I really like the idea, pairs of entries coming collectively in the course of a 3rd. US VS THEM + EROOMIMED (DEMI MOORE backward) = THEME ROOM is a neat discovering.

With themers that seem quick within the grid, there was loads of actual property for excellent bonus fill, and wow, did Paolo ship. TEA CEREMONY was my favourite entry in the complete grid, adopted by COWABUNGA. Amusing to consider the Ninja Turtles making an attempt to sit down quietly in a conventional Japanese tea backyard.

As a lot as I adored the idea, I discovered the resolve ultra-challenging, as a result of I saved dropping observe of the themers’ places. I additionally initially missed the good meta-answer of MAKE ENDS MEET, since MA / KEEN / DSME / ET seemed nonsensical. I’m glad I assumed higher than underestimating Paolo — I knew he’d have a final flourish!

It’d have been nice to have the themers specified by pairs, as in MA/KE + EN/DS + ME/ET. Not solely wouldn’t it have been simpler to learn the phrases, however this is able to have given extra respiration room for longer theme entries, like BAT A THOUSAND as an alternative of THOUSAND, or FIRST BASEMAN instead of NORSEMAN.

I found one sq., finally admitting defeat: PARK SO-DAM crossing BARR. (I guessed PARK SO-DUM and BURR.) I’m used to clarifying an ultra-common error, that my final identify is CHEN and never CHAN or CHIN, so if I ever grow to be crossworthy sufficient (probability of that = 0%), I’d demand related measures from whoever incorporates my identify into their grid.

Above all else, although, this can be a fantastically modern idea. Will Shortz tries to restrict constructors to 4(ish) Sundays per 12 months to unfold the wealth, however I’d gladly take greater than that from Paolo.