Panel 1: What the heck is that on the ground, in front of the steps? A cringing dog? PVC pipe?
Panel 2: Kind of an overly long explanation, don't you think? Especially since it's resolving the crisis-that-didn't-have-to-be-a-crisis in one panel.
Panel 4: Omigod, it's a troll!
Panel 5: Oh, that adorable little scamp! Sheesh.
This is another thing that bugs. Just as we're only told, not shown, that Mike is a fantastic writer, we're only told, not shown, that Liz is a wonderful teacher. Today's strip should have had her reassuring Jesse that she appreciates him and cares for him, and telling him (and the readers) in so many words that she will be back in the fall. Instead, Lynn's ADD takes us to this pointless scene, and leaves Jesse's heartbreak unresolved. Lynn's priorities are completely out of whack.