The Times Crossword Friday Masterclass: Episode 55

** TODAY'S PUZZLE **
In the 55th edition of our attempts to solve a Friday Times crossword, Simon tackles today's puzzle which, unlike many Fridays, is of "only" average difficulty. See how you do!!
The puzzle is available to play on The Times crossword club website (which is behind their paywall):
www.thetimes.co.uk/puzzleclub...
Simon's discussion video about some of the clues in Dean Mayer's sensational Sunday Times crossword from last weekend will be on Patreon at 00:01 on Sunday morning - we need to hold off publishing it until then until the competition closing date has definitely passed. Details on how to become a patron below.
** NEW CONTENT ON PATREON **
Joining us on Patreon costs as little as $2 a month and includes Mark's solve of The Times' Club Monthly special - a vicious cryptic!!
/ crackingthecryptic
** ORDER OUR BOOK HERE **
www.kickstarter.com/projects/...
▶ Contact Us ◀
Twitter: @Cracking The Cryptic
email: [e-mail]
Our PO Box address:
Simon Anthony & Mark Goodliffe
Box 102
56 Gloucester Road
London
SW7 4UB
(Please note to use our real names rather than 'Cracking The Cryptic'.)
▶ SUDOKU PAD - Our New App ◀
You can input classic sudoku puzzles nto our software and help support Sven, the programmer responsible for the wonderful user interface we all use to play these puzzles everyday. The app also comes with 12 handmade puzzles from us:
iOS:
apps.apple.com/us/app/svens-s...
Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/17...
Android:
play.google.com/store/apps/de...
ALSO on Amazon: Search for “SudokuPad”
**************************************************************
▶ CTC FAN DISCORD SERVER◀
/ discord
▶ OUR BACK CATALOGUE - ALL CATEGORISED WITH LINKS!◀
tinyurl.com/CTCCatalogue
▶ NEW CRACKING THE CRYPTIC MERCHANDISE◀
teespring.com/en-GB/stores/cr...
▶SEND US PUZZLES TO SOLVE/CONTACT US◀
[e-mail]
▶FOLLOW US◀
Twitter: #crypticcracking
@crypticcracking
Instagram (for how to solve daily clues from The Times): crackingthe...

[@st3phgr1ce]

I feel compelled this early morning to again express my admiration for Simon. You are such an excellent teacher and kind person. I look forward to your videos everyday no matter the puzzle type. It is amazing that this medium exists for kindred spirits to enjoy. Though we haven’t met you always feel like a dear friend to this Louisiana girl. Thank you Simon for just being you! I hope you have a wonderful weekend! ❤

[@michaelpdawson]

"Is there a group of animals called the chordata?" Yes, and you're one of them!

[@5t757]

I'm proudly able to say that I just managed to solve this crossword without any help from solvers or dictionaries. I think that's the first Friday Times for which that's true! 99 SNITCH rating be damned, I'm very happy about it and now look forward to seeing Simon tackle it!

[@richardfarrer5616]

"Alea jacta est" was the phrase, meaning "the die is cast" on crossing the Rubicon, as Simon suggested.

[@debrabowen4276]

Cryptic crossword video is my favorite part of Friday!

[@bryanroland9402]

Maybe these crossword videos don't get so many views as the channel's sudoku output, but they are my favourites.

[@benphelan88]

In music, you would say “take it from the top”, which is the beginning of the song.

[@Ruddigore]

Another great solve by Simon. I subscribed to this channel way back when solving cryptic clues was the raison d'être for its existence. I'm thrilled that solving cryptic crosswords has been reintroduced to the site and I eagerly await each new solve.

[@arthurcharest9061]

Kept getting distracted but finally got to see this through, great job Simon!

[@longwaytotipperary]

So much good stuff from CTC!!! Another rainy day here - watching with hot chocolate!! 😋

[@d4r4butler74]

Wow! I love the Cryptic Crosswords when they are explained to me. I love the words and how the compilers make them play together. Learning the neat new words... or old words, it is all good stuff.

[@francesT5877]

Seriously, Simon, wanted to tell you what Chordata means in an easier way. Chordata is the phylum which includes all animals that have a vertebrate structure and some others that have a notochord in their developmental phase. We also, speaking for all vertebrates, have a notochord in our embryonic phase. In other words, Chordata comprises all mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, also some interesting things like sea squirts. Vertebrates are the subphylum.

[@edkillworth]

We love watching these videos every week, even if we are rubbish at solving them 🤣

[@heatherallan9767]

🌱thank you.... thoroughly enjoyed "wainwright" ✨

[@SnugglesPlays]

Brilliant as usual Simon. Love the Athens clue, very simple yet clever. 🙂

[@deniz5566]

Best part of friday!! Thank you Simon for keeping up the master classes ❤

[@user-xl4tz4dj7v]

You’re the highlight of my Friday, Simon!

[@oskarw2820]

Please don’t stop making these! They’re such a pleasure to watch and at such a good pace.

[@annastevenson27]

I've just become a Patreon member. This video is the highlight of my viewing week!

[@mattevans2343]

Love these, please , please keep them coming, im always after cryptic crossword advice.