Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for April 26, 2021

more than that, Gunther

Gag line? too soon!

She looks more sad than anything else. ✨

No. It’s not. Bets will never be happy.

Place your Bets, place your Bets :)Who will give me even odds that she drives away and leaves Gunther to take an Uber home?

She needs space. Try Iowa, Gunther,

It was fun while it lasted, I guess. Now Gunth can focus on finishing his degree, getting a job in silicon valley, and we can then say goodbye to him.

Glad we didn’t leave this storyline.

Bets miscalculated the relationship between herself and Gunther. She was thinking that Gunther was not committed to the relationship.

Can we say that Gunther is simple minded.

Gunther – your fries!

How much space does she need, and for how long? I think Gunther wants to talk it over now. He is trying to stall her, not act dense like a 13 year old. He is trying to get a response from her. Remember years ago in for Better or For Worse how Deanna reacted when Michael told her he loved her? She had broken an engagement previously and wasn’t sure if she was ready to commit herself to love him back.

Is she going to leave with Gunther’s car?

Give her all the space she wants, then she’ll come back. Works all the time.

So Gunther is still trying to mollify Bets and doesn’t (so far) realize why she is so upset. Does Bets know why? It can’t be about the TTFT and subsequent spat. It must be the “I Love You Bomb” that Gunther dropped so unexpectedly. That bomb certainly took all the air out of the room!

SO! The question is; Is Bets upset because Gunther escalated the relationship beyond her “seamstress with benefits” understanding? OR! Is Bets suffering from shock at the emotional impact of the declaration and what unexpected effect it may be having on her?

I don’t like where is it going…

Maybe Peru is far enough, Gunther…

Leaving him without a ride is extremely inconsiderate. Let her go and grow up.

I must admit, this whole arc has been fascinating with several juicy vignettes!

I seem to remember Bets saying she was Gunther’s girlfriend, but I can’t recall her ever saying Gunther was her boyfriend.

Please correct me if I’m incorrect.

Still, it seems Bets is now shocked to discover that Gunther was actually serious about their relationship while she thought it was just fun and games.

Step back Gun, uBer home and let her call you…it has been a rough night all around. She will let her heart decide and you have no control over that…sorry.

Gunther can’t seriously be that clueless can he?

Odds are he’ll be placing a call to Luann for a ride home before the end of the week. Maybe even by midweek so he can vent to her and get her perspective as a woman before the week ends.

Bets, if it were GUNTHER who asks for space, you would throw a hissy fit. Go and be alone with yourself and leave our Gunther alone and God willing, he finds his way back to his gang.

I said this saturday, she’s in shock and feeling guilty. She just needs time to process all the sweet romantic talk and gestures gunthers been displaying and the fact that he’s done everything he can to salvage a ruined evening——despite all her ranting and raving.

This arc being written to bring a level of maximum confusion to the reader, later in the week an unemployed elephant, released from tour with Ringling Brothers, will sit on the hood of Bets’s car.

We have become accustomed to Gunther’s glitches. Now we finally see that his savior Bets is messed up as well. I have no idea how this relationship will wind up – but I still think Gunther & Tiffany might be a better match. Tiffany is needy and so is Gunther. But Bets has just shown us her own insecurity – so the door remains wide open at this moment.

For someone who does not seem to be that invested in Gunther, on the first date, she was sure possessive of him when Luann was hovering around. “He’s, like, absolutely, totally mine, …to a certain point.”

Is she =really= going to drive away and leave him there?! And he’s like, oh, ok? Wow! Way to stand up for yourself, Gunner. Oh, well—maybe someone will show up at Weenie World and s/he and the G-man will talk and s/he will give Gun a ride home. OR he’ll Uber home.

Heck, at least drive him home!

I Need Space is right up there with I Love You But I’m Not In Love With You, and of course the ever-popular It’s Not Me It’s You.

Time to salvage your pride Gunny Boy. Your only hope now is to hold your head up high and walk away.

Stranding Gunther would be cruel and a deal breaker. But, Bets shows jealousy of Tiffany, so she must care for Gunther. Therefore, next comes the heart to heart talk where we hear about Bets’ tragic history with romantic relationships. Then, everybody go home.

“What’s wrong with HER?”

A better question is what’s wrong with YOU, Gunth?

Declaring you “love” someone that treats you like doormat?

Hell, Punk and Puddles get better treatment!

And haven’t you been following this darn Strip, lately??

You never, ever, EVER, follow an emotionally disturbed woman out to the parking lot.

Just ask Tara.

What’s it going take?

Bets speeding off, plowing into you and turning you into “hood ornament” like that creepy singing ornament in that ALLSTATE commercial?

You should whip out your phone, video this whole silly drama for Bets’ fans as cautionary tale of what happens to “nice guys” who grovel and do what they’re told by their pushy, crazy, soon to be ex girlfriends.

And when you’re done, I’d call Tiffany to apologize for what happened.

Maybe she’ll even give you a ride home, or at the very least call an Uber for you.

And by all means give Bets that “space.”

If you’re lucky maybe she’ll move to Utah.

And for the love of Gaw, BURN that stupid pirate outfit!

I think it is over… I recall my ex-girlfriend behavior a few days before she broke my heart for the 2nd and last time, and I am seeing this and it is bringing some very sad memories to me!

I hope she just keeps on driving and NEVER COMES BACK.

“I need some space”, we all know what that usually means!!

Even money we are seeing “the moment” that leads to the second young married couple — Gunther and Bets — in the strip. Lots of dominoes to fall.

Luann turning herself inside out over how she feels about Gunther and what to do if it’s serious. Somebody leaving the Little House that Mr. Grey Built (Gunther’s first instinct being that it’s perfect.

Bets quickly, and smartly, calling living in your mother’s backyard when you’re MARRIED as crazy (Spoiler: They end up in Brad and Toni’s giving those two the excuse to buy that house they looked at earlier [they’re going to need the extra room]).

A year from now when G&B actually tie the knot, Luann and Jack finally click. A lot more.

If Bets drives off and leaves Gunther in the parking lot without a ride home, I think no one will be left on team Bets.

Be polite Bets. You really should be driving him home as well.

They both seem so confused, so afraid. Dunno how this will end. But sure is a turning point for their relationship. I hope they don’t break up, but they understand how to grow as a couple with mutual love and respect ♡.

Jeff Foxworthy: “I need some space” is half a sentence, the rest of it is “without you in it!”

Let her go Gunther, you can do better

I am not one of those reviling Bet or despairing Gunther. This is the first time he has expressed his feelings so clearly to a female and I think this is a first time for Bets as well. If not then she has a backstory that we may find out about this week. It’s wide open the directions this might go so I think it’s premature to predict, but I personally project it will be hilarious and surprising, stay tuned.

There’s that aspergers cropping up again

Is she ever going to admit to him that she was just using him as a prop so she could create content for her internet accounts, or is she just going to hope he realizes that on his own?

and then I go and spoil it all, by saying something stupid, like…I LOVE YOU

He may have jumped the gun but she has never wanted more than to treat him like an object. Time to move on Gunther and take it slow.

Dump her, Gunther. You can do better. She doesn’t care about you.

Twoud appear ol Bets was just caught up in the chase for IG clout, seeking stuff to post about, ignoring the person right in front of her.

When Bets said, “I just need some space, Gun.”

He should’ve said, “I don’t understand, but I need a ride home.”

“Paging Dr. Clueless… Paging Dr. Clueless…”

It is ironic that she leaves him by saying that she needs space, considering that when they met, she was dressed as Nyota Uhura.

This is an odd time for Gunther to suddenly be so literal. It would suggest that he’s “on the spectrum”.

Showing up at Weenie World in pirate outfits: Courageous? Or just really embarrassing?

Been there. There few choices. Give her time to think. 2nd, women do this to get a reaction from the guy, it’s part in their DNA. 3rd to chase or not. It’s almost like the second choice but a different meaning… last input. He doesn’t see as it in a big deal meaning. But to Bets. It was.

Bets, take all the space you need… That’s right… Keep going… Annnnnd… GONE! Phew. Good riddance to garbage.

Your emotions got the better of you in the moment. Happens all the time to a zillion guys both young and old. Back off and give her space. Take a cab or phone a friend for support. Heck, I’d go to Tiffany’s party. Get support and eat well. Your true friends will always be there for you.

I think Gunther is a henpecked husband.

Gunther said the L word too soon, and at the wrong moment to boot.

major warning flags. they’ve been dating at least a year plus in the luannaverse and methinks while they are an “item” Bets has never said the L word in direct relation to Gunth…

There’s multiple potential things going on in her head, and I’ll hit them in the order of what I think are likely

1) Anger \ resentment are going at full tilt because she didn’t get her way, she’s mad at Gunth for what she believes is backing Tif over her. the L word bombarded her and in her twisted anger state feels like it was done as manipulation (because that’s something she would do to get her way)

2) Bets saw gunth as a plaything, a puppy she could play with and not get hurt… someone who’ll let her be herself, yet hasn’t yet really put her heart into the relationship … i.e. she loves what he does for her, but doesn’t actually find herself attracted to him. His L bomb has made her realize maybe she’s not IN LOVE with him.

3) Bets is emotionally immature and doesn’t really know what she wants or what she’s doing or where she’s going. the sudden L bomb derailed her tantrum and she doesn’t know where to go with it… perhaps a sudden realization she’s been unloading on the guy who LOVES her… perhaps ever so slightly the realization of how much she’s using and abusing Gunth at this point.

I lean hard on the likelihood she’s used to having “the power” by being the girl… and being hit by an L bomb has rattled her hard. In the past I’ve argued that being with Bets is at least progress (relationship-wise) as most the core characters are not very interested in the G man for anything other than their childhood friend.

Personally I see so many warning flags from failed relationships in Bets, but I also know from my own experience as a young man, Gunth is still eager to be part of the race and meet the sociatal expectations that he should be found finding his “other half”… Despite the fact that we as people will never be “complete”

Now’s your chance, Gunther. Dump her and don’t look back.

The result of hearing what she wanted to hear and now panics.

She lost control control again, first with Tiff and now with Gunthie. That probably hasn’t happened to her in a long time and she is having trouble dealing with it.

I got a feeling she’ll be back and Gunther won’t be able to get rid of her.

@drewpanon, rrsltx and tremane53: According to Dr. Kenneth Roberson (psychiatrist who treats patients on the spectrum), it is extremely difficult for those on the spectrum to express emotions, even though they may feel them. And in general, those on the spectrum are unable to meet the eyes of those they are talking to. Discussions about whether Gunther has either aspergers or is on the spectrum have repeatedly appeared and just don’t make sense…

She’s into being an influencer & the clicks & likes their relationship that way. Now that it has to be an actual relationship – she’s freaking out. She’s gone.

Begone and get thee hence, wench!!!!

Gunther will not let her go. He loves her. Bets can let her guard down and be loved. It sounds easy, but for many people it’s really difficult to realize they deserve love. Gunther is gentle and kind, he will show her it’s real.

Bets has some work to do

Leave it to a woman to want “a romantic dinner” then flips out when her man says “I love you.”

Gunther is doomed to a life in the friendzone. He’s a throwaway. He was to Rosa, now Bets.

Time has come to say goodby to Betts gunner shes no good for you

Not an Uber, he will call Luann to pick him up and she will ask a million questions.

Wow, a little surprised GnK continued but I like it! A good sequence happening here, one person who’s been gobsmacked and needing to process while the other is clinging like a Klingon. Gunther upped the ante a lot from what I believe Bets thought their relationship was, fair on both accounts. Something else Bets is having to deal with is Tiffany read their relationship right and had the right idea for the night (Boom! that’s the sound in Bet’s head when she heard I love you). Really some good stuff here. Honestly GnK have upped the game pretty darn well since the gang left high school. Lots of issues have been brought up that late teen/early twenty year olds go through and none of it bad. Something even better is more of the stories have a long game, taking longer to process than a few weeks, something I like because life isn’t a sitcom though sometimes you don’t if you should laugh or cry.

It seems Bets prefers superficial rather than meaningful validation and adoration. I suspect she’s insulating herself, but why?

Here’s a fiver, Gun. Buy yourself a clue.

Don’t worry about Gunther. Aaron Hill will return from Hawaii, come out of the closet, and he and Gunther will live happily ever after (yes, I’m being facetious).

Is it possible that she’s not that upset about hearing ‘I love you’ and more upset that the spontaneous admission did not give her a chance to stage it and post it to her fans?

The distance is about to increase quickly, leaving Gunth in a cloud of dust and need to find a ride home.

What. A. Jerk!You have to give Evans credit! When he creates a villain or some type of misanthrope, he does a good job!

kinda surprised she didn’t say “If you don’t know I’m not going to tell you.”

Gunther opens his heart to a young lady again, and this is the thanks he gets. As Sir Paul McCartney said, love isn’t silly at all.

I’d give her LOTS of space, like a couple of light years’ worth.

That pretty cold Bets!!!! Who will he call for a ride? Luann? Tiffany? Les? Uber?

Glad we continued this arc. I thought she’d be sitting in the car….What did she expect him to say when she accused a Gunther of caring about Tiffany’s feelings more than her’s? A continued argument? Why not an “I love you”! Is she just playing games, wanting his full attention? Now she realizes he is more serious than she is. Gunther seems to want to break the tension with his comment.

up until now Bets has commandeered (sp) a relationship built around fun, games, costumes, probably frivolous sex (all of it her way). Now Gunther is asking for the meat of a relationship i.e. caring, respect and yes ‘love’. She needs space to think about these things.

1st panel her hands are still balled up in fists, 2nd panel maybe not so much …. …. it’s a step.

Leave her to her fantasy world and cut your losses

Does Gunther even know about Uber?

Mm, bets has obviously been hurt before, we’ve covered that. She’s scared of commitment and being loved because she’s scared of being burned. That’s evident here. However she needs to get her act in gear and stop taking and running from Gunther. Otherwise she’s going to lose him. And then who’ll be there for her to make corny videos with?

If she drives away, Gunther will get the chance to walk home in full pirate regalia. That will give the neighbors something to talk about.

Give it time. Just don’t knock her up while you’re both figuring things out.

Really? Space? She didn’t need space when she was doing her “Selfish B**ch” routine! Maybe this will end up with Gunther changing his name to Stradivarius, because she’s sure playing him like one!

Let her go! Good riddance! You can do better, Gunth!

Gunther should have brought his books along so he could study while Bets is deciding what she wants to do. He is wasting valuable study time.

If they break up, I sure hope she gets to keep that pirate outfit. Barely anyone got to see it.

Bets needs space. May she should move to Peru.

While Bets’s issues have been obvious for a long time I don’t have the hostility towards her that others do. This is a scenario that could go either way. While I suspect Greg will break them up (the strip tends not to place much investment in characters other than the basic four remaining high school friends) I could also see an interesting arc where we find out where Bets’s issues arose from in her life and why hearing the Gunther loves her scares her. I remember years of Brad dealing with Toni’s substantial issues (people forget that because she was supposed to be a trophy because of her looks), and while they weren’t identical issues to Bets’s she was someone who called (and to a degree still calls) the shots in her relationship with Brad and spent a long time pushing him away when he wanted a commitment. There is a potential for a transformative arc in which Bets and Gunther go to a deeper level in their relationship.

Perhaps Bets got in her car to check her InstaFaceChat account. She needs to poll her fans to see if they would prefer her relationship with Gunther to progress or end. She will give Gunther her answer as soon as her fans give her their answer.

Skeerd her

Gun looks shot.

Gunther looks kinda dashing with a neat ’stash.

Here’s a thought for you all..

Would you say Bets is a High School version of Tiff? I haven’t seen a single time that Bets showed ANY kind of real friendship with any of the gang, especially Gunther. It’s all been about her cross-playing, social media etc.To be honest if Gunther defended Tiff at the dinner, I think Bets would of walked off and left him there

3

Not sure how to view things…. but here are some opinions I have been mulling over (and they are not necessarily congruent with each other):

1. Bets’ reaction Saturday was odd but could have many meanings…. it is pretty obvious she is “Gun-shy” (pun intended) about the relationship becoming more serious for some reason. But why? Is it a) as most are suggesting, because she has had some kind of troubled relationship past that makes her fearful of closeness and commitment but that she wants a relationship, b) she never wanted anything other than a “buddy-buddy” or perhaps “friends-with-benefits” relationship, c) she only needed/wanted a prop to help her build her social media following, or d) she wanted the “cover” of being in a relationship for some reason and picked Gunther because of his “nerdiness” that had Bets think he would never question or challenge her? I tend to suspect (a) but, the other three are also a bit interesting to think about.

2. Gunther’s reaction today is also odd, but could have many meanings…. it is indeed obvious that he loves her. But why the “Is this enough?” comment in the last panel? Is it a) he is just REALLY obtuse at times and completely misses social cues/context, b) is it just a “throw-away” gag for today from Greg, c) is it a psychological ploy by Gunther because he knows that if he acts overly literal to Bets’ words, it will “break the ice” and get Bets to talk about her feelings, or d) is it Gunther reacting to his realization that if Bets ran out because he mentioned “love”…. maybe she does not have romantic feelings for him? I tend to suspect (b) that it is just a filler day, a “throw-away” gag day from Greg.

Bets and Gunther got off on the wrong foot. She’s too self-centered to treat him right. While she’s been a fun girlfriend, I don’t think she’s a good serious match for him.

At least give the poor guy a ride home.

Oh Gunther, just dump her already. She wants space, then give her space.

I see a breakup coming, if it already isn’t here.

Bets manipulates other people, for her own comfort. Actually loving someone is, for her, a foreign concept.

Space. As a measure of time, not distance.

Most people in a steady relationship for a year would not be shocked to hear I Love You from their partner. Bets reactions does not make any sense.

My prediction: Gunth goes back to Tiffany’s, and they become an item by the end of this arc. Or at least start something scandalous.

I posted this above in answer to one of Pohka’s comments——for all you people who keep saying Bets is “gobsmacked”………….

Of course she’s gobsmacked. One of her props just said “I love you.”

Kinda like a ventriloquist’s dummy coming to life……..:D :D :P

Oh now she wants some space. Before she was all clingy and needy. Whats up with that ladies?

Evans is fascinated by the idea of men being humiliated by women. Also, Gunther is gay, in case you haven’t figured that out.

For Bets,the situation sounded like a rebound relationship. Gunther is a safe recovery for Bets.

Bets is all about living in fantasy worlds; first, the world of ComicCons and other fantasy conventions, where you dress up as a favorite character and act the part of the character, and then, the fantasy world of an ‘influencer’ on the internet. (Note that the internet started out as a place to electronically share data, especially scientific data, but has now become a place where like-minded people go to share conspiracies and to demean those who don’t believe those conspiracies.) Someone who lives in a series of fantasies would find the concept of ‘love’ to be foreign and maybe frightening, just like the idea of ‘sharing’ someone who helps them to act out a fantasy might be frightening or even maddening…

Run Gunther, Run! Bets is way too psychotic for you and you deserve much better.

Gunth could always walk home, and contemplate how his evening went, and then realize what a terrible mistake he has made. Then go to the Fuze and into the welcoming arms of Luann, enjoy some nice home baked banana pie, and recharge his batteries. That would end this arc and start a new one! I’m sure, having alienated all the other characters, Bets will eventually move on to Quill, or some other outsider.

OK Gunther, have you caught on yet that all she wanted you for is to design and sew her costumes, you can do better…ask your Mom.

I also would like a space gun!

I suspect that , whatever this relationship was , it’s now over. Bets just wasn’t ready for a more serious one, certainly not like Gunther.

Sad, but it happens in real life too.

Gunther! I thought you got smarter over the years! Cut Bets out of your life!

Sorry Gunther, no it’s not……

Gun, you fool! You left your fries behind!

Interesting body language. It looks like she is very deliberately walking away, like it was his offense and she’s done – not a “surprise by I LOVE YOU, need to regroup” walk.

Hang on now. Whose car did they come in? If Bets drove, then she may indeed drive away and leave Gunther. But in the last panel, the car hasn’t gone anywhere, so….I guess we’ll wait and see what happens tomorrow.

Was Bets correct as a customer or what Tiffany had to offer as a business?

He used the “L” word. Looks like fear of commitment. Who knows, maybe we’ll learn some more about her past.

Ditch that selfish

I had been wondering how long in Luann time the two had been a couple. I think Gunther dropped the L word without really knowing how Bets felt about him. And not a great night to declare one’s love when your partner is bitching and whining. Everything is a show for her: the study group party became her make-out party. Her relationship with Gunther became IG fodder. Gunther can’t seem to find a gal who shares his interests and wants him the way that he is.

In Bets defense. She is bringing a lot to the relationship. 1) Money/a job/career smarts 2) no baggage from friends/family. Guns bringing 1) college debt? A possible college degree witch is no garentee of a job anymore? 2) high maintenance mom and friend. I would think twice before getting serious with Gunther too.

Carpe diem, Gun. This is your chance.

It’s all fun and games until someone says “I love you”!

It’s never “enough,” Gunther. As far as a lady in flight is concerned, space is infinite!

In other words, Loser-Boy, you have been dumped….

Dear Gunther- WHY?!

In panel #3, those car silhouettes look like predators waiting in the background for Bets to drive away so they can rip him apart limb from limb. Take a look, very menacing looking…

Here’s the thing: Bets is most comfortable in a world of fantasy, playing roles at a ComicCon or creating a ‘reality’ for her fans to follow on line. Real world emotions like ‘love’ interfere with the fantasy world she’s most comfortable with. She can really enjoy her time with Gunther as long as he either supports those fantasies, or her anger at anything that interrupts them. Tiffany’s enactment of her business class assignment as a ‘romantic dinner for two’ never interested Bets, but her anger wasn’t simply because she was the customer and the customer is always right. It was because ‘romance’ wasn’t at all a part of Bets’ fantasy, and pirates (like science fiction critters at a Con) are part of Bets’ fantasy world. Her anger at Gunther isn’t just because he was supportive of Tiffany’s ‘romantic dinner’ idea, but because Gunther isn’t supporting her pirate fantasy…

Gunther is very open and very honest. Regardless of what heartaches he may reap on the way to finding his own true love, he will ultimately find someone as open and honest as he is, and he will have a good life.

“Gettin’ there.”