Listener Crossword 4121 To ... by Navajo

[starwalker]

To save RR the bother, I will start the thread this week.
I haven't finished yet, but with a full and fairly easy grid fill, that just leaves the usual preamble and whatever potential disaster is lurking.

[tilbee]

Like many have sped through the grid completion..almost too trivial to provide much satisfaction. Now worried I wil struggle with the end game as I did last week.

[x_word_fan]

Took me longer to find the 32 cells than it did to complete the grid - haven't found the 4 clues but it seems I don't need to - or do I ???

[aldanna]

All sorted, after a bit more googling. Now back to worrying at last week's endgame, after "pdm" with early morning tea which turned out to be completely wrong.

[tilbee]

Yes X_word_fan I am in he same boat. 32 cells to highlight quickly found, but have not yet looked for the 4 clues and agree this does not seem to be necessary. Perhaps one could consider final denouement somewhat inelegant if it is not necessary to proceed through each step in turn ?

[tilbee]

A quick google search and the 4 clues ae confirmed.

[easylistener]

Easylistener at last! But struggling with the 4 nominal connections.

[perseverer]

Completed the grid quickly, spotted the 4 clues (actually based on one reference I have, I can see 5) and then it took about 20 hours for the penny to drop. My excuse, having spotted the thematic clues, then I was looking for something more directly connected (either that or I'm thick!)

[tilbee]

Agreed perseverer, I think that focussing on the direct 'nominal' connection to the 4 clues is likely to confuse rather than illuminate.

[AndrewG-S]

Like others finished grid and highlighting very quickly. The four clues were more tricky and make the whole tie together better.

[Clamzy]

Aldanna - I am not going to celebrate membership of the Friday club as I hope to resign before next Saturday. I am suffering severe withdrawal symptoms at the moment and can see no relief for tomorrow.

[tilbee]

Aldanna - any luck yet with 4120 ? Like you I revisted that this afternoon after the quick conclusion to 4121, and finally PDM. Must say the previous thread helped a lot.

[TheBear69]

Am I the only one with doubts about 29A? I can justify two different answers which differ only by the unchecked letter.

[contendo]

TheBear69 - I think only one of them fits the wordplay.

[Ruthrobin]

s-matrix, I do use the '32 cells' and still didn't instantly see the light - there were a few amusing red herrings littered around - so I laughed at myself too.

[aldanna]

Tilbee, no, we have not completed 4120, despite trying. For me, all the allusions in last week's thread were so indirect that they have not helped. Which is good. We think we have identified a shape and some letters (hope that's vague enough) but no progress with the phrase. Maybe there is time yet, especially as this week's was so quick.

[Philoctetes]

Yes, very straightforward, without much need for BRB or Bradford. Cannot see apparently pointless four clues. Also cannot see wordplay for 26a, though there are only two possibilities of which only one seems relevant

[trux]

Just got up (it is only 7'ish here), after big birthday bash last nite .... finished off with (by?) Zacapa 23 .... longhaul flight is tomorrow so have not yet even looked at this puzzle ... but you all seem to suggest that the plane will not have completed taxiing down runway before the person sat next to me will have done 4121 looking over my shoulder ... oh well ... maybe I can get my hands on the EV too ....

[Clamzy]

Philoctetes Although the 4 clues are not required for your submission (which is a pity as contendo said), they will add much to your enjoyment of the puzzle when you find them.

[Zabadak]

I agree with Contendo that 26 has only one answer justified by the word play. I can really only see 5 clues that might be part of a community - most others are relatively odd words. Blessed if I can see a sensible connection - I think I'm trying too hard (again) and not reading the rubric right. I await a penny drop in the middle of the night as with last week's.