[“Leaves,” Derek Mahon] The prisoners of infinite choice / Have built their house / In a field below the wood / And are at peace. / It is autumn, and dead leaves / On their way to the river / Scratch like birds at the windows / Or tick on the road. / Somewhere there is an afterlife / Of dead leaves, / A stadium filled with an infinite / Rustling and sighing. / Somewhere in the heaven / Of lost futures / The lives we might have lived / Have found their own fulfilment /
I’ve said that Tiffany and Gunther are “destined” to be together. This is not to say that a romance, brief or long, should be incorporated into this comic strip. I am saying, though, that no other character presently existing in this comic strip universe is better matched for each of these than is the other of these. I think that they are “made” for each other. Whether it would better serve narrative purposes for that to reach fruition is another question entirely. Whether they ever even realize that about each other is likewise subservient to the need that the story be the story. May be that they are ships passing in the night. Ships can collide, can rendezvous and exchange passengers and cargo, can fire weapons at one another, etc. ad infinitum. One may reach safe harbor, one may encounter an iceberg. But it may be that they just pass in the night.
Being herself huh? It’s good and cathartic that they are having this talk. Wow where did the arc start, but Gunther inviting her as his guest to a dinner he hates, to the unveiling of Tiffany as the successful life of the party, to Gunther’s firm advice to her not to go out with Les, and ending with this self-revealing with an honest talk to someone she obviously trusts as a dear friend. Great, but to what end? Romance, or just revelation, both or neither.
I think this is how Tiff has always felt, even in the beginning of the strip, never really being herself and never feeling like her real self would be accepted by everyone, and she has always been wanting to tell someone. Now since she has bottled up those feelings and is finally able to tell someone about it, I feel like the next arch revolving around this will lead to Tiff being herself around everyone and becoming friends with Luann, or something along those lines. Whatever Greg is gonna make happen, I have a feeling that eventually Tiff and Les will not end happily ever after because Les only knows the fake Tiff and I don’t think he wants to commit to a relationship where he has to discuss Tiff’s real feelings, all Les wanted is a hot girl, and he kind of admitted that in high school when Tiff and Les met.
Okay, Okay! Tiff let Her hair down for ‘Ya Gunth. So She’s Very Comfortable around You.
I LIKE that “Disheveled Look, on Tiff.” Say, Gunther! Show some Solidarity with Tiff and do the do the same! Take off that (GAG) Jacket, Get Rid of the Tie, Muss up Your Hair and kick off Your shoes, Open Your shirt. Smear some of Tiff’s Mascara on Your Face!
And if Les to Shows Up, YOU answer the Door and TELL Him in NO uncertain terms to GET LOST!
Too bad it looks like Tiff is going to have to do all the work in this encounter. She should ask, “What about you…Gunther…Don’t you get lonely?” Maybe put her hand on his shoulder – some kind of bridge. If Gunther steers out of that – I’m ready for a new arc.
Tiffany is not at all petrified that Gunther saw her runny mascara – the vain girl? The girl who must be perfect at all the time around guys….? To me, Gunther is so effeminate that he is more a girlfriend than a male friend. He is a girl in a suit and 5 o’clock shadow face. Tiffany is comfortable around him and has no sexual interest in him. Gunther talks to her pretty much the same way he talks to Luann so I came to the conclusion he is not romantically interested in Tiffany either. She is his female Knute, slightly more intelligent.___________________________________________________________________________________I kind of nailed it in my comment from yesterday, copied and pasted above. Tiffany does feel comfortable around Gunther and sees him as a bestie, not a romantic material. But could Gunther really give good tips considering that he is not the jock type that Tiffany is attracted to. Perhaps he can get her to move her focus onto other types who are not so superficial and/or horny and more genuine/real? Help her see the benefits of dating them, that physical appearances are not necessarily assets to a successful relationship. If Tiffany would get out of her helmet hair and see the beautiful Toni with the homely Brad, she will have her epiphany.
I really like the look of Tiff’s face in the third panel – her unusually large eyes closed and it gives her face the look of very delicate features. Very nicely done, Greg.
Now, if Gunther were to move close to her and just sit with her, I would bet she would be comfortable enough with him to put her head on his shoulder and fall asleep by his side, possibly with her hand in his.
Aha! I’ve finally figured out the root of Gunther’s problems and how it all started.
Gunther is virgin-born! Ma Berger became pregnant with him by jumping over a bonfire, but she’s never told him the truth. Historically, guys like Gunther, with no earthly father, are total flops at romance and sex, because they were born of neither. But they can be idealistic, sometimes authoritarian, and overly straight-laced. And on occasion they can find a remarkable calling – like starting a religion!
Gunther may be here to initiate the world’s next major religion. Or, better still, he may be here to revive a religion that he started ages ago, in a previous incarnation. Obviously we’re in the middle of apocalyptic times, with the war between good and evil raging everywhere. So Gunther’s return is very timely!
One snag is that if gorgeous Tiff can’t get Gunther to rise from the dead, then it will never happen. But his followers will say that it happened anyway. And thousands of years from now, people will be asking, “What would Gunther do?” and saying that “If Gunther were alive today, he’d be a vegetarian”. Some, of course, will maintain that Gunther and Tiff really did marry after his ministry was over, and that they settled in France and had some kids. And someone will undoubtedly make a movie about it.
Uh….Gunth….you might want to revise your statement. Earlier this year, and last year, you were the one going around saying that Tiffany wasn’t your type, because she was so, uh…..“un-math-able”, or at least, “on your level”, intellectually, more or less. Of course, though, there were some nice moments between you two, where Tiffany gave you a “confidence pep talk”, interestingly similar to this , only with her being the one to help you feel better about yourself, as evidenced in these strips, below (and a few other strips are around, somewhere, just like these):
That’s because she doesn’t really care what Gunther thinks. He’s not in a position to do anything for her, so she isn’t trying to impress him. She’ll use him when she needs him and ignore him when she doesn’t.
I know the writing comes off as comically straightforward and silly at times, and make no mistake Greg can write some gems as he did Tuesday with Tiffany’s hair never changing. However but the idea of Tiffany being comfortable with Gunther is endearing, provided Greg allows Gunther to sidestep the seemingly inevitable friend-zone that the story arc may veer into simply to switch to another arc. I’m cool with Gunther x Tiffany.
Ok. Tiffany needs to recognize the difference between “ugly and messy” and “casual and messy”. She should not think of herself as ugly.
Not sure where this is heading, and it could be several different directions. I am wondering if folks think it will end Saturday, or will it continue on Monday?
Friendzone or true romance? I literally can’t wait to find out. Logic points in one direction, shippers point in another, and there may not be a definitive answer until the strip ends. At any rate, all that stuff about Tiff’s (implausible) loneliness appears to have come and gone, and along with it, any likelihood that she’ll change her personality. And with all the other characters stuck in limbo, it’s time for this old grouch to move on to sunnier climes where hopefully he’ll be less grouchy. Have fun here and hope for the best.
Tiffany feels comfortable around Gunny. He does not feel comfortable around anyone.
Nonetheless, though for the moment Tiff may think of him as (just) a friend, virtually her only, one day she and then he may realize that this trust and honesty can be the basis for a rootin’, tootin’ romance, too….
They are recognizing that they have a comfortable connection, a rapport if not a romance. They know that they are good for each other, and at this stage a gentle, lingering hug would be helpful. Whatever does or doesn’t happen, Gunther cannot just get up and leave Tiffany alone. Right now she needs a friend, she needs Gunther. If he has to spend the night with her on the sofa, so be it. But, do not leave your friend when she needs you.
I don’t care what anyone says, I think this is a sweet strip. Tiffany was making a point and did something so well outside her comfort zone to prove it. I’d love it if they got together; they seem to fill their personal voids. Even if they don’t, this is true bestie friendship! Love it!
Wouldn’t it be funny if Gunther decides to muss his own hair and mess up his suit in solidarity with Tiffany, and when he leaves, people seeing both of them and think something happened? Then zany, hilarious complications could follow . . .
Namrepus over 7 years ago
Yeah, psycho is a much better look than dumb blonde.
David Huie Green AmericaIsGreatItHasUs over 7 years ago
Looks good to me.
Constancy over 7 years ago
It’s still a cartoon.
Wizardgoat over 7 years ago
This thread is weird. I guess I’ll have to quit speculating on the outcome until a clearer direction comes through.
jimmjonzz Premium Member over 7 years ago
[“Leaves,” Derek Mahon] The prisoners of infinite choice / Have built their house / In a field below the wood / And are at peace. / It is autumn, and dead leaves / On their way to the river / Scratch like birds at the windows / Or tick on the road. / Somewhere there is an afterlife / Of dead leaves, / A stadium filled with an infinite / Rustling and sighing. / Somewhere in the heaven / Of lost futures / The lives we might have lived / Have found their own fulfilment /
I’ve said that Tiffany and Gunther are “destined” to be together. This is not to say that a romance, brief or long, should be incorporated into this comic strip. I am saying, though, that no other character presently existing in this comic strip universe is better matched for each of these than is the other of these. I think that they are “made” for each other. Whether it would better serve narrative purposes for that to reach fruition is another question entirely. Whether they ever even realize that about each other is likewise subservient to the need that the story be the story. May be that they are ships passing in the night. Ships can collide, can rendezvous and exchange passengers and cargo, can fire weapons at one another, etc. ad infinitum. One may reach safe harbor, one may encounter an iceberg. But it may be that they just pass in the night.
luann1212 over 7 years ago
Being herself huh? It’s good and cathartic that they are having this talk. Wow where did the arc start, but Gunther inviting her as his guest to a dinner he hates, to the unveiling of Tiffany as the successful life of the party, to Gunther’s firm advice to her not to go out with Les, and ending with this self-revealing with an honest talk to someone she obviously trusts as a dear friend. Great, but to what end? Romance, or just revelation, both or neither.
Kamui1815 over 7 years ago
I’m very interested to see where this is headed, if it ends with a kiss or if Tiff gets a makeover, I’ll be a happy clam, there I said it!
Carrots over 7 years ago
I think this is how Tiff has always felt, even in the beginning of the strip, never really being herself and never feeling like her real self would be accepted by everyone, and she has always been wanting to tell someone. Now since she has bottled up those feelings and is finally able to tell someone about it, I feel like the next arch revolving around this will lead to Tiff being herself around everyone and becoming friends with Luann, or something along those lines. Whatever Greg is gonna make happen, I have a feeling that eventually Tiff and Les will not end happily ever after because Les only knows the fake Tiff and I don’t think he wants to commit to a relationship where he has to discuss Tiff’s real feelings, all Les wanted is a hot girl, and he kind of admitted that in high school when Tiff and Les met.
Mordock999 Premium Member over 7 years ago
Okay, Okay! Tiff let Her hair down for ‘Ya Gunth. So She’s Very Comfortable around You.
I LIKE that “Disheveled Look, on Tiff.” Say, Gunther! Show some Solidarity with Tiff and do the do the same! Take off that (GAG) Jacket, Get Rid of the Tie, Muss up Your Hair and kick off Your shoes, Open Your shirt. Smear some of Tiff’s Mascara on Your Face!And if Les to Shows Up, YOU answer the Door and TELL Him in NO uncertain terms to GET LOST!
You and Tiff are Busy….,
Carrots over 7 years ago
If they kiss I’m gonna puke.
31768 over 7 years ago
Gunth doesn’t know whether to laugh or scream! And Tiff took another step towards maturity.wonder if anybody is going to walk in on them……
kenhense over 7 years ago
Too bad it looks like Tiff is going to have to do all the work in this encounter. She should ask, “What about you…Gunther…Don’t you get lonely?” Maybe put her hand on his shoulder – some kind of bridge. If Gunther steers out of that – I’m ready for a new arc.
capricorn9th over 7 years ago
Tiffany is not at all petrified that Gunther saw her runny mascara – the vain girl? The girl who must be perfect at all the time around guys….? To me, Gunther is so effeminate that he is more a girlfriend than a male friend. He is a girl in a suit and 5 o’clock shadow face. Tiffany is comfortable around him and has no sexual interest in him. Gunther talks to her pretty much the same way he talks to Luann so I came to the conclusion he is not romantically interested in Tiffany either. She is his female Knute, slightly more intelligent.___________________________________________________________________________________I kind of nailed it in my comment from yesterday, copied and pasted above. Tiffany does feel comfortable around Gunther and sees him as a bestie, not a romantic material. But could Gunther really give good tips considering that he is not the jock type that Tiffany is attracted to. Perhaps he can get her to move her focus onto other types who are not so superficial and/or horny and more genuine/real? Help her see the benefits of dating them, that physical appearances are not necessarily assets to a successful relationship. If Tiffany would get out of her helmet hair and see the beautiful Toni with the homely Brad, she will have her epiphany.
AnyFace over 7 years ago
On Tiff, possibly not the best look.
Wizardgoat over 7 years ago
“Since you’re the best girlfriend I have, Gunther, I can just relax when we’re together.”
Brdshtt Premium Member over 7 years ago
I really like the look of Tiff’s face in the third panel – her unusually large eyes closed and it gives her face the look of very delicate features. Very nicely done, Greg.
Jose_Muerte over 7 years ago
Tiffany is Luann’s nemesis and will not be cast as a winner in the near future.
Wizardgoat over 7 years ago
Know how you can tell the desk where the blonde secretary sits?
You can see the correction fluid on the computer screen.
rusty gate over 7 years ago
After all these years Tiffany is actually being given a heart, soul, and mind. She is showing a personal side that has feelings, finally.
Brdshtt Premium Member over 7 years ago
Now, if Gunther were to move close to her and just sit with her, I would bet she would be comfortable enough with him to put her head on his shoulder and fall asleep by his side, possibly with her hand in his.
.
I can hear Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight”…
Wizardgoat over 7 years ago
Aha! I’ve finally figured out the root of Gunther’s problems and how it all started.
Gunther is virgin-born! Ma Berger became pregnant with him by jumping over a bonfire, but she’s never told him the truth. Historically, guys like Gunther, with no earthly father, are total flops at romance and sex, because they were born of neither. But they can be idealistic, sometimes authoritarian, and overly straight-laced. And on occasion they can find a remarkable calling – like starting a religion!
Gunther may be here to initiate the world’s next major religion. Or, better still, he may be here to revive a religion that he started ages ago, in a previous incarnation. Obviously we’re in the middle of apocalyptic times, with the war between good and evil raging everywhere. So Gunther’s return is very timely!
One snag is that if gorgeous Tiff can’t get Gunther to rise from the dead, then it will never happen. But his followers will say that it happened anyway. And thousands of years from now, people will be asking, “What would Gunther do?” and saying that “If Gunther were alive today, he’d be a vegetarian”. Some, of course, will maintain that Gunther and Tiff really did marry after his ministry was over, and that they settled in France and had some kids. And someone will undoubtedly make a movie about it.
Life goes on!
Glen.A.Zerbi over 7 years ago
Ohmygaw… Her hair… It moved! So maybe NOT a helmet like we all thought…
Dreamdeer over 7 years ago
Messy, but that was kind of a cute thing to do!
Aladar30 Premium Member over 7 years ago
She’s so sweet with Gunther.
Ruth Brown over 7 years ago
Tiffany is maturing more than Gunther. Let him relax, too.
JayBluE over 7 years ago
Uh….Gunth….you might want to revise your statement. Earlier this year, and last year, you were the one going around saying that Tiffany wasn’t your type, because she was so, uh…..“un-math-able”, or at least, “on your level”, intellectually, more or less. Of course, though, there were some nice moments between you two, where Tiffany gave you a “confidence pep talk”, interestingly similar to this , only with her being the one to help you feel better about yourself, as evidenced in these strips, below (and a few other strips are around, somewhere, just like these):
http://www.gocomics.com/luann/2016/2/3
-http://www.gocomics.com/luann/2016/3/15
-http://www.gocomics.com/luann/2017/1/22
-http://www.gocomics.com/luann/2016/3/16
Alex Morales over 7 years ago
I think Gunth is what’s needed to bring Tiffany to earth and have her start caring about someone…
Lady Bri over 7 years ago
So she DOES muss up her hair, as someone was hoping Gunth would do for her yesterday!
boblivious2 over 7 years ago
If familiarity breeds contempt, does contempt breed familiarity?
dlkrueger33 over 7 years ago
As Sebastian says, “Go on and kiss the girl”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axZ6mG__ZqU
sueb1863 over 7 years ago
That’s because she doesn’t really care what Gunther thinks. He’s not in a position to do anything for her, so she isn’t trying to impress him. She’ll use him when she needs him and ignore him when she doesn’t.
Tyge over 7 years ago
It’s gettin’ REAL, folks. I’ve been waiting a loooong time for this!
JayBluE over 7 years ago
“Keeping Down Appearances”
“A Fractured Hairline”
“Magna Comb Loudly”
“Mess-A-Po-Tame-Ya”
“High Tme For Low Tidy”
“A Wrecked Tangle”
“Kooky, I Think I’ll Find You A Comb”
“Rumpled Wilt-Skin”
“She Let Her Hair Down…And Around…And Under….And Over…And Through….”
“Hat’s On, To You!”
“Hideous And Seek”
“The Hunch Face Of West Notre Dame”
“Fandom Of The Awkward”
“A Case Of Mistaken Indemnity”
or
I Scream Of Jeanine, With The Light Blonde- Whatever This Is Supposed To Be…" (♫)
JNOLO over 7 years ago
I know the writing comes off as comically straightforward and silly at times, and make no mistake Greg can write some gems as he did Tuesday with Tiffany’s hair never changing. However but the idea of Tiffany being comfortable with Gunther is endearing, provided Greg allows Gunther to sidestep the seemingly inevitable friend-zone that the story arc may veer into simply to switch to another arc. I’m cool with Gunther x Tiffany.
cubswin2016 over 7 years ago
Looks like we have the makings of the next great couple.
carlneely over 7 years ago
You can see this coming a mile away.
They finally share their first kiss, when suddenly …
The Return of ROSA !!!
seismic-2 Premium Member over 7 years ago
Isn’t it nearly time for Bernice to come around and enforce curfew?
Pipe Tobacco Premium Member over 7 years ago
2
Ok. Tiffany needs to recognize the difference between “ugly and messy” and “casual and messy”. She should not think of herself as ugly.
Not sure where this is heading, and it could be several different directions. I am wondering if folks think it will end Saturday, or will it continue on Monday?
Luanaphile over 7 years ago
Love the Zombie look.
Numbnumb over 7 years ago
I really HOPE that these two become a REAL couple!
luann1212 over 7 years ago
She looks hot with her hair that way. Greg draw her with short hair, sort of the gamin, or pixie look. Now that would be sexy.
locake over 7 years ago
She looks awful today. Much better with the make-up and her hair groomed.
electricpostcard over 7 years ago
Perfect time to show her how much you care for her, the real her. Maybe even be lucky enough for a kiss.
locake over 7 years ago
Women do not feeling like kissing when they feel ugly and messy. We feel sexual when we think we look our best.
cwizard71 over 7 years ago
Are these two going to end up together or not? Stop teasing us, Greg!
Code the Enforcer over 7 years ago
Gunther: “OK, Tiff. But don’t go further before you go into the ‘Harley Quinn’ look! I ain’t the ‘Joker’!”
Tha_Hype over 7 years ago
I predict Tiff will get a new look, outlook and attitude. Maybe not immediately or in that order but eventually.
Tha_Hype over 7 years ago
Scratch Rosa, I guess…
RolloTheGrouch over 7 years ago
Friendzone or true romance? I literally can’t wait to find out. Logic points in one direction, shippers point in another, and there may not be a definitive answer until the strip ends. At any rate, all that stuff about Tiff’s (implausible) loneliness appears to have come and gone, and along with it, any likelihood that she’ll change her personality. And with all the other characters stuck in limbo, it’s time for this old grouch to move on to sunnier climes where hopefully he’ll be less grouchy. Have fun here and hope for the best.
SukieCrandall Premium Member over 7 years ago
Hey, Rollo, could you define the use of the word “shippers” in this context to educate me? Thanks.
Caldonia over 7 years ago
The idea of seeking comfort from Gunther makes me shudder. Tiff doesn’t know he once told Bernice she was stupid. Gunther is just not a good person.
Germanshepherds4ever over 7 years ago
People don’t think it, Tiff; you ARE a dumb blonde bimbo!!!!!
STACEY MARSHALL Premium Member over 7 years ago
Tiff, listen to yourself! Go for Gunth! Not Les!
Train 1911 over 7 years ago
Gunther take off that lugly suit the sit down aside Tiff and confer her
Sisyphos over 7 years ago
Tiffany feels comfortable around Gunny. He does not feel comfortable around anyone.
Nonetheless, though for the moment Tiff may think of him as (just) a friend, virtually her only, one day she and then he may realize that this trust and honesty can be the basis for a rootin’, tootin’ romance, too….
Airman over 7 years ago
They are recognizing that they have a comfortable connection, a rapport if not a romance. They know that they are good for each other, and at this stage a gentle, lingering hug would be helpful. Whatever does or doesn’t happen, Gunther cannot just get up and leave Tiffany alone. Right now she needs a friend, she needs Gunther. If he has to spend the night with her on the sofa, so be it. But, do not leave your friend when she needs you.
TwilightFaze over 7 years ago
I don’t care what anyone says, I think this is a sweet strip. Tiffany was making a point and did something so well outside her comfort zone to prove it. I’d love it if they got together; they seem to fill their personal voids. Even if they don’t, this is true bestie friendship! Love it!
MrMister over 7 years ago
Wouldn’t it be funny if Gunther decides to muss his own hair and mess up his suit in solidarity with Tiffany, and when he leaves, people seeing both of them and think something happened? Then zany, hilarious complications could follow . . .
Airman over 7 years ago
My spoiler: Emotionally, Gunther is as dumb as dirt.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 7 years ago
Gunther has been emotionally abused by his mother. It is a wonder he has any control at all.
Cavenee Lonnie Premium Member over 7 years ago
Your are NOT a bimbo Tiff.
rimshot22 over 7 years ago
So what’s wrong with being a dumb blonde bimbo? Frankly, she’s no more annoying than Bernice, who’s just as stuck-up. and far less self-aware.
RonBerg13 Premium Member over 6 years ago
And THAT… is the moment Gunther should have grabbed Tiffany and kissed her.