It’s a long story, Luann, of why Gunther looks like Gol D. Roger (yes, everyone, I used to watch One Piece, but that was once upon a time and I’m not much up to speed).
Rely on Luann to spot the hot issue, and rely on Bernice to try to dominate the conversation. Poor Gunther; he’s spoken all of two sentences and already this pair have begun drowning him out.
Hahaha! Bernice and Luann actually think they have insight on relationships! If only Pru were here—she maintained a loooong distance relationship for a looooong time, so she might know stuff.
Yikes! I doubt Gunther should be taking any advice from Luann or Bernice. Both of them have pretty horrible track records with relationships. He should rather talk to someone like Toni and Brad who have a good relationship. And wouldn’t he by now have taken off his stupid headscarf and mustache??
Gunnie, call for an Uber and go back to the Gulag, the ladies might mean well but in all likelihood they are going to make matters worse. On one end of the spectrum Luann wants to know why you look like you are dressed like an extra from “Mutiny on the Bounty” with an Errol Flynn mustache and on the “academic” side of things, Bernice is about to ask you a ton of irrelevant and very likely embarrassing questions. Put together, they are just going to make you feel awkward and it is doubtful if you will gain any fruitful advice from the ladies though you could get their sympathy if they decide that Bets is a heel. Take your chances back at the Gulag with Les who will probably just say “I told you so, and btw you look like a dork in the pirate outfit”, blunt but likely much less damaging to the psyche and you are used to your roomies sarcasm by now anyway. I also would suggest a couple of stiff doubles or triples and go to sleep but recalling how one cerveza sent Gunnie into a drunken stupor in Peru, this may not be the best idea.
Bernice, you are some psych major. Not! Please listen. Luann, I don’t think you know Bets very well. Plus, your old friend, Gunther is hurting. Okay, so this strip is about opposites and indifference, so I guess I am expecting too much out of Luann. Bets left Gunther stranded at WW. How would she like it if Gunther left her stranded? Of course, Bets never thought of that. Will Bernice or Luann offer Gunther a ride home, or does he have to ask first?
So many ways this can go sideways, starting with interruption after the first sentence. Not to mention how angry Bets will be he shared their private affairs. Is it possible the food at Weenie World gave Bets the “scoots” and she needed to find a washroom?
Bernice starts with assumptions and does what no good therapist EVER does, stops the client to offer opinions without listening. Luann actually asks an important and relevant question.
Just like Grandma Moses, Greg’s drawing keeps getting better, and the colors look good, too. My problem is with those little words in the balloons. Often, they’re too childish.
Wrong move, Bernice. You don’t tell your patients to stop talking and stifle them. Yes, interesting story, there, Luann. You will give Bets another black mark there. Made him make two sets of costumes while in the middle of studying (not sure how much value she puts in her academics, though).
Luann and Bern make a good team. Bernie starts the evaluation from what is going on inside, and Luann starts her evaluation from what is apparent on the outside.
Bernice once again proves how ill-suited she is to her chosen major, and Luann ignores the important issues in favor of the shiny thing in front of her face. Gunther really needs to pick better people to confide in.
Whew! Now that my first frustration with the dysfunctional duo has faded I myself am going to step back and take the long view.
Gunther’s “love” for Bets would more properly be called “infatuation” or “puppy love.” Give them some time apart and Gunther will realize how wildly inappropriate he and Bets are for each other.
Gunther was thrilled that an attractive, self-confident woman such as Bets would be interested in him, while Bets was happy to have a presentable, clever, and talented guy such as Gunther to be her side-kick.
It never occurred to Bets that Gunther could feel more about her than she did about him, and it never occurred to Gunther that Bets was unable to have serious feelings about him.
Both will be a little bit wiser for this experience.
There’s a chance that Bernice might actually be able to help Gunther with her consulting? A little, tiny, almost invisible possibility that she will be able to ask the right questions making Gunther understand in what kind of relationship he was? There’s? Dunno. But I hope so. Whatever happens, Luann will help him.
What I really want to know is – how much time did he have to spend sewing (out of his precious study time) those pirate costumes – so he could end up like this after Bets ditches him because he tells her how much he cares about her?! Gunther is one sad pirate door mat right now.
Of course, Gunther is too polite to do it, but he should tell Bernice to shove it. Luann too, he needs to take time out, go over what was said and what just happened and doesn’t need the town crier running around telling everyone that Gunther and Bets broke up – especially when its not clear that’s the case even though Gunther may think that. While I don’t agree with Bets taking off the way she did, she did not say “goodbye”, just “I have to go” and in the next strip “I just need some space”. Whatever she decides, she will be back (unless she really doesn’t give a hoot about Gunther, just someone to be social media extra – but then why all the mushiness on the couch at the study group).
Geez, Bernice takes the cake with “I am a psychology major, so….” Bernice has poor body language as well, seems condescending to me! The prospects are not good for any decent advice from Luann either. Gunnie should just look for someone who claims to have stayed at a “Holiday Inn Express”, he might get better advice from someone who did those year 1999 TV commercials than Bernice. If that fails, just go back to the gulag and let Les laugh at you for a few minutes…..
For Bets: Even though he said how busy he was, he dropped everything to make pirate costumes at your request and go on a romantic (role-play) dinner with you and you didn’t know?
You have the occasional Psych Major who has chosen the subject whose actual goal is to help figure out her/himself. That may be the case with Bern. So far her ‘psych major’ hasn’t helped her with anyone else and she still appears clueless about herself. Are we finally going to see her being insightful here?
Cute! Luann goes for the visually obvious, why the costume and Bernice skips to the current problem, Bets ran out. Better start at the beginning Gunther with Tiffany’s class project gone awry, then to Bets just…gone. Do it quickly, only three days left this week! ;-)
This is just a stage in this arc, and further, I think there will be a bit of hilarity ensues in this conversation with Luann and Bernice, but I think it will help Gunther, plus I’m waiting for Bets to be back in shortly. Hold in before jumping to conclusions though.
Wow, lots happening. So, a good friend of yours tells you a mixed up story about their relationship being screwed up while dressed in a pirate outfit; which question do you want to open with? Luann’s question is fair and also more critical to the story than many seem to believe (remember, we’ve followed along, Luann hasn’t. Also the pirate outfit is fairly critical to the story). Bernice sounds like a psych undergraduate and really needs to zip it. Let Gunther tell his story, let Luann ask her questions and listen. The other alternative is Gunther needs to get home and talk with Les.
And the Bozo Brigade has landed! Luann and Bernice are truly the comic relief! It did strike me that Bets really should have seen this coming. She’s been dating a shy, geeky guy that sews, they are physically affectionate, of course he’s going to fall in love. Gunther needs to take all of his friends advice, put it in a box and ship it off to parts unknown. Then he can go to Bets, tell her he cares and is sorry he freaked her out. He may or may not get an apology for being left stranded at Weenie World. If she gets mad about him for talking to his friends it’s her own fault for leaving him in the parking lot where he was fair game for anyone passing by. He would have probably discussed their business with a total stranger given the chance.
Okay, I went through Greg Evans’ previous winding romance, Brad and Toni, which is on the comic strip’s web page in its entirety, and found his comment, at the bottom of Volume 11, which explains his reasoning as to why this story has so many complications:
“Behind-the-scene commentary from Greg Evans:As I mentioned in a previous blurb, relationship stories are most interesting during the early stages when the couple is circling around, getting to know each other, dealing with the uncertainty – and sometimes embarrassment – of young love. Of course, this can’t go on forever. Eventually, a couple either gets together (boring) or splits up (end of fun). The middle ground is to have them split up temporarily. This adds intrigue and keeps the story going. In the case of Brad and Toni, this off/on strategy kept the story alive for 15 years!”
Here’s the entire web site on their romance, which will doubtless (in my mind, at least) be repeated sometime in the next 10 years for Bets and Gunther:
http://luannfan.com/collections/
And if you read those strips, there was plenty of drama and comedy, which ended in both high drama (the massive wildfire), extreme comedy (the massive wedding prep), and wonderful romance (the wedding itself).
This ought to end in a similar manner.
By the way, like Tonoi, we haven’t met Bets’s family, either. Greg Evans likely hasn’t figured them out yet. I’m pretty sure they’re not stereotypes from some urban cop show. They’re probably loser to the old “Cosby Show,” or today’s “Black-Ish,” or the Clevelands from “Family Guy.”
Here is some advice to Greg: when designing a costume for a character, which will be worn over a several-week-long story arc, make it simple and easy to draw. He must be spending most of his time each panel just drawing frills.
No. I like Nancy a lot but she can only give an adult, female viewpoint. Gunther needs input from his peers at this time. But I think he may have chosen the wrong peers for now.
Wellll… This is certainly a masterful setup! Gunther is about to bare his soul and Luann and Bernice are going to lay it on him re the “girls’ view” about what what happened. I hope GnK don’t waste this opportunity it in the coming days!
Hilarity may finally ensue 1212. It may finally, ensue!
Ah, here we go. Miss know-it-all “I’m a psych major” Bernice with her smug, superior attitude. And her imperious “Stop right there! I have several questions.”
If Bernice gives Gunther any advice, he should listen very carefully to everything she has to say——-then do the exact opposite! He would probably be much better off and a lot happier.
Romantic advice from a perpetual man-chaser or a first-year psych major? I’d pass, thanks. Bernice isn’t at a point of maturity to where she can listen to someone else.
I think Gunther will blow up and yell at someone before the week is over. Probably Bernice after she asks him some dumb questions, or maybe both girls after he’s had enough of their “help”. Or perhaps Bets will come back after Luann and Bernice annoy him for a few more days and Gun screams at Bets.
Well…. today’s effort feels more towards being light-hearted and potentially humorous (aka hillarity ensuses). Even though Gunther is truly sad and perplexed, I think that at least during the period of Gunther interacting with Bernice and Luann, it will be interesting, and eventually a bit less morose.
General thoughts in no particular order:
1. I suspect that somewhere down the road, Gun and Bets will be able to have a meeting of the minds and talk through this whole thing with likely a good resolution for their status as a couple. So, while Gunther is very justifiably sad and confused at the moment…. my “gut” is telling me this will all work out in the end.
2. I think the dynamic duo of Luann and Bernice will allow for some laughter and humor for the next few days because, while BOTH are meaning well in their efforts and comments…. neither of them has very strong track record in terms of romance success to be drawing upon to give Gunther salient advice.
3. The “female insight” that Luann mentions is to some degree helpful for Gunther to hear…. but perhaps not so much in this case…. Luann does not really know Bets all that well…. and from what we have seen thus far, Luann and Bets do seem to think in very different ways, so Luann’s insights may prove to not be very helpful in terms of Gunther understanding Bets any better.
4. In a similar vein, Psych Major Bernice… well…. I am sure she will TRY to help to the very best of her ability… and she will use virtually every technique she has read about, and will pursue a very didactic, linear dissection of detail to try to be as “sciencey” analytical as possible…. since in her rather young, rather naive state…. this is what she believes is the right path to find answers. Unfortunately, she is not yet wise enough, or sage enough to recognize the nuances in tone, in demeanor, in inflection, and in listening…. that are truly necessary to be a helpful ana
5. The most fun, yet most valuable dialogue today is from Luann where she logically and quizzically inquires about why Gun is in the pirate getup. If she and Bernice both wait a bit patiently for Gunther to spin the backstory out for them of how he ended up here in the Weenie World parking lot looking like a reject from Long John Silvers…. it will go a long way in helping the dynamic duo truly understand.So…. the brightness that Luann and Bernice have brought in terms of potential humor over the next few days makes me more enthused about this arc than I have been since before Tiffany and Bets had their spat. I believe we are on the upswing here. And, IMO that is good.
Personally, what was Bets idea of romantic cosplay? Maybe the dinner was for a special day: like she wanted him to collect her booty like a pirate after dinner. What lacking, Bets thoughts… As for the three words. Maybe she didn’t expect that… as for L & B. Luann question really hit. Why dress as pirate
There stands Gunther in a ridiculous costume being cross examined by two women in street clothes. Are you catching on yet that the point is humiliation?
Luann may have some useful insight for Gunther about deciding what’s important in a relationship, as she made that decision with Quill.
Bernice may have some useful insight about pushing too hard, as she did that with Zane.
I don’t think Gunther will approach Nancy or Toni, but each of them may have useful insight about the time building a strong relationship takes.
Les has a GIF file of Nelson Muntz saying Ha-Ha. He may also be practicing his own cosplay as Blofeld from James Bond, sitting above the fray and petting a cat. Can he offer advice? Yes. Useful? No.
This is clearly going to be another nothingburger weeks, like when Nancy told Frank some guy flirted with there. Learning why Bets needs time to think will have to wait a week or two. Meanwhile, how is Tiffany going to pay that harpist, since she went over budget then got stiffed on the payment.
Today’s Luann is a rare glimpse into the thinking of the Evansii.
“Well I care a lot for Bets, but tonight, when I told her I love her, she ran off,” Gunther says, completely eliding the past several hours/days.
First, Bets paid Tiffany $300 for a pirate-themed dinner. But Tiffany didn’t produce a pirate-themed dinner—instead, she went with “romantic princess.” I know there’s some argument among you TruFans about whether money exchanged hands yet or not. Doesn’t matter: if I order steak and you deliver pork chops, it doesn’t matter HOW nicely it’s cooked—it’s still not what I ordered, so I ain’t paying for it. That’s reality.
So now Bets is upset with Tiffany. But does Gunther step in to de-escalate, or to support his girlfriend? NO: instead, he and his pal Ox stand there passively, as the two women fight. If anything, he ENJOYS the show, eating hors d’oeuvres and making wise-ass remarks. To my mind, this makes Gunther a JERK.
Cut to G&B in her car, and then cut to the two walking into Weenie World—which functions as metaphor for Gunther himself. I’d say this is the one clever thing the Evansii did in this strip, but it wasn’t deliberate so no credit where credit isn’t due. Anyway, it is CLEAR that Bets is pissed.
Does Gunther say anything to help her feel better? NO. In fact, he gets snippy about her eating his french fries—as if fries aren’t cheaper than dirt, as if Bets didn’t just drop (or prepare to drop) $300 so he could stuff his fat, ungrateful, mama’s boy face. To me, this makes Gunther even MORE of an JERK.
Then G, who has demonstrated TWICE that he’s a jerk, tells his girlfriend that she’s in the wrong—after she dropped/prepared to drop $300 on a special dinner for them. “Wasn’t the ‘romantic dinner for two’ her idea for a school assignment?” he says. “So maybe we should have done what she wanted?” (continued in my reply to myself)
I didn’t think Bern could get more obnoxious. I was wrong. “I’m a psych major,” just dangles there uselessly, much like she does. Luann’s observation is far more useful and will lead to his story. The girls need to just listen to Gunther, who needs a sympathetic ear, not a lecture.
Namrepus about 3 years ago
Why are you a pirate? You just Arrrr!
Templo S.U.D. about 3 years ago
It’s a long story, Luann, of why Gunther looks like Gol D. Roger (yes, everyone, I used to watch One Piece, but that was once upon a time and I’m not much up to speed).
Rhetorical_Question about 3 years ago
Yes, Luann stay focused on the Pirate costume!
live2read about 3 years ago
When Luann and Bernice say they have advice for Gunther, you know it’s going to be anything but supportive or helpful.
Kymberleigh about 3 years ago
Bernice’s first question will be “why did you tell Bets you love her instead of Tiffany?”
Rhetorical_Question about 3 years ago
Gunther, you are missing your stubble beard.
Joe1962 Premium Member about 3 years ago
Gunther now is your chance run and don’t look back.
Rhetorical_Question about 3 years ago
Female Insight? Luann and Bernice? Gunther needs Nancy Degroot.
bytebot-gocomics about 3 years ago
Rely on Luann to spot the hot issue, and rely on Bernice to try to dominate the conversation. Poor Gunther; he’s spoken all of two sentences and already this pair have begun drowning him out.
linus82 about 3 years ago
Quizás en el fondo Bets sea partidaria del pastafarismo y por ello insistía tanto en que vistieran como piratas
Caldonia about 3 years ago
Hahaha! Bernice and Luann actually think they have insight on relationships! If only Pru were here—she maintained a loooong distance relationship for a looooong time, so she might know stuff.
Mordock999 Premium Member about 3 years ago
Take a good look, ladies.
THIS, is why guys don’t “open up.”
THIS, is why there are no more “nice guys” in the World.
“Why?”
Because their temporary girlfriends are constantly pushing them around and making them look like certified, Grade-A, Idiots.
Now. Les Knox has requested that you please wrap this Inquisition up and get Gunther back to the Gulag in a timely manner.
Seems he has just done triple duty working at the Fuse since someone has seen fit to have STOLEN more half the staff.
And Mr Knox is quite tired, and would very much like to _Ridicule_Gunther before he flosses his teeth and goes to bed. ;)
lvlax about 3 years ago
Yikes! I doubt Gunther should be taking any advice from Luann or Bernice. Both of them have pretty horrible track records with relationships. He should rather talk to someone like Toni and Brad who have a good relationship. And wouldn’t he by now have taken off his stupid headscarf and mustache??
TampaFanatic1 about 3 years ago
Gunnie, call for an Uber and go back to the Gulag, the ladies might mean well but in all likelihood they are going to make matters worse. On one end of the spectrum Luann wants to know why you look like you are dressed like an extra from “Mutiny on the Bounty” with an Errol Flynn mustache and on the “academic” side of things, Bernice is about to ask you a ton of irrelevant and very likely embarrassing questions. Put together, they are just going to make you feel awkward and it is doubtful if you will gain any fruitful advice from the ladies though you could get their sympathy if they decide that Bets is a heel. Take your chances back at the Gulag with Les who will probably just say “I told you so, and btw you look like a dork in the pirate outfit”, blunt but likely much less damaging to the psyche and you are used to your roomies sarcasm by now anyway. I also would suggest a couple of stiff doubles or triples and go to sleep but recalling how one cerveza sent Gunnie into a drunken stupor in Peru, this may not be the best idea.
Willow Mt Lyon about 3 years ago
Bernice, you are some psych major. Not! Please listen. Luann, I don’t think you know Bets very well. Plus, your old friend, Gunther is hurting. Okay, so this strip is about opposites and indifference, so I guess I am expecting too much out of Luann. Bets left Gunther stranded at WW. How would she like it if Gunther left her stranded? Of course, Bets never thought of that. Will Bernice or Luann offer Gunther a ride home, or does he have to ask first?
charlenelin1201 about 3 years ago
Before you say that to any women, test the water first. Try to hold her hand and if she backs off, don’t even think about saying those three words.
ct0760 about 3 years ago
Ditch the witch Gunther, walking away from I love you without giving any explanation is horrendus
ronaldspence about 3 years ago
So many ways this can go sideways, starting with interruption after the first sentence. Not to mention how angry Bets will be he shared their private affairs. Is it possible the food at Weenie World gave Bets the “scoots” and she needed to find a washroom?
PeterPirate about 3 years ago
Luann has picked up on an important clue. Now she and Bernice can argue about whether Bets or Tiffany were more wrong.
This arc ends with Bets and Gunther at TTFT, Part Dew.
basilisk Premium Member about 3 years ago
Bernice starts with assumptions and does what no good therapist EVER does, stops the client to offer opinions without listening. Luann actually asks an important and relevant question.
Airman about 3 years ago
Just like Grandma Moses, Greg’s drawing keeps getting better, and the colors look good, too. My problem is with those little words in the balloons. Often, they’re too childish.
capricorn9th about 3 years ago
Wrong move, Bernice. You don’t tell your patients to stop talking and stifle them. Yes, interesting story, there, Luann. You will give Bets another black mark there. Made him make two sets of costumes while in the middle of studying (not sure how much value she puts in her academics, though).
Brdshtt Premium Member about 3 years ago
Luann and Bern make a good team. Bernie starts the evaluation from what is going on inside, and Luann starts her evaluation from what is apparent on the outside.
BJShipley1 about 3 years ago
Bernice once again proves how ill-suited she is to her chosen major, and Luann ignores the important issues in favor of the shiny thing in front of her face. Gunther really needs to pick better people to confide in.
bytebot-gocomics about 3 years ago
Whew! Now that my first frustration with the dysfunctional duo has faded I myself am going to step back and take the long view.
Gunther’s “love” for Bets would more properly be called “infatuation” or “puppy love.” Give them some time apart and Gunther will realize how wildly inappropriate he and Bets are for each other.
Gunther was thrilled that an attractive, self-confident woman such as Bets would be interested in him, while Bets was happy to have a presentable, clever, and talented guy such as Gunther to be her side-kick.
It never occurred to Bets that Gunther could feel more about her than she did about him, and it never occurred to Gunther that Bets was unable to have serious feelings about him.
Both will be a little bit wiser for this experience.
Wilde Bill about 3 years ago
Oh, nothing gets by you, Lu.
Baarorso about 3 years ago
Were I Gunth, I’d lay off girls for a while based on how Bets treated him.
kenhense about 3 years ago
Bernice Shut Up! I would prefer to hear anything Luann has to say about this.
dadoctah about 3 years ago
And there’s the question that should have come up long before now.
Aladar30 Premium Member about 3 years ago
There’s a chance that Bernice might actually be able to help Gunther with her consulting? A little, tiny, almost invisible possibility that she will be able to ask the right questions making Gunther understand in what kind of relationship he was? There’s? Dunno. But I hope so. Whatever happens, Luann will help him.
Sanspareil about 3 years ago
This is where Knute and Crystal show up and give Gunther some real good advice on how to handle Bets and ignore Bernice and Luann!!
Shirl Summ Premium Member about 3 years ago
She only likes you for your sewing skills.?
jea9hrkr about 3 years ago
What I really want to know is – how much time did he have to spend sewing (out of his precious study time) those pirate costumes – so he could end up like this after Bets ditches him because he tells her how much he cares about her?! Gunther is one sad pirate door mat right now.
sueb1863 about 3 years ago
“Why are you dressed like a pirate?” would have been my FIRST question.
ILK about 3 years ago
Gunther should reply to Luann “the name is Roberts and it is terribly comfortable and I think everyone shall be dressing this way soon”.
electricpostcard about 3 years ago
Gunther should dial 1-800-Mom for help. Mom can explain everything. No need to go elsewhere.
Aibohphobia about 3 years ago
What’s A Priate’s favorite letter?
Decepticomic about 3 years ago
And why would you confess your love to someone who showed no admirable qualities tonight beyond looking hot by comic strip stan- ohhhhhh.
illuminare about 3 years ago
Yeah Bernice, youre a psych major , why dont you worry about your own pathetic problems.
RabbitHole about 3 years ago
Of course, Gunther is too polite to do it, but he should tell Bernice to shove it. Luann too, he needs to take time out, go over what was said and what just happened and doesn’t need the town crier running around telling everyone that Gunther and Bets broke up – especially when its not clear that’s the case even though Gunther may think that. While I don’t agree with Bets taking off the way she did, she did not say “goodbye”, just “I have to go” and in the next strip “I just need some space”. Whatever she decides, she will be back (unless she really doesn’t give a hoot about Gunther, just someone to be social media extra – but then why all the mushiness on the couch at the study group).
TampaFanatic1 about 3 years ago
Geez, Bernice takes the cake with “I am a psychology major, so….” Bernice has poor body language as well, seems condescending to me! The prospects are not good for any decent advice from Luann either. Gunnie should just look for someone who claims to have stayed at a “Holiday Inn Express”, he might get better advice from someone who did those year 1999 TV commercials than Bernice. If that fails, just go back to the gulag and let Les laugh at you for a few minutes…..
tremaine53 about 3 years ago
Gunther’s smart enough that he should know better than to disclose personal details to THESE two knuckleheads…
Johnnyrico about 3 years ago
…..sigh….. Go in, sit down, and tell them what happened, from the beginning, starting with Tiff’s dinner project.
Meg Has Not about 3 years ago
I have several questions.
For Bets: Even though he said how busy he was, he dropped everything to make pirate costumes at your request and go on a romantic (role-play) dinner with you and you didn’t know?
D.E.N. about 3 years ago
Well, I guess we’re going no where with this one.
Lawrence.S about 3 years ago
You have the occasional Psych Major who has chosen the subject whose actual goal is to help figure out her/himself. That may be the case with Bern. So far her ‘psych major’ hasn’t helped her with anyone else and she still appears clueless about herself. Are we finally going to see her being insightful here?
GovernmentCheese about 3 years ago
Bernice’s advice will only end up convincing that Gunther is INDEED a pirate. Boo Bernice Boo that person! She’s so awful!
Troglodyte about 3 years ago
Bernice is a major * all right – she can Psych anybody out!
Ichabod Ferguson about 3 years ago
Is ‘girlsplaining’ a thing?
Ellis97 about 3 years ago
Maybe you and her just weren’t meant to be.
Twelve Badgers in a Suit Premium Member about 3 years ago
Gunther: “Because Bets insisted, and I apparently have no will of my own.”
YorkGirl Premium Member about 3 years ago
Cute! Luann goes for the visually obvious, why the costume and Bernice skips to the current problem, Bets ran out. Better start at the beginning Gunther with Tiffany’s class project gone awry, then to Bets just…gone. Do it quickly, only three days left this week! ;-)
lunapeachie about 3 years ago
Probably should have opened with the pirate explanation.
smurf764 about 3 years ago
Is this going into next week, or is this going to be a ‘to be continued….’?
luann1212 about 3 years ago
This is just a stage in this arc, and further, I think there will be a bit of hilarity ensues in this conversation with Luann and Bernice, but I think it will help Gunther, plus I’m waiting for Bets to be back in shortly. Hold in before jumping to conclusions though.
6foot6 about 3 years ago
Seriously Lu? you have known Gunther this long and you want to know why he is dressed like a pirate?
Uncle Bob about 3 years ago
Bernice psych: The study of the id by the odd…
RonaldMcCalip about 3 years ago
Funny how Luann’s question cuts more to the heart of the problem. Why are you dressed the way someone else wants you to be?
MelBaker about 3 years ago
Sure seems that most watchers don’t have the patience to wait see what Greg has in mind for his characters futures.
Pohka about 3 years ago
Wow, lots happening. So, a good friend of yours tells you a mixed up story about their relationship being screwed up while dressed in a pirate outfit; which question do you want to open with? Luann’s question is fair and also more critical to the story than many seem to believe (remember, we’ve followed along, Luann hasn’t. Also the pirate outfit is fairly critical to the story). Bernice sounds like a psych undergraduate and really needs to zip it. Let Gunther tell his story, let Luann ask her questions and listen. The other alternative is Gunther needs to get home and talk with Les.
desperado10mm about 3 years ago
Bets drives back and stomps both Bernice and Luann’s rear.
RSH about 3 years ago
Good question Luann. You just hit it on the nail.
comic reader 22 about 3 years ago
And the Bozo Brigade has landed! Luann and Bernice are truly the comic relief! It did strike me that Bets really should have seen this coming. She’s been dating a shy, geeky guy that sews, they are physically affectionate, of course he’s going to fall in love. Gunther needs to take all of his friends advice, put it in a box and ship it off to parts unknown. Then he can go to Bets, tell her he cares and is sorry he freaked her out. He may or may not get an apology for being left stranded at Weenie World. If she gets mad about him for talking to his friends it’s her own fault for leaving him in the parking lot where he was fair game for anyone passing by. He would have probably discussed their business with a total stranger given the chance.
Otis Rufus Driftwood about 3 years ago
Gunther, like Goat lately in ‘Pearls Before Swine’, needs new friends. And for him, Rosa to come back from Peru.
Kiwiwriter47 about 3 years ago
Okay, I went through Greg Evans’ previous winding romance, Brad and Toni, which is on the comic strip’s web page in its entirety, and found his comment, at the bottom of Volume 11, which explains his reasoning as to why this story has so many complications:
“Behind-the-scene commentary from Greg Evans:As I mentioned in a previous blurb, relationship stories are most interesting during the early stages when the couple is circling around, getting to know each other, dealing with the uncertainty – and sometimes embarrassment – of young love. Of course, this can’t go on forever. Eventually, a couple either gets together (boring) or splits up (end of fun). The middle ground is to have them split up temporarily. This adds intrigue and keeps the story going. In the case of Brad and Toni, this off/on strategy kept the story alive for 15 years!”
Here’s the entire web site on their romance, which will doubtless (in my mind, at least) be repeated sometime in the next 10 years for Bets and Gunther:
http://luannfan.com/collections/
And if you read those strips, there was plenty of drama and comedy, which ended in both high drama (the massive wildfire), extreme comedy (the massive wedding prep), and wonderful romance (the wedding itself).
This ought to end in a similar manner.
By the way, like Tonoi, we haven’t met Bets’s family, either. Greg Evans likely hasn’t figured them out yet. I’m pretty sure they’re not stereotypes from some urban cop show. They’re probably loser to the old “Cosby Show,” or today’s “Black-Ish,” or the Clevelands from “Family Guy.”
kzturtlegirl about 3 years ago
Here is some advice to Greg: when designing a costume for a character, which will be worn over a several-week-long story arc, make it simple and easy to draw. He must be spending most of his time each panel just drawing frills.
katzpawz1a about 3 years ago
No. I like Nancy a lot but she can only give an adult, female viewpoint. Gunther needs input from his peers at this time. But I think he may have chosen the wrong peers for now.
Tyge Premium Member about 3 years ago
Wellll… This is certainly a masterful setup! Gunther is about to bare his soul and Luann and Bernice are going to lay it on him re the “girls’ view” about what what happened. I hope GnK don’t waste this opportunity it in the coming days!
Hilarity may finally ensue 1212. It may finally, ensue!
GaryCooper about 3 years ago
Luann loses. Dressing like a pirate never needs any explanation.
wantcomicsnow about 3 years ago
Ah, here we go. Miss know-it-all “I’m a psych major” Bernice with her smug, superior attitude. And her imperious “Stop right there! I have several questions.”
If Bernice gives Gunther any advice, he should listen very carefully to everything she has to say——-then do the exact opposite! He would probably be much better off and a lot happier.
comic reader 22 about 3 years ago
Gunther’s costumer is much better than the one for Bets. That’s what she’s really mad about.
comic reader 22 about 3 years ago
To all who are suggesting Nancy Degroot remember that all she does is give books.
Rauderi about 3 years ago
Romantic advice from a perpetual man-chaser or a first-year psych major? I’d pass, thanks. Bernice isn’t at a point of maturity to where she can listen to someone else.
Tyge Premium Member about 3 years ago
He expects advice from two girls he has pursued diligently and blew him off! Major masochist!
Willow Mt Lyon about 3 years ago
Bernice left her brain at the podium after her valedictorian speech at her highschool graduation.
ndblackirish97 about 3 years ago
Bern may be a Psych major, her instincts on relationships are awful. LOL
raybarb44 about 3 years ago
Yo Ho Ho! This should be funny…..
locake about 3 years ago
I think Gunther will blow up and yell at someone before the week is over. Probably Bernice after she asks him some dumb questions, or maybe both girls after he’s had enough of their “help”. Or perhaps Bets will come back after Luann and Bernice annoy him for a few more days and Gun screams at Bets.
ComicsDad5 about 3 years ago
Luann had a logical question. What is this strip coming to?
Pipe Tobacco Premium Member about 3 years ago
5
Well…. today’s effort feels more towards being light-hearted and potentially humorous (aka hillarity ensuses). Even though Gunther is truly sad and perplexed, I think that at least during the period of Gunther interacting with Bernice and Luann, it will be interesting, and eventually a bit less morose.
General thoughts in no particular order:
1. I suspect that somewhere down the road, Gun and Bets will be able to have a meeting of the minds and talk through this whole thing with likely a good resolution for their status as a couple. So, while Gunther is very justifiably sad and confused at the moment…. my “gut” is telling me this will all work out in the end.
2. I think the dynamic duo of Luann and Bernice will allow for some laughter and humor for the next few days because, while BOTH are meaning well in their efforts and comments…. neither of them has very strong track record in terms of romance success to be drawing upon to give Gunther salient advice.
3. The “female insight” that Luann mentions is to some degree helpful for Gunther to hear…. but perhaps not so much in this case…. Luann does not really know Bets all that well…. and from what we have seen thus far, Luann and Bets do seem to think in very different ways, so Luann’s insights may prove to not be very helpful in terms of Gunther understanding Bets any better.
4. In a similar vein, Psych Major Bernice… well…. I am sure she will TRY to help to the very best of her ability… and she will use virtually every technique she has read about, and will pursue a very didactic, linear dissection of detail to try to be as “sciencey” analytical as possible…. since in her rather young, rather naive state…. this is what she believes is the right path to find answers. Unfortunately, she is not yet wise enough, or sage enough to recognize the nuances in tone, in demeanor, in inflection, and in listening…. that are truly necessary to be a helpful ana
Pipe Tobacco Premium Member about 3 years ago
…. oops… in the above it should finish with:
….. analyst.
5. The most fun, yet most valuable dialogue today is from Luann where she logically and quizzically inquires about why Gun is in the pirate getup. If she and Bernice both wait a bit patiently for Gunther to spin the backstory out for them of how he ended up here in the Weenie World parking lot looking like a reject from Long John Silvers…. it will go a long way in helping the dynamic duo truly understand.So…. the brightness that Luann and Bernice have brought in terms of potential humor over the next few days makes me more enthused about this arc than I have been since before Tiffany and Bets had their spat. I believe we are on the upswing here. And, IMO that is good.13shark77 about 3 years ago
Personally, what was Bets idea of romantic cosplay? Maybe the dinner was for a special day: like she wanted him to collect her booty like a pirate after dinner. What lacking, Bets thoughts… As for the three words. Maybe she didn’t expect that… as for L & B. Luann question really hit. Why dress as pirate
ironbrigade1861 about 3 years ago
A narcissist will only have empathy and affection for themselves. Thanks to the last four years I can spell “narcissist” without looking it up.
comic reader 22 about 3 years ago
Luann and Bernice remind me of two magpies walking around pecking at a shiny rock.
johnkuhnlein Premium Member about 3 years ago
There stands Gunther in a ridiculous costume being cross examined by two women in street clothes. Are you catching on yet that the point is humiliation?
live2read about 3 years ago
I think that here, the best advice is no advice.
Need coffee about 3 years ago
Of those mooted above as likely to offer advice:
Luann may have some useful insight for Gunther about deciding what’s important in a relationship, as she made that decision with Quill.
Bernice may have some useful insight about pushing too hard, as she did that with Zane.
I don’t think Gunther will approach Nancy or Toni, but each of them may have useful insight about the time building a strong relationship takes.
Les has a GIF file of Nelson Muntz saying Ha-Ha. He may also be practicing his own cosplay as Blofeld from James Bond, sitting above the fray and petting a cat. Can he offer advice? Yes. Useful? No.
Mordock999 Premium Member about 3 years ago
As a side note and for comparison, here are the Strips from when Luann broke up with Quill.
Start here:https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2016/02/08
Through here: https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2016/02/18
Now. Here the part where Luann’s gets “support:”
https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2016/02/19
Through here: https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2016/02/27
Now compare that, to what’s about to happen to Gunther.
Florida Boy Premium Member about 3 years ago
Looks like Gunther’s in a no win situation. One way or the other, he’s in for a marathon of “womansplaining.” God help him.
desperado10mm about 3 years ago
Meanwhile out on the mean streets poor little Shannon…………
Kiwiwriter47 about 3 years ago
If anybody cares or is wondering, my Avatar is that giant rubber duck some artist made, floating through Hong Kong Harbor.
jmworacle about 3 years ago
The reason why Gunther’s dressed like a pirate is because of his dumb buttocks girlfriend.
beb01 about 3 years ago
This is clearly going to be another nothingburger weeks, like when Nancy told Frank some guy flirted with there. Learning why Bets needs time to think will have to wait a week or two. Meanwhile, how is Tiffany going to pay that harpist, since she went over budget then got stiffed on the payment.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] about 3 years ago
That is not what Bets wanted to hear. At least then.
brendancalling about 3 years ago
Today’s Luann is a rare glimpse into the thinking of the Evansii.
“Well I care a lot for Bets, but tonight, when I told her I love her, she ran off,” Gunther says, completely eliding the past several hours/days.
First, Bets paid Tiffany $300 for a pirate-themed dinner. But Tiffany didn’t produce a pirate-themed dinner—instead, she went with “romantic princess.” I know there’s some argument among you TruFans about whether money exchanged hands yet or not. Doesn’t matter: if I order steak and you deliver pork chops, it doesn’t matter HOW nicely it’s cooked—it’s still not what I ordered, so I ain’t paying for it. That’s reality.
So now Bets is upset with Tiffany. But does Gunther step in to de-escalate, or to support his girlfriend? NO: instead, he and his pal Ox stand there passively, as the two women fight. If anything, he ENJOYS the show, eating hors d’oeuvres and making wise-ass remarks. To my mind, this makes Gunther a JERK.
Cut to G&B in her car, and then cut to the two walking into Weenie World—which functions as metaphor for Gunther himself. I’d say this is the one clever thing the Evansii did in this strip, but it wasn’t deliberate so no credit where credit isn’t due. Anyway, it is CLEAR that Bets is pissed.
Does Gunther say anything to help her feel better? NO. In fact, he gets snippy about her eating his french fries—as if fries aren’t cheaper than dirt, as if Bets didn’t just drop (or prepare to drop) $300 so he could stuff his fat, ungrateful, mama’s boy face. To me, this makes Gunther even MORE of an JERK.
Then G, who has demonstrated TWICE that he’s a jerk, tells his girlfriend that she’s in the wrong—after she dropped/prepared to drop $300 on a special dinner for them. “Wasn’t the ‘romantic dinner for two’ her idea for a school assignment?” he says. “So maybe we should have done what she wanted?” (continued in my reply to myself)
Cuckooman Premium Member about 3 years ago
Gunther, why are you a ( modern day construct of what a pirate would have looked like, which is probably nothing like the real thing)
kittysquared Premium Member about 3 years ago
I didn’t think Bern could get more obnoxious. I was wrong. “I’m a psych major,” just dangles there uselessly, much like she does. Luann’s observation is far more useful and will lead to his story. The girls need to just listen to Gunther, who needs a sympathetic ear, not a lecture.
Schrodinger's Dog about 3 years ago
In the final panel. Gunther’s left shirt sleeve has turned blue from all the perspiration.
bakana about 3 years ago
Because it’s Date Like a Pirate Day?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjxCBBr6VQA
Sisyphos about 3 years ago
Good old Luann, Mistress of the Irrelevant!
Bernie is someone I wouldn’t trust, no matter how book-smart she might be.
In short, for your own good, such as it is, shut up, Gunther!
Vilyehm about 3 years ago
Hilarity ensues possiblity.
Is the Great Library Nude Scene public knowledge, or did Luann never mention it to anyone?
So Bets comes back and gets angry.
Luann gets angry.
Bets: What do you know about Gunther that I don’t know?
Luann: Well,….he is circumcised.
Bernice gets angry:
WHAT HAVE YOU NOT BEEN TELLING ME!!
Gunther finally gets angry.
Maximum confusion. Cheap thrills.
Hilarity (yawn) ensues.
David Huie Green ForceIsAUsefulFiction about 3 years ago
“To steal your heart and run competitors through.”