The answers to today's Strands, game #606, are… Strands stumped me today, for the second day in succession. Fortunately, I managed to find plenty of non-game words, including the 9-letter “reception”. If I’d have looked harder at this stage I might have seen OPTION sooner. Instead, it took me a hint before I realized what the theme was.

NYT Connections hints answer today October 28 puzzle #870 includes the full list of hints, categories, and correct answers.