| FRAMEOFMIND | Mood, and a literal feature of the answer to each starred clue |
| RESIDENTEVIL | Horror video game/film franchise, and a literal feature of the answers to the starred clues |
| BREAKITUP | Stop a fight ... and a hint to a literal feature of the answers to starred clues |
| WIDESPREAD | Far-reaching ... and a literal feature of the answers to starred clues |
| MIDDLECHILD | Stereotypical family peacekeeper, and a literal feature of the starred answers |
| HIDDENGEM | Diamond in the rough ... or a literal feature of each answer to a starred clue |
| FISHTAIL | Swerve back and forth, as a car's rear end, or a feature of the answer to each starred clue |
| CAMEOAPPEARANCE | Small film role, and a feature of the answer to each starred clue? |
| IPODSHUFFLE | 2005 Apple release ... and a literal feature inside the answers to the starred clues |
| TIPTOPSHAPE | Exceptional physical health, and a feature of the answer to each of this puzzle's starred clues |
| EARLYBIRD | Morning person, or a feature of the answer to each starred clue? |
| EMIGRATION | Exodus, or a literal feature of this puzzle's starred answers |
| BASSOON | One of the woodwinds used to perform Edvard Grieg's Morning Mood and In the Hall of the Mountain King as part of the incidental music to Henrik Ibsen's play Peer Gynt (7) |
| CHAOSMAGIC | Power that enables the Scarlet Witch to rewrite reality, and a hidden feature of the answers to the starred clues? |
| ITSAWHOLETHING | "Too complicated to explain," and a way to describe the end of the answer to each starred clue? |
| BACKUPPLAN | Safety net, of a sort, and a literal feature of 17-, 23-, 39- and 52-Across |
| SURROUNDSOUND | Home theater feature, and a feature of the answers to the starred clues? |
| BLANKCHECK | Complete freedom ... and a hint to each half of the answer to each starred clue |
| LINCOLNCENTER | Performing arts site where ground was broken 5/14/1959, and a hint to the shared feature of the answers to starred clues |
| LOBSTERTAIL | The "surf" of surf and turf, often, or what the first word of the answer to each starred clue can be |
