Jonathan Gersch author page

I really enjoy wondering how theme answers are all related, and getting an a-ha moment only when I hit the revealer. It reminds me of meta-crosswords — such a rush to suddenly figure out the answer. Today's puzzle gives us a nice example, with KEGS, PHONE LINES, SHOULDERS, RESOURCES, and MAPLE TREES being things that get tapped. I almost missed that first one — nice way to make the theme perfectly symmetrical, matching it with TAPS.

Some nice long fill, too. GLOW WORMS was one of the first entries I uncovered, and it really shines (pun intended). SAY WHAT? is such a colorful phrase, and one that I don't remember seeing recently in crosswords. Fantastic use of a seven-letter slot.

SIZE TWO doesn't do as much for me, but I wonder if women will react differently?

I really liked DAEDELUS, as I'm a huge Greek myth fan. But that crossing with LIDO … yikes, that might be tough for some. I think it's fair since DAEDELUS is a big name in Greek mythology.

LIDO crossing ENNIS though … I debated LEDO/ENNES vs. LIDO/ENNIS for the longest time. Ultimately, I've seen LIDO somewhere in crosswords before where LEDO didn't look as familiar. I got lucky. Hopefully other solvers did too. Perhaps NYT solvers really ought to know LIDO, the vacation spot? Dunno — seems kind of unfair to me.

EZIO PINZA crossing EZEK brought a similar debate to my mind. I know EZIO PINZA and EZEK(iel) from crosswords, but is that a fair crossing? Probably fine, since Ezekiel is a name that can be sussed out, and EZIO PINZA is a big star in opera.

Along with a handful of minor LAI, ATH, ASSOC type of entries, there were some spots that made me hesitate. Overall though, such a fun theme idea, and I had to wait until the very last entry to figure out the clever thread connecting all the themers. Nice a-ha moment.

Such a shame that constructor extraordinaire NATAN Last wasn't in on this one. =]

Great concept for a theme. I really liked the idea of having two instances of the word TAN making for a literal TAN line, and the three 15-letter theme answers do this perfectly. Very neat! It's a nice bonus that each of these answers is a lively entry in itself.

To expand on Will's point, not only are there five long theme answers, but an additional four instances of TAN (or NAT) hidden vertically, plus the TAN/LINE revealer. This is a gigantic set of constraints, much higher than usual. It's impressive to see so many TAN instances, but since there's no explicit rationale for having 14 of them, I wanted to see if there was another arrangement which might allow for cleaner fill while keeping the nice theme concept.

Some searching turned up AUGUSTA NATIONAL as another grid-spanner having a "TAN line" (two connected TANs). I like the idea of having four 15-letter theme entries that do this, with no other TANs present, something like this grid. It's not nearly as ambitious as Jonathan's construction, but to Will's point, it makes for a different balance of quantity of theme/quality of fill. Some might like it more, some might like it less.

A final note: how incredible would it be if the TAN lines made some sort of recognizable shape, perhaps by placing the theme entries in a pinwheel arrangement? I don't think the Gray Lady is ready for the shape I had in mind, though. =]