Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

The clues...
Requests for help should normally give the clue itself, the number of letters in the answer, and details of any you already have. Any additional information or special instructions, common in Listener puzzles, should also be included.
Hints only, please, no answers.

The theme...
Help with the theme may also be sought here. The assistance given should be on the gentle side - really just a nudge or a pointer in the right direction. Avoid giving anything that would spoil the puzzle for other solvers.
If you DO feel that too much has been revealed, please let Norah, site administrator know. Email her at Norah.evoluted@aol.com. Anything at all 'iffy' is likely to be removed, Norah very much errs on the side of caution.

The Listener is a unique puzzle and should be treated with respect.

“Expectation is the root of all heartache”

And this is the first weekend I’ve had completely free for ages!

Despite being great fans of Chalicea we have to say that this was a bit too easy.

I've struggled the last two or three weeks but, today, my writing couldn't keep up with my solving!

Yes, I had the theme in ten minutes, from 2d and 4d. I hate to criticise, but this was too straightforwrd

I did the bottom-left corner first, and that gave me the theme too.

The easiest Listener I can remember. I don't mind that, there should be a range of difficulties, and there are hundreds of others available online.

FWIW I don't agree, Iratus. This one is, IMO, far too easy; even though I agree a mix of difficulties is desirable.

I have found some recent puzzles approachable but challenging. As a relative newcomer I welcomed this, but respected (and envied!) others' frustrations. However, the week was just too simple. The generous surrounding structure required much harder work in the middle. First real disappointment in some time.

Agreed, it took me 25 minutes.
I actually only see six wordplay-only thematics, despite checking, so I'm still thinking which one I have missed!