*I liked the puzzle.*  ROSWELL kind of gave the theme away, then grid symmetry indicated where the other two theme areas must be; the rebus was pretty obvious.  Had a little trouble in the SE (trussed morphed into TRAPPED), but after that the area filled in.  Right on my average Thursday time.  So I agree with the constructors that this is a great puzzle idea!  I would also say that after some years of doing these NYT crosswords, I feel like I am "tuned into" how the editors think.  I don't get stumped anymore.  I can finish all the puzzles (although sometimes with copious "look-ups").  That said, I still can have trouble with crosswords from other sources (non-NYT) - where the answers and cluing are significantly different.  So apparently I have managed to become accustomed to NYT crosswords - after many years.  For what that's worth.  You know, that and $5 will get me a cup of coffee, right?  ;-)

*I liked the puzzle.*  ROSWELL kind of gave the theme away, then grid symmetry indicated where the other two theme areas must be; the rebus was pretty obvious.  Had a little trouble in the SE (trussed morphed into TRAPPED), but after that the area filled in.  Right on my average Thursday time.  So I agree with the constructors that this is a great puzzle idea!  I would also say that after some years of doing these NYT crosswords, I feel like I am "tuned into" how the editors think.  I don't get stumped anymore.  I can finish all the puzzles (although sometimes with copious "look-ups").  That said, I still can have trouble with crosswords from other sources (non-NYT) - where the answers and cluing are significantly different.  So apparently I have managed to become accustomed to NYT crosswords - after many years.  For what that's worth.  You know, that and $5 will get me a cup of coffee, right?  ;-)

user
no
assistant