Theme: "READ THE INSTRUCTIONS" - Each answer ends with something that's meant to be followed, and each clue is a literal example of it.
22. "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink," e.g.?: GUIDING PRINCIPLE.
32. "Oral contracts are binding," e.g.?: UNWRITTEN LAW.
50. "A new pope shall be chosen at a conclave," e.g.?: CARDINAL DIRECTION.
66. "The strike zone is between the chest and knees," e.g.?: BATTING PRACTICE.
87. "The ball must hit the cushion before dropping into the pocket," e.g.?: BANKING REGULATION.
102. "Chickens will be fed in the coop," e.g.?: PECKING ORDER.
119. "Wear sensible shoes and a lumbar support belt," e.g.?: LONG-STANDING RULE.
Every clue is a literal example of the second word in the answer, while the first word naturally fits that literal context. Very consistent set.
I wouldn't be surprised if the theme set required very little editing. Katie is an outstanding Sunday constructor as well as Patti's assistant.
The grid is also a model LAT Sunday: the total word count, black-square count, and number of three-letter entries all align with the style Patti has long favored.
Across:
1. Add some oomph to: AMP UP.
6. In good __: STEAD.
11. "The Marvels" director DaCosta: NIA. Didn't fare well in the box office.
14. Latch (onto): GLOM.
18. Speckled horses: ROANS.
19. Dodge: EVADE.
20. Zingy flavor: TANG.
21. "Sorry, I slipped": OOPS.
25. "Frozen" reindeer: SVEN.
26. "Come back __!": HERE.
27. See 91-Across: EAGLE. 91. With 27-Across, patriotic Muppet: SAM.
28. Like rum barrels: OAKEN.
29. Ms. Marvel, for one: HERO.
30. Fruity drink suffix: ADE.
35. Cause of a soccer ball bending midair: SIDE SPIN.
40. Vigor: ELAN.
41. Fish eggs: ROE.
42. Character who calls Homer "neighborino": NED. Flanders.
43. Romania neighbor: MOLDOVA.
45. Letters said while showing a badge: FBI.
47. "Ew, stop talking!": TMI.
55. Fall (over): TIP.
56. Et __: and others: ALIA.
57. Polite contraction: YES'M.
58. Castle protectors: MOATS.
59. Turn to rubble, briefly: DEMO. 81. 59-Across stuff: TNT.
60. Ancient land of the Fertile Crescent: ASSYRIA.
63. Scout leader?: GIRL. Girl Scout. Literal sense.
64. NHL trophy namesake: NORRIS.
71. Significant amount of spots?: AD FEES. Ad spots on TV/radio.
74. Piglet moms: SOWS.
75. Drank daintily: HAD A SIP.
79. __-back: LAID.
80. Unsettling look: STARE.
82. Target of some laser therapy: SCAR.
85. City bond, for short: MUNI.
86. Birthplace of MLK: ATL.
92. Home security co.: ADT.
93. Malaysian fleet: AIR ASIA. One of Asia's largest low-cost airlines.
94. __ for tat: TIT.
95. Mexican lager: SOL.
97. AKB48 genre: J POP. AKB48 is Japan's best-selling idol group, with dozens of rotating members.
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100. Miami Beach fair for gallerists and curators: ART BASEL.
107. Designer initials: YSL.
108. Former Yankee slugger, familiarly: A-ROD.
109. "That wasn't wholly true": I LIED.
110. Tennis star Naomi: OSAKA.
114. Airport pickup option: UBER.
118. Space City pro: STRO. Short for Astro, Houston is nicknamed "Space City" because of NASA.
122. Coming-of-age story subject, often: TEEN.
123. Cheap, plastic camera type: LOMO. Refers to the inexpensive film cameras associated with the lomography movement. Learning moment for me.
124. Curtain beam, often: I RAIL.
125. Agree to take part: OPT IN.
126. Latin 101 verb: ESSE.
127. Copy: APE.
128. Public affairs network: C-SPAN.
129. Source of wealth: ASSET.
Down:
1. Petulant cry: ARGH. And
2. Petulant look: MOUE.
3. Salt and pepper, e.g.: PAIR.
4. Like Dracula: UNDEAD.
5. Air pump meas.: PSI.
6. Super Monkey Ball developer: SEGA.
7. Rating for mild language, perhaps: TV PG.
8. Countess counterpart: EARL.
9. French farewell: ADIEU. Or "Salut".
10. Recliner room: DEN.
11. Part of a table setting: NAPKIN.
12. Shoreline feature: INLET.
13. Sales rep: AGENT.
14. "Gee, that seems unlikely": GOSH NO.
15. Treasure-y note?: LOVE LETTER. Cute clue.
16. __ glasses: OPERA.
17. Jen Psaki's network: MSNOW.
20. Dress-up box item: TIARA.
23. Liam of "The Naked Gun": NEESON.
24. Draped neckline: COWL.
31. Moore of "The Substance": DEMI.
33. Get close: NEAR.
34. "__ go bragh!": ERIN.
35. Shuts up tight: SEALS.
36. "Hijack" star Elba: IDRIS. Who do you think will be the next Bond?
37. Dabble in: PLAY AT.
38. Just hanging about: IDLE.
39. Dozes (off): NODS.
42. Sweet Sixteen org.: NCAA.
44. __ and vigor: VIM.
45. Toned: FIT.
46. Sarajevo's region: BOSNIA.
48. "Light My Candle" singer in 117-Down: MIMI. 117. Musical set in Alphabet City: RENT.
49. Long-term goals for some startups: IPOS.
51. Sleeper sofa: DAYBED.
52. Dubai leader: EMIR.
53. "Downton Abbey" countess: CORA. Cora Crawley.
54. Powdery mineral: TALC.
59. Imagined: DREAMT.
61. Issa of "Barbie": RAE.
62. "What a downer": IT'S SAD.
63. Rte. finder: GPS.
65. Anxiety-related med. condition: OCD. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
67. Novelist Dinesen: ISAK.
68. Tuna roll wrap: NORI.
69. Singer Stefani: GWEN.
70. Force measured in newtons: THRUST.
71. Start of a lament: ALAS.
72. "Star Trek" android: DATA.
73. Movie soundtracks: FILM SCORES.
76. Family-friendly hotel room: SUITE.
77. How anchovies may be packed: IN OIL. I liked dried anchovies.
78. Guinness serving, often: PINT.
82. __ Lanka: SRI.
83. Michael of "Barbie": CERA.
84. Vegan thickener: AGAR.
87. Indonesian island: BALI.
88. Gawk: GAPE.
89. Tripoli resident: LIBYAN.
90. Small clock inserts: AAAS.
96. "And I'm finished": OK DONE. And
97. "Come along for the ride": JOIN ME.
98. Italian "You're welcome": PREGO.
99. Bet calculations: ODDS.
101. Drinks noisily: SLURPS.
102. Wasabi product: PASTE. You can find this brand in the Asian aisle at your local grocery store.
103. Some deco pieces: ERTES.
104. __ Wafers: NILLA.
105. Sludgy stuff: GLOOP.
106. Big cat sounds: ROARS.
111. Finger click: SNAP.
112. College basketball coach Barnes: ADIA. Head coach of the SMU Mustangs. Another learning moment for me.
113. Potter's oven: KILN.
115. Objections: BUTS.
116. Author Wiesel: ELIE.
120. Involuntary spasm: TIC.
121. Southwestern Indian state: GOA.
C.C.
