Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for March 23, 2020

Gunther is simmering like a active volcano!!!Will Gunther explode like a hot geyser!!!!!-Will he chose Bets over Bernice?,

Someone seeing a side of Bets he hadn’t noticed before? ✨

Yep. That’s why I dislike Bets. Fun at other people’s expense.

Bets just revealed a lot about her character in the center panel.

…and a good time was had by all.

Bets is enjoying the drama that comes with being a part of this gang. Gunther, on the other hand, seems to have discovered the letter “M”, so the study ball was a success for him too. It’s always good to learn a new letter.

Sooner or later, they’ll find out they’re being duped.

(I’m doing only one GoComics comment tonight before reporting to work at the grocery store early in the morning; I’ll comment on my other followed strips when on either lunch break or when I get home.)

TOLD you guys on Saturday that Gunther is going to be upset

Is it my imagination or is Bets wearing a Star Trek Original Series uniform (ignoring the color)?

Ha ha ha ha ha![Closing Credits][Start: Next Arc]

Bernice is truly displaying the expression of ’ Ignorance is Bliss ’! … But Gunther made it clear that Bernice is his friend, and he WILL make that clear to Bets! … Really soon.

Man, are we still on this? Bernice just won’t let it go, will she? See, this is why it would’ve been simpler to burst her bubble in the beginning.

Is Gunther upset with Bets? With Tiff? Or just upset with the whole situation in general?

And does Bernice truly believe someone like Tiff would miss a party just because she (Bernice) wasn’t invited? I always thought of Bernice as smug, snarky, snotty and superior, but not stupid.

“Fun to cuddle but I’m considering dropping her. If only my hormones would agree.”

I see that Gunter might be feeling bad because Tiffany is still his friend and they done her wrong. I also saw that Tiffany feels a little guilty for lying to Bernice. Now, I can see both Gunther and Tiff leaving their respective parties to go apologize to someone. Now, this is where Gunther spots a tipsy Tiffany tumble out of the Blackout thing with a lecherous Kip in hot pursuit. Our testosterone challenged hero promptly intercepts and cold cocks the QB with one of his backpacks (hopefully not the one with a computer in it).

Gunther doesn’t really want a deceitful girl. But will he give her up, with all the other goodies that she offers?

As smart as Bets might be, she’s faied to recognize that Gunther’s weirdness" was a deep-rooted code of ethics. I hope Gunther can be as direct and vocal with Bets as he was with Luann.

I have a sneaking hunch that Gunther and Bets will have a “spirited” discussion as soon as they are alone. I can tell Gunther does not like this one bit.

Lots of Bets hating here, given the real culprit here was Tiffany. Bets should not have tipped Tiffany, and doing so put her in a ambiguous ethical or moral position but she did it to protect Tiffany from the obvious consequences of Tiffany’s own actions. Tiffany did what she did for a selfish reason, and she compounded by fooling a guileless Bernice. Her loyalty may be displaced but the Bets hating is uncalled for in this instance. That bring said Gunther is having a moral dilemma himself. Should he snitch? how does this affect his feelings for Bets? Tiffany? Bernice? Those last two as friends since grammar school, Bets as a person he has feelings for. Ah the morality play arc. Oh and possibly Tiffany might be having qualms?

Don’t under estimate Gunther. By the way, what ever happen to Delta and Knute?

Gunther just saw a first red flag on his relationship, and it doesn’t look good!

Maybe Gunth is seeing that Bets isn’t so perfect after all and is starting to wonder what he actually is to her.

Getting too happy there

Lots of absolutist judgment of the characters in this strip. There has been as long as I’ve been reading this comment feature. The absolute dislike, bordering on hatred, has been directed at almost every character by some reader at some time or other. This is simultaneous with the exact opposite, the he/she’s an angel and can do no wrong evaluations of the same characters by other readers. Tiffany is evil and Luann is evil and Bernice is evil and Bets is evil, to someone. Or they are all pure and innocent. Or they are all hopelessly fickle, to other someones.

How about this? There are few entirely bad people in the real world and few entirely good ones and hardly anyone is blameless. People are complex and multi-faceted and can evoke contradictory reactions simultaneously. How is this surprising?

Looks like the bloom is off the rose in that relationship.

Will we see the conversation Gunther should have with Bets for pouring it on with her private joke on Bernice about the “true friend” and the “study ball being a ball”? Assuming its going to happen, will it be the start of Bets disappearing from the strip as her role has run its course? It could be as the Evans may have run out of ideas other than her helping Tiffany stay in college.

Of course, Gunther didn’t do himself any favors when he agreed to lie for Tiffany and then when he yelled “Fire” instead of telling Bets and Bernice that Tiffany said she had some other matter to attend and couldn’t make the “study ball”. But, we would be at this point now, but on some Shannon arc or other.

Even moreso, will Gunther have that conversation with Tiffany who created this situation? After all, she was the one who set this whole arc into motion. She will probably continue to remain in this strip until the Ann Eiffel situation is resolved – found out to be a con artist or married to daddy Tom. This could last until she gets out of college – either by graduating, dropping out or being expelled.

As far as being friends with Tiffany and Bernice since 3rd grade, definitely not Tiffany. I think he meant knowing them since 3rd grade. He was looked down upon until high school when Luann and Bernice began to accept him as nice kid and not a geeky nerd. I know, he saved Luann’s dog and went mini-golfing with him before high school, but her conversations about him with Bernice weren’t the “friends” kind. With Tiffany, friendship really didn’t happen until college time.

If you had a friend with a drinking problem, would you want to be with someone who provides them with more drinks and help them hide the fact? A tuff moral decision, your friends welfare or the relationship. You can choose to ignore it, but you’ll be unfairly judging because of your moral compass. But some can live like that while others can’t tolerate it. Which way will Gun go? But he may want the relationship more, but he’s always been about the better good in his friends first. I guess one day he’ll get both. Not impossible, but probably will hook up with one of his true friends in the future. That’ll probably work out best, whoever that is, if she even exists. “OR” he could just note that no-one is perfect in the world, you have to accept the good with the bad, long as the bad is not to far out of your moral guidelines.

I thought the arc was over

Bet’s ease and enjoyment of lies is the end of their honeymoon period.

Heck, this may be the first time I like Bets… I am not a fan of “rules are rules”. You can tear the tag off your mattress without going to jail. You can have a little college dorm party without destroying your college education. This wasn’t exactly a drug fueled rave or a frat party. It was a dorm party that for all we know was quiet enough that it didn’t get reported,etc.

Bern’s incredible joy here reflects personal jealousy about other people having fun. Bern is too tightly wound – hopefully somebody can eventually rescue her.

I’m tellin’ ya, Bets just gets hotter by the minute! And as for this party thing, er, isn’t Tiffany an adult? Why is it any of Bernice’s business whether she goes to a party?

Beginning of the end. Right, Gunther?

Bets should change the subject now. But Gunther is like a little boy that has to run up and tell Mommy everything. The bottom line is that it was none of Bern’s business if Tiffany wanted to do something else. That said, this arc isn’t over. G & K might surprise us by having Tiffany apologize for putting her friends between a rock and a hard place.

I think Gunther is irritated that Bets likes making a fool of Bernice. Between all the social media look at me’s and now this. I think we will see this relationship take a new turn. Either Gunther will stick up for himself and his friends. or he will till tell Bets, it’s best if they go their seperate ways.

Gunther is too pure and honest. He doesn’t like Tiffany’s behavior or that Bets is so happy to have helped her. And, honestly, I can’t blame him. I hope Gunther don’t keep everything inside but will talk to someone about it. Pherap with Bets or Tiffany. Or with old and dear friend Luann. Or with his stepfather Al.

Oh, what a tangled web …

Bets became friends with Tiffany not Bernice so her actions are understandable. I thought Bets was being sarcastic It is Gunther the straight arrow that’s having a problem, because he has been friends with both Tiff and Bernice for many years and he can’t handle deceit I believe he is really to BLOW

Mm.

Bet’s is the best character in a long while.

Gunther is VERY disappointed in Bets and hopefully in Tiffany too!!!

My thoughts are that Gunther is uncomfortable with his part in the deception and is finding it a bitter pill to swallow.

My biggest disappointment is that we didn’t move on to another arc this week. This arc was like two week old doughnuts when it began – what was it – a month ago?

As for Gunther, he appears to be Popeye in this strip. Just keep pushing him and pushing him and pushing him until -

“I’ve had alls I can stands, I can stands no more!”

I think there are those who have been disappointed that Gunther hasn’t “blown his top” in a while.

And I’m very disappointed that, apparently, G&K are among them.

Oh, Bernice.

Here’s a “fun fact.”

Apparently. Tiffany and Stef are living in the SAME dorm room once occupied by Tara Starr:

https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2017/04/25

https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2017/04/29

https://www.gocomics.com/luann/2020/03/18

Exactly WHY does Gunther “care” about Bernice’s “feelings” anyway? The feeling sure as H3LL ain’t mutual. That time they went out on a date, Bernice treated him like garbage and all she talked about was Piro.

But let’s break down Gunther’s “friendships,” shall We?

1) Luann has treated him like crap and thinks he’s a “dweeb.”

2) Tiffany disregards him until she gets in trouble and needs his help.

3) His current girlfriend Bets treats him little better that private property.

4) Bernice considers Gunther as little more than a lab rat, destined to be “tested” to destruction.

The sad fact is, the ONLY truly “Honest” person in Gunther’s life, is (GAG) Les Knox. That is, “Honest” in his Unbridled Contempt for his roommate.

Sad and troubled times may lie ahead. Times in which Gunther may have to one day decide if ANY of his “friends” are truly worth “saving.”

Looks like Gunther’s not too thrilled to find out how what a skilled liar Bets is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIb6AZdTr-A

Looking back I don’t think Gunther is upset with Bets, he’s just done with the drama. After all, he’s the one who alerted them to the whole Tiff thing with his poor attempt at a cover-up. I think the first two panels are showcasing that Gun and Bets have a different way of handling the scenarios. Bets was calm throughout the whole thing and managed to talk about it with Bern while acting normal. Then afterward she let go of her excitement regarding the matter. Gunther acted like a desk worker thrown into the middle of WW3 with no weapons: clueless, and completely panicked. But he’s been with Bern and Tiff for a while and he’s no stranger to drama so he can look back after the fact and be like, “yeah, that happened.” Bets is NOT wrong for acting the way she does here and I doubt Gun is rethinking their entire relationship in the first two panels.

I think Gunther is realizing that Bets may not be the nicest person . . . .

Mmmm. Seems like there’s trouble brewing in paradise or at least with Gunther. The ball of deceit and double-crossing isn’t sitting well. Wonder if the fallout will land in Bets or Tiff.

Gunther is taking on behavior similar to his stepfather.

This is interesting. I commented my comments don’t get posted. The screen flipped and there was my recent comment with a like. Weird.

Kid, as much as you were head over heels, and as much as you want to overlook stuff or pretend it doesn’t matter, it does and that little voice inside is telling the truth. It’s time to move on…

Gunther is taking a second look at the evenings deceptions and Bets’ response. I still say that their relationship is on shaky ground.

Bernice appears to be exceptionally naïve of exceptionally trusting.

wow. So much espousing of situational ethics here on the board.

what’s bugging the blabbermouth?

I sense a break-up in the works. Gunther is very ethical and dishonesty goes against his grain.

Gunther is seeing another side of Bets he wasn’t expecting to see, and he doesn’t like or accept it. I wonder if they will break up over this.

Bets is a good playmate for Gunther. Bernice might just be as dull as Gunther. But, Tiffany and Gunther, with all their frustration and pent up needs, could explode in such a spontaneous combustion that they could shake the walls of the whole dorm.

check your prude privilege Gunth or you’ll miss out on the benefits of the dark side..

I have a feeling that last week and this is a set up for dramatic event in the (near) future. It may be used to leap to a confrontation between Bets about some of her attitudes and actions. It may be used to advance the Kip, Stef and Tiff milieu. It may be used to advance/modify Gunther’s relationship with Tiffany.

and the true colors are starting to be noticed…

Bets, gunny is ready to jump her bones.

Gunther nearly ratted out the party. Now he’s going holier than thou? Bets, time to find a real guy.

A lot of standard bets hate here. Apparently the luann fanbase is full of people who liked letting telling on people.

Ah, there’s the Gunther we know and love. At heart, Gunther is an ethical person. I just don’t see him staying with a woman as deceitful as Bets, and one who takes such enjoyment in being deceitful. Ditch the chick, Gunther, and find someone who is worthy of your innate goodness.

Gunther looks much more mature than Bets, especially in the first frame.

Rather than “seething” I’d say “ruminating”.

Ridiculous long-shot speculation:

Meanwhile, back at The Blackout…

Tiff: (nudges passed-out guy with her foot) Uh, Kip? Steffi? What’s up with this guy?

Kip: Oh, that’s Ernie. He never could hold his liquor.

Tiff: How many did he have?

Steffi: 6 or 8? Who cares? Let’s all dance!

Tiff: Hang on guys, Ernie’s turning blue. Let’s call 911!

Steffi: Oh, can it, Miss Goody-Two-Shoes! Ernie will be fine once he sleeps it off.

Tiff: No, seriously. Ernie could die. I’m calling 911.

(Cops, paramedics, Brad and Toni arrive. Cops take a police report, asking Tiff questions. Then Bernice gets a call)

Bernice: What?

(The sh** hits the fan. Tiff, eyes downcast, tries to explain… “I’ve been working my a$$ off and studying hard. I needed a break. I just wanted to go to a party, that’s all. But Ernie… I couldn’t leave him lying on the floor turning blue like that….”)

For those worried about Gunther’s “moral dilemma” (read: self-righteousness), consider this: if Gunther would have told Bernice about the party, everyone would have been mad at Tiffany for not covering for them; Bernice would be mad at Tiffany for blowing off the study thing; Tiffany would have been mad at Gunther for snitching and Bernice would be further detested by the floor she is supposed to control…only now, along with Tiffany, who would never receive another invite to anything.

I think Gunther needs to get off his high horse and take one for his friend. As it turned out, everyone is happy and no one is mad at anyone. Gunther doesn’t have to live in that world (on that floor, anyway), so he should just suck it up and let it go.

As for Bets, she didn’t influence Gunther’s decision either way, so he shouldn’t be mad at her for enjoying the messiness that is going on around them. This is college: it gets way more complicated than this in the real world.

Gunth’s Guilt is kicking in, big time.

Only a matter of time before he breaks down and confesses everything.

Bets is smooth. Very smooth. She’s suckered the Iron R.A. But Gunny continues to be burdened by the Agenbite of Inwit….

Looks like Gunth is just processing all of this; not angry or or about to blow up, just taking it all in and he will have something to say.

Does anyone else think that when Bets said “fun night huh?” she may be being just a little sarcastic? My friends and I, after completing a particularly unpleasant task, (like push ups in gym class) would look at each other and say “well, THAT was a whole lot of fun.” Meaning of course, the exact opposite.

Rather than more moral nuances – Suddenly – with a loud chorus and orchestra playing minor chords – enter ANN EIFFEL.

Drama, deceit and double crossing… haven’t we seen that all before? and isn’t that what Tiffany disliked so much about Ann Eiffel?