Sam Gamgee / “Son of the Dragon,” in a medieval Romanian sobriquet / Mac platform renamed in 2016 / Onetime speak present whose studio viewers was often called the “Canine Pound,” familiarly / Request made by a downstairs intercom

Voltron is an American animated tv sequence franchise that encompasses a crew of area explorers who pilot a large tremendous robotic often called “Voltron”. Produced by Peter Keefe (government producer) and Ted Koplar by his manufacturing firm World Occasions Productions, Voltron was an adaptation of a number of Japanese anime tv sequence from Toei Animation. The unique tv sequence aired in syndication from September 10, 1984, to November 18, 1985. The primary season of Voltron, that includes the “Lion Power Voltron”, was tailored from the sequence Beast King GoLion. The second season, that includes the “Automobile Group Voltron”, was tailored from the unrelated sequence Armored Fleet Dairugger XV.

Voltron: Defender of the Universe was the top-rated syndicated youngsters’s present for 2 years throughout its unique run, and it spawned three follow-up sequence, a number of comedian books, and a line of toys. (wikipedia)

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The theme was fairly simple to determine, however the cluing for some purpose felt fairly amped up right this moment, so my general expertise was truly a bit of gradual. At one level early on, I had practically the complete perimeter of the NW crammed in (DISNEY, DISCS, SEE, YES I DO), and no thought what was speculated to go inside. One thing comparable additionally occurred later within the SW, the place I had CENAC after which …. [tumbleweeds]. The theme itself feels caught in no man’s land. You progress “it,” however you do not have a superb revealer phrase, or phrase that makes the theme make sense, so you utilize … two totally different ones? Which might be unrelated to one another? If all “IT”s had been moved to the fitting and also you had a revealer like “PASS IT ON” (and even “PAY IT FORWARD”), you’d have one thing. One thing coherent. “Go it on” and “go it again” do not pair that properly. “Go it again” is at all times a literal factor, like “right here, take this piece of paper and go it to the particular person behind you.” However “go it on” is about transferring data. The latter is a way more widespread / colloquial phrase than the previous. The pair are mismatched, and so the theme simply is not as tight because it may/ought to be.

All of the theme solutions, as they seem within the grid, are unclued (i.e. there is not any express clue for CIRCUITS, MOJO, and so forth.). This can be a characteristic not a bug, however earlier than you determine the entire “IT”-shifting factor, it undoubtedly makes the puzzle tougher. It will get simpler once you hit an italicized clue—these are mainly screaming “that is the tough half!” at you. I knew that I needed MOJITO at 19A, however did not get what precisely was unsuitable with MOJO till I hit 29A: Covers for a wet day, which I immediately noticed was gonna be TAR PITS: TARPS + “IT.” By some means TAR PITS was the factor that made me see what was happening with MOJITO. The theme was simple from there on out. Kinda paint-by-numbers. However as I mentioned up entrance, the cluing stayed fairly powerful, so I nonetheless needed to work to get to the tip. That work … was not at all times nice. I believe DROP TROU is without doubt one of the dumbest phrases on the planet—like, from one other period, slangy in an unpleasant manner (24A: Present a short glimpse?). It is the explanation I see TROU within the grid (as a standalone reply) manner far more than I ought to. I simply bodily hate the phrase. Private quirk, what can I say? Not the puzzle’s fault, however enjoyment degree dropped laborious there. ETAPE, although, that is the puzzle’s fault (49D: Tour de France stage). I acquired it simple sufficient, however man that is an unpleasant old-school international crosswordese phrase to foist on solvers. Its frequency dropped off laborious after Shortz took over within the early/mid ’90s, but it surely nonetheless hangs round, sadly.

[xwordinfo dot com]

The one reply that acquired me legitimately mad on the puzzle, although, was “OM NOM NOM.” (43A: [Can’t talk, eating]). Thanks, I Hate It. To be clear, I’d’ve liked (or a minimum of appreciated, or a minimum of abided) “NOM NOM NOM.” That dropped first “N,” although, ugh. Ugh. “NOM” is commonly clued [When repeated, sound of eating] or [When repeated, sound effect for Cookie Monster]. “OM,” nonetheless, is barely ever a meditation syllable. I see that there are some GIFs on the market which have the consuming sound impact as “OM NOM NOM,” however that does not make me prefer it. I additionally see loads of “NOM NOM NOM.” If it is “NOM” in crosswords (it’s), and it is “NOM NOM” in crosswords (as soon as, a pair years again), then it ought to be “NOM NOM NOM.” Like so:

I finished watching cartoons within the early ’80s, so VOLTRON (whereas a really acquainted identify) didn’t leap to the entrance of my mind till I had some crosses in place. There was a decidedly ’80s tween boy vibe to this, with the children’ cartoons and the video video games and ARCADE and the Tolkien and what not (46D: “Do you keep in mind the ___, Mr. Frodo?”: Sam Gamgee). I used to be an ’80s tween boy (for the early ’80s, anyway), and but none of these things resonated with me. ARSENIO, that resonated with me (14A: Onetime speak present whose studio viewers was often called the “Canine Pound,” familiarly). Proper on course. I used to be the fitting age to expertise that phenomenon in actual time, with full drive. I want extra stuff resonated with me, however typically you simply do not luck out. The fill on this one appears superb, however its “highlights” have been (principally) not for me. ESTUARY is a superb phrase (although laborious for me to get right this moment, for certain) (5D: Lengthy Island Sound, e.g.). “LET ME UP” sounds extra like one thing you’d say if somebody was sitting on high of you than one thing you’d say by an intercom. Additionally, if it is actually a request remodeled an intercom, then it is impolite. And probably not a request. Extra of a command. 

Explainers and so forth.:

• 15A: Expressions of contempt (SNORTS) — unsure what you name it when each KEA and LOA present up in your grid, however that is what occurred right this moment. Me: “SNEERS! … ugh, no, it is SNORTS.” Me, later: “oh … SNEERS … there you’re” (62A: Expressions of contempt)
• 21A: Determine for the prosecution, for brief (ADA) — Assistant District Legal professional. I favor the Dental Affiliation. Or the Lovelace.
• 39A: Digital machine from which customers take “sips” (VAPE) — have you learnt how impossibly uncool this seems? Simply smoke. I imply, do not, you may get lung most cancers or emphysema, however aesthetically, I would a lot somewhat watch you smoke than “sip.” There is a purpose individuals smoked like loopy on movie within the olden days and hardly anybody vapes on movie. And it isn’t simply health-consciousness. Smoking simply seems nice. Whereas vaping simply seems determined and unhappy, regardless of how sizzling you’re. To be clear, my objection isn’t ethical in any manner. It is purely aesthetic. 
• 56D: Function of some out of doors impediment programs (MUD) — may’ve been something. Or, wasn’t clearly MUD, at any charge. Clear as MUD!

• 59A: “Son of the Dragon,” in a medieval Romanian sobriquet (DRACULA) — on reflection, this could’ve been apparent, perhaps, however oof, no. No thought. Thought they have been throwing some Recreation of Thrones crap at me right here. “Romanian” ought to’ve tipped me. But it surely did not.
• 60A: “On the Films with Ebert and ___” (ROEPER) — as with ARSENIO, I’m the fitting demographic for this as properly. Not one of the spice of the Siskel days. But it surely was on and it was about films and it had Ebert, so I watched typically.
• 53D: Reflexology setting (SPA) — “setting” is a phrase that the puzzle makes use of in complicated methods typically. I assumed perhaps there have been “setting”s in reflexology, like perhaps you set your foot … phaser … to stun or one thing. However I suppose some SPAs simply provide “reflexology,” so there’s your “setting.”
• 8D: Mac platform renamed in 2016 (OSX) — is it iOS now, then? Nope, that is cell. It is truly macOS, so … search for that in your grid someday quickly, I suppose, inevitably, sadly. LOL they need to have a cereal formed like outdated Apple Macintoshes known as “MAC O’S!” Would. Purchase. (N)OM NOM NOM!

I am completely satisfied to announce (all this week) {that a} new version of These Puzzles Fund Abortion is out there now (These Puzzles Fund Abortion 5!). Donate to abortion funds, get a set of 23 top-notch puzzles from a few of the greatest constructors within the enterprise—principally customary U.S. crossword puzzles, but in addition some cryptic crosswords, selection puzzles, and even an acrostic. Rachel Fabi and C.L. Rimkus have accomplished such an amazing job with these collections over the previous few years, elevating over $300,000 for abortion funds across the nation. I assist a lot of charitable organizations, however hardly any of them give me crosswords in return. So I’ll give TPFA5 my cash right this moment [update: done!], and I hope you do too. This is the hyperlink.

See you subsequent time.

Signed, Rex Parker, King of CrossWorld