IS THAT A FLY ON YOUR HEAD, OR ARE YOU JUST A DECAYING MEATSACK OF THE PATRIARCHY?

The Vice-Presidential Debate between Sen. Kamala Harris and VP Mike Pence featured contentious back-and-forth on an array of desperately urgent topics: the pandemic, health care, climate change, economic recession and recovery, racism and violence. The takeaway, for a time, looked to be Harris' deft and forthright response to Pence's smug mansplaining.

But it's beyond question, at this point, that a fly hijacked the proceedings.

The insect that lighted on the frosty-white head of VP Pence and remained there for two minutes and three seconds, according to reports, became an instant social-media superstar. The fly got so much attention, in fact, that even major media dedicated substantial column inches to its lengthy moment atop the Veep's melon.

Several Twitter feeds were started from the fly's POV. The Biden campaign nimbly designed and marketed a flyswatter online just in time to catch the peak of the frenzy (it has since sold out).

Some felt the fly was an unwelcome distraction from a serious political moment. Others, however, found the distraction more than welcome.

It seems we needed this. So if you see some fly jokes around the site, don't bug out.

I was on that boy head for a minute.. might got that Rona #Debates2020 #mikepencefly

— pence fly (@MikePenceFly__) October 8, 2020