Byron Walden’s New York Times puzzle – Sophia’s write-up

Theme: Each theme reply has the string “PAR” in it twice.

New York Times, 08 10 2022, By Byron Walden

• 17a [Opponent who helps train a boxer] – SPARRING PARTNER
• 39a [Most difficult challenge for many a student driver] – PARALLEL PARKING
• 60a [Place in an auto dealership to pick up wiper blades or spark plugs] – PARTS DEPARTMENT
• 67a [Common miniature golf goal … or a hint to what’s found in 17-, 39- and 60-Across] – PAR TWO

This puzzle’s greatest sin was getting me actually overvalued by the mini-golf associated revealer. I love mini golf, and was very curious how it will relate to the theme – one thing a couple of windmill? A gap in a single? So then I used to be a bit let down by the not notably thrilling reply of PAR TWO. It’s fantastic and explains the theme properly, however it doesn’t shine as a revealer or parse in an attention-grabbing manner, and with the arrange I hoped for a bit extra.

The theme solutions are all grid-spanning 15 letters throughout, which is a neat little bit of consistency. I checked out my very own wordlist, and these three are the one 15-letter solutions that I’ve that comprise PAR twice. Given that, they’re all fairly good, the primary two particularly. I’ve by no means been to a PARTS DEPARTMENT and had no thought it was referred to as that, however the wordiness of the clue helped me determine it out.

There being solely three potential theme solutions implies that Byron didn’t have numerous grid choices, however I like what he went with. There are an entire bunch of cool entries at present, from BOY GEORGE to TOTEM POLE to the stacks of EASY PEASY/ART DEGREE and MANIPEDIS/CHEAP WINE (now that seems like a enjoyable evening). I didn’t love the six black squares extending from the NW and SE, as a result of they chopped off numerous entries into these corners and made them really feel separate. A CLAM can be fairly dangerous, however not less than it may be clued simply! Throw all of it collectively and also you get a stable Monday, not less than for my part – Let me know yours!

Lee Taylor’s Wall Street Journal crossword, “Farm Team”—Jim P’s evaluate

Theme entries include idiomatic phrases that finish in a farm animal.

Wall St Journal crossword answer · “Farm Team” · Lee Taylor · Mon., 10.10.22

• 22a. [Fortunate fellow, on the farm?] LUCKY DUCK.
• 58a. [Institution above criticism, on the farm?] SACRED COW.
• 3d. [Airhead, on the farm?] DUMB BUNNY.
• 8d. [Family embarrassment, on the farm?] BLACK SHEEP.
• 31d. [False god, on the farm?] GOLDEN CALF.
• 37d. [Unexpected winner, on the farm?] DARK HORSE.

Straightforward theme for a Monday. I used to be a bit confused as to the aim of the “on the farm” phrasing, for the reason that clues work with out it added on. But I suppose it helps establish which entries are theme entries since they seem in each instructions and now we have different lengthy entries that aren’t a part of the theme. One different nit is the looks of each COW and CALF which looks like a dupe, particularly with them crossing on the C. But it’s nonetheless a enjoyable, satisfying set.

I’m liking BABY MAMA, WHITE SOX, MEGASTAR, TIME SPAN, EDAMAME, and MEDUSAS (the jellyfish) within the fill. Nothing a lot to complain about, however I’m not a fan of phrases like GET TO. Maybe if it was clued [Bother] moderately than [Arrive at], it will get to me a lot.

Clue of word: 42a. [Steamed or boiled soybeans]. EDAMAME. We usually steam them then add a bit salt and pepper. Once I added butter, pondering which may improve the flavour, however nope. Never once more. If you’ve received some EDAMAME ideas, please share.

Nice puzzle. 3.5 stars.