The Times Crossword Friday Masterclass: Episode 20

Simon: 'I'm immediately thinking of *the answer*' me: 'I'm Immediately thinking I don't know what any of these words are or how english works anymore...'

I laughed so hard when Maverick flew over when you were talking about a fanatical airman

A truly brutal cryptic today. Having lived just a few yards away from the Grand Union canal for most of my life, my friends and I always referred to it as 'The Cut'.

🎶 That's C in the corner. That's C in the spotlight. Losing its religion. 🎶

Amazing, thank you Simon; you and Mark really are some of the most generous content producers on the whole of YouTube. At some point, if one of you were able to solve another Listener crossword live on the channel then that would absolutely make my year! Thanks again, and all the best.

Simon struggling on some of the answers (and getting frustrated with himself) is like I am with almost every clue. If Simon thinks he is stupid sometimes then I would hate to think what would he think of my pathetic efforts!! Keep going Simon - you are educating some of us.

As someone who rarely tackles the cryptic, your managing to get through this one was a form of wizardry. The Tea of Victory was surely awaiting you downstairs after this one!

Wikipedia says cryptic crosswords started to appear in the mid to late 1920's. I think it would be interesting to get one of the oldest cryptics and watch you solve it. Would the difference in culture between these time periods make the clues more difficult? I think it's worth a try.

I just got an ad for Tesco strawberries “perfect for an Eton Mess” straight after Simon solved 28A. The ad integration in your videos is becoming seamless - thanks AI!

Simon, that was a masterclass in how to solve an almost insolveable crossword. Thanks for perservering with it and explaining the solutions. I learn so much from your videos

Kind. There, a kind comment (and truly, as I am typing this, all of the comments here are kind, I would say). This kind of puzzle is beyond me even when the puzzle is not the hardest ever on the snitch rating. The fact that you could do it at all - really, Simon, you are brilliant. Never mind your lack of Latin or whatever else your education may have been missing, you are amazing at these cryptic crosswords. I feel as if I learn more about them every time I watch, and I will eventually be able to solve them if I watch you and Mark long enough! Thanks for the video!!

Anyone living north of Watford Gap would know that the Canal is always ‘The Cut” - see also Cruising the Cut!

Never in a million years would I have finished this. I don't care how long it took you. That was a great watch!

Great way to end June! Continous thank you Simon and Mark for solving these! 75 minute?? Doozy today. 😀

Love the videos, mostly listen to them as seeing the screen difficult. Could you mention the length of the answer more often please? Would be a a big help. Keep up the great work!!

That was hugely tough!! I’m watching for third time to understand what you’ve already explained. Very impressed with your persistence!

"Damage can start to impair it?" If an alien came to earth and this is the first cryptic clue they encountered, I'm sure they would repair back to their home planet immediately —— or vaporize us forthwith using a very large laser.

My favorite of the videos so far, what a tough one!

Yaay! It's Friday's Master Class 🙂

I really enjoyed this one Simon. Its fun when you don’t get the answers immediately as it gave me plenty of time to think of the answers, I still didn’t but it was fun to try! :)