Constructor: Adam Simpson

Relative issue: Easy? (I timed myself and the clock says 2:49 and I feel that is on the quick aspect however since I do not time myself repeatedly any extra, I do not know)

THEME: DOUBLE CROSS (57A: Betray … or a touch to what can precede every half of 17-, 25- and 43-Across) — the phrase “cross” can precede both of the 2 phrases in every theme reply:

Theme solutions:

• WIND SECTION (17A: Where flutes are performed, in an orchestra)
• BAR EXAMINATION (25A: Qualifying hurdle for training regulation)
• REFERENCE CHECK (43A: Prehiring formality, typically)

Word of the Day: AIDAN Gallagher (27D: Gallagher of “The Umbrella Academy”) —

Aidan Gallagher (born September 18, 2003) is an American actor and musician. […] Gallagher first appeared in a minor function in a 2013 episode of Modern Family. He was within the quick movie You & Me and was within the CBS tv pilot Jacked Up, which was not picked up and by no means aired. He then landed a serious function in Nickelodeon’s Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn as Nicky Harper, for which he was nominated Favorite Male TV Star within the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in 2016 and 2017. He was within the present for 4 seasons till it led to 2018. // In February 2019, Gallagher started starring within the Netflix superhero collection The Umbrella Academy, an adaptation of the comedian e book collection of the identical title, as Number Five / The Boy, a 58-year-old time traveller who’s caught contained in the physique of his 13-year-old self resulting from an unintended time leap. His portrayal gained him important reward; as The New York Times‘reviewer put it, he “carries the present so far as he can”. Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter wrote that “Gallagher is excellent within the tough a part of a fifty-something-year-old man trapped within the physique of a schoolboy”. (wikipedia)

• • •

I have never timed my solves in a very long time as a result of I discovered the clock turning into an annoying distraction—concern about time was really detracting from my enjoyment, which is the most effective purpose to cease doing one thing: now not enjoyable. But that does not imply that I do not nonetheless like the sensation of the wind dashing by way of my non-existent hair as I tear by way of the grid. I used to be by no means a lot of a sprinter (many extraordinary solvers can completely smoke me on a M or T puzzle), however I believed oh why not simply get out the clock and see what’s what. And I’m completely satisfied to report that I appear to be in about nearly as good a form as I ever was. 2:49 on a Monday is on the low finish of what was very regular for me, for Monday. The factor about dashing is wow you may actually really feel the bumps (i.e. the stuff that slows you down), so in that method, velocity can really be clarifying (versus distracting). There are good bumps and dangerous bumps. Bad bumps = “dang is it ALII or ALIA, they’re each so regrettable, after which having to guess at which one, on high of the ugliness … bah!” (2D: Et ___ (and others: Lat.)). But then there are good bumps like “RICE BOWLS! … wait, grasp on, no … omg, POKE BOWLS! That’s higher! And extra particular! And extra scrumptious!” 

The hardest half for me, although was most likely the lifeless middle, what with the 2 names I did not know (or, slightly, one I did not know, the opposite I forgot—sorry, ILENE) (29D: ___ Chaiken, co-creator of “The L Word”). With DDE crammed in there as properly (36A: Fifties presidential inits.), that’s most likely the weakest a part of the grid—however within the puzzle’s semi-defense, it is also the a part of the grid that was most likely hardest to fill cleanly, given the way in which the grid is constructed. Trying to place three 5s alongside one another with their first and final letters all fastened in place by themers—weirdly arduous. Like, attempt to refill it with out actually tearing down the grid. It’s not straightforward. I did not spend an excessive amount of time at it, however early efforts weren’t getting anyplace higher than AIDAN MEDIC ILENE. So that a part of the grid is forgiven its correct noun roughness. As for the theme—there it’s! It’s a theme. One of the oldest theme sorts, and one which not often YIELDs good outcomes … however as we speak, you actually cannot argue with the solidity of this themer set. And the revealer is correct on the nostril. So certain, why not? Solid Monday execution.

Notes:

• 20A: Vanish into skinny air (DISSIPATE) — anybody fall right into a DISAPPEAR gap right here? I’d have, however the “I” from RESIDE saved me on my ft.
• 10D: Camera model that merged with Minolta in 2003 (KONICA) — keep in mind cameras?! I do, however damned if I might keep in mind which a part of KONICA was “Ok”s and which “C”s. KONIKA, CONIKA, CONICA, CSONKA … so many permutations.
• 4D: “I’d wager that…” (“ODDS ARE…“) — shout-out to middle-length fill that’s really recent and colloquial and fascinating. You do not need to let the longer solutions have all of the glory. See additionally RUN-DMC. Fun stuff.

• 12D: AMC’s “Better Call ___” (SAUL) — shout-out additionally to the best present (now not) on tv. Really rooting for everybody concerned with that present to take residence Emmys later this month, notably RHEA Seehorn, who will (I hope) be with us in crosswords for a very long time to return. What an actor.

Signed, Rex Parker, King of CrossWorld

[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Facebook]