Smurf

The unclued lights, two of two words, are of a kind. Across 1 Eastern divine seen in pilgrimage returning to city (6) 7 Artillery piece shooting from side to side (6) 12 With respect to how ‘Looks’ might be clued? (9, two words) 15 Recorded in public register of the stars following bounder (9) 16 Drove off, having found specs in outbuilding (6) 20 Everton lead practice with life events of footballer (7) 21 Not entirely in bad taste but partly (6, three words) 22 Measures wagons surrounding acre (6) 24 Got off with cooked alibi in important accompaniments (8) 26 Perform – quiet, please – for money! (4) 27 Container, small but bottomless (3) 28 Over the hill? Nonsense!

One clued solution can precede each unclued light (four of two words and one of three), all to be found in Chambers, Brewer, songs or sayings.   Across 9 Come to as Polyphemus would do? (10, three words) 14 Queen perhaps delaying introduction of legislation (3) 16 Amongst others, some retaliate (6, two words) 20 Word for scars strangely metaphorical — no caret needed (7) 22 Head of college conceals article — makes a pile (7) 24 Hester, a remarkable lady (7) 26 Yours only houses a porcupine (5) 28 Work unit holds possible link with Black Forest menace (7, hyphened) 31 New rites to include completely sober musical pieces (7) 33 He cried — because he couldn’t find a snark?

The unclued lights (one of four words) are legendary. Across 9 Broadcast live in Torbay possibly to no avail (10) 14 Mark said to be a jerk (3) 16 Marvin Gaye’s ‘Healing’ depends on chromosomes (6) 17 Person I’m addressing, with most of the next generation (5) 18 Man died on beach, once (5) 22 United around military leader and single-minded (7) 24 Composer set up a German school in London with new head (7) 25 Fairy that dished the team? (5) 26 Non-eco tyros providing points of a dilemma (5) 28 Funny posts at work?

Six unclued lights (three of two words) are of a kind, associated with the 16’s 11s, and overseen by 28. Elsewhere, ignore a grave accent.   Across 10 Some money held back for bananas (4) 12 16’s members who may face hostility, even crimes, perhaps? (10) 14 Use leverage to get private information (3) 17 Newly demilitarised losing demerits is epic (5) 18 Index of sad ladies, distraught with two sons shot down (7) 22 Quick to admit each trouncing of 16’s enemy?

The unclued lights are of a kind. Across 9 Go in with force, showing initiative (10) 14 Cast is enormous, but not good (3) 16 China’s new restrictive measures (6) 17 Girl showing leg in meadow (5) 18 Best buddies regularly skipped study (5) 20 Mites and ticks from a vehicle by Cretan mountain (7) 22 Best arrangement is to have a meal in home (7) 24 Craftsman is wearing plaid, though topless (7) 25 Keel that’s empty sunk with mine (5) 26 Old Thai coin given a soft touch, we hear (5)28 Won’t carve the bird? Come, come!

The unclued lights can be associated with an undisclosed quality. All associations can be found in Brewer and/or Chambers. Alphabetical order takes precedence for the solution at 36D. Across 9 Having broken rule outside, detective begins to feel guilty (10)14 Stiff paper, way-out neckwear? (3)18 Cox for Hereford, perhaps? (5)20 Choose in calamitous situation whence improvement may be in sight (7)22 Heading from highland country, look over Shakespearean setting (7)25 Being drawn to appear in Swindon Town (5, two words)28 Top of oak stake tipped prime succulent (7)33 A hammer?

Four unclued lights are thematic and are defined by two others. They are found in The 21 and 2 (also the singular of a fifth unclued light). Another unclued light is partly thematic, yet another was a high officer, whilst a final pair show status. One clued light is an abbreviation.   Across 11    Thankless daughter that’s broken up loves and leaves for season (7) 12    Biblical character with pain in both hands (6) 13    Carpet has nap woven round edge, all in scarlet (9) 14    Fantasy – in short, ecstasy (5) 16    Despots – Middle Eastern – contract lung infection (5) 19    Type of movie with lots of drawings?

Doc writes: welcome to Smurf as our third new compiler joining our team.   One unclued light, the heart of which is of essence, is linked with eight other unclued lights, verifiable in Brewer. Two further unclued lights are appositely characteristic. One other light is abbreviated. Ignore an apostrophe.   Across 4    No can do?