their communities. Bill's willing to turn it around it a new beginning

The End could be the laws of physics, or the natural order and that Bill is willing to take them all to turn it around into chaos.

THERE'S ROOM IN MY THRONE

IT'S TIME TO FIT IN"

These lines are especially potent when they're referring to the henchmaniacs. We know the henchmaniacs all were oddballs that were denied everywhere, Bill's seeming to tell them that they could be a part of his throne. (I do doubt the validity of this promise). "It's time to fit in", is a very haunting statement in the way it's most probabaly related to all of their backstories in some way- CANONICALLY in Bill Cipher's (i.e see deciphered code in the page where Bill gets punched by Stan).

I don't think they could've ever fit in at all- In Gravity falls where Dipper's birthmark was always there. Ford's six fingers represented his weirdness. Bill's alternate plane seeing eye could never be erased. It is fundamentally impossible to call the place which is trying to rid of you this essential part of yourself a "Home". You could never fit in that home.

Wrote this because I was bored and I wanted to explain where I come from when writing Bill and how boomsheika​'s human design for him helped me develop more aspects of his character that we haven't seen and might never see??? Basically I was bored but I put a lot into this. Like I wrote all of this in like 3-4 hours, if that. I’m basically exhausted and I can’t believe I did this but I really hope you appreciate and enjoy it and I’d love to hear anyone’s thoughts on it!!!! Also I decided I might as well share something since no one sent me any writing requests so enjoy.

Bill Cipher the Demon

Who he is...

Demon - We all know that Bill Cipher is a self-named "dream demon," but what does this really mean in the context of his powers and actions? It's clear that he can enter one's brain to gain information from what we've seen in Dreamscapers, and he also seems to be able to pull anyone in the Dreamscape where he resides. He cannot interact within the normal human world outside of a human body, and yet he's apparently had a number of interactions with humans who have made deals with him. An interesting question that comes to mind is why Bill can pull others into the Dreamscape with him, but cannot enter the human plane of existence. He clearly has a massive arsenal of knowledge and power, so is it just his demonic damnation that had caused him to be trapped in such a limiting form?

Duplicitous - He is always cryptic in his suggestions, advice, and conversations with humans, and I think this calls back to his simple existence as a demon. Being a creature that relies on forming deals with others, he has to make sure that his deals go through more often than not, and this has made him an excellent smooth talker. Despite this, Bill is also very knowledgeable, and though he might omit the truth and speak slyly about things, he never outright lies—he has more respect and faith in himself than that. He also sees humanity as very easily manipulated, a set of beings that aren’t even worth his energy to lie to. When he can just leave this detail out here and stretch the truth about this concept there and still manage to make a successful deal, he will, gladly and pretentiously. He never looks at humanity, or any lower being really, on the same level as he views himself. He’s one of a kind—it’s simply impossible for such dull creatures to ever exist on the enlightened plane on which he resides. He also clearly has big plans up his sleeve, and this fact alone leaves a number of questions up for debate.  His past with Stan has still not been revealed, yet I'm sure that it plays a big role in who he is and why he spends most of his time around Gravity Falls. I wish I could expand more on this subject but unfortunately I haven't done a ton of research on those theories specifically.

Detained - Part of me wonders if the main hindrance on his existent lies in his existence almost paralleling that of a genie, where his powers can't be fully unleashed until he's made a contract with someone. As evidenced in Sock Opera, he cannot even possess a human body without consent, yet he was able to invade Stan's mind in Dreamscapers simply going on Gideon's orders. He takes liberties in his deals, but that’s just part of who he is. He takes all he can get with what he’s been given, and will take nothing less; he’s crafty and very good at repurposing something into a masterpiece out of its ashes. His powers within the Dreamscape are endless, but within the human realm his powers are less accessible unless he can squeeze them out in loopholes through following whatever task his human contractor makes with him. This has made him resourceful in a way that most demons and other creatures typically aren’t, and adds to the reason that he looks down so on humanity, who so often gives up after facing a dead end that could be reworked with a little more effort into an open field.

Dastardly - I feel like beyond spelling out what all of his powers are, Bill Cipher's main reason for existing and interacting with humanity is to use them as his puppets (whether figuratively or literally) and playthings. He despises those that thwart him, he considers himself (quite rightly) an entity of great cosmic influence and energy that is capable of the utmost evil and malice. Why should he care about humanity when he can make them crumble with a twitch of his finger? Why shouldn’t he utilize their self-reinforced vulnerabilities to his advantage, especially when they make themselves so susceptible to his influence? Though not a lot of this is spelled out in the show (I'd say due to its rating, although they did manage to demonstrate some of this through the deer teeth and him low key torturing Dipper with the forks and almost dropping Mabel to her death), Bill Cipher is, simply stated, a demon, and this shouldn't be forgotten. His actions are completely self-indulgent and self-motivated, and he is not a being to be trifled with. If you get in his way, he will find a way to destroy you.

What he likes...

Destruction - Clearly, Bill is a demon that revels in the desperation and debasing of the human masses. He couldn't care less if he shot through you in an attempt to make sure his plans were successful – he even shoots through Dipper (harmlessly, but this is a kids show) just because he feels like it in Dreamscapers. He delights in watching the flames of a city burn, in hearing the cries of both the innocent and the damned intermingling in agony. He is a demon, after all – where else is he supposed to get some excitement to spice up the monotony of his eternal, never changing life?

Discord - This point ties in with the last one, but being a demon I feel like Bill would be absolutely enthralled with discord...as long as it wasn't his own. Discord is a force that destroys the will of humanity, brings them to their knees in confusion and panic and sends them crawling and begging to any force that claims to be able to offer assistance. The nice thing about discord is that Bill can induce it in humans with very little effort on his part. Within the Dreamscape, within the mind, all he has to do is dig out even the simplest worry or fear...

Successful Dealings - If there's one thing Bill can't get enough of it's knowing that he's succeeded in another task. We haven't really had a chance to see what he's like when he does actually succeed in a deal or task that he's been given, but he's claimed that he still has big plans and that he's going to be coming back to fulfill them. For any demon, each successful deal can only bring them not only more power and prestige, but more support in their reason for existing. For a cosmic mass that doesn't understand the concept of creation or destruction, seeing the hand of time as a thing that simply exists but doesn't really have a huge impact on the supernatural entity, the infinite cosmos can get boring. He might not be able to feel loneliness or a wish to have it all end, but he can definitely feel bored. Success is how he measures time – it's one of the only things that can really change for him.

Why he does what he does...

Dignity - A lot of humans seem to be under the impression that demons really just want to take advantage of them because they like to see other creatures suffer. While this might be something that they do enjoy, it is not generally a motivator behind why a demon as sophisticated as Bill would do something. He has been alive for eons, he has crafted his plans and goals efficiently and in detail, and he really isn't all that impressed with what the general masses of humanity have to throw at him. Unless there was a person that especially got in his way or enraged him, he usually wouldn't act out against them in such an out of the way fashion. No human is even worth that. He has enough dignity and respect for himself to inflate his ego infinitely, but not enough (usually) to distract him from his goal. He works to succeed in his dealings in order to preserve this and increase his own renown.

To Escape the Dull - As stated before, demons such as Bill are not only very powerful but also frequently fail to find any real amusement in things they consider beneath them. The everyday petty problems of humanity can get tiring to listen to as he moves from deal to deal with a minimum of significant pay off (though I believe he could also take the route of reserving his deals for the times when he could ensure a significant benefit). Time isn't a presence that Bill worries about; he practically lives outside of it, just observing its effects on the masses. Considering this, focusing on and making more interesting deals and goals that help him to increase his prestige and overall are fun to engage with would be a big motivator, guiding him in his choices on a daily basis. Without the occasional flashy play thing, the demon's life becomes increasingly lackluster and dull.

Easily Done - Although Bill would find the most pleasure in making intriguing and intricate deals that would deliver him the most value, sometimes a simple deal that causes a little bit of concentrated turmoil would be nice. Sometimes he torments people in their dreams just for the sake of doing so. Sometimes he just likes invoking tiny pockets of mayhem to keep himself sharp, to keep himself entertained, and to keep himself from losing all will to act at all. Being unable to move forward without any real significant change or tracking of the movement would put him in a perpetual state of sameness – a state that would even bother a demon.

Who he isn't...

Uncoordinated - Bill is focused on carrying out his plans efficiently, carefully, and puts a lot of calculation and consideration into them. The times when he seems to act out arbitrarily are not really so in the grand scheme of things. Chances are he's already been in the situation he's currently facing and just wants to tweak a few things or try out a new tactic to see what the new outcome is. He doesn't take well to things that aren't very prettily set up, even though he himself would put up fine with dwelling in the most sickening and traditionally terrible of settings. Organization of the mind is key -- everything else can crumble freely around him.

Uncouth - C'mon, have you seen that top hat and tie? Bill Cipher might be an insane demon bent on building an empire out of the bones he crushes under foot, but he's going to look damn classy doing it. Bill appreciates the finer things in dreams – and in life – and strives to find things in both of these realms that are aesthetically pleasing. Unfortunately for humanity, most of the things that appeal to his aesthetic involve blood, agony, and the downfall of those he classifies as lesser beings.

Unconditional - Bill is not one to be messed with under any circumstance. If you give him any reason to hold a grudge, he will do it. If you get in his way, mess up his plans, do anything to set him into the red range of his vision, he will absolutely without a doubt make you pay for it. Most of the time this involves some sort of demonically original method of torture or overall terrible and nightmarish experience (something that he specializes in). Regardless, he does not know what mercy is, nor does he follow its code. No exceptions – that's a demon’s nature.

What he doesn't like...

Impatience - He doesn't really feel patience or impatience himself, mostly because he exists outside of the natural stream of time, but what he can't stand is a human that tries his own. A human who is incessantly annoying or impatient, constantly bothering him about holding up his end of the bargain, who turns out to not hold up their own after a long period of time has passed, or who is just overwhelmingly hard to work with and bothersome...that's the kind of person that's probably going to face an unexpected trial of terribleness courtesy of the grand dream demon, free of charge.

Impediment - As stated previously, Bill Cipher does not handle obstacles well. He's actually used to being able to plow through them with little to no effort. A pawn that's out of place? Just dispose of it. A situation that's not going to work out? Just cut it off early, rearrange it. He's actually quite skilled at impromptu planning and changing course, but when there are a number of obstacles that stack up or are increasingly difficult to dispose of...that's when he starts to lose his temper.

Ignorance - Humans really are the bane of Bill's existence. Sure, they're the only thing that helps to spice up his eternal existence, easy pawns to play with, and simple creatures to manipulate and agitate to his pleasure...but only when they're cooperative and not overly nosy. A human who doesn't understand what he's asking of them, who only fudges up their side of the bargain or makes his dealings or plans infinitely difficult when he finds the route to solving them quite simple, they are the kind of people that he simply will not tolerate. Bill Cipher may be fine in practicing patience, but even he has a limit to when he stops putting up with the ignorance of others. And for a creature as all knowing and all powerful as him, this disposal actually happens more frequently than not. But yeah, at least he gets to see some suffering out of it.

Bill Cipher the Human

Who he is...

Self-Indulgent - Bill in a human form is still fundamentally the same, though he does have some human tendencies that simply spawn from the influence that a human body would have on him. In the case of Bill, he was the one that created this body in the first place, an incredible feat and step up from having to inhabit body after body before with the sticky situations of consent and getting kicked out. But just because the body is Bill-created doesn't mean that he is able to escape the typical entrapment and hang ups of the human body. This human Bill would be indisputably self-indulgent. Where before he didn't have too many things other than the actions and suffering of others that he could enjoy, this Bill has the five senses and with them a significantly greater range of sensations to appease and test out. He would indulge in whatever he felt like; push his body to the limits of what it would take as long as whatever he was doing was stimulating to his inner essence. He can't die anyway, right?

Self-Assured - Human Bill knows that he has a charm and a way with words. He developed it from years of dealings with humans, and he still has that non-physical sense of mind reading and physical interpretation. Human Bill might not be able to pull of the fantastic feats he's used to performing with a snap of his fingers in his original form, considering that his human form does limit his access to some of his typical abilities as a trade-off for walking freely in this plane, but he certainly isn't stopped from persuading humans just as efficiently as before. Now, without utilizing his power of mind manipulation, he can simply let his expression and body language do the talking. It's a little more productive when he has a body dressed to the nine's that’s putting off an aura of power and allure, and hell, sometimes it's just fun to know that he can have someone dangling off of a proverbial string hanging from his fingers.

Selfish - Bill doesn't start to care about people just because he has a conscious now. His conscious only looks out for himself, he is still completely and utterly focused on his own goals and seeing that they are carried out. He dismisses humans just as readily as he did before, seeing them as nothing more than pawns...this body only allows him to interact more freely and create an atmosphere that seems to facilitate more cooperation in those that would run screaming from him or laugh at his initially underwhelming state. Bill is Bill, and the only thing that matters to him is him, forever and always. He is still eternal, and all he's ever really known was himself -- why would he start caring about other people just because he's interacting with them more frequently and on a more level playing field now?

Self-Important - This one kind of ties in to the selfish section, but in essence Bill is completely and totally sold on the idea that he is entitled to everything. He will interrupt people when they're talking, cut in lines, snap his fingers and send a soul to the grave for sassing him or giving him a wrong look. Bill has put all this trouble into making it to this world to grant people's "wishes" in the form of two sided deals, so he can't understand why people aren't kissing his shoes and offering him everything they can in repayment. Humans are always so driven by their desires, why shouldn't they worship someone that has finally come to grant them?

What he likes...

Pain - Bill himself has clearly stated that pain is something that he not only tolerates but enjoys. Being a cosmic mass, it's not like he gets to actually enjoy the sensations humans get to on a daily basis; he isn't equipped with the right tools to do so. Finally owning his own human body, Bill would take these sensations to the extreme. As stated previously, he can't die, and he also can't get enough of the sensations that finally make it clear to him what it means to be alive. He doesn't really value human life any more than he did before, though, especially considering he can't see why humans wouldn't be pushing every limit they can every day. With lives so short, and so much to experience, why would they ever want to live such dull, monotonous lives, missing out on all this plane seems to offer? Then again, he is talking about humanity...a subject that honestly makes him roll his eyes in exasperation.

Subjugation (Of Others) - Bill is a domineering demon, one that delights in knowing that he's on top 100% of the time. He feels most comfortable when he's the one in the conversation that’s in control, that’s steering the path that he and anyone else are going to take. He takes pleasure in seeing the true desperation and borderline admiration in someone’s eyes when he promises to make all their dreams come true and take their pain away for a small price, something that they won’t miss. He’s not entirely sure what it is about knowing that he’s on top, but hey, it’s what he likes, and he takes every opportunity to adjust his footing squarely on top of anyone that he’s succeeded in pinning under tow. The moment he knows that he’s got someone, claimed his next victim, managed to have someone swear their loyalty and fealty to him…he can’t hide the smirk that surfaces. He isn’t the kind of demon that actually eats the souls of pathetic mortals, but he certainly won’t deny his delight in knowing that he owns one. Owning a person to the core, having them on that invisible leash free to tug them this way and that…that’s the kind of power he craves.

Flattery – Bill didn’t put all this work into his human design just to have it go unnoticed. He knows what humans seem to like, the kind of face they seem to respect and trust at first sight Of course, he knows that his form isn’t going to work for everyone, but that’s what his practiced charm and flair are for. He can’t get enough of the praise and compliments that pour from the mouths of the masses that find his form most pleasing. He does his best to adjust his approach to every new person that he comes into contact with, knowing that this kind of flexibility is key if he’s going to win over a large group of people. But hey, if this generic form is what matches him the best aesthetically and serves the purposes that he needs it to fulfill, he’s not going to complain about having to be a grubby human. There are downsides every now and then, but he expects at least a meager turn out of admiration for all the hard work he put into this. He absolutely loses it when faced with someone who doesn’t know the meaning of the word “appreciation.”

Obedience – Going in line with subjugation, Bill is the kind of person/demon that requires undying loyalty and unwavering obedience in the humans and various other creatures that he happens to make a deal with. He can’t stand it when a plan goes wrong because someone got bold and decided to break away from the original instructions that they were given. They are usually dealt with swiftly and extremely painfully, but the lesson they were supposed to learn is for naught, since 10/10 times he ends up just getting fed up with trying to teach them anything and just disposes of them. What use is a pawn or a minion that isn’t willing to do whatever you ask? They might as well not be considered anything contractually to you at all if they aren’t going to follow the bargain unwaveringly. Simple beings just don’t seem to understand the importance and concept of following instructions, regardless of the ramifications to themselves or others. How vexing.

Why he does what he does...

Breaking from the typical pattern of labeling, this section involves a mixture of most of the things that have already been stated on behalf of Bill's actions and the driving forces behind them. Human Bill does things for a variety of reasons, of course the one’s previously stated in the demon Bill section, but also for reasons that his human self brings into the stream of motivation. The simplest explanation is that human Bill does thing for himself, by himself, and that’s the only thing that matters to him. The problem with his human body is that it brings in a new set of needs and desires that he didn’t concern himself with before, or if he did the desires were on a much more insignificant and temporary scale. Within a human body, Bill has to focus on fulfilling his mental and physical needs, whatever those happen to line up to be. But they are all inwardly focused, and all only pertain to what he wants and feels he needs to do. No matter what form he is in, Bill is always about Bill all the time. That’s really who he is at the core; what else would you expect from a demon?

Who he isn't...

Affectionate – Bill Cipher cares about nothing but himself. By now I hope that this has been established. As such, Bill doesn’t care much for comfort, company, or caring of any kind. The only time he engages in simple gestures that could be perceived as caring or kindness is when he thinks that the manipulation that stems from such actions will be beneficial to himself, his schemes, or gaining the loyalty of someone in the process. Bill doesn’t extend helping hands to random strangers, and he cuts the act after he’s gotten what he wants from someone. However, this does imply that he will carry out the faking of a caring act if he thinks he will continue to gain things from doing so. Sometimes it’s the only thing he can do to ensure that a pawn will not step out of place, or turn on him and force him to rework his entire plan.

Empathetic – Bill doesn’t care about humanity. It’s as simple as that. Bill Cipher is a demon that doesn’t understand humanity past its easily coercible personalities and the interwoven patterns of human vulnerabilities, relationships, and outwardly expressed emotions that are easy to identify and bend to whatever will he sees fit. Although he’s now imbued with emotions of his own, he doesn’t follow how they work or how outside forces can impact them at first, and probably never will be able to fully comprehend the true nature of the human emotional complex.

Concerned – Summing up Bill’s lack of care towards the human race which he is now a part of at face value, Bill doesn’t feel concern for others. Period. He could come across someone bleeding out, someone suffering the worst physical or emotional pain, someone clawing at his boot begging for relief, and he wouldn’t even consider granting any kind of relief or aid unless the person could give him something in return. He could be faced with a million situations involving the saddest, most unfair, unfortunate, unbelievably vile ways in which people are treated, the most basic of human needs denied and subjected to the most excruciating treatments and circumstances and he wouldn’t even bat an eyelash. Hey, he might even find it funny and try some of those torture techniques out sometime. Maybe even on himself, if he thinks the pain would be good.   

What he doesn't like...

Emotion – Human emotions and emotional responses are quite literally the bane of Bill Cipher’s human experience. While other physical human maladies and inconveniences can usually be solved, he can’t figure out the invisible forces that are affecting parts of him he didn’t even know existed, all from some cozy, hidden center in his head. As he remains in a human form and is subjected to these emotions for an elongated period of time, they do start to have an effect on his demonic essence, and begin to change him on that most basic level of himself. He doesn’t know how to stop the progression, and he finds eventually that maybe he doesn’t want to fight them, doesn’t want to give them up…hey, they make life a lot more interesting.