Arlo and Janis by Jimmy Johnson for March 28, 2016

Meg is lying in a mud pit and what’s the green thing? There’s a bit of a problem with the connection over here!

I’m almost afraid to think of what seed was about to be planted.

Mary Lou… her name is Mary Lou.

But that’s as far as I got.

Well, that, and the idea that Gene and Mary Lou seem amused by the conversation… as though they’re pulling Janis’ leg in some way….

Next…..

He was repeating the questions as rhetorical questions to Mary Lou, while they are up to their butts in dirt and mud. You tell me, are they working hard?

IS it because Janice is using “we” in her questions?

“Let’s get dirty!”

I think they have planted more than veggies. Betcha she’s pregnant, they have that “we have a secret” look ;)

Gene is asking Janis about her backyard garden; he & Mary Lou are amused by the answers as they’re up to their elbows in their commercial organic farming. The “bad connection” is Gene covering the phone while they laugh.

Maybe they just had some afternoon delight.

 OMG! Gene bleached his hair!  Meh. Must be a new colorist.

If you love your job you will never have to work a day of your life.

Did Gene just turned his hair blonde for any chance?

A watering can?……How big is that field…?

Surely they can plant things without getting their hands so dirty? I use a shovel or hand spade. I don’t have dirt up to my wrists.

Well…I call this a failed joke if we can’t agree who is saying what and what it all means. Personally, I think Gene is repeating the questions she just asked and she is saying “Yes” as in, “Yes, that’s what I asked” and the last panel shows that they were having more fun in the mud than working.

When did Gene get blond hair?

are we sure that’s Gene? he’s been gone a long time from the strip. last i recall the whole farm thing was a bust.

Gene looks a lot like Arlo, but Mary Lou doesn’t look a thing like Gus.

Spent a lot of time trying to figure this one out. I wouldn’t be surprised to see an expansion in Gene’s family.

“to imbue it with their energy ".Or at least, that was the cover story and/or justification.

Yep! The seed was planted all right!