Luann by Greg Evans and Karen Evans for March 01, 2024

Wow! Bernice is smart enough to realize Piro needs real help and not the amateur advice she would give him. Good for her!

Puddles sure looks happy to see Luann.

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So will Bernice tell Luann ??

The silent movie was quick. As for the rest. Sure sounds like grooming to me. Piro is a manipulative buck.

Looks like Bernice finally got what she wanted out of this. I mean, I personally still contend that while yes, I can see why almost everybody who reads and comments on this comic find her to be insufferable and annoying, I think she can be cute at times, in a dorky sort of way . . . then again, I’ve kinda always had a thing for quirky/dorky girls.

I love that Piro enjoys teasing Bernice.

Oh NOW you’ve done it, Walt!

You called Bernice “cute.”

Remember what happened when Clarice called Rudolph “cute” in that classic tv Christmas special?

He flew around haphazardly and ended up knocking his fake nose off, exposing his secret and embarrassing his family. He had to end up leaving town.

So, Bern oughta be just fine. ;-)

First meet ends on a high note. At least Luann can size up a situation and back off. Would Tara do the same?

AHA! Actual progress in this story.

Bernice, knows that Piro needs the kind of help that she can’t offer him, and she told him what he really needs is to see a professional for help.

Betcha Luann sees them and thinks, “Oh, SO that’s where he went to….to see Bernice. He didn’t want to talk to me or Tara.” Perhaps feeling a little deflated. Since she’s her bff, I believe Bernice knows she doesn’t need to rub it in Luann’s face. She saw them. Enough said.

I’m glad the strip came down on the side of pointing Piro toward professional help. No amount of jokes or thrill rides or peer advice is going to help him or those kids he’s sacrificing himself to…I hope we all see Bernice not telling Luann everything Piro told her.

Puddles just kept away from Piro the entire time. Good thinking!

That’s what’s called a therapeutic breakthrough. Hopefully Piro will be next.

So—will Luann now regale poor Piro with her stale “humor”?

Hey, Piro, if you think Bernice is flustered now, you should see what she’ll be like after Luann starts asking her questions about you.

Adult behaviour from all three – at least for today. Some nice gentle flirting from Piro, Luann may have thought there was more than flirting going on, which is why she backed off while he’s there. Luann will be looking for gossip afterwards though. Bernice’s best course might be to say nothing that hint that there was something romantic happening. That will deflect away from the core issue. Next best thing is just a straight up statement that the other two girls should chill around Piro… without saying why. Piro did open up a bit – good for him. Bernie recognised her limits and was reaaally trying not to fix him. And the gentle teasing / flirting at the end was a nice touchTomorrow however, my house of cards will come crashing down!!!

Luann comes in

Piro shoves off

Yes see a PROFESSIONAL, Not Bernice which if lucky will learn this is not the area best suited for her, she’s more suited as a librarian

Is no one going to look into The Broken Zipper?

Aww, what happened to the silent movie?

Could this be the begining of something?

Confusing second frame. Isn’t Walt already seeing a counselor? I think he misconstrued what Bernice was saying.

“Uhhh… Piro… excuse me while I go change my panties!”

Piro feels better around women who are interested in him. I know I do too. The best thing in the world for him.

Did Bernice actually say something helpful for a change?

Yes, there were all the signs! Pirò went to Bernice not just because he trusts her, but because he likes her. He finds cute the exasperated expression she makes when she tries to talk and is nervous or awkward because she doesn’t know how to express herself. This can be either the beginning of something very sweet, or a huge red flag about a relationship that will become too complicated for the overly emotional Bernice. Meanwhile Luann is back and everyone can see how respectful she’s and how she gives space to Piro and Bernice. She knows she’s special to him. I also have to admit that Bernice gave him a great advice, acknowledging that she’s unable to provide help.

gag

so i still think tomorrow will see B get a kiss from piro

Who’s helping who now.

Bernice does have that flustered cuteness about her. She might not be hopeless after all.

so the silent movie gag was a one-off?

I don’t get the chemistry building with them….we saw where that went. They kissed and Bernice felt nothing! It was such a waste. I don’t get why Piro still flirts with her at all

It will be interesting to see how Bernice reacts when Luann asks her about Piro.

Any more of this story line and I’m going to need therapy.

So all those who blasted Bernice all week…?

Ah, a little personality comes out of Piro. Nice to see : )

Can we talk about this in your bedroom Burn?

Queue Luanne asking 10000 questions. Can Bernice resist? dramatic music

The plot thickens

She’s better than you (or she) thought. She got him to (sort of) smile. Who knew he could? But she get him to shave ?

Dear Lord, I think Bernice is about to swoon! Does anyone in the audience have an air sickness bag? ;-p

I like where this strip is headed now.

But Piro does see a professional, and Bernice knows this from her previous stalking of him.

It seems pretty amazing how easily we /I are led to believe at 1st that Piro is a shady character and now they have revealed him as a good guy. Pretty smooth G&K

Now is your chance Bernice…..grab him!

WHAT?! A moment of clarity from Bernice? This is amazing!

What do you know, he DOES have a personality. And Bernice DOES have some capacity for self awareness. Who woulda thunk?

It’s sweet that Piro thought Bernice was cute when she’s flustered.

Well, this only proves Walt/Piro knows how to “rap” defined from my South Side Chicago world as talking sweetly and productively to a potential romantic or sexual—or both—partner, and I think the arc transition here is learning toward the romantic. He clearly has her number, and that passionate furnace burning inside Bernice can easily be stoked by one good at it, and how W/P has been drawn, he is good, and practiced at it. I know I’ve been kind of dark, his separating her from Lu and Tara is troubling (I really don’t think he really cares what they think, he just gets aggravated), and there are apparently inconsistencies in his family story(ies), but I hope I’m wrong. Bernice is the most vulnerable female in this strip, and WP may be the most practiced manipulator, save of course, Ann Awful.

CLASS OF 1972 HIGH SCHOOL REUNION:

“Debbie, I know it always irritated you for me to call you a cute little girl, but it’s still true.”

“David, I haven’t heard it in so many years that I finally appreciate it.”

It’s cute to see these two flirting! And I believe and hope Bernice WILL keep his secrets. If she does, it will only strengthen their bond.

I hope that’s it is too, but my other voice is bonging.

This may sound crazy, but I wonder if Piro is developing a thing for Bernice.

You just said she’s cute, so I doubt she thinks it’s mean.

I’m normally not a fan of Bernice, but I like her in today’s strip. She is very sweet around Piro :)

This is the first time Piro showed any personality this entire strip!

Tomorrow, Bernice will spill the beans to Luann and throw Piro right under the bus!

Amazing!! Bernice admits her own shortcomings! Bravo G&K! I think her heart just grew three sizes!

Tomorrow,Piro leaves the 6 kids on Bernice’s doorstep. Just for a little while. Nothing permanent.

Is that actually a SMILE, Piro!??! Along with the 6:00 shadow that’s a cute look :)

The real reason behind Bernice’s actions?

A professional psychotherapist can’t have personal relations with a client.

The door is now wide open between Piro and Bernice.

I’m glad to see that Piro has the ability to kid and be humorous.

Serious advice from Bernice and a joke from Piro? Is this Opposite Day?

Bernice doesn’t seem to know how to take a tease! She better get faster if she’s going to keep up with Piro.

That’s a surprise, Bernice’s recommending a pro, his teasing. Cute. I like it.

So enter Luann. She was smart enough to stay in the kitchen, but will the questions start after Piro leaves? Hmmmm.

Now the third degree will start… Will Bernice succumb? Stay tooned!!!

I love the Piro/Bernie chemistry :-))