Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for January 31, 2018

Even if the wording is off, Les is right. If your going to freak out, then freak out about your future step-daddy

Well, at least Leslie is doing the best he can to keep the plan of “Sheraton Saint-Louis” out of Gunther’s head. I applaud him.

Yep, Les is a team player and keeping his word in protecting the master plan Tiffany and he have. Gunther has no business in it and his business is better focused elsewhere – his mother and Al Gray. Clearly Les shares his sentiment about having Mrs Berger as a step mom and Gunther as a step bro. Thanks but no thanks. Les, you can do the same with Gunther what you are doing with Tiffany – team up with him and break up the love birds.

Les, do yourself a favor, Don’t lose your cool. Just walk away and let Gunther argue with himself!

So much tension!

Sympathy for Gunther is hard to generate at this moment. Gunther’s behavior here would be over the top even if Tiff were his girlfriend. Gunth may be about to meet five knuckles up close & personal. Not sure how Tiffany would respond to that if it happened.

Les is really growing his social skills. He finessed Gunther’s onslaught rather adeptly, and without becoming angry.

Gunther, of course, is still the kindergarten brat throwing tantrums.

There is nothing to like about Gunther anymore.

I take it that while Les likes Tiffany it is not a romantic attachment, which is what he is telling Gunther, although Gunther cannot understand it. Gunther obviously is jealous, but while he has been warm to Tiffany, he really has shown no ability to be really romantic. He cannot actually so it is so ironic he is jealous of Les who not romantically interested in Tiffany. I think Les is perfectly right to remind Gunther about the marriage proposal, and besides it brings another part of this whole arc back in. I have been saying all of these subthemes will combine here. Eventually Tara and Luann will come back in, and after the throw down with Tiffany and Ann, I bet the Fuse and the characters connected to it will come in as well. Isn’t it something though that Gunther is acting like a cuckolded lover, which he is definitely not, while Les is Mr. Cool?

From yesterday:

@RonBerg13: What metaphysical studies?

I’m mostly into Kabbalah, reincarnation, and Jungian psychology. A little astrology for fun.

Later tonight I’ll post a reply to this message that will tell how people can have fun spotting some Biblical/Jungian archetypes in many popular movies.

If Gunther wants a straight answer, he should just talk to Tiff.

Gunther is so wound up he could actually go home and paint the floor to his bedroom.

If he keeps this up any longer, Gunthie may end up having a knuckle sandwich at Kafe Kablooie! Les looks like he’s losing patience with the “conversation”…

Les is point out correct priorities? Amazing.

Considering what Les experienced in his life, he is doing now pretty good! Why is everybody so worried about his uncle marrying Gunthers Mom? Les and Gunth are old enough after all

Considering what Les experienced in his life, he is doing now pretty good! Why is everybody so worried about his uncle marrying Gunthers Mom? Les and Gunth are old enough after all

Hey, Gunthie, NOYFB.

The family relationships here are becoming a bit soap operaish.

Yup, Gunther is going to be a jealous idiot and do something to mess up Tiffany’s plan. I’m going to guess that he thinks Les and Tiffany are going to have a romantic tryst, show up at the lingerie party, blow Tiffany’s cover, and ruin everything. Ann will realize she’s been caught and pack up and leave before anybody can do anything.

I’d be interested to see what would happen if Tiffany put together this big elaborate scheme to catch Ann, only to find out that someone else at the last party figured out what was going on, called the authorities, and had Ann arrested so Tiffany didn’t have a chance to do anything.

I mean, it’s not like Luann, Tara and Dez were the only ones there…

“Focus your freak?” What does Les know about his Uncle that we don’t ?

Gunther, you’re so obviously not happy, you’ll never be happy, and never make anyone else happy. Sad.

Good point, Les…

Looks like there is some green eyed monster action going on between Les and Gunther. But it won’t probably distract Les from the plan. He seems to dislike his mother as much, if not more than he lusts after Tiffany.

BINGO! Leslie has grown up a lot, While Yawnther is trying to pick a fight that is NOT happening! I swear Yawnther and Borenice must’ve been separated at birth! If he was happy about his moms future and went after Tiff as she is hoping He wouldn’t be a dork. Good thing Less brushed him off!

Wow! Kudos to Les, for once! A good bit of maturity, there! I do hope Gunther accepts that and doesn’t “get his freak on” with Les… Take this as a gift, Gunth and work with it! Because it is a gift, especially coming from Les!

So, any predictions on whether or not the arc will continue? I want to see Tiff & Ann go at it!

Perusing the comments so far, my take is: Les is displaying a degree of social adjustment that the strip authors have not prepared us for adequately. In reading the Gunther comments, apparently Gunther is displaying an emotional attachment to Tiff that is totally unexpected. In hindsight, if we think back at Gunther/Tiff strips of the past, they could be interpreted as alluding to this kind of reaction.

From the standpoint of “drama,” this strip is very effective. Drama occurs when characters display actions or emotions that are “out of character.” Many feel Gunther is Marty Milquetoast. There’s more grit to Gunther than most realize, IMHO. Les has been portrayed as a slime-ball for so long that readers kudo him for the merest appropriate behavior. I see a potential for a sympathetic Les/Ann reconciliation after the “take-down.” Now that would be dramatic.

Any other time, Gunther’s questioning here could be excused, only so much as in his not trusting a former bully and a guy who isn’t too hesitant to skirt the line, to line his pockets.

-

But this time, instead of engineering a better mechanism, Gunther’s partly jealous, partly protective attempt could wreck a ‘well-meaning’ plan!….as narrow and vigilante as that plan is….

“Peanut Brain And Jeal-ly”

“Johnny Inquest”

“Always A Good Time To Grill!”

“A Shot At A Full Court Press”

“The Prevent Defense”

“Scared-Crow And Ms. Bling Take On The Case Of The Worst Scenario”

“A Bad Time To Catch A Weasel”

“The Poll That’s Quickly Going South”

“What Is Double Jeopardy?”

“Rat Man Battles The Quiz Kid”

“Green-Eyed Lantern, Lovely Lantern….”  (♪)

“Neither Strain, Nor Fleeting, Nor My Gloomy Sulk Shall Keep Me From My Appointed Houndings!”

“The Inside Mole, The Beautiful ‘Mark’ And The Worry-Wart”

or

“His Heart’s In The Right Place, At The Wrong Time”

And another thing. I get the feeling the authors don’t know what to do with Gunther. In high school, he was portrayed as a “mama’s boy” and a victim, especially to Les. He was introverted, studious and interested in traditionally feminine pursuits (i.e., sewing & fashion). His uncharacteristic fascination with Rosa and abrupt departure for parts unknown may have been an attempt to write him out of the strip. But he’s back and more complex after that episode. I don’t see why his testosterone fueled behavior in this strip is so irrationally panned by readers. Maybe he’ll realize and confess his feelings to Tiff soon.

When did Mr. Gray propose? Did I miss that or is this the first we’re hearing about it officially?

Wow, his new family at the Kafe is really having an effect on Les.

Les isn’t wrong in panel 4. But Gunther shouldn’t worry; Tiff showed more interest in his arrival than during her entire time talking to Les.

Gunther seems amazingly unaware of his own drives and motives.

Popped in, stopped over, dropped by.. what’s your point?

What are you doing here Gunther?

And he’s off! What a loose cannon, Gunther is definitely going to ruin it for Tif.

Gunther, you already told Tiffany to stay away from Les, because he’s bad news. She obviously made up her own mind that she wanted to see him, and she came to the Fuse to talk with him. It’s absolutely none of your business whatsoever that she chose to do so, and why. Now get lost.

I can understand Gunthers dis trust – Tiffany, after months of depression, “popped in”? However he needs to back off. In fact, I would go so far as to say Gunther needs to get a job (or at least help Les clean plates) if he is going to be a critic of Les at this point. Seriously, Ox and Les seem to be the only guys actually running the Fuse at this point.

I can understand Gunthers dis trust – Tiffany, after months of depression, “popped in”? However he needs to back off. In fact, I would go so far as to say Gunther needs to get a job (or at least help Les clean plates) if he is going to be a critic of Les at this point. Seriously, Ox and Les seem to be the only guys actually running the Fuse at this point.

BTW, can we now safely assume Les has lost all dating interest in Tiff now that Tiff is fat and depressed? There is nothing going on…

BTW, can we now safely assume Les has lost all dating interest in Tiff now that Tiff is fat and depressed? There is nothing going on…

Dear Greg and Karen,

I really want to like Gunther and dislike Les. I can see Les doing a heel/face turn—it’s a stretch, but if Tiffany can do it, so can Les—but Gunther doing a face/heel turn? I just can’t see it. And both at the same time? I just can’t even.

Yours etc., Socialchild

Gunther is presuming ‘ownership’ of Tiffany’s affections here. And I agree he should NOT worry! His extension of sincere help to Tiff when she was at near her lowest was sweet and very genuine of him, but ST marathons (while fine) only go for so much – Gunther’s gotta work harder if he wants a real place with Tiffany. [Also, Les is handling this quite better … for now!]

Alright, interesting question. What did/does Ms. Berger do for a living anyway? I’ve never really trusted Gunther and at this point it would seem he is a product of his over mothered childhood and academic success as much as Les is a product of his Mom’s absent, hustling ways and social failures. I’d trust (& date) Les more likely – at least he has a job and seems to have picked up some of his moms ability to hustle for better or worse.

Alright, interesting question. What did/does Ms. Berger do for a living anyway? I’ve never really trusted Gunther and at this point it would seem he is a product of his over mothered childhood and academic success as much as Les is a product of his Mom’s absent, hustling ways and social failures. I’d trust (& date) Les more likely – at least he has a job and seems to have picked up some of his moms ability to hustle for better or worse.

It is a sad point to Gunther’s development where he has grown to be so selfish and unreasonable that he appears poorly in comparison to Les, the schoolyard bully. No wonder Tiffany stopped watching Star Trek with him. How much lower can he sink?

So Les and Gunther could become step-cousins.

Watch out Les. Gunther has been studying Krav Maga.

Gunny is not Tiffany’s caretaker, nor her boyfriend—not yet, anyway. So, he should back off. Leslie Knox is being very reasonable today….

I can see: Ms. Berger marries Mr. Grey, and Mr. Grey moves into Ms. Berger’s house. Les becomes Gunther’s step brother and moves in with Uncle Al. Tiff becomes infatuated with Les and dumps Gunther. At the request of her son, Ann Eiffel gives Gunther the job of Exclusive Rep for Souffle Lingerie in Peru. Rosa meets Gunther at the airport with a baby. Is it Gunther’s?

Will Gunther ruin Tiff’s plan? Time will tell……

A conversation between Gunther and Leslie and Leslie is the voice of reason. Surely an ill omen if there ever was one.

Gunther has little social smarts or confidence. Attacking Les who is just doing his job makes him look nasty and insecure. Surely Gunther could just ask Tiffany at some later time why she was there, instead of going on the offensive for seemingly no reason. They have a good enough relationship such that she would likely reveal at least part of the truth. This is the unpleasant ill-tempered Gunther.

“It’s Deja Vu all over again” :

Les and Gunther have done this “dance” with each other around a girl before … with Rosa 2-10-2014 to 2-14-2014, culminating in “The Kiss” ….

So how will this end this time? Will Gunther grab and kiss Tiffany passionately? OR will Les get the upper hand and win out for the girl this time?

What does Les ‘Care’ whether or Not Ma Berger Marries Uncle Al anyway?

Heck, Les has practically “Wormed” His way into Ma Berger’s heart and has Got His Uncle Al so “buffaloed” and convinced that Les changed, that He no longer minding carefully what’s going on the “store.”

You’ve got an employee Les, that’s aware of possible criminal activity at the Fuse and he doesn’t report to Manager, Uncle Al? And He’s letting the Object of His Lust walk right into Lioness Ann’s mouth. Some “potential boyfriend,” huh?

Hey! Here’s an idea. If You want to break Ann and Your Dad up Tiff, You should tell him that Ann has a son (Which She’s Probably failed to mention) that been in all kinds of trouble with the law, and He once made unwanted advances toward You. You think maybe He’s changed, but why take a chance and put Les under the same roof within easy “grabbing” distance of the Dynamikks Ultima, the Lamborghini and Her.

Instant Bust Up!