No 14793, Thursday 14 May 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 8A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered by a non-regular/novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Bans pesticide, nasty stuff (4,3,6) BITS AND PIECES*

8   Dim lights entirely at first in pub (5) B?E?R ()

9   Dribbling with energy in east European arena (9) SLAVERING {E} in {SLAV}{RING}

11 Be very surprised by awful heat on set around afternoon (3,4,3) EAT ONES HAT {HEAT+ON+SET}* over {A}

12 Beat culprit stealing bags in retreat (4) STIR [T<=]

14 Father is captivated by a master's art movement (7) DADAISM {DAD}{A}{IS}{M}

16 Kitchen item with good sieve (7) GRIDDLE {G}{RIDDLE}

17 American chap is badly affected by a language disorder (7) APHASIC {A+CHAP+IS}*

19 Overwhelmed by drink, member has terribly serious accident (5-2) SMASH-UP {S{M}{HAS*}UP}

21 Trouble after king's murder (4) KILL {ILL}<=>{K}

22 Hero in rave turned intoxicated (10) ADVENTURER*

25 Repaired terminal's railway tracks (9) TRAMLINES*

26 Extremely unruly fool interrupting concert (5) UNITY {Unr{NIT}ulY}

27 Clear-cut kind of film (5-3-5) BLACK-AND-WHITE [DD]

DOWN

2   Thought creatively and edited a novel (7) IDEATED*

3   Most resilient secret agents collaring gang leader in tunnel (10) SPRINGIEST {SP{RING}IES}{Tu...l}

4   Bags filled with special egg holders (5) NESTS {NE{S}TS}

5   Girl transported by plane has broken bones (9) PHALANGES {G} in {PLANE+HAS}*

6   Wife entertained by show about sheep (4) EWES {SE{W}E<=}

7   Victory secured by deceit, rogue's expelled (7) EVICTED {E{V}ICTED*}

8   Stabbed with rake, ripping the stomach (11) BREADBASKET {STABBED+RAKE}*

10 Start to roll joint with member in merry social event held on lawn (6,5) GARDEN PARTY {Roll}{DEN}{PART} in {GAY}

13 One inspired by macho stud's unusual knack of making money (5,5) MIDAS TOUCH {1} in {MACHO+STUD}*

15 Revolutionary plan to catch brilliant Mafia boss in European region (9) MACEDONIA {AIM<=} over {ACE}{DON}

18 Ancient chamber containing large bag (7) HOLDALL {H{OLD}ALL}

20 Musician in Paris, playing in hotel bar (7) HARPIST {H}{PARIS*}{T}

23 Take a sedative to stay relaxed (5) EASED [T]

24 Starts to beat leader of cocaine cartel (4) BLOC Acrostic

Reference List

Energy = E, Afternoon = A, Master = M, Good = G, Member = M, King = K, Special = S, Girl = G, Wife = W, Victory = V, Hotel = H, Bar = T