Ray "Scotch" Coulton
@rayscotchcoulton.bsky.social
Subject of an Emmy-nom'd doc re: anagrams. tinyurl.com/arsmagna-doc
Wordplay maker for Minute Cryptic & The Comet. Into all manner of geeky ephemera.
He/him. Opinions are most definitely my own.
Puzzles: https://crosshare.org/rayscotchcoulton
Wordplay maker for Minute Cryptic & The Comet. Into all manner of geeky ephemera.
He/him. Opinions are most definitely my own.
Puzzles: https://crosshare.org/rayscotchcoulton
Pinned
For anyone watching who wonders "Ugh, why is Carol LIKE that?" here's why, very succinctly, from the AV Club's A- review of the Pluribus S1 finale (spoilers)
Reposted by Ray "Scotch" Coulton
If anyone else is on their cryptic crossword journey, or would like to know what on earth it's all about, this book is *really* good for beginners (I still class myself as one!)
December 29, 2025 at 12:51 PM
If anyone else is on their cryptic crossword journey, or would like to know what on earth it's all about, this book is *really* good for beginners (I still class myself as one!)
FWIW, I think the internet, social media, and media/entertainment corporations in general have helped shorten attention spans... but yes, the perception that "quiet and slow" means "nothing happen" is sadly more prevalent than ever
I noticed whenever a show/movie decides to have these quiet, introspective moments like in Eternals, The Acolyte, or even Andor, that’s when people decide to call it “slow” or poorly written. It’s like no, you’ve just conditioned yourself to see action moments as the only valid thing.
December 29, 2025 at 7:09 PM
FWIW, I think the internet, social media, and media/entertainment corporations in general have helped shorten attention spans... but yes, the perception that "quiet and slow" means "nothing happen" is sadly more prevalent than ever
Cory's Cryptic Clues - 29-Dec-25
Wild cry, ensuing revolt (10)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
HEAT
(alt. ltrs. of "tHrEe AcTs" = "Warm up")
Wild cry, ensuing revolt (10)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
HEAT
(alt. ltrs. of "tHrEe AcTs" = "Warm up")
How to Solve Cryptic Clues
*** FIRST: WHAT’S A CRYPTIC CROSSWORD? ***Unlike standard US crosswords, UK-based cryptic crosswords focus almost entirely on solving the tricky wordplay of each odd-sounding (or cryptic) clu…
tinyurl.com
December 29, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Cory's Cryptic Clues - 29-Dec-25
Wild cry, ensuing revolt (10)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
HEAT
(alt. ltrs. of "tHrEe AcTs" = "Warm up")
Wild cry, ensuing revolt (10)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
HEAT
(alt. ltrs. of "tHrEe AcTs" = "Warm up")
I'm sure this is a coincidence, but re: Pluribus,
"Carol S." is an anagram of "Carlos," the first name of the actor who plays Manousos.
"Carol S." is an anagram of "Carlos," the first name of the actor who plays Manousos.
a man with curly hair and glasses is making a funny face .
ALT: a man with curly hair and glasses is making a funny face .
media.tenor.com
December 29, 2025 at 1:57 AM
I'm sure this is a coincidence, but re: Pluribus,
"Carol S." is an anagram of "Carlos," the first name of the actor who plays Manousos.
"Carol S." is an anagram of "Carlos," the first name of the actor who plays Manousos.
Reposted by Ray "Scotch" Coulton
It came as no shock that Vince Gilligan's #Pluribus is absolutely brilliant, but its the specific ways its brilliance reveals itself that makes it an absolute must watch.
TV Review - PLUR1BUS (2025)
John Wintroub reviews the first season of Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan's new Apple TV+ series, PLUR1BUS.
rockymountaincentral.substack.com
December 28, 2025 at 9:21 PM
It came as no shock that Vince Gilligan's #Pluribus is absolutely brilliant, but its the specific ways its brilliance reveals itself that makes it an absolute must watch.
Reposted by Ray "Scotch" Coulton
#PLURIBUS! I really enjoyed this unique take on a global #alieninvasion even thought some found it "slow." I strongly disagree: the careful pacing was a bold choice to enhance the feeling of Carol's isolation, the predicament she, and the rest of the planet found itself in.
December 28, 2025 at 9:16 PM
#PLURIBUS! I really enjoyed this unique take on a global #alieninvasion even thought some found it "slow." I strongly disagree: the careful pacing was a bold choice to enhance the feeling of Carol's isolation, the predicament she, and the rest of the planet found itself in.
Cory's Cryptic Clues - 28-Dec-25
Warm up sporadically over three acts (4)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
TEDDY BEARS
(anag. of DEBATES DRY = "softies")
Warm up sporadically over three acts (4)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
TEDDY BEARS
(anag. of DEBATES DRY = "softies")
How to Solve Cryptic Clues
*** FIRST: WHAT’S A CRYPTIC CROSSWORD? ***Unlike standard US crosswords, UK-based cryptic crosswords focus almost entirely on solving the tricky wordplay of each odd-sounding (or cryptic) clu…
tinyurl.com
December 28, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Cory's Cryptic Clues - 28-Dec-25
Warm up sporadically over three acts (4)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
TEDDY BEARS
(anag. of DEBATES DRY = "softies")
Warm up sporadically over three acts (4)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
TEDDY BEARS
(anag. of DEBATES DRY = "softies")
Reposted by Ray "Scotch" Coulton
December 28, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Reposted by Ray "Scotch" Coulton
Dec 24 - Pluribus [Season 1]
10/10
amazing premise. amazing plot. amazing acting. amazing themes. amazing character development. amazing cinematography. amazing characters. rhea seehorn. please don’t make me wait years for season 2
10/10
amazing premise. amazing plot. amazing acting. amazing themes. amazing character development. amazing cinematography. amazing characters. rhea seehorn. please don’t make me wait years for season 2
December 28, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Dec 24 - Pluribus [Season 1]
10/10
amazing premise. amazing plot. amazing acting. amazing themes. amazing character development. amazing cinematography. amazing characters. rhea seehorn. please don’t make me wait years for season 2
10/10
amazing premise. amazing plot. amazing acting. amazing themes. amazing character development. amazing cinematography. amazing characters. rhea seehorn. please don’t make me wait years for season 2
Fighting the knee-jerk reaction, after seeing angrily or rudely dismissive takes on Pluribus being too slow or nothing happening, to ask folks if they got mad when they were assigned chapter books instead of picture books for the first time in school
December 28, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Fighting the knee-jerk reaction, after seeing angrily or rudely dismissive takes on Pluribus being too slow or nothing happening, to ask folks if they got mad when they were assigned chapter books instead of picture books for the first time in school
yessssssss
i really appreciate that Pluribus is kinda anti-second-screen watching. it often goes for minutes at a time without dialogue, it requires proper attention, it must be WATCHED not just put on
December 28, 2025 at 12:25 AM
yessssssss
Reposted by Ray "Scotch" Coulton
SPOILER ALERT!!!!
don’t read this wonderful article about Pluribus unless you’ve seen all of season 1.
www.theringer.com/2025/12/24/p...
don’t read this wonderful article about Pluribus unless you’ve seen all of season 1.
www.theringer.com/2025/12/24/p...
‘Pluribus’ Turned Its Back on the Mystery Box
The ‘Pluribus’ finale reinforced that the series’ stakes come from familiar characters, not from unknowns
www.theringer.com
December 27, 2025 at 11:23 PM
SPOILER ALERT!!!!
don’t read this wonderful article about Pluribus unless you’ve seen all of season 1.
www.theringer.com/2025/12/24/p...
don’t read this wonderful article about Pluribus unless you’ve seen all of season 1.
www.theringer.com/2025/12/24/p...
Reposted by Ray "Scotch" Coulton
love this show. can't stop thinking about how people couldn't get into it because they didn't see a problem with an omniscient alien species taking over our brains and bodies. which is fascinating and revealing and terrifying.
December 27, 2025 at 11:45 PM
love this show. can't stop thinking about how people couldn't get into it because they didn't see a problem with an omniscient alien species taking over our brains and bodies. which is fascinating and revealing and terrifying.
Reposted by Ray "Scotch" Coulton
520. Pluribus (finished December 24)
A terrific slow burn, this consistently engaging and compellingly deliberate show has a unique premise that it capitalizes on with terrific performances all around
10/10
A terrific slow burn, this consistently engaging and compellingly deliberate show has a unique premise that it capitalizes on with terrific performances all around
10/10
December 27, 2025 at 11:54 PM
520. Pluribus (finished December 24)
A terrific slow burn, this consistently engaging and compellingly deliberate show has a unique premise that it capitalizes on with terrific performances all around
10/10
A terrific slow burn, this consistently engaging and compellingly deliberate show has a unique premise that it capitalizes on with terrific performances all around
10/10
Reposted by Ray "Scotch" Coulton
Reposted by Ray "Scotch" Coulton
My teenager just finished volume 2 of Stranger Things, so to tide herself over until next week's conclusion, she decided to binge all 9 episodes of Pluribus.
(Spoilers)
And you better believe she teared up like I did at the finale's baby goat scene
(Spoilers)
And you better believe she teared up like I did at the finale's baby goat scene
December 27, 2025 at 9:23 PM
My teenager just finished volume 2 of Stranger Things, so to tide herself over until next week's conclusion, she decided to binge all 9 episodes of Pluribus.
(Spoilers)
And you better believe she teared up like I did at the finale's baby goat scene
(Spoilers)
And you better believe she teared up like I did at the finale's baby goat scene
Reposted by Ray "Scotch" Coulton
December 27, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Cory's Cryptic Clues - 27-Dec-25
Uncertainly debates dry softies? (5,5)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
CARDBOARD BOXES
(CARD ["Comedian"] + BOARD ["fraternity"] + BOXES ["clips"] = "packaging")
Uncertainly debates dry softies? (5,5)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
CARDBOARD BOXES
(CARD ["Comedian"] + BOARD ["fraternity"] + BOXES ["clips"] = "packaging")
How to Solve Cryptic Clues
*** FIRST: WHAT’S A CRYPTIC CROSSWORD? ***Unlike standard US crosswords, UK-based cryptic crosswords focus almost entirely on solving the tricky wordplay of each odd-sounding (or cryptic) clu…
tinyurl.com
December 27, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Cory's Cryptic Clues - 27-Dec-25
Uncertainly debates dry softies? (5,5)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
CARDBOARD BOXES
(CARD ["Comedian"] + BOARD ["fraternity"] + BOXES ["clips"] = "packaging")
Uncertainly debates dry softies? (5,5)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
CARDBOARD BOXES
(CARD ["Comedian"] + BOARD ["fraternity"] + BOXES ["clips"] = "packaging")
For fans, haters, and meh-ers alike: Making Carol rude and short-sighted wasn't by accident, per Vince Gilligan & his writers: it's the whole point. She's both very right and often very wrong, and that makes (for me anyway) a more interesting protagonist. youtu.be/9C5Un2ikvLQ
Pluribus — From Every Angle | Behind The Scenes | Apple TV
YouTube video by Apple TV
youtu.be
December 26, 2025 at 8:49 PM
For fans, haters, and meh-ers alike: Making Carol rude and short-sighted wasn't by accident, per Vince Gilligan & his writers: it's the whole point. She's both very right and often very wrong, and that makes (for me anyway) a more interesting protagonist. youtu.be/9C5Un2ikvLQ
This, but with the baby goat, and "baaaaaack" instead of "back"
li'l fanart! Everyone should watch #Pluribus for this scene alone 💛
December 26, 2025 at 8:46 PM
This, but with the baby goat, and "baaaaaack" instead of "back"
Cory's Cryptic Clues - 26-Dec-25
Comedian fraternity clips packaging (9,5)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
JOY TO THE WORLD
(anag. of TROD WE JOT HOLY = "hymn")
Comedian fraternity clips packaging (9,5)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
JOY TO THE WORLD
(anag. of TROD WE JOT HOLY = "hymn")
How to Solve Cryptic Clues
*** FIRST: WHAT’S A CRYPTIC CROSSWORD? ***Unlike standard US crosswords, UK-based cryptic crosswords focus almost entirely on solving the tricky wordplay of each odd-sounding (or cryptic) clu…
tinyurl.com
December 26, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Cory's Cryptic Clues - 26-Dec-25
Comedian fraternity clips packaging (9,5)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
JOY TO THE WORLD
(anag. of TROD WE JOT HOLY = "hymn")
Comedian fraternity clips packaging (9,5)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
JOY TO THE WORLD
(anag. of TROD WE JOT HOLY = "hymn")
