| TEALEAVES | *Bits steeped in a bag (Theme hint: Say the first words of the starred clues' answers in order) |
| BOOKENDS | They keep spines upright ... or the first and last two letters of the starred clues' answers, in two ways? |
| RICKROLL | Song-based trick wherein the things the singer's "never gonna" do to you describe the theme answers, in order |
| TEALEAF | Bit steeped in a bag (2 words) |
| FIRST | This Across answer, in order |
| THIRD | This Across answer, in order |
| SPELT | Like this clue's answer, in five letters |
| TEA | Drink that's steeped in a bag |
| DOVETAILS | Fits together nicely . . . or a description of the last words of the starred clues' answers, when read in order? |
| SILENTPARTNER | Investor with a limited role ... or the unpronounced letters in the first words of the starred clues' answers, collectively? |
| ROLLCALL | Attendance check, and a hint to the puzzle theme in the first words of the starred answers |
| MIXEDGREENS | Salad choice, and a description of the first words of the starred clues' answers |
| WHYONEARTH | *Incredulous question (Theme hint: Read the first words of the starred clues' answers aloud) |
| ATLAST | Etta James song, and a hint to the final letters in both words of the starred clues' answers |
| FAIRYTALEENDING | Grimm fate? ... and a hint to the last words of the starred clues' answers |
| LEADBELLY | *"Goodnight, Irene" singer (Note: The first words of the starred clues' answers form a sequence) |
| EVERYTHING | "The works": the last words of the starred entries, in clue order, provide a clue to a similar phrase |
| BACKTRACK | Reverse a position, and a hint to what can follow the first words of the starred answers |
| MET | Shook hands with (a hint to the first words of the starred clues) |
| SWINGSET | Playground equipment ... or a description of the first words of the starred clues? |
