Tom C

Is there a term of art for when you think a puzzle is harder than usual for the day of the week, but you somehow finish under your average time? Whatever that's called, that's me today.

Wonderful puzzle! I enjoy a fair rebus applied with restraint and I thought that applied here. On balance I thought the difficulty was nicely calibrated (on the lighter side) to make up for those who have to hold their nose for a Sunday rebus. My favorite Sunday in many weeks!

I don't know if the editors had a spirited debate on this or not, but I'd have given the eye as a freebie (pre-solved) here. Dipping into a rebus for one square that was not marked was a bridge too far given everything else going on here. I also think it's just another nod to the visual aspect of the solve. (It is Wednesday too after all, right?)

Exemplary is indeed the correct way to describe this lovely Friday! Thanks for the wonderful puzzle!

Just because liking a puzzle and being faster than average is often so correlated: this was much longer than my average solve (on paper unassisted) at 53:12, but I thought it was delightful nonetheless! Great puzzle!