No 13770, Tuesday 24 Jan 2023, Dr. X

Solution to 15D 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.

Some unusual words today.

ACROSS

1   Gratifyingly brief film about Dr Watson reviewed (5,3,5) SHORT AND SWEET {SHEET} over {DR+WATSON}*

8   Coats and hats around back of store (5) CAPES {CAP{s..rE}S}

9   Prompt to take afternoon rest (9) REMAINDER {REM{A}INDER}

11 Police line-up has Bihar's foremost criminal (10) PUNISHABLE {LINE+UP+HAS+Bi..r}*

12 Seaweed in botanical garden (4) ALGA [T]

14 Dash back, carrying money to get beer and dish of meat (7) TIMBALE {B{M}IT<=}{ALE}

16 Weatherperson in lecture describing recurrent climate phenomena (2,5) EL NINOS [T<=] Semi &lit

17 Vigorously cleans front of protective camera accessory (4,3) LENS CAP {CLEANS*}{Pr...e}

19 Like a cross fastened over entrance to surgical hospital (1-6) T-SHAPED {T{Su...l}{H}APED}

21 Fell initially, learning a jump in figure skating (4) AXEL {AXE}{Le...g}

By original work: Nellinka (originally from File:Axel-Paulsen-Sprung.png) modification by User:Nordelch 

22 Student in dilemma rebelliously abandons poorly understood subjects (5,5) BLIND SPOTS {B{L}IND}{STOPS<=}

25 Entire rift developed after assassination of king and queen (9) NEFERTITI {ENTIRE+rIFT}*

26 Same blunders across ten tests (5) EXAMS {E{X}AMS*}

27 Consuming drink, evil cheat misbehaves, inviting English female's rebuff (4,2,3,4) SLAP IN THE FACE {S{LAP}IN}{TH{E}{F}ACE*}

DOWN

2   Word that's more specific in short song about small horse (7) HYPONYM {HY{PONY}Mn}

3   Rise up! Stand and fight (10) RESISTANCE {RISE*}{STANCE}

4   Technique to tackle round opening of aneurysm in blood vessel (5) AORTA {A{O}RT}{Aa...m}

5   Soothing medicine is satisfactory, having reduced swelling all round (9) DEMULCENT {DE{LUMp<=}CENT}

6   Keen head of infotech cracks revolutionary code (4) WAIL {In...h} in {LAW<=}

7   Oddly evil old novel about phantom (7) EIDOLON {EvIl}{OLD*}{ON}

8   Top Italian criminal bagging good profit from sale of asset (7,4) CAPITAL GAIN {CAP}{ITALIAN}* over {G}

10 Speaks with enthusiasm, animatedly praises husband hosting small retro party (11) RHAPSODISES {PRAISES+H}* over {S}{DO<=}

13 Where book might be no longer useful (2,3,5) ON THE SHELF [DD]

15 Lies trembling after receiving kiss, excited about performing in the sack (9) E?P?L?I?N (Addendum - EXPULSION {E{X}{UP<=}LSI*}{ON} - See comments) 

18 Den with fuel blown up as stipulated (7) NEEDFUL {DEN+FUEL}*

20 Film about American civil rights activist is mundane (7) PROSAIC {P{ROSA}IC}

23 Knocking back drink after consuming ecstasy, start to hysterically snicker (5) NEIGH {GI{E}N<=}{Hy...y}

24 Republican in depression over blunder (4) TRIP {PI{R}T}<=

Reference List

Afternoon = A, Money = M, Hospital = H, Student = L, King = R, Ten = X, English = E, Female = F, About = ON, Good = G, Husband = H, Small = S, Party = DO, Kiss = X, Ecstasy = E, Republican = R