March 25, 2026

Title: DOT DOT DOT...

Constructor: Katja Brinck

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme synopsis:

• AVOCADO TOAST (20A: Instagrammable breakfast option)
• LET'S DO THIS THING (37A: "No turning back now!")
• TORNADO TRACKER (51A: Map that alerts people to impending storms)

DOT DOT DOT...: Each theme answer contains the word DOT: AVOCADO TOAST, LET'S DO THIS THING, and TORNADO TRACKER.

And now a word from today's constructor:

Katja: This puzzle idea started when I was thinking about one of my favorite movies of all time: Point Break starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze. This is a movie I will watch any time I come across it! My original brainstorming involved trying to take the word POINT and "break" it into various entries, but outside of PIZZAJOINT, I wasn't coming up with a decent theme set. Then I thought a little bit more about how a POINT could also be a DOT, and then I had a lot of fun looking at entires where DOT is found as a "break" in the theme entires, . Some other entries I considered that did not make my final puzzle were ILL DO THE TALKING and JUDO THROW. I hope everyone enjoys the solve, and if any solvers have not seen Point Break, you absolutely should make that happen!

What I learned from today's puzzle:

• ANNA (57A: Musician Lapwood also known as the TikTok organist) In 2025, ANNA Lapwood became the first official Resident Organist of Royal Albert Hall in London. For the three years prior to that she had been an associate artist, and many of her recordings have gone viral on social media. I listed this answer in the "What I learned..." section automatically, as I'm not on TikTok. However, when I looked up ANNA Lapwood I realized I do know who she is, because I've seen her videos on Instagram. If you need some feel good social media content – as well as great music, – I suggest you check ANNA Lapwood out on whatever social media platform you frequent.
• CAROL (6D: Rhea's character on "PLUR1BUS") PLUR1BUS is a sci-fi TV series that premiered in November of last year. Rhea Seehorn portrays CAROL Sturka, a novelist living in a post-apocalyptic world. CAROL is one of only a few people who are immune from an alien virus that has transformed humanity into a hive mind.
• LOU (12D: French biathlete Jeanmonnot) Biathlon is a winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. French biathlete LOU Jeanmonnot won two gold medals, a silver medal, and a bronze medal at the recent 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
• TRENT (26D: ABC crime drama "Will ___") Will TRENT is a TV series based on books by Karin Slaughter. The show is a police procedural. Ramón Rodriguez portrays Will TRENT, a Special Agent in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• WHILE (9A: "___ You Were Sleeping") WHILE You Were Sleeping is a 1995 rom-com starring Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman. Sandra Bullock portrays a Chicago Transit Authority worker who rescues a man after muggers push him onto the train tracks. She then, as the result of a misunderstanding, becomes involved with the man's family (because that's what happens in rom-coms!).
• TERI (17A: "Desperate Housewives" actress Hatcher) TERI Hatcher won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her depiction of Susan Mayer on the TV series, Desperate Housewives (2004-2012).
• OIL UP (19A: Get ready for the Ms. Olympia competition, say) Ms. Olympia is a female bodybuilding competition. 
• SODA (35A: Pop, on the East Coast) It's not only on the East Coast that carbonated beverages are referred to as SODA rather than pop. I grew up in Missouri (definitely not on the East Coast), where SODA is the term used. When I moved to Iowa to attend college I thought the term "pop" for SODA was a ridiculous thing. I vowed never to call it that. Well, I've lived in Iowa for 43 years now, and guess what? I do; I call SODA "pop."
• SNL (43A: Show with the digital short "Lazy Sunday") "Lazy Sunday" is a short film that premiered on December 17, 2005. The short features SNL cast members Andy Samberg and Chris Parnell as rappers on a quest to attend a matinee of The Chronicles of Narnia. "Lazy Sunday" was produced in collaboration with the comedy troupe The Lonely Island.
• MEWS (44A: Kitty's cries) My cat, Willow, appreciates any and all cat content in the puzzle, so she's delighted with this clue and answer. Speaking of Willow, who is the "head critter" and mascot of this blog, she has some news to share. She is the star of the latest round of blog stickers. I'll have these stickers to share at the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (ACPT) in Connecticut in a couple of weeks, and also at the Midwest Crossword Tournament in Chicago in October. I'm also happy to mail stickers to anyone who makes a donation to support Sally's Take.

• AARON (3D: "Hamilton" character Burr) In the musical Hamilton, the role of AARON Burr was originated by Leslie Odom Jr. Of course, the character of AARON Burr in the musical is based on AARON Burr (1756-1836), who was the third vice president of the United States. 
• PRICELESS (4D: "There are some things money can't buy..." ad campaign) PRICELESS is an ad campaign used by Mastercard. The full slogan used in the ad campaign is "There are some things money can't buy. For everything else, there's Mastercard." The first PRICELESS ad ran in 1997 during the World Series.
• ALPS (32D: Matterhorn's mountain range) The Matterhorn is located in the ALPS on the border between Switzerland and Italy. The Matterhorn has a pyramidal shape, with the four steep sides facing the four compass directions. 
• LEAN (33D: Not marbled, maybe) That's marbled with fat, as a cut of meat. Meat that's not marbled with fat is LEAN.
• TTYL (34D: Text sign-off) TTYL = talk to you later
• THORA (39D: "Ghost World" actress Birch) The 2001 movie, Ghost World, is based on a comic book of the same name by Daniel Clowes. THORA Birch plays the role of a teenager named Enid. Scarlet Johansson portrays Enid's friend, Rebecca.
• MINERS (44D: People good at recognizing diamonds in the rough?) Without the question mark in the clue, the answer might be "talent scouts," people who are good at recognizing diamonds in the rough. The question mark at the end of the clue, however, means that the phrase "diamonds in the rough" is interpreted literally as gems found by MINERS.
• ORAL B (50D: Sonicare competitor) ORAL B and Sonicare are companies that make electric toothbrushes. ORAL B also makes other dental hygiene products.
• A few other clues I especially enjoyed:
• LIAR (14A: Person with "pants on fire")
• TWIST (24A: Soft-serve option with two flavors)
• WHO'S WE (9D: "I never agreed to do this with you")

I hesitate to admit it, but I have not seen the movie Point Break. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this puzzle that it ultimately inspired. When I hear the phrase "DOT DOT DOT..." it reminds me of a different movie (and musical) – Mamma Mia. I think it's fun that the answer "WHO'S WE?" seems to be a response to "LET'S DO THIS THING!" Thank you, Katja, for this delightful puzzle.

A note about comments: I welcome your comments on the blog! For one thing it's nice to know folks are reading what I've written. My goal for this blog has always been for it to be informational, conversational, and kind. I ask that you keep those goals in mind when commenting. Unkind comments will be deleted. Note that I am more likely to delete a negative comment if it is posted anonymously. (P.S. You can point out when I make a mistake – in fact, I appreciate that so I can correct it.)