Mike Shenk’s Wall Street Journal crossword, “Brand Ex”—Jim P’s assessment

Theme: The letters EX are added onto the ends of sure phrases in acquainted phrases.

Wall St Journal crossword answer · “Brand Ex” · Mike Shenk · Thu., 9.8.22

• 20a. [Really outstanding glass cleaner?] STELLAR WINDEX. I’ve heard of “solar wind” however not “stellar wind.” But what’s the solar if not a star? Ergo, the phrase is sensible even earlier than I regarded it up.
• 35a. [Nail care product shared by shipmates?] CREW CUTEX.
• 40a. [Watch that requires a magnifying glass to read?] TINY TIMEX.
• 52a. [Cereal variety that’s taken on a yellow-green tint?] OLIVE BRAN CHEX. The phrase “taken on” actually confused me right here. Maybe “acquired” could be extra clear. On one other observe, that is the one entry that requires the separation and re-parsing of a phrase (“branch”), making it a little bit of an outlier. On the opposite hand, I discovered it essentially the most humorous of the set. If my cereal acquired an olive tinge, it might in all probability go straight into the bin uneaten.

If you informed me the theme was about including the letters EX, I’d have guessed they might be tacked on on the beginnings of phrases.  So I discovered it somewhat stunning—and attention-grabbing—that they’re added on the ends right here.

And as sluggish as I’m, I simply realized that every one the modified phrases turned model names, and that tightens up the theme tremendously. Now I’m inclined to look far more leniently at that final one, and the title makes much more sense slightly than being only a play on the time period “Brand X”.

(Missing manufacturers: Rolex, Kleenex, Kotex, and Durex. What is it about ending your model identify in EX that’s purported to make it interesting to would-be patrons?)

Lovely lengthy fill at present: FALL GUY, RAINBOWS, “I’M EXCITED,” WENT TO WAR, MING VASE, CATNAPS. A pair crossings could also be powerful for some: BISCAY [Bilbao’s province] crossing the Y in Y-AXIS [The abscissa is the distance from it], and SUN RA [Jazz legend with an “Arkestra”] with the A crossing the correct identify GIA [Supermodel Carangi].

Clues of observe:

• 61a. [Screw feature]. SLOT. Where the screw meets the screwdriver.
• 10d. [Dressing spots]. SORES. Probably like most solvers, I used to be considering salads and clothes earlier than bandages.

Four stars.