February 20, 2011: Sunday Showdown!

(Click to Enlarge)

Clockwise from the bottom left:

• Pretty strained joke by there Loretta, but I'll still allow it. Of all the complaints and accusations Leroy has had about Loretta, I don't think Leroy has ever accused Loretta of nickel and diming him into debt and poverty. It has been nothing but grand gestures from destroying automobiles by the fleet load to racking up outrageous charges on the credit card. I would venture that Leroy's complaints have been more along the lines of "for the love of God, admit you have a shopping problem and stop spending us into the damn poor house!" But, then Loretta wouldn't have a good punchline when she asks for a twenty. Loretta goes up 1-0.
• I was wondering what the Lockhorns were suddenly doing in church last month, but now it's clear that going to Sunday services, like all other actions in their lives, was motivated solely by the prospect of insulting each other. Loretta has taken the upper hand today by approaching the pastor after services, ostensibly to discuss his sermon, only to make light of Leroy's alcoholism. Hopefully, this brief interaction with the Lockhorns will not lead him to totally lose his faith in God and humanity. Loretta takes control 2-0.
• It seems that in an effort to help pay down some of Loretta's mountain of debt, Leroy has agreed to do some less than subtle product placement advertising for Healthy Choice Meals. Sadly, he misses a prime opportunity to strike back at Loretta by making a crack about how spoiled 6 month old Healthy Choice leftovers are still a more edible option than her cooking (perhaps throw in a line about her food being a "lethal choice"?). A perfect opportunity wasted. Loretta still leads 2-0.
• On the surface, this would appear to be another scene of Loretta humiliating Leroy in front of acquaintances, but for some reason she decides to take the blame as well for the poor performance of the household portfolio. Of course she stops short of mentioning how her uncontrollable shopping compulsion also keeps the couple in the red; something Leroy could have gotten a point out of mentioning. Overall, it's a blown chance for both sides, but I guess all Loretta needs to do at this point in the game is to drop back into zone coverage and ride this day out for the win. Another push, Loretta clinches.
• I love seeing the Lockhorns make terribly untimely complaints about outdated trends and technology. Today, the Lockhorns finally make a stand against those new fangled cellular phones in some surreal corner in Huntington where everyone still appears to be using gigantic 1980s cellphones. I expect in roughly 20 years they will get around to making biting comments about the ubiquity of smart phones. Also I'm a little surprised that neither Lockhorns made any reference to the local jewelry store, usually a go to source of insults and put downs. With that third straight push, Loretta puts together a stifling shutout victory, 2-0.

Official Count:

Leroy - 18
Loretta - 19
Push - 14