MGWCC #742 - “Chain Gang”

[minimuggle]

Just finished the grid and now starting my search for enlightenment

[lbray53]

Beamed aboard. I think that there are two defensible answers but only one neat and tidy one like we have come to expect from Mr. Gaffney.

I nearly submitted the lesser one but did not trust my instincts and asked a solver for advice.

So now I have a solo solve for the lesser answer which sounds like it might have been deemed acceptable and a non solo solve on the good one (which I submitted).

It will be an interesting reveal and discussion. I may need to ask Matt to recategorize my solve.

[MikeyG]

Beamed aboard. I think that there are two defensible answers but only one neat and tidy one like we have come to expect from Mr. Gaffney.

I nearly submitted the lesser one but did not trust my instincts and asked a solver for advice.

So now I have a solo solve for the lesser answer which sounds like it might have been deemed acceptable and a non solo solve on the good one (which I submitted).

It will be an interesting reveal and discussion. I may need to ask Matt to recategorize my solve.

I got the "neat and tidy" one hours after submitting my first. Really looking forward to the discussion on this one also!

[HunterX]

Thanks to a series of hints from @HoldThatThought, dragging me towards the transporter beam, I have the answer but am not submitting. (Even though there's no coffee mug involved.) While I got a couple of the steps and figured out the answer in the end, I failed in the one that really counted. So I don't feel I deserve to continue my current streak.

Very curious what the alternate answer/metanism is and look forward to the discussion on this one.

Impressive construction!

[TeamDoubleTow]

We have beamed up and I realize what subtlety I missed when submitting our answer...

[HoldThatThought]

Quick show of hands:

Who would have ever thought that the acceptability of a Gaffney alternative solution would rely on whether a notable Supreme Court case was rightly decided?

[BarbaraK]

Beamed aboard. I think that there are two defensible answers but only one neat and tidy one like we have come to expect from Mr. Gaffney.

I nearly submitted the lesser one but did not trust my instincts and asked a solver for advice.

So now I have a solo solve for the lesser answer which sounds like it might have been deemed acceptable and a non solo solve on the good one (which I submitted).

It will be an interesting reveal and discussion. I may need to ask Matt to recategorize my solve.

Uh.. if you got any reply before you submitted, it’s not a solo solve regardless

[DrTom]

Oh, me me, please count me!!!!

Plus, in the extreme this might be considered a bit of a spoiler. Not sure because you might actually have to have solved to understand why this might be a a spoiler....

[lbray53]

Beamed aboard. I think that there are two defensible answers but only one neat and tidy one like we have come to expect from Mr. Gaffney.

I nearly submitted the lesser one but did not trust my instincts and asked a solver for advice.

So now I have a solo solve for the lesser answer which sounds like it might have been deemed acceptable and a non solo solve on the good one (which I submitted).

It will be an interesting reveal and discussion. I may need to ask Matt to recategorize my solve.

Uh.. if you got any reply before you submitted, it’s not a solo solve regardless

I agree. My comment was intended to be tongue in cheek.

[benchen71]

Waiting for the tractor beam...

Edit: Oof, that was a long wait. But I've beamed up! (Not a solo solve, however.)

[Andrew Bradburn]

I have no idea what is going on with this one, so looks like I will be adding it to the list of week 3s that I just don't get. I was able to solve Nediger's week 5, which was complex, but on that one, after I saw the first thing, one step led to the next and so on. I can't even get started on this one, everything I have tried has dried up before I got out of the blocks. Barely able to get a foothold anywhere long enough to even lead down a rabbit hole. If he is accepting a bunch of alternate answers, I guess there is some inelegance going on here -- will be interesting reading come Wednesday.

[Joe Ross]

Have 100% of some of this & can justify my answer, but not 100% in a way I'd expect.

Submitted, with ...

[MikeyG]

Quick reminder not to divulge anything with the delayed deadline until Wednesday at noon ET. I can foresee a lot of interesting discussion after the deadline on this one!

Last 5 Week 3's average to 316; I'm calling about 250 or so on this one. We'll see!

[rjy]

Same as some of the others... got it - I think! Nice to get a totally solo solve on a late-month MGWCC, so submitted without confirming. Fingers crossed...

Edited: beamed up!!

[Joe Ross]

REMINDER (ty @MikeyG!): Due to the delayed post, the entry deadline this week is Noon ET on Wednesday, August 24th.

Please post no spoilers for 24 hours & 31 minutes.

[woozy]

After a delayed start over a weekend I just can't seem to bring myself to care about this one.

I have no idea but there is one word in one of the clues that is just really sticking in my craw.

I'll take a nudge if anyone has one, or I'll just not submit this.

[gpj73]

Really didn’t want to have to ask for help on yet another week 3 but … we are baffled. A few weird coincidences that we’ve tried to run down, based on prior comments, but nothing consequential. Anyone awake at this late hour that might have a nudge?

Wed. AM EDIT: major thanks to @Katiedid for dragging us across the finish line!

[joequavis]

I know I'm staring right at it. I have step 1 and step 2...and nothing. I'm going to submit MATT GAFFNEY as he is infamous for making me lose my hair.

[Cow]

I have no idea but there is one word in one of the clues that is just really sticking in my craw.

Is the word in question "symmetrical"?

[Joe Ross]

My backdoor solution, as submitted & followed up with email (this is NOT the proper path to the solution) :

Finally sussed 3-letter names chained in TEs.

Looked up all 3-letter words in grid,

Generously considered possible names within words.

KEN LAY is the only one to pop. He fills the prompt bill as well as anyone.

If there's another way to verify KEN LAY or if KEN is incorrect, it's beyond m(in)e.

(FWIW: Above is how I submitted with image emailed. Learned immediately afterward from solvers, then Matt Gaffney, the correct path.)