Original Commentary

Do microwave ovens have conventional screws? No idea. No research, folks. That's why Brisbane's line got added in that third panel. Is it safe to open an unplugged microwave? That's a good question. Is it safe to use a microwave that's been "fixed"? No - Terrence

Modern Commentary
But yeah, I think that Brisbane's motivation has gone from "wants popcorn" to "doesn't want to spend eighty bucks on a new microwave" to "doesn't want to admit that he has no idea how to fix this" - Terrence

Original Commentary

Is that a double entendre in the last panel? Not really. It could've been with a little work, I'm sure - Terrence

Modern Commentary
This would have been a good place for a Middle Name Ultimatum - Terrence

Original Commentary

Some machines have capacitors - they're essentially like large short-term batteries. They hold a lot of electricity and can quickly discharge it if you poke them the wrong way. Do microwaves have them? I bet Brisbane has no idea - Terrence

Modern Commentary
Oh, hey. Today's Original Commentary basically says what the Modern Commentary said a few days ago.

Well, that shows I'm consistent at least. - Terrence

Original Commentary

Yes, as far as Kimberly's concerned, radiation = nuclear = reactor. It'd be fun to set up an in-comic urban legend that microwaves can cause nuclear explosions. The problem with that is it'd be tough to make it clear that it was meant as an urban legend, as opposed to us being wrong about things. That and we have other things to do - Terrence

Modern Commentary
Kimberly is incorrect. But do you want to be right or do you want to watch your movie? - Terrence

Original Commentary

As far as Brisbane's concerned, it's easier to throw out a broken microwave than to argue with his wife. And yes, she's asking him to dig through the trash to find the non-flammable things, and pile them together. That sounds moderately horrible - Terrence

Modern Commentary
If Kimberly really wanted it gone, you'd think she'd throw it out herself. - Terrence

Original Commentary

When I was younger, all I tasted was the salt on the popcorn. Now I can taste the corn flavor. Either I'm getting older or I'm using less butter - Terrence

Modern Commentary
Note the VCR is blinking 12:00. Maybe Brisbane isn't as handy with electronics as he'd like to be. - Terrence