Let me see if I can make that clearer. Mr. Moore offers us five theme entries (the revealer is included here, for a reason that will become apparent in a moment). The phrases all include the word CASE in some variation and, when reading from top to bottom, the progression first opens and then shuts on CASE, as follows:
CASE/Y AT THE BAT
CAS/T ASIDE
CA/NADA GEESE
C/HECK PLEASE
OPEN-AND-SHUT CASE
Constructor Notes
The idea for this progression hit me late one night while mulling over the potential of 58-Across as a themeless entry. Maybe it’s a kind of reverse semantic satiation (a term I just learned from the Apple TV series “Ted Lasso”) where if you stare at a word long enough, it can actually gain meaning.
I figured there would be a decent number of options for CAS-E, CA-SE, and C-ASE, but realized there are very few entries that begin CASE without using the word itself. I’m a baseball fan who married into a family of even bigger baseball fans, and I knew I wanted to start the progression with 20-Across. Given the lengths (13, 15) and relatively fixed placements of those two answers, mirror (left-right) symmetry was required. With rotational (180-degree) symmetry so dominant, I always enjoy seeing what the mirror will reveal.
Somewhat surprisingly, this arrangement of stacked themers seemed to yield the best fill, though some compromises were necessary, as in the wide-open north section. I suspect many solvers won’t notice or care, but I do hope some enjoy the unusual layout, including the 2x2 Tetris blocks on either edge of the grid’s center.
The clues reflect a harmonious balance between my submission and fresh ideas from the editorial team. They injected new life throughout, with 17-Across a prime example. 42-Down is saltier than what I would have dared submit — but I loved seeing it! I appreciated the essence of my clues being retained in many places, especially 28-Down, 43-Across, and 27-Across.
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Your thoughts?
The Link LonkApril 28, 2021 at 09:00AM
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/27/crosswords/daily-puzzle-2021-04-28.html
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