In what was easily the sleepiest of the Democratic primary debates so far, more Democrats than necessary sparred over a series of questions last night that proved frustratingly heavy on Trump-related softballs and abstractions about national unity.

Such as it was, much of the actual substance of the debate followed a by-now-familiar script — occasionally for the better but most often for the worst.

Bernie Sanders talked about his signature issues and made a number of bold interventions on foreign policy. Elizabeth Warren led with corruption. Amy Klobuchar offered up her trademark bromides about how good things aren’t possible, to the usual plaudits from some members of the media. Pete Buttigieg traded in misleading talking points about health-care policy originally pioneered by Republicans. Kamala Harris and Tulsi Gabbard had a tense exchange that mirrored this summer’s clash in Detroit. Andrew Yang, who was afforded by far the least speaking time by MSNBC’s moderators, managed to get in a somewhat pointed answer about young men and gun violence. Perhaps exhausted from his journey through time prior to the debate, Joe Biden stumbled between soporific drowsiness and mercurial anger.