New York Times, Thursday, September 20, 2018

This idea might seem original, but I know it as more of a rehash. Technically, I'd fleshed out a similar grid years ago; I was ho-hum on my execution even then, but resolved to post it to my old puzzle website regardless, and lay any lingering thoughts to rest.

Upon recently realizing I hadn't constructed a Thursday crossword since 2012, the above popped in my mind again, accompanied by that same nagging feeling. Suffice it to say, I dug it all out of my theme graveyard, and after a stretch of brainstorming: BOOM.

My favorite aspect of the final result is definitely the phantom 53-Across clue in print. Since GUAC begins at that intersecting G, there needs to be a number in the first box ... but GSECTION is really the continuation of STRING SECTION rather than its own eight-letter answer. The quirk is more unintentional than diabolical, but I hope it caused a few double takes.

I love it when crosswords do bizarre things. It's so much fun to get a note from the NYT's production team that something weird is coming. And hoo boy, was something weird today! I solved on paper to make sure I got the proper experience, and it took me about twice as long as usual, given the twisty themers: THREAD, LACE, STRING going back and forth. We've done an animation below to help the themers stand out.

Honestly, I don't totally get the concept. It's fun to have these three words zigging and zagging. But why? A MESSAGE THREAD goes back and forth. But wouldn't the entire answer zig and zag, then? Is it just that the three different synonyms can go back and forth, like with sewing a … hem? Or like a shoelace?

I think I'm overanalyzing this.

For a puzzle like this, where the themers are short in the grid, the long bonuses are such an important source of entertainment and color. Loved some of it: EMAIL ACCOUNT, GYM SOCK, and BOAR HUNT. The clue for BOAR HUNT made it even better, participants going "hog-wild" = such great wordplay. Fantastic!

(Not so fantastic for the boar.)

But I was plus/minus on others: MADE IT BETTER felt a bit forced, not really making the puzzle better. IN ONE ACT had a partialish feel, I GET IDEAS was from a 1950 song, and ATOM MAN is an alter ego for Lex Luthor?

Things that make you say "huh."

It's tough to build around 1.) twisty theme answers that force a lot of constraints, and 2.) short themers, which necessitates a lot of long bonus fill everywhere in the grid. Dealing with both of these at the same time is no fun!

Overall though, I appreciate when constructors go all crazy and break the rules. This one didn't hit for me, but no doubt it will stick in my mind. Lots of puzzles tend to go in one of my ears and out the other, so it is an accomplishment to get something to lodge in.