O. S.

Oof, not a fan of this one. The whole grid was full of naticks for me (if I’m using that word right?), and while I appreciate the need for brand names in the theme, there were way more than I would have liked in the non-theme sections too. If this had been a Friday, at least I would have felt like it was my fault for not getting it…

Adding my voice to the chorus of “”humorless””, “”hysterical”” anti-AI commenters. If you wanted to have a joke clue referencing some bad poetry, I’m sure a Bulwer-Lytton competitor could have gotten you a much more transcendently awful metaphor for eyes than ChatGPT.

I loved the gimmick on this one! The directional “to”s were fun and clever. Got it in half my normal Thursday time. :’) That being said, I would have absolutely hated it if those squares weren’t shaded, so good on whoever made that choice.

I haven’t finished yet, but I have to (playfully, lovingly) rage over 31D - if they use kayaks, it’s not CANOE POLO!

Fun theme, AND the theme answers look sort of like a (headless) skeleton when highlighted! I’d ask why this wasn’t saved for October, but I’m currently wearing skeleton-print pants in March, so clearly I’m in agreement that spooky themes are appropriate year round.

I rolled my eyes when I realized this was a rebus puzzle, but it was actually quite enjoyable! Six rebus squares felt like overkill at first, but I think the overuse is part of what made it easier to solve.

Emend?? OpenendeR??? Oof. Somehow I still came under my Friday average, but still, it’s the principle of the matter!

With OH NOW I SEE right there, I thought 25A was meant to be parsed as “now I se- er…” , which was quite a stretch! Relieved to see that the answer (and myself) was NO WISER.

Super fun one today! I was bracing myself for another Thursday eye-roller, but this one was a breeze. Hope to see Matthew back soon!

Fun one! It’s rare that I think that about a puzzle I can’t finish with my coffee before work in the morning, but coming back and looking at it with a fresh pair of eyes after dinner really made me appreciate it.