X in the Y patterns ... ah, brings back memories — I dipped into that well for my first crossword theme, way back in 2009. We've seen several other implementations over the years, but it's tough to locate them all in our database because they appear in bizarre ways. (Our Clue Finder can be helpful, if you search for the word "literally.")
I appreciated Alan's consistency, always using phrases beginning with THE. Some might feel that that's too repetitive, but it does make things easier for newer solvers. My solving time was much longer than usual, so I imagine some newbs might have gotten discouraged if the initial THEs didn't give them no-brainer toeholds.
I did pause at THE NIP BUD. With so many options available — MAN IN THE MOON, ACE IN THE HOLE, ROLL IN THE HAY, etc. — it was kick in the pants to see this one. Plenty of folks won't notice or care, but I doubt many Asian constructors would make this choice, and it wouldn't surprise me if some solvers pushed back.
(Full disclosure: It didn't bother me enough to mention it to Will Shortz pre-publication.)
Given that there are so many themer possibilities, and that this concept has been done soooo many times over the years, it needed an extra layer to help it stand out. For example, use AIR and SKY, toss in MOON, and you might have a theme that has a real THE PLACE SUN.
Not easy to work with six themers, and Alan did a solid job of converting his mid-length slots into bonuses. BEANBAG, DATASET, ITS OPEN added spice. I'd have preferred fewer themers and some longer bonuses, but these mid-lengthers added a lot of JINGLE to the ELIXIR.
The constructors' dream is for a fresh, famous TOD or LEY to emerge. Crucivera, oh great Goddess of Crosswords, we pray to thee to make it happen!
Curious choice to run a tricksy theme on a Tuesday. I like switching things up once in a while, but if you're going to spank newbs with a tough theme, I'd try much harder to be friendlier with the grid. Kicking things off with a tough piece of vocab in SPINET, the odd ENOTES, and a head-tilting ONE RATE ... I'm eager to gauge the reactions from my greener solving friends.