"Play With Matches" November 10, 2023

[Joe Ross]

The answer is clever.

It’s not so much that the meta is hard, it’s just hard to not get sucked into rabbit holes on the simple elegant path

[CromsFury]

On a related note, Mr. Berry is ALSO responsible for this week's New Yorker Cryptic.

HONESTLY . . where do some people find the time???

[BigPear]

Okay I am 99% sure I finally have the first step. Pant pant

[cbarbee002]

Well, I have picked up this week's WSJ meta about 4 times now to no avail. I do come up with new approaches, but none have panned out. The upside is that while on the site I did finally get to take a look at the recording of the 2-hour session with Matt Gaffney, which was very entertaining. I'm sorry not to catch the apparent elegance of this week's meta by Mr. Berry, and I'm looking forward to the reveal at midnight (well, okay, 8 am tomorrow . . . .). In the meantime, I'll borrow from a future solve and crack a bottle of red.

BTW, is anyone participating in "MOVEMBER" this year (aside from @Al Sisti's year-long participation)? I haven't to date, but still time to repeat this beauty (or beast, per my wife).

[BigPear]

Man alive, I am on the shore!!

[Kas]

Hm. While I'm perfectly fine with one of these barstools on the ship being permanently etched with my butt-print...I'm getting a little antsy for some beach time. To wit:

1. I'm still on the boat, obviously; and
2. Would one of you kind souls throw me a hint, please? (Light hints only/no full spoilers, please...)

(Darned rabbits. Sigh.)

[BigPear]

And, yes, this really is a mindblowing construction! The comments kept me going.

[Streroto]

KAS 5. Dragged to shore with a swift kick to the behind. Amazing construction I agree.

Major kudos to all you solo solvers.

Stay well

[LittleGood]

I'm with Isaac.

[Flying_Burrito]

Started late this morning but took me a good 4 hrs to get ashore. I had the first step, the problem was it was not the full first step (and that's where i got caught in the riptide). Once that was fixed the storm ended.
Good PB, but IMHO not the best PB which is still the Cheap Shot from about 7 or 8 yrs ago. How about some Pisco Sour (Peruvian style, with lime juice), Cabana beauty?

[BethA]

On the beach!

Phew!

[Kas]

Update…hello, cabana!!!

…With thanks for a couple of helpful nudges.

[Katiedid]

I don't have the least toehold. I hate to miss out on a puzzle that so many are calling brilliant and clever. I'll try to get on last call. But I don't even have a clue where to start!

[CopperRiver]

I have a Hail Mary answer but that’s about it. Been working on lots of ideas and nothing panning out yet.

[BisbeeTam]

Hail-Mary’d one from Isaac’s bar. Ugh.

[Yoda66]

I left the swamps of Dagobah for the warmth of the beach. It was actually a pretty quick flight as PBs for some reason come easy to me and it' s with MG metas where I usually cross my skis. The answer did not match my initial 60 second guess but it's irrefutable. Negroni fir me please

[Inca]

On a related note, Mr. Berry is ALSO responsible for this week's New Yorker Cryptic.

Thank you for this link. I love Patrick Berry cryptics. I'm not that good at them, but really enjoy them anyway

[Tom Shea]

Count me on the ship, anxiously awaiting my DOH! moment Monday morning.

[chriscross]

Pretty sure I have step 1, but I do not see where to go next. Anyone care to verify that I do have step one (as I saw others say step one was longer than they thought at first)?

[Cindy]

Hm. While I'm perfectly fine with one of these barstools on the ship being permanently etched with my butt-print...I'm getting a little antsy for some beach time. To wit:

1. I'm still on the boat, obviously; and
2. Would one of you kind souls throw me a hint, please? (Light hints only/no full spoilers, please...)

(Darned rabbits. Sigh.)

Kas. See post #126.