Listener 4148 - More Collusion by The Magpie

[starwalker]

Having seen the setter(s) I thought that this would be a real problem. Surprisingly, despite some tricky clues, it all fell into place quite quickly.
I notice that these days they omit the instruction to use a pencil first, but then I always take that for granted.

[cluelessJoe]

the Azed verdict seems harsh Scree - are you sure that your clue was accompanied by a completely correct entry, since that can exclude it from consideration.

[tilbee]

cross_lover as someone who often struggles to find latent words in the grid, especially when some need to be modified first, I started from trying to think of possible reasons. I started from 'three (sic) heads are better than one' until I finally came on the correct solution which had the correct number of letters and could then be made to fit the grid.

Hope this helps.

[Ruthrobin]

Scree, I though the same about mine - 'For junior classes I recommend the lotic texts' - that didn't get even an HC! I'm pretty sure my solution was correct Clueless Joe (l[east er]otic)

[u10]

I think I struck lucky twice with this one. I guessed the phrase correctly right at the start after linking "brains trust" and "collusion" from the preamble. There seemed only one suitable phrase that connected the two. There were some really strange wordplays and it was useful to be able to double check some of them when changing letters in the grid. Also as with many Listeners it pays to go for the most obvious and this helped in locating where replacements had to be made.

[Philoctetes]

I thought some of the clues were decidedly ropey in an effort to include the extra letters. And the fact that some of the actions were not relevant to the end result was just sloppy. Clever idea, but 4/10 for execution :(

[contendo]

Got to be a smartypants at last, and kicking myself for not getting there earlier. The "reason" doesn't exactly jump out of the grid at you, but once you've thought of it it all falls into place.

[Scree]

CJ, Ruthrobin

Pretty sure it was in on time and correct - but I note that Ruthrobin also chose an approach (l/east er/otic) that featured in one of the winning entries. I'd guess that Azed selects his favourite from each approach, and rarely picks more than one for special mention.

In the good old days when I was on the dole and had more time for these things, I used to get the Azed slips which descend to the ranks of 'commended', and once got a mention for a PD clue, but it's very subjective - when I made runner-up (for a straight clue) it was with a throwaway last resort after failing to wrestle my preferred efforts into shape!

[Zabadak]

I'm indebted to Midazolam and Ruthrobin for nudging me to retry the obvious - too early (and easy) wrong letters had scuttled my early try, hence grumpiness.
I think the final solution either jumps out at you straight away or gives rise to residence in Much-Staring-at-the-Grid: I couldn't get away from "altering the plan" meaning playing with the bar lines - and there's a very promising red herring down the middle. The final descent of the denarius was the result of a final quick look and led to a serious self-administered kicking. As usual, this sort of puzzle is an absolute doddle IF you spot it.

[BlackHugh]

phew - stumbled over the line to be a smartypants just before todays one is published! I'd spent 3 days having fallen for the various red herrings at the end of stage 2 (clever clogs). Still have no idea how 16a works.

[kwyjibo]

I don't deserve to be called a smarty pants. Finally saw the error of my ways. Very clever to have so many blind alleys.

[IainGrace]

Finished - just in time to start this week's puzzle. We agree with an earlier comment that it works best if one follows steps 1, 2, 4 and3 in that order. How appropriate that we agree.

[pushmi-pullyu]

Had all but given up hope of gaining smartypants status, but having finished today's, thought I'd take one last look. Lo and behold stage 4 jumped out at me. Why are things impenetrable one time you look at them, and obvious another?

[ichkeria]

"Finished - just in time to start this week's puzzle. We agree with an earlier comment that it works best if one follows steps 1, 2, 4 and3 in that order. How appropriate that we agree."

If you follow the preamble to the letter, so to speak, then steps 1,2,3 and 4 proceed in the natural order. Without that hint I don't think I would have finished the puzzle.

On ruthrobin's PD clue I suspect it falls down because there is insufficient hint in the rest of the clue as to the contents of the split.
I mistrust the AZED clue competitions anyway as I don't think they are judged anonymously, which is unsatisfactory AFAIK.

[ichkeria]

"In awe at the Friday nighters speed of solve on this one."

There are 8 hours on a Friday in which to complete the puzzle so perhaps not all that impressive. I suppose it depends when one starts.