I've just gone and checked this strip and I'm going to disagree with you, Sandy! I often use a pause in my writing when I want the reader to take just a split second longer to reach the punchline. (For some reason, I call these "stop frames"----I've no idea why and I made the term up). I think these are most effective when Dennis says something ridiculous and Beau then pauses before replying. In the case you mention, I think it's important that the "cheer up" line gets delivered as quickly as possible. Beau is waffling on about his depression and, for me, it works better when the doctor simply wades straight in without any thought and offers the "cheer up" solution. Well, that's my..........................opinion.
