Ray "Scotch" Coulton
@rayscotchcoulton.bsky.social
Subject of an Emmy-nom'd doc re: anagrams. tinyurl.com/arsmagna-doc
Wordplay maker for Minute Cryptic & The Comet. Into all manner of geeky ephemera.
He/him. Opinions are most definitely my own.
Puzzles: https://crosshare.org/rayscotchcoulton
Wordplay maker for Minute Cryptic & The Comet. Into all manner of geeky ephemera.
He/him. Opinions are most definitely my own.
Puzzles: https://crosshare.org/rayscotchcoulton
Cory's Cryptic Clues - 20-Nov-25
Assumed a visitor spoke (7)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
REFRIGERATORS
(anag. of AIR REGRETS FOR = "chill locations")
Assumed a visitor spoke (7)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
REFRIGERATORS
(anag. of AIR REGRETS FOR = "chill locations")
How to Solve Cryptic Clues
*** FIRST: WHAT’S A CRYPTIC CROSSWORD? ***Unlike standard US crosswords, UK-based cryptic crosswords focus almost entirely on solving the tricky wordplay of each odd-sounding (or cryptic) clu…
tinyurl.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Cory's Cryptic Clues - 20-Nov-25
Assumed a visitor spoke (7)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
REFRIGERATORS
(anag. of AIR REGRETS FOR = "chill locations")
Assumed a visitor spoke (7)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
REFRIGERATORS
(anag. of AIR REGRETS FOR = "chill locations")
Other than the 2 main complaints about Pluribus (which I don't agree with)--it's too slow & Carol is "needlessly" unlikeable--I think many folks don't like it b/c they're expecting a sci-fi action thriller, expecting it to ask all of THEIR questions already, or both, and it's not doing that
November 20, 2025 at 6:27 AM
Other than the 2 main complaints about Pluribus (which I don't agree with)--it's too slow & Carol is "needlessly" unlikeable--I think many folks don't like it b/c they're expecting a sci-fi action thriller, expecting it to ask all of THEIR questions already, or both, and it's not doing that
Confused by folks who complain about the slow pace and unlikeable lead of Pluribus, and I'm thinking, if you like Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul... that's what those shows had too? So...?
November 20, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Confused by folks who complain about the slow pace and unlikeable lead of Pluribus, and I'm thinking, if you like Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul... that's what those shows had too? So...?
Re: Pluribus ... Amused by folks who don't grok why Carol's against a hive mind "utopia" and I'm like, this isn't 7 billion folks w/dreams and goals all on a constant group chat, their minds have been *wiped* and they're now 7 billion ambition-free puppets of a creepy ambiguous single consciousness
November 20, 2025 at 6:08 AM
Re: Pluribus ... Amused by folks who don't grok why Carol's against a hive mind "utopia" and I'm like, this isn't 7 billion folks w/dreams and goals all on a constant group chat, their minds have been *wiped* and they're now 7 billion ambition-free puppets of a creepy ambiguous single consciousness
Reposted by Ray "Scotch" Coulton
Like I get Carol in Pluribus is hard to like, that’s partly the point but also.. she’s not fucking wrong about anything when it comes to being skeptical about the hive mind shit
November 20, 2025 at 4:43 AM
Like I get Carol in Pluribus is hard to like, that’s partly the point but also.. she’s not fucking wrong about anything when it comes to being skeptical about the hive mind shit
Reposted by Ray "Scotch" Coulton
Saw someone suggest Pluribus would be better if it focused on Diabate instead of Carol, and that is a wild take b/c the man is basically getting his Epstein on with no pushback and that's not someone I want to see a show built around
November 19, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Saw someone suggest Pluribus would be better if it focused on Diabate instead of Carol, and that is a wild take b/c the man is basically getting his Epstein on with no pushback and that's not someone I want to see a show built around
Reposted by Ray "Scotch" Coulton
Playing Rapscallion ttrpg tonight and so blessed that the #Taskmaster series 20 crew have gifted us with this great picture!
Tag yourself fellow crewmates @suefacetm.bsky.social @armadajosh.bsky.social and @eadwin.bsky.social
Tag yourself fellow crewmates @suefacetm.bsky.social @armadajosh.bsky.social and @eadwin.bsky.social
Ania Magliano on Instagram: "Goodbye taskmaster series 20 🥹
I lost count of how many times throughout the entire thing I cried with laughter. What a lucky girl I am!!!!
At @philelliscomedy in the t...
18K likes, 163 comments - aniamagliano on November 13, 2025: "Goodbye taskmaster series 20 🥹
I lost count of how many times throughout the entire thing I cried with laughter. What a lucky girl I am!...
www.instagram.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Playing Rapscallion ttrpg tonight and so blessed that the #Taskmaster series 20 crew have gifted us with this great picture!
Tag yourself fellow crewmates @suefacetm.bsky.social @armadajosh.bsky.social and @eadwin.bsky.social
Tag yourself fellow crewmates @suefacetm.bsky.social @armadajosh.bsky.social and @eadwin.bsky.social
Cory's Cryptic Clues - 19-Nov-25
Dramatically air regrets for chill locations? (13)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
CLAMP
(C ["carbon"] + LAMP ["candle"] = "Fasten")
Dramatically air regrets for chill locations? (13)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
CLAMP
(C ["carbon"] + LAMP ["candle"] = "Fasten")
How to Solve Cryptic Clues
*** FIRST: WHAT’S A CRYPTIC CROSSWORD? ***Unlike standard US crosswords, UK-based cryptic crosswords focus almost entirely on solving the tricky wordplay of each odd-sounding (or cryptic) clu…
tinyurl.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Cory's Cryptic Clues - 19-Nov-25
Dramatically air regrets for chill locations? (13)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
CLAMP
(C ["carbon"] + LAMP ["candle"] = "Fasten")
Dramatically air regrets for chill locations? (13)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
CLAMP
(C ["carbon"] + LAMP ["candle"] = "Fasten")
For folks complaining about Carol on Pluribus:
If you're one of a dozen global survivors of an event that functionally wipes out virtually all of humanity, which also tragically kills/claims your partner, and they constantly stalk you, show me how pleasant you'd be, b/c I'd be livid
If you're one of a dozen global survivors of an event that functionally wipes out virtually all of humanity, which also tragically kills/claims your partner, and they constantly stalk you, show me how pleasant you'd be, b/c I'd be livid
November 18, 2025 at 11:44 PM
For folks complaining about Carol on Pluribus:
If you're one of a dozen global survivors of an event that functionally wipes out virtually all of humanity, which also tragically kills/claims your partner, and they constantly stalk you, show me how pleasant you'd be, b/c I'd be livid
If you're one of a dozen global survivors of an event that functionally wipes out virtually all of humanity, which also tragically kills/claims your partner, and they constantly stalk you, show me how pleasant you'd be, b/c I'd be livid
Taskmaster grand final themed outfits: a compendium
- UK series 9 (tuxes)
- UK series 15 (Sgt. Pepper-era Beatles)
- NZ series 4 (each other's filmed task outfits)
- NZ series 6 (all wigs a la Jackie Van Beek)
- UK series 20 (pirates)
- UK series 9 (tuxes)
- UK series 15 (Sgt. Pepper-era Beatles)
- NZ series 4 (each other's filmed task outfits)
- NZ series 6 (all wigs a la Jackie Van Beek)
- UK series 20 (pirates)
November 18, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Taskmaster grand final themed outfits: a compendium
- UK series 9 (tuxes)
- UK series 15 (Sgt. Pepper-era Beatles)
- NZ series 4 (each other's filmed task outfits)
- NZ series 6 (all wigs a la Jackie Van Beek)
- UK series 20 (pirates)
- UK series 9 (tuxes)
- UK series 15 (Sgt. Pepper-era Beatles)
- NZ series 4 (each other's filmed task outfits)
- NZ series 6 (all wigs a la Jackie Van Beek)
- UK series 20 (pirates)
Cory's Cryptic Clues - 18-Nov-25
Fasten a carbon candle (5)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
WEDNESDAY
(anag. of SAY WE'D END = "1 out of 7")
Fasten a carbon candle (5)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
WEDNESDAY
(anag. of SAY WE'D END = "1 out of 7")
How to Solve Cryptic Clues
*** FIRST: WHAT’S A CRYPTIC CROSSWORD? ***Unlike standard US crosswords, UK-based cryptic crosswords focus almost entirely on solving the tricky wordplay of each odd-sounding (or cryptic) clu…
tinyurl.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Cory's Cryptic Clues - 18-Nov-25
Fasten a carbon candle (5)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
WEDNESDAY
(anag. of SAY WE'D END = "1 out of 7")
Fasten a carbon candle (5)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
WEDNESDAY
(anag. of SAY WE'D END = "1 out of 7")
New Pluribus theory: the signal's not really from 600 LY away and was somehow faked. A technocratic/oligarchic cabal tucked away in a mountain bunker is waiting for all of earth's inhabitants to be fully softened for their whims. The invasion is coming from inside the planet (erm, sure)!
November 18, 2025 at 2:19 AM
New Pluribus theory: the signal's not really from 600 LY away and was somehow faked. A technocratic/oligarchic cabal tucked away in a mountain bunker is waiting for all of earth's inhabitants to be fully softened for their whims. The invasion is coming from inside the planet (erm, sure)!
This, all of this. Carol is abrasive by design, but so many don't look past it--she's justified in her anger. And the reversal of having a protagonist who isn't perfect (think Sam Beckett in Quantum Leap, dude was a faultless boy scout) is a great flip of the script, per se.
Carol from Pluribus has the potential to be my new hero. An imperfect, pissed-off woman who gives a fuck about free will and is not willing to compromise. And naturally, some people are focused on what a bitch she is and not on the fact that she's right. Sounds a lot like Sylvie!
Saw a take on Pluribus that Carol’s anger and rudeness to the others shows she privileged and I find it a bit baffling. Your captors and people who collaborate with your captors are your captors, even if polite, they are not entitled to basic human decency from you.
November 18, 2025 at 2:16 AM
This, all of this. Carol is abrasive by design, but so many don't look past it--she's justified in her anger. And the reversal of having a protagonist who isn't perfect (think Sam Beckett in Quantum Leap, dude was a faultless boy scout) is a great flip of the script, per se.
Sitting through a 2.5 hour meeting on how my team needs to become AI-native as fast as possible, and let's just say the themes of Pluribus hit way harder now
November 17, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Sitting through a 2.5 hour meeting on how my team needs to become AI-native as fast as possible, and let's just say the themes of Pluribus hit way harder now
Cory's Cryptic Clues - 17-Nov-25
1 out of 7 say we'd end confusion (9)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
ZOO
(1st ltrs of "Zillions Of Odd" = "commotion")
1 out of 7 say we'd end confusion (9)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
ZOO
(1st ltrs of "Zillions Of Odd" = "commotion")
How to Solve Cryptic Clues
*** FIRST: WHAT’S A CRYPTIC CROSSWORD? ***Unlike standard US crosswords, UK-based cryptic crosswords focus almost entirely on solving the tricky wordplay of each odd-sounding (or cryptic) clu…
tinyurl.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Cory's Cryptic Clues - 17-Nov-25
1 out of 7 say we'd end confusion (9)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
ZOO
(1st ltrs of "Zillions Of Odd" = "commotion")
1 out of 7 say we'd end confusion (9)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
ZOO
(1st ltrs of "Zillions Of Odd" = "commotion")
Pluribus, S1E2
November 16, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Pluribus, S1E2
New cryptic clue of mine up (the first since summer) at Minute Cryptic--answer video in comments! minutecryptic.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:05 PM
New cryptic clue of mine up (the first since summer) at Minute Cryptic--answer video in comments! minutecryptic.com
Cory's Cryptic Clues - 16-Nov-25
Zillions of odd faces make a commotion (3)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
WONDER WOMAN
(anag. of DRAW ON ME NOW = "league member")
Zillions of odd faces make a commotion (3)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
WONDER WOMAN
(anag. of DRAW ON ME NOW = "league member")
How to Solve Cryptic Clues
*** FIRST: WHAT’S A CRYPTIC CROSSWORD? ***Unlike standard US crosswords, UK-based cryptic crosswords focus almost entirely on solving the tricky wordplay of each odd-sounding (or cryptic) clu…
tinyurl.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Cory's Cryptic Clues - 16-Nov-25
Zillions of odd faces make a commotion (3)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
WONDER WOMAN
(anag. of DRAW ON ME NOW = "league member")
Zillions of odd faces make a commotion (3)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
WONDER WOMAN
(anag. of DRAW ON ME NOW = "league member")
Just now grokking the convergence of both Taskmaster and Pluribus prominently featuring pirate iconography in the former's series 20 final, and the latter's first 2 eps, respectively
November 16, 2025 at 5:39 AM
Just now grokking the convergence of both Taskmaster and Pluribus prominently featuring pirate iconography in the former's series 20 final, and the latter's first 2 eps, respectively
I think Vince Gilligan specifically wanted the friction of an absolutely self-loathing narcissistic American protagonist who's annoying BUT also simultaneously justified in wanting to preserve her humanity and correctly not trusting their nemesis.
November 16, 2025 at 12:08 AM
I think Vince Gilligan specifically wanted the friction of an absolutely self-loathing narcissistic American protagonist who's annoying BUT also simultaneously justified in wanting to preserve her humanity and correctly not trusting their nemesis.
I understand folks not vibing with Pluribus--Rhea Seehorn's Carol is cranky and combative by design, and the pacing is intentionally measured--but Vince is all about slow burn and long game, taking characters on a journey. I love he flipped the script having gleeful villains vs. a surly protagonist.
November 15, 2025 at 8:20 PM
I understand folks not vibing with Pluribus--Rhea Seehorn's Carol is cranky and combative by design, and the pacing is intentionally measured--but Vince is all about slow burn and long game, taking characters on a journey. I love he flipped the script having gleeful villains vs. a surly protagonist.
Cory's Cryptic Clues - 15-Nov-25
Sketchily draw on me now, league member? (6,5)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
BRAIN
(hidden in "coBRA I Nearly" = "Mind")
Sketchily draw on me now, league member? (6,5)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
BRAIN
(hidden in "coBRA I Nearly" = "Mind")
How to Solve Cryptic Clues
*** FIRST: WHAT’S A CRYPTIC CROSSWORD? ***Unlike standard US crosswords, UK-based cryptic crosswords focus almost entirely on solving the tricky wordplay of each odd-sounding (or cryptic) clu…
tinyurl.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Cory's Cryptic Clues - 15-Nov-25
Sketchily draw on me now, league member? (6,5)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
BRAIN
(hidden in "coBRA I Nearly" = "Mind")
Sketchily draw on me now, league member? (6,5)
• Answer tomorrow
• Solving tips: tinyurl.com/cryptic-clue
Yesterday's answer:
BRAIN
(hidden in "coBRA I Nearly" = "Mind")
Saw someone just post this question re: Pluribus (spoilers):
Can getting any of the "others" drunk disrupt their connection to the hivemind? Curious...
Can getting any of the "others" drunk disrupt their connection to the hivemind? Curious...
November 15, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Saw someone just post this question re: Pluribus (spoilers):
Can getting any of the "others" drunk disrupt their connection to the hivemind? Curious...
Can getting any of the "others" drunk disrupt their connection to the hivemind? Curious...
I hope this gets addressed. The one question Carol hasn't quite asked yet (I think she kind of gets close in ep 3) is: what are all the joined *doing*? They're still in "clean up & optimize the earth" mode, but... what then? Are they just sitting and smiling at walls? (I suspect something else...)
Pluribus is so good (an excellent portrayal of profound grief on top of depression) but good god, it is gutting on every level.
A world without art. Without evolution. Without discernment. Without judgement.
An LLM‘s world.
(reminds me of SMeyer’s The Host + classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers.)
A world without art. Without evolution. Without discernment. Without judgement.
An LLM‘s world.
(reminds me of SMeyer’s The Host + classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers.)
November 15, 2025 at 5:33 AM
I hope this gets addressed. The one question Carol hasn't quite asked yet (I think she kind of gets close in ep 3) is: what are all the joined *doing*? They're still in "clean up & optimize the earth" mode, but... what then? Are they just sitting and smiling at walls? (I suspect something else...)