Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for February 24, 2024

She can’t help it.

I give her credit for getting all the way through it without saying everything she wanted to say.

it’s ok to want to Bern, in this case silence is more important

You got to give Bernice credit, she realized.. She went to far to ask a question.

Meddler.

These two seem to be actually getting somewhere. He’s opening up – and she’s had a teeny tiny little glimmer of self-awareness. Progress!

I seem to recollect the usual problem is that men can’t listen without wanting to fix things, not women. Am I getting my stereotypes wrong?

A breakthrough in communication. How will they handle it?

Well. He knows who she is. A fixer. Still, he came anyway. Rather than. Luann and Tara. Curious….

Bernice makes Mary Worth look like a newb meddler.

I hope she knows enough to have the strip point Piro toward a counseling service that could help connect him services that could help. Having him try to take care of all those kids while trying to stay in school isn’t a good situation for anyone. And it’s making him feel like a failure as well as feeling ashamed of his situation. Glad for the revelation; it makes him more sympathetic than just a moody poser.

Bernice has to be Bernice. I’m impressed she held back as long as she did.

Run, Piro

Very perceptive, Piro. Now, just make like a tree and LEAVE!!

And after Bernice succeeds in ruining Piro’s life with her “help”, will she be arrested for practicing medicine without a license? I hope so!!

It is possible she could help!Does Piro have an alternate help source?

Can we just compromise and get Bernice fixed?

I’m most surprised that Piro even has time to take any college courses, considering he’s looking after 6 small children.

Bernice has to learn self control.. and needs to change herself before she thinks about changing others.

Really, the only way B could help Piro is if she knew some folks who could help him with the kids. It’s unlikely that any of the books she’s read would give her ideas of how to help with this very real world problem, and if she tries to get him to contact the state’s child welfare department, the kids would be split up among foster homes (sometimes the foster homes are good, sometimes not, but splitting them up is never good)…

B has never had to deal with this kind of thing — where would she get an idea of how to fix it?

“You want to fix it? Great! That’s really awesome of you, Bernice! …….. Here’s the address. I know you can cook… They will all be expecting dinner soon. But I don’t think there’s any food in the house, so you’ll have to go shopping first. Since you’ll be spending most of your time over at the house now, you might want to pack a bag. And thanks, I really appreciate it!”

You might not be able to fix it, Bernice, but there’s something you can do that will make him feel better. It might make you feel better, too.

That she does.

Came we please move? What’s Tiffany been up to? Is Shannon in school yet? How is that going? I’ll even take Bets staring at her phone wishing she could post something on it. What is Bets went to a cosplay con by herself and is inundated by people asking where’s she been?

Isn’t that usually supposed to be a male thing? Insisting on fixing their problems rather than just listening?

I find Piro an endearing character in the strip. He does need someone he can lean on who is dependable and will always be there for him.

She’s going to be a terrible therapist

Bernice, you’re to obvious.

How could you tell? Could it be the flushed red face, or the the grinding of the teeth?

Piro gets to analyze Bernice?

I’d just like to point out the fact that one of these kids has his s*** together (in his brain, I mean), and it turns out the be the kid who has his life a complete mess… Which makes sense, actually, but still!

Professional or personal? She’s only human too.

Psych major, not mechanical engineering or Anglo-Saxon Literature. She’s doing her best, be nice.

Awww, sweet, funny, and, if you are a viewer who has been focusing on hate of Bern’s personality, or Piro’s weirdness you completely miss the point of this and more’s the pity. She wants to help, overanxious or not, he wants her too help, and he has revealed more about himself to her than anyone else. And in case the strip(his)torians forget her own family situation kind of mirrors his, what with her distant brother, his kids at her parental home, and the mother in Phillipines with the maternal father and grandfather. She’s an aunt who can’t deal with being one now evidently. Anyone realize that? Not to mention whatever the real reason why she has to stay away from home, clearly cheaper than her scrambling to find a place to live while in school, finally living with her best, near life-long friend’s family. This is funny, and is meant to be, but it has a serious and beautiful story behind it. story behind it. See it.

Fix this.

Time for Piro to listen about what a mess she is; if she will actually open up about herself.

Next week Bernice will try to fix it!

Because she is nosy and thinks she knows everything, that’s why she wants to fix it!

Bernice should understand that she’s just a student and NOT somebody who could actually do anything about Piro’s situation, except make it worse. The college should have resources for this.

A little knowledge can be dangerous.

Honestly, Piro?

You just “confided” to the WRONG person. ;-)

The “meddle” is strong in this one.

Will Bernice finally realize that she is in the wrong major? What major should she pursue!

As written, Bernice seems to be suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder.

Bernice wants to fix and change everyone. In her eyes, she’s the most superior being in the whole world and everyone is completely flawed.

Oh, yeah, fixing is her thing. Even when she doesn’t know what she’s doing.

Psychology 101 – It’s okay to not be okay. The therapist can’t fix a person. They can only suggest paths to explore for choices to make. Only the individual can fix themselves.

The old “tame the wild stallion” trope, here. Face the facts, Bernice: This is as far as Piro is ever gonna let you in. You will get no closer.

Child please… Pedro Pulls the Pity Card from up his sleeve trolling for a charity boink and Burnoose is the weak link. There’s not a thing wrong with Pedro’s mother. As a matter of fact, she’s going all Ann❤️Eiffel on some rich Shoog Daddy Dupe in Dubai… and you know what they say about Dupes in Dubai, boy howdy. Pedro is a swine. Tomorrow’s comic will feature Hawt Sexy❤️Luann waking up in the middle of the night (in her black Ann❤️Eiffel approved baby doll nightgown) complaining about Puddles banging around in the next room only to find Puddles beside her bed…. yep, Burnoose rocks Pedro the Swine’s world and he certainly ain’t worthy. WWA❤️ED? Throw the swine under a speeding camel. No Wonder WE ALL ❤️ Ann Eiffel! Dilly! Dilly! That’s it for today, Count and Ann❤️Eiffel ❤️ers…. TTFN… Count… OUT

Bernice. You are in training to become a counselor. That training, so far as it has gone to date, is leading to try and fix Piro’s situation. But unless you’re going to volunteer, and, help “manage” Piro’s siblings (did Bernice help with her brothers and sisters, does she help with Shannon?) do you have an actual clue as to what to do to help?

That’s why I studied psychology in college. Then I learned you had to get a masters to do anything in that field.

RUN Piro RUN! Before it’s too late, if it isn’t already.

The problem is, it’s never about who she ‘wants’ to help. It’s all about Bernice. I doubt if she heard one word Piro said. SHe’s the type of person who never listens, she’s just waiting for a break so she can something. Here’s a college student who thinks she has all the answers, because she’s a ‘psych major’ She reminds people of that ad naseum.

lol! Bernice is making a valiant effort to not butt in during Piro’s reveal. He knows her well and that she wants to “fix his problem”. I like it. Nice one today!

So on Monday, will this exchange continue or will someone come home and interrupt? Hmmmm

Eyebrows say everything!

HOW can she fix it? There’s nothing she can do.

Piro knows the importance of mental health and has people to help him. But he doesn’t like his friends trying to fix him, which is why he walked away from Tara and Luann. With Bernice, Piro didn’t find the listener he hoped for. But he has finally told his worries to someone with whom he feels he has a connection, or with whom he wants to create a closer connection. Now, let’s see if Bernice will actually be able to help him or she’ll do something that will make Piro angry.

Bern is going to have a hard time finding a stable relationship in life unless she makes some major changes. That kind of behaviour would drive away any but the most dysfunctional, co-dependent partners.

Try this Bernice, “how can I help?”

Pretty much what we’ve been seeing in sitcoms for the last several decades,

She needs a different goal in life. She would be terrible in the Psych field

She’s a psych major, Piro; she can’t help herself…

Bernice is not counselor material. Everybody seems to know this, except her…

I love that he knows her so well, heh. And yeah, she did listen, at least.

I hope Bernice has a Plan B for her career. At this rate she will flop as a counselor.

Shrinks are people too. It’s hard to apply what one learns in their personal stories. They might know how to help repair patients or clients, but doing it to themselves is hard.

Hopefully, this excruciating experience will convince Bern she should be an accountant.

I’m female and I do NOT want to listen to anyone complain about their problems endlessly. If you have a problem, you try to fix it. If I tell someone a problem, of course I want a solution. I guess some people enjoy talking about their problems, but I do not hang around those types.

I would reply “Yes, and if you ever do want my help, just ask me.”.

And you are telling her your concerns to not elicit any response. Oh come now…….

Great art today. The expression on Bernice’s face in panel 2 is one I don’t remember seeing before. Angst!! Panel 3 shows Piro understands HER. And he doesn’t shut down or walk away. Hhmmmm…

A truly nice ending; if Bern was going to try to restrain herself for anyone it would be Piro, someone she has feeling for and he asked her to do that and she realizes just how hard it is and maybe a little self awareness has crept in. But she has given him space before and for that he felt a bond and has placed trust in her, in spite of her current obsession with textbook psychology (which he recognizes). And she makes it, this time limping past the finish line; maybe the bond between them will strengthen and continue. Bravo to G&K for a deep and meaningful arc.

white girls open legs. OK

Interracial is cool these days

Said no health care worker ever!

Physician, heal thyself.

I’m reminded of a former co-worker who got a PhD in psychology who told me: “I don’t fix people, I just give them the tools to fix themselves”

Most of us want to help hurting people…at least I like to think that…

Bernice knows her reaction is not the right one, so perhaps there’s hope…

I went through a phase, after my divorce, where I dated a number of women in their 20s. I discovered that there are a lot of people out there who just like the sound of good advice. It flows smoothly over the ears and soothes their minds before they go out to date yet another serial abuser.

I have to go with @Ivlax today. Bernice is the one that needs fixing.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to fix it.

Bernice wants to fix Piro’s life…and dance on the couch with him.

Bernice really does need that graduate student. I get ignored about, it but it would work.

First time commenter here. Been following Luann for many years. I’m guessing that this arc will take a little different direction than what many are expecting. I think Bern has touched Piro — he gets her. He knows he can trust her, and he’s going to give her a chance to help. And, one way or another, she will, even if the help is not “psychological” in nature. Piro will be the one to help her grow.

I see that there’s no way to edit our comments. So I’ll just add — there’s just the tiniest hint of a smile on Piro’s face in the last box. He’s not offended that she wants to help. He may even be a little touched by her reaction.

She needs a new guy. A grad student type. PLEASE. Tired of the limited selectioln.

Bernice body language: Panel # 1, what is she guarding? Panel # 2, her 6 year old “have you got candy for me?” Panel # 3, “I can’t resist it anymore, I’m going to fix you right here on the couch.”

“I appreciate your restraint.”

Bern needs to fix her own life before she ruins someone else’s.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to fix your friend’s problems. The difficulty is in understanding when you actually don’t have the power to do that. Bernice can take all the psych courses in the world, and it still won’t change Piro’s family or make it easier for him to live with it.

Piro is very astute. He reads Bernice well and is clever enough to call her out on it but at the same time doesn’t seem unduly upset about her desire to fix him. Perhaps he understands her better than she does herself.

Indeed she wants a shot at it…….

Of course she does. All narcissists do….

Piro, Must have got a student loan or a grant to help pay for College, He also must be working a part time job to help him pay for education.

Yes, but at least she’s trying not to. ;-)

And she’s realizing that the situation is pretty much unfixable,at least by her.Oh,Panel 2 expression—-adore it!!

Doc heal thyself!!! My god she must be male. What does he need fixed? He just needs to vent.