EV 988 Pairs by Oxymoron

[dr b]

What a nice puzzle. Very clever way of handling the themed entries, with some pop culture references not normally seen in these sorts of puzzles. Good fun.

[DocHH]

Hello dr b,
On my first pass through the clues, looking for the gifts, didn't result in too many grid entries or answers to thematic clues. I then looked at the name of the setter! Mr O! Immediately thought of Devadolly! However manged to solve a number of the clues on starting on the western column and the pair of thematics that formed 1d. All fell into place then.
How was your train journey last week?

[dr b]

Hi Doc, it went well. There is a section of the route that parallels the freeway I would have been driving down, and it was definitely a pleasure to sit and watch as the train passed the cars, thinking "that could be me"!

[DocHH]

From time to time, I have to go to Chiswick, to the west of London. If I were to drive I'd need to use the SW quadrant of the worlds largest car-park, the M25, for a 10.30 meeting start I'd need to leave home at 06.00 at the latest. Going by train, even with 2 changes means I can leave home at 08.10! OK, so my car isn't the most economical, but the train fare is 20% less than the petrol cost. The uncostable benefit is that I can do the telegraph Crosswords and polyword on the train!

[novalis]

A nice puzzle where the penny dropped very early then it was a case in several instances of working backwards to arrive at the thematic answers and entries. Much prefer the train to the car but the latter is "forced" upon me at times.

[devadolly]

Good Evening All! Sound like Dixon of Dock Green!! That will be lost on you drb and also on anyone under the age of 60! However.......... Yes I did cringe and reach quiveringly for a very strong cup of my coffee but have manfully (or womanly if one wishes to be horribly PC) set about it with gusto. Sadly, gusto isn't being the help they could be as I have no idea of the theme at all! Have done about a third of everything, am I right in taking the instruction in the preamble as gospel.......ie. two answers go together to form a line/column?
As to the train, yes,yes yes! The W coast line for us is now only 2&1/2 hours to London, hardly time to have breakfast and get a good start on the DT Xword before one is turfed out at Euston, excellent for meeting pals for lunch.

[novalis]

Hi Devadolly!

Yes two thematic answers combine to make the unclued entries but how they combine is the crux of the matter. For the across entry in the final row think TV programmes.

[DocHH]

Devadolly, I'd agree with Novalis, the way the pairs are combined is almost central to the theme. When are you off on your first visit to the US? Then where do you sail to? Sounds good fun!

[devadolly]

Thank you for the hint Novalis, have had a first think and nothing is springing to mind, am I wrong in assuming it is one prog. of two words when maybe it is two different progs???
Next week DocHH, luckily being shown round by friends otherwise wouldn't know where to begin. Then sailing down to the sun.

[novalis]

Hi Devadolly!

It is one programme, the title of which is more than two words.

[AndrewG-S]

Bit late to join in the fun, but will post nonetheless. Thoroughly enjoyable puzzle, tricky but more accessible that some of DD's nemesis' puzzles have been in the past. Thanks Mr O

[kayakamina]

I was also late starting (too much Rugby), but I very much enjoyed this puzzle set by O.

I hope that Devadolly, once she has twigged the theme, will feel the same.

[devadolly]

Hello, am still plodding, have done the bottom row but quite by accident as I have never heard of the prog depicted and connot for the life of me see the relevance to anything, nor can I fit in any more of the thematic answers. Do they all go into the graid in a similar fashion and are the final answers equally obscure?

[kayakamina]

DD

The 'formula' for entry of the thematic clues follows that of 41a - i.e one solution 'in' the other.
Good luck.

[devadolly]

Thank you K, will have another look later!

[novalis]

Hi Devadolly!

Just to add to Kayakamina's ( as always ) very helpful advice the expressions and phrases are not really that obscure. I must admit I've heard of but know nothing about 41 across. An extra bit of guidance for 1 across - think (musical ) Police.

[devadolly]

Thank you all, have now got all the thematic spaces filled with the exception of 13a to which I have the answer, but it doesn't fit with the answer I have for 7d. In fact I am having a little difficulty with all the down clues from the police siren. Will plod on (whoops, sorry!)

[kayakamina]

DD, the Sullivan referred to is the TV host famous in the 50s & 60's. Then add 'cook' for the word you are looking for in 7d.

[devadolly]

What do you know? I've actually finished a MR O!! Many thanks to you all for the hints. Won't be here for the next 3 (altho' will be trying to get somewhere with this Sunday's - probably for the whole holiday.

[DocHH]

Congratulations devadolly. Have a good holiday, I hope you find lots of sunshine.