Saturday February 16th 2019, NY Times Crossword

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Time: 23:22
Saturday Average: 37:11
Best Saturday: 10:34

Did I know "What Homer used to propose to Marge" with no crosses whatsoever? You better believe I did! Of course, Marge couldn't wear that ONION RING very long because it was burning her finger, but even so it's an unforgettable moment. Meanwhile, for the clue "Like the characters on 'Lost,'" I could only think "Dead the whole time!' rather than MAROONED. Is that the disappointing ending people talk about? I haven't seen it.

There's all kinds of pop culture that I'm digging in this puzzle, especially since I would have gone with Buffy for the ANOINTED One, otherwise known as the most annoying and pointless potential Big Bad. I should have gotten STAR WARS faster for the greatest film score of all time, because of course it is. I'll confess, however, that I didn't know about GOBOTS, but Wikipedia tells me that they preceded then competed with Transformers until being bought out by Hasbro at which point they were retconned into the Transformersverse, to the delight of all, I'm sure.

Is CARPACCIO charcuterie?

I was not expecting the answer to "Comments section, often" to be something as bland as FORUM. I was looking for something more like toxic, terrifying, misogynistic, or just simply to be avoided at all costs. But none of those things fit, which is surprising considering how much fun this puzzle is having with THE AMISH, HOTLANTA, MANSCAPING, PANSEXUAL, and DOMINATRIX all sharing space. I was IN TEARS enjoying this lovely Saturday puzzle. I now have a free evening in Lahore to enjoy, so I'll be off to do that!

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