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Clinton Clashes Clumsily - Black eye ensues

Robohand intervenes  - see above result

Jimbo steps in - Same result

Emily knows Kung-fu - Cue 'Matrix' music

Emily Climbs Flagpole just for the view

Barfight!!  Emily cleans house - Clinton thrown through window

Clinton falls off his new Boots - hence black eye.

Unspecified shenannigans

Dinner - Waffles, Spathe Eggs, Ham and Cherry Pie

Purple Monkey Dishwasher

Jeph decides to do a week of Sweet Tits.

[NilsO]

I am wondering if today's strip is the end of this arc, or if Clinton has more to come in tomorrow's strip. I find it hard to reconcile today's strip with this. One possibility is that Clinton will have second thoughts, and Emily is going to wonder why Clinton never calls her again. Another possibility is that Clinton falls madly in love with Emily, while Emily is blissfully unaware as always. On their next date, she will punch him when he tries to kiss her.

Please note the similarity of today's strip and this strip. Emily is easy on smooches. With Marten, it appeared to be completely innocent (although it generated some speculation at the time in the Forum). With Clinton, the pink background may have significance (although this may be just from Clinton's point of view). What Emily is thinking is impossible to know.

Clinton's tattoo is not unique, btw:

[SubaruStephen]

I've said it before in other topic threads, American power outlets always look upset.

Clinton's tattoo is not unique, btw:

"What do you mean I'm not unique?"

[Zebediah]

Why shouldn't they be upset? We're always shoving things into their eyes!

[NilsO]

EMILY: "Good monring Clinnn-tonnn!" ((Smooch))

CLAIRE: "Why did you just kiss my brother?"

EMILY: "Shouldn't I kiss my boyfriend?"

YES! Please, let it happen! (Which is why it is not going to happen.)

[Xader]

The boots are definitely different, though.

Are they? He didn't just roll up his hems?

In the "after" shot, the boots he's wearing have toe caps.

The shoes in the following panels don't appear to.

[Platypodes]

The toe caps could be a minor continuity error.  Pretty weird for Clinton to go shoe-shopping at this point.  But ya never know....

[Zebediah]

But why are the pants rolled up? Still one more misadventure ahead, I think.

[amykathleen]

Hello people, I am a person who has been lurking here since the whole Faye hospital dealie but today I made an account because I cannot for the life of me figure out the order of the last four panels in today's comic.  Is it "You're spontaneous"->mope->kiss->"yeah, baby" or is it "You're spontaneous"->kiss->mope->"yeah, baby"?  Or something else?
Also I hope that I am doing this posting correctly; I'm very bad at forums.
*hides in shame because of confusion*

[Pilchard123]

The text showed up, so I think you posted correctly. I might be wrong though.

I read those panels as "You're so spontaneous"->kiss->mope->"yeah, baby"

(Hi!)

[Is it cold in here?]

Welcome, new person!

[Method of Madness]

I don't think he's moping, just surprised.

[Carl-E]

Exactly.  That's a "beat" panel as the enormity of what just happened sinks in. 

[Gladstone]

Em'ly kiss'd me on our date,
Right outside the dorm she lived in;
However shameful my night rates,
That, at least, is now a given:
Call me dorky, call me nerd,
I care little how you've diss'd me,
O, Northampton! Have you heard?
Em'ly kiss'd me.

[amykathleen]

I understand now!  Thank you, nice people!  And thank you for welcoming me. 

[Stoon]

I really don't get what's happening in the last frame at all.

[Rghfrgl]

I really don't get what's happening in the last frame at all.

Jeph's been watching anime.

Fabulous anime.

(click to show/hide)

[Energia]

I'm guessing Clinton's evening isn't over yet. Pants need to be rolled up, bandage needs to come off, and it's not dark yet. Still, so far, it's gone much better than I expected. Turns out Emily's good for Clinton (as in, being around her has made him a better person). Woo hoo.

Will they become a thing? Will she end up loving him the way he is? (Apparently not, but she may end up loving him after adjustments.)

Hang on, he did these things, so he is already this 'better person' of which you speak .  Emily likes him despite the fact he is apt to cut loose and do odd things.  Whether she can (or should) moderate this remains to be seen, but I know that being around a good partner brings out the best in you in a way that work and friends etc. doesn't. I totally agree - this date has gone much better than expected.  I reckon the roll-ups are just his inner punk coming out to expose his hitherto hidden DM-wearing alter-ego.  Either that, or he replayed the opening scenes of the Sound of Music and the dance from Singing in the Rain through a duckpond!

[crazdgamer]

I really don't get what's happening in the last frame at all.

Jeph's been watching anime.

Fabulous anime.

(click to show/hide)

Is that what that is?  I assumed Clinton was channeling John Cena for a second. 

(How far is West Newbury from Northhampton anyway?)

(Two hours, according to the Google.)

[Omega Entity]

Y'know, thinking about it, I'm wondering if Emily consciously exaggerates her cluelessness? space-cadet status? on purpose. Like, she's purposefully strange.

Not likely, but it's a thought that just occurred to me considering her 'lucid' and coherent conversation with Clinton towards the end.

[Aziraphale]

Y'know, thinking about it, I'm wondering if Emily consciously exaggerates her cluelessness? space-cadet status? on purpose. Like, she's purposefully strange.

Not likely, but it's a thought that just occurred to me considering her 'lucid' and coherent conversation with Clinton towards the end.

Maybe not that unlikely, though. I mean, I'm sure she's at least a bit odd. But I've noticed that some people in my own life amp up their oddity as a defense or coping mechanism (I've known people who've found social interaction easier when they played a version of themselves, but would be much different around people they trusted and were comfortable with). It's possible that in Clinton, Emily recognizes a kindred spirit; after all, their interactions toward the latter half of the date are a lot different -- and read as being a bit more real/honest -- than the earlier part of it.

Not sure if that makes sense to anyone but me, but there ya go.

[Gladstone]

Comic, and...

IN YOUR FACE, EVERYONE.

IN ALL OF YOUR FACES.

*ahem*

Also, "Dear."  Marten and Claire apparently just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, or something.

[Rghfrgl]

Sounds like communist talk there Claire.

[valkygrrl]

Sounds like communist talk there Claire.

Well there's a reason Faye calls her 'Red'

[Platypodes]

Maybe not that unlikely, though. I mean, I'm sure she's at least a bit odd. But I've noticed that some people in my own life amp up their oddity as a defense or coping mechanism (I've known people who've found social interaction easier when they played a version of themselves, but would be much different around people they trusted and were comfortable with). It's possible that in Clinton, Emily recognizes a kindred spirit; after all, their interactions toward the latter half of the date are a lot different -- and read as being a bit more real/honest -- than the earlier part of it.

Not sure if that makes sense to anyone but me, but there ya go.

That makes total sense.  If Emily was a bit weird to begin with, and then got stereotyped and mocked as "the weird girl," she may have decided to go ahead and play the role of weird girl to the extreme because it's safer than just being a little bit weird.  When someone is a little bit weird and not totally comfortable with it, mean people will snigger and tell them they're being weird.  When you're blatantly, wildly weird, mean people are less likely to bother with that because you don't gain any power over someone by stating something that (a) is totally obvious and (b) doesn't seem to worry them in the slightest.

It could be that Emily is playing the exaggerated role of weird girl, Clinton is playing the exaggerated role of nerdy boy, and together they might be able to share a bit of what's underneath.

Or maybe Emily really is that weird.

[jheartney]

Y'know, thinking about it, I'm wondering if Emily consciously exaggerates her cluelessness? space-cadet status? on purpose. Like, she's purposefully strange.

Not likely, but it's a thought that just occurred to me considering her 'lucid' and coherent conversation with Clinton towards the end.

Maybe not that unlikely, though. I mean, I'm sure she's at least a bit odd. But I've noticed that some people in my own life amp up their oddity as a defense or coping mechanism (I've known people who've found social interaction easier when they played a version of themselves, but would be much different around people they trusted and were comfortable with). It's possible that in Clinton, Emily recognizes a kindred spirit; after all, their interactions toward the latter half of the date are a lot different -- and read as being a bit more real/honest -- than the earlier part of it.

Not sure if that makes sense to anyone but me, but there ya go.

That totally makes sense. Especially from Clinton's side, he needed to break the ice before he could start being himself.

For the second date, Clinton should not plan some epic adventure. Instead, he should trust Emily and himself, and let the spontaneity arise spontaneously. If it doesn't, and he finds himself reverting to boring nerdiness, then he'll know it wasn't meant to be. OTOH, if he can find a way to be natural, and Emily can find a happy medium as well, then they could find something special with each other.

[Kugai]

That's it, Marten's off the market

And Balloon Bungy Salmon Fishing, is that a thing??!

[St.Clair]

Warning:  Do not attempt.
(Unless you are the Old Spice Man.)

[cesium133]

"I don't always take Emily out on a date, but when I do I get a weird haircut, a tattoo, and a black eye."

[tywren]

Comic, and...

IN YOUR FACE, EVERYONE.

Ok, i'm going to make an early prediction. Once we're done with the date flashback, we're going to see the wrap up with Clinton talking to Claire, and or Marten,

Check.

and it's going to be pointed out how well the date actually went,

Check.

Clare tells him how the hair cut really works for him,

Miss.

Martin explains that a tattoo should be a reflection of the person getting it, and that he made the perfect choice.

Not exactly what happened, but close enough that i'm giving it a check.

Considering how accurate i've been so far, i'll take the Vagas odds on him coming to like the tattoo, and keeping it. 

[zechstyr]

Registered just to say:

Land-locked salmon are a thing, and if Hannelore doesn't burst in to correct them of this I'll be a sad panda.

[Energia]

"dear"???
"Dear"?????

wtf!  Marten!!!

[Gladstone]

[...]
Martin explains that a tattoo should be a reflection of the person getting it, and that he made the perfect choice.

Not exactly what happened, but close enough that i'm giving it a check.

Considering how accurate i've been so far, i'll take the Vagas odds on him coming to like the tattoo, and keeping it.

I'm not completely against him coming around to accepting the tattoo (although I still don't think it suits him); I just didn't like the idea that one kiss from Emily would banish all regret and doubt about the tattoo from Clinton's mind and immediately make everything better. 

(Edited for clarity)

[valkygrrl]

"dear"???
"Dear"?????

wtf!  Marten!!!

He's just channeling Clairemom, eat your pancakes dear.

[Energia]

Oh.  Phew! : )

[PopuluxeCowboy]

Claire: "Okay, rainbow trout, whatever, 'dear'."

[Is it cold in here?]

Welcome, new person, and have a fresh-caught lake salmon.

[mustang6172]

I don't know if I'd call that date "epic."  Maybe if the guy that hit him was taller, had scales, and breathed fire...

[Smallest]

I'm guessing Clinton's evening isn't over yet. Pants need to be rolled up, bandage needs to come off, and it's not dark yet. Still, so far, it's gone much better than I expected. Turns out Emily's good for Clinton (as in, being around her has made him a better person). Woo hoo.

Will they become a thing? Will she end up loving him the way he is? (Apparently not, but she may end up loving him after adjustments.)

I keep thinking 'the way he is' will refer to this one.

[BenRG]

So, it looks like the 'second thoughts' theory was correct. This is disappointing because I was really looking forward to watching Clinton dumpster surfing into the ornamental pond in the town park!

Still, Clinton's concerns are justified. How do you top that? Do you even want to? You know that the situation is an extreme one when it's impossible to tell if Claire is mocking her brother or genuinely trying to offer a constructive suggestion!

Panel 3 interests me, specifically in Claire's reaction to Marten calling Clinton's date 'epic'. I wonder if this will trigger behaviour? This could vary between getting a tattoo at the low end to 'surprising' Marten with an action-packed date plan like a strip-club crawl or off-road bike rally at the extreme end!

As for 'dear'? Actually, I think that Marten meant that humourously. What pet names do they have for each other anyway? Have they even got to that point yet? 'Mar-Mar' will be ruled out for the obvious reasons.

@Smallest,
Regarding strip 2305, note Emily's reaction to Claire's off-colour 'joke' in panel 4: Could that have been where it began?

[Omega Entity]

Y'know, thinking about it, I'm wondering if Emily consciously exaggerates her cluelessness? space-cadet status? on purpose. Like, she's purposefully strange.

Not likely, but it's a thought that just occurred to me considering her 'lucid' and coherent conversation with Clinton towards the end.

Maybe not that unlikely, though. I mean, I'm sure she's at least a bit odd. But I've noticed that some people in my own life amp up their oddity as a defense or coping mechanism (I've known people who've found social interaction easier when they played a version of themselves, but would be much different around people they trusted and were comfortable with). It's possible that in Clinton, Emily recognizes a kindred spirit; after all, their interactions toward the latter half of the date are a lot different -- and read as being a bit more real/honest -- than the earlier part of it.

Not sure if that makes sense to anyone but me, but there ya go.

Precisely what I was thinking when I wrote that 

[Smallest]

@Smallest,
Regarding strip 2305, note Emily's reaction to Claire's off-colour 'joke' in panel 4: Could that have been where it began?

I have reread several times, and I never noticed her even being in that panel until now. That would be cool.

[NilsO]

Calling for attention to another previous interaction between Emily and Clinton: #2428.

I never did understand this one. Also, Jeph had a comment: "And in an instant, Emily's life was changed forever." Any ideas?

[Is it cold in here?]

She was rushing out to buy the game, or found the news so hard to integrate that she had to take a time-out to process it.

[BenRG]

Calling for attention to another previous interaction between Emily and Clinton: #2428.

I never did understand this one. Also, Jeph had a comment: "And in an instant, Emily's life was changed forever." Any ideas?

At the time the strip was written, I'm pretty sure that IiCiH was right - Jeph meant that she suddenly had to play the games again and see if Clinton was right. However, in the light of the arc just now wrapping up, I think we can retcon it into Emily suddenly realising that this may be a kindred soul - a fellow gamer nerd.

Of course, I may be underestimating Jeph. It's possible that he was planning Clintemily even then and this was one of a continuum of hints he was giving that this would happen eventually.

It's worthwhile to note that we've been crawling through the eight weeks of a single summer for approaching a thousand strips now. Bear this in mind because it means that events that occurred years ago for us are fairly recent events in-universe. 'Eventually' in the real world is nowhere near as long a time as 'eventually' is in-universe.

[snubnose]

So Marten totally spotted instantly what the problem with this plan was !

The only problem, of course.

Well, the only problem worth mentioning, anyway.

Registered just to say:

Land-locked salmon are a thing, and if Hannelore doesn't burst in to correct them of this I'll be a sad panda.

A BEAR A BEAR WHO MADE A BEAR SHOO SHOO MAKE THE BEAR GO AWAY !!!

[Tova]

Calling for attention to another previous interaction between Emily and Clinton: #2428.

The only thing I wanted to know after that strip was why Clinton required that clarification.

[Lubricus]

Exactly! Does his hand actually HAVE either of the two powers? Why else would he have to ask?

[NilsO]

I am sure it has been mentioned before, but there is a glaring inconsistency in #2853, because Emily and Clinton met previously at the lakehouse, and later, in the library. Should we forget the previous interactions, and assume they first met "for real" when Marten and Claire set them up?

[BenRG]

I am sure it has been mentioned before, but there is a glaring inconsistency in #2853, because Emily and Clinton met previously at the lakehouse, and later, in the library. Should we forget the previous interactions, and assume they first met "for real" when Marten and Claire set them up?

No, because Emily obviously remembered their previous interactions (hence the greeting "Mr Robo-Hand"). The only thing that was new here was that Clinton didn't realise that Marten and Claire had been talking about that Emily, whom he had met before both in class and outside.

[Akima]

He's just channeling Clairemom, eat your pancakes dear.

Just so. It's a common enough phrasing to express an ironically "Mum"-ish admonishment.