Ryan and Brian Do Crosswords

Ok, I am in a much better mood today.  The Dodgers squeaked out a win (take that, Barry C. Silk, Friend and Confidante to Doug Peterson, Crossword Gentleman and Man About Town!) and now go to Philadelphia with the series tied at one game apiece.  So far, both games have been very close and very nerve wracking.  Only 3 wins away from the World Series.

Today’s puzzle was constructed by Chuck Deodene and I had to google to get the final letter in place.  It was the B that crossed BRNO and BREL.  With _RNO I was sure that the missing letter was a vowel and when none of them worked I scoured the rest of the grid for a possible error and didn’t come up with anything.  I turned to google and quickly realized I needed a B.  That’s frustrating especially because I’ve heard of both of the terms.  BRNO from crosswords and Jacques Brel from that musical, To Jacques Brel and Thanks for All the Fish (or something like that).

I did figure out the rest of ,what I would call, a harder than average Saturday puzzle.

After my first pass through the clues I knew exactly one thing, IVAN Drago.  I’ve never actually seen Rocky IV but “I must break you” became a very popular phrase between my friends and I in junior high school.  It popped up quite frequently when we played D&D.  (Reason #379 why my school years were a social disaster.)

With IVAN solidly ensconced in the grid I spent the next hour or so staring at a lot of empty squares.  I don’t remember exactly how I finally broke through but I know POTABLE (34A. Unlike seawater) was a big part of my success.  I guess it makes more sense than UNSALTY.

Brian and I were chatting on the phone while solving the puzzle (being careful not to give any answers away to each other) and we both doubted the wordliness of BENTHIC.  I have since looked it up and it does indeed mean something related to the bottom of the sea.  Also, if you say it out loud enough times you can convince yourself that you have a lisp.

Brian was convinced 29D. Literally, “my master” was referring to a Disney character.  Either BAMBI, DUMBO or SIMBA.  I don’t think they’ve made a Disney movie centering around a RABBI but I think it’s high time they did.

My first thought for 21A. Track speedster beginning in 2000 was USAIN Bolt.  Turns out it was ACELA which actually isn’t much faster than the regular train but it sure is more expensive.

I liked 14A. Sputnik launch time (SOVIET ERA) but I can’t be the only person to enter in SPACE RACE, can I?

61A. Guard against drifting (SNOW FENCE).  Is this really a thing?  I mean, are there fences specifically made for snow?

2D. Hip-hop top (HOODIE).  Hey, I wear a hoodie almost everyday.  Does that mean I am in with the hip hop?

Good puzzle today.

Next stop, Sunday.