No 13136, Monday 04 Jan 2021, KrisKross

Solution to 7D has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

ACROSS

1   Save somebody from going bad? (6) EMBALM [CD]

4   Tough spots one policeman’s cap amongst crowds (8) IMPASSES {1}{M{Po...n}ASSES}

10 Ultimately tragic — poor Lear suffering bodily (9) CORPOREAL {t...iC+POOR+LEAR}* (Addendum - {t...iC}{POOR+LEAR}* - See comments)

11 Extraordinary interest in American panel, after judge quits (5) USURY {US}{jURY}

12 A new version of user interface, finally is designed (7) REISSUE {USER+i...cE+IS}*

13 Doctor knew I’ll get a writing accessory (7) INKWELL*

14 Royal wearing hot stuff — future monarch? (5) LARVA {LA{R}VA}

15 Blocks retrospective notice about cuts (8) ECLIPSES {E{CLIPS}ES<=}

18 Insecure at heart — still happy (8) ECSTATIC {insECure}{STATIC}

20 Retro song from soldier (5) OLDIE [T]

23 Part of America is a rueful, rebellious continent (7) EURASIA [T<=]

25 Leading spinner’s ball, covered by dew, dismissing #1 (7) TOPMOST {TOP}{MOiST} (Addendum - {TOP}{M{O}iST} - See comments)

26 Ruler to ascend (5) SCALE [DD]

27 Fashionable girl in mask, regularly sets traps (9) INVEIGLES {IN}{VEI{G}L}{sEtS}

28 A muddle over accepting very poor contestants (4-4) ALSO-RANS {A}{SNARL<=} over {SO}

29 Gravedigger Mark’s back carrying cross (6) SEXTON {SE{X}TON<=}

DOWN

1   Romeo, through special licence, gets ring (8) ENCIRCLE {ENCI{R}CLE*}

2   Good man leaves lawyer railing (7) BARRIER BARRIstER

3   Be quick, John — knee’s beginning to hurt (4,5) LOOK SMART {LOO}{Knee}{SMART}

5   Debate around clue — “One active set making a product” (14) MULTIPLICATIVE {MUL{TIP}L}{1+ACTIVE}*

6   A kid losing love for University is mad (5) AMUCK {A}{M(-0+u)UCK}

7   Area where one is killed by abrupt, strange force (7) S?U?E?E (Addendum - SQUEEZE - {Si{QUEEr}ZE}See comments)

8   Partner, extremely chivalrous, rejected Greek nymph (6) SCYLLA {ALLY}{Ch...uS}<= 

9   Fears detention possibly, or an expulsion of sorts? (14) DEFENESTRATION*

16 Posh criminal to quietly take shelter in compound (9) PHOSPHIDE {POSH*}{P}{HIDE}

17 Discard juvenile’s case — it’s not illegal (8) JETTISON {Ju...lE}{ITS+NOT}*

19 Body of vehicle crushed at the front and behind (7) CARCASS {CAR}{Cr...d}{ASS}

21 Start to drive with adulterated petrol — a small quantity (7) DROPLET {Dr..e}{PETROL*}

22 Dancing, she could entertain one visiting Ginza on vacation (6) GEISHA {SHE}* over {1} in {GinzA} &lit

24 When temperature is hot, bull becomes thin (5) SHEER S(-t+h)HEER

Reference List

Judge = J, Royal = R, Girl = G, Romeo = R, Good man = ST, John = LOO, Love = 0, University = U, Quietly = P