Masterclass in Cryptic Crosswords: Expert Solves The Times Puzzle

[@grenvillephillips6998]

Understood the clues and learnt a few new words, so very satisfying.

[@phyphor]

Smoothly solved!

[@robinstyles9997]

Excellent - looking forward to Mephisto

[@bubbagarland]

Dweeb is a Manc! Never have guessed - Brilliant solve

[@vinyl1Earthlink]

Even though this crossword was at the end of July, I have completely forgotten solving it.....well, I remember not getting noblesse oblige until I had nearly all the crossers.

[@gerryeneral4609]

You'd probably have done this in 6 minutes without the commentary. Excellent!

[@danecarter5454]

What is the purpose of “must” in 21 across? It’s not needed for the wordplay or the definition, and the surface would read just the same without it?

[@dweebovision]

I think it is just to provide a smoother surface reading but agree that it could be omitted

[@cody6202000]

Someone's trying to keep up with Simon 😊

[@dweebovision]

???

[@Goryus]

He's making a reference to the Cracking the Cryptic KZbin channel.

[@craig3111]

This guy is like Hannibal Lecter but without the murderous cannibalism

[@mikechappell5849]

For 27ac I think the definition is 'culturally pretentious', not 'culturally', because arty is an adjective

[@dweebovision]

Agreed!

[@craig3111]

Annoying the clue seems so obvious. But only after he’s explained it…