December 23, 2012: Sunday Showdown!

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Clockwise from the bottom left:

• Loretta's objection about Leroy purchasing a motorcycle is somewhat incongruous  One would think that Loretta would be wholly in favor of any activity that would threaten Leroy's life. I think her concern is just a superficial excuse to deny something that might actually provide Leroy with enjoyment. Loretta is more than willing to employ any argument or action to keep Leroy perpetually unhappy. It might be difficult for Leroy to reconsider though, judging by the bizarre dimensions of Leroy's cycle, it seems he put in a custom made order. Loretta's nagging still gets her the point as she takes the early 1-0 lead.
• After clinching the yearly title last week, it looks like Loretta's winning streak over Leroy continues onto the chessboard. I am not the least bit surprised at Loretta's victory. The constant back and forth sparring of "Lockhorn vs. Lockhorn" is like a tense chess match and Loretta has proven over the years in panel after panel that she has the tactical instincts and mental dexterity to dominate. It also helps that Leroy is an idiot. I'm surprised he even knew how to play the game. Loretta wins another point and surges ahead 2-0.
• Leroy should always exercise some extra caution when ridiculing Loretta's cooking while she has a knife in hand (or some kind of large medical scalpel by the looks of it). He should know well by now not to keep his back to her for too long. Though the "thirty minute meals" reference is necessary for the joke, it is actually a lenient estimated recovery time for a Loretta meal. People should consider themselves the lucky few if they recover at all. Leroy scores a point and gets on the board. Loretta still leads 2-1.
• I don't know why but I really enjoyed this simple scene. There's something amusingly cruel about Loretta just writing out "get a life" for Leroy's bucket list. I would have expected a more specific insult. Leroy really must be in some sort of serious mid life crisis. First he has the motorcycle purchase and now he's drawing up bucket lists (perhaps "own a motorcycle" is one of his entries). Loretta earns herself another point and clinches Sunday victory by taking a 3-1 lead.
• Initially I thought Loretta was mocking Leroy, but after a brief consideration, it comes off as more of a push than anything. Loretta's testimony to her friend indicates that the Lockhorns each buys the other one a terrible gift that they immediately exchange at the store. They're both terrible people and terrible at Christmas. Logically they should just stop giving each other bad gifts and just buy something for themselves; but I suppose even the Lockhorns have their Christmas traditions. It's a push, but Loretta cruises to an overall 3-1 victory.

Official Count:

Leroy - 128

Loretta - 144

Push - 86