Constructor: John Wrenholt

Relative problem: on the simple facet, I believe

THEME: NINETY-ONE (17A: This puzzle’s resolution) — the theme asks you to DO THE MATH (62A: “Figure it out!” … or find out how to arrive at this puzzle’s resolution, utilizing the solutions to the italicized clues); the solutions to the italicized clues, taken collectively, for an EQUATION (56A: Aid in some problem-solving), specifically: TWO TIMES FIFTEEN TRIPLED PLUS ONE … which supplies you NINETY-ONE … which … I believe is meant to be a reference to at present’s date … 9/1:

Theme solutions:

• TWO TIMES (21A: Cheats on)
• FIFTEEN (23A: What comes after love)
• TRIPLED (40A: Didn’t fairly make it residence, say)
• PLUS ONE (54A: Date for a celebration)

2 x 15 x 3 + 1 = 91

Word of the Day: Mireille ENOS (20A: Actress Mireille ___ of “Good Omens”) —

Mireille Enos (; born September 22, 1975) is an American actress. Drawn to performing from a younger age, she graduated in performing arts from Brigham Young University, the place she was awarded the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. Having made her performing debut within the 1994 tv movie Without Consent, she has since obtained nominations for a Tony Award, a Golden Globe Award, and an Emmy Award. […] Enos’ breakout function was on the AMC crime drama collection The Killing; she performed Sarah Linden, a Seattle-based police officer for the present’s 4 seasons from 2011 to 2014. Her efficiency garnered her essential acclaim and earned her nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series on the Primetime Emmy Award and the Golden Globe Award. (wikipedia)

• • •

I loved this one for the lengthy Downs. For the remainder of it, not a lot. The first downside was a technical one, which is that my software program would not do italics so it put all of the theme clues in “citation marks,” which made them a lot tougher to interpret someway. “What comes after love” … I believed this was some type of adage, however then I simply ended up with a tennis reply (from the scoring development: love, fifteen, thirty, forty, advert in, recreation). The entire time I’m pondering that the citation marks have some … which means. But they’re simply italics substitutes. Not an enormous wrench within the system, however a wrench nonetheless. And but even when my clues had been formatted completely … you are asking me to do math, which is like asking me to attract on my crossword when I’m executed with it, which is to say: this Better Be Good. As far as I’m involved, each crossword has a “resolution,” and it is simply … the completed grid. This additional math stuff had higher lead someplace! And the place it leads is NINETY-ONE … [cough] … which *I believe* purported to make us consider NINE / ONE or 9/1 or September 1, which is at present’s date. The solely purpose I arrived at this logic is due to the clue on DAY (42A: The 2 in 1/2, e.g.). Otherwise I’d nonetheless be questioning what NINETY-ONE has to do with something. 

Strugglewise, the very worst half got here contained in the “resolution.” That is, since there is no such thing as a actual clue on NINETY-ONE, I had NINET- and when NINETEEN would not match, I received some finish letters and determined that the reply was NINE TO ONE. This felt so proper that I by no means even noticed that an precise quantity, NINETY-ONE, would match there. Compounding this downside inordinately was the clue on GEYSER (5D: Jumbo jet?), a “?” I couldn’t make sense of to save lots of my life, esp. since I used to be gazing GEOSER. Made me doubt GIG (5A: Short-term employment), however I could not get round it. Made me doubt EDEN (13A: Land subsequent to the Land of Nod), which I believed was possibly ADEN (!?!?!), however nonetheless, caught. Even once I pulled the “O” and checked out GE-SER, I could not see how any English phrase went there. I knew the clue was a fakeout clue, so I believed that as an alternative of an airplane, the “jet” in query was … the colour black. “Jet” is a typical synonym for “black” within the literature I educate, in order that was my go-to Other Jet. But no, we’re dealing as an alternative with a “jet” of … water. Great. Again, if the “resolution” had been magnificent, if there’d been actual pay-off, then my silly struggles would’ve been forgotten as I marveled on the idea and execution. But as an alternative I’m left with a NINETY-ONE attempting to promote me on the concept that it is 9/1. A less-than-ideal conclusion.

As I say, I loved the lengthy Downs, although NADA COLADA is a reasonably corny identify for a drink (31D: Mocktail with a rhyming identify). I assume that is what they’re calling Virgin Coladas now, for the reason that entire “virgin” factor has begun to really feel inappropriately sexual and (thus) possibly a bit of creepy? Anyway, the “rhyming” half certain helped. Speaking of creepy, undecided why you’d need to evoke a (presumably sexual / romantic) student-teacher “relationship” together with your clue on RATIO (44A: Relationship with a statistics instructor?). I assume it is “a” statistics instructor, not essentially “your” statistics instructor. Still, that is how the clue learn to me. Obviously actually the connection is merely a mathematical one, however the “?” on the top of the clue feels prefer it’s winking unethically at me. Seems like WINE FRIDGE ought to’ve had an abbr. or shortening sign someplace within the clue—the time period WINE REFRIGERATOR is the one I do know—however I actually like the clue, so … it is OK (3D: Vintage equipment?) (good bending of the phrase “classic” right here). Someone may order hashish “by OUNCE“? That clue would not fairly work for me, for apparent “the”-lacking causes (22D: Someone may order hashish by this). My [Biz bigwig] was a CEO at first, after all, and I couldn’t get to the MUST of MUST-READS from the clue, which says solely “suggestions” (8D: Bibliophile’s suggestions). A “advice” is just not a “must-read.” If I “advocate” a e-book to you, I’m not saying YOU MUST READ THIS! We’ve simply let hyperbole take over every little thing and generally it is a drag. Worst drag ever. See you tomorrow.