July 8, 2020

Title: BROKERAGE

Constructor: Zhouqin Burnikel

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

ROOF DAMAGE (17A: It can be caused by a hailstorm)

RETIREMENT AGE (25A: 62, for many Americans)

RESCUE PACKAGE (42A: Economic aid measure)

RED CABBAGE (56A: Traditional side dish for sauerbraten)

Theme synopsis: Each theme answer begins with R- and ends with -AGE. Therefore, each theme answer displays BROKERAGE, or BROKE...RAGE.

Things I learned:

• APU (37D: Satyajit Ray protagonist) The APU Trilogy is a series of Indian Bengali language films directed by Satyajit Ray: Pather Panchali, Aparajito, and The World of APU. The three films won awards at the Cannes, Berlin, and Venice Film festivals and are frequently listed among the greatest films of all time. This is a fabulous example of inclusive cluing. I'm guessing that many solvers, like myself, won't get the answer immediately from the clue. However, the crossing words of VACAY, PIPE, and RESCUE PACKAGE are all familiar. APU has been clued in reference to The Simpsons over 460 times since 1998. Even though the films in The APU Trilogy are critically acclaimed and award-winning, this is only the fifth or sixth instance since 1996 of APU being clued in reference to these films. I appreciated learning this information. (Since I don't watch The Simpsons, I always need crosses to fill in APU no matter how it is clued.)

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• NASA (6A: Ariana Grande song about needing space) What a fun way to clue NASA!
• FEB (39A: National Donor Day mo.) National Donor Day is dedicated to spreading awareness and education about organ donation. It is celebrated on FEB 14. Are you an organ donor? You don't need to wait until next FEB to learn more about organ, eye, and tissue donation.
• RESCUE PACKAGE (42A: Economic aid measure) I tried to make this RELIEF PACKAGE at first That term is more familiar to me, but RESCUE PACKAGE is also valid. The terms appear to be used interchangeably.
• SPARSE (46A: Like western Alaska's population) This was a nicely misleading clue. I was expecting the name of an indigenous people. Getting SPARSE resulted in an I SEE moment.
• ACTING (10D: Emma Watson skill) I appreciate any shoutout to Emma Watson. 
• POINSETTIA (11D: Plant associated with Christmas) Nice long bonus fill! 
• ELLE ("Maleficent" actress Fanning) ELLE Fanning plays the role of Princess Aurora in Maleficent and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. She is also the youngest person to serve as a jury member at the Cannes Film Festival.
• TOMB RAIDER (27D: Franchise whose main character is Lara Croft) Another nice long bonus! TOMB RAIDER originated as an action-adventure video game series. The franchise now includes film adaptations, comics, and novels.
• NBA (29D: Org. in which Becky Hammon coaches) Becky Hammon is an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA. Hammon previously played basketball in the WNBA for the San Antonio Stars and New York Liberty.

I play a game with myself that involves reading the title of the puzzle and trying to guess the theme before I begin solving. Today's title of BROKERAGE had me thinking that perhaps the letters A-G-E would be split across the theme answers, or maybe it would be a category theme of financial terms. When I figured out the theme and realized it involved parsing the title as BROKE RAGE, I actually chuckled out loud. 

This was a solid puzzle with smooth fill and some interesting clues and answers. Then there was the bonus of a clever use of the title to add an additional element to a straightforward theme. It made for an enjoyable solve to begin my day.