Time: 7 minutes. That’s more like it! My best QC solving time for at least a month.
As usual definitions are underlined in bold italics, {deletions and substitutions are in curly brackets} and [anagrinds, containment, reversal and other indicators in square ones]. “Aural wordplay” is in quotation marks. I now use a tilde sign ~ to indicate an insertion point in containment clues. I usually omit all reference to juxtaposition indicators unless there is a specific point that requires clarification.
Definitions underlined in bold italics, (Abc)* indicating anagram of Abc, deletions and [] other indicators.
 Across |
|
|---|---|
| 1 | Renegade count mixed up with rat (8) |
| TURNCOAT – Anagram [mixed up] of COUNT RAT | |
| 5 | Initially dithers — a politician, wet? (4) |
| DAMP – D{ithers} [initially], A, MP (politician) | |
| 8 | Within a moment surprisingly sent into sauna (13) |
| INSTANTANEOUS – Anagram [surprisingly] of SENT INTO SAUNA | |
| 10 | Tolerate viewpoint (5) |
| STAND – Two meanings | |
| 11 | Open as restrictions eased at the outset (7) |
| SINCERE – SINCE (as), R{estrictions} + E{ased} [at the outset] | |
| 12 | Charlie, he’s eating English produce finally, dairy item (6) |
| CHEESE – C (Charlie), then HE~S containing [eating] E (English), then {produc}E [finally] | |
| 13 | Head, one making a case, not quietly at first (6) |
| LEADER – {p}LEADER (one making a case) [not quietly at first] | |
| 16 | Team I’ll fancy, unsurpassed until now (3-4) |
| ALL-TIME – Anagram [fancy] of TEAM I’LL | |
| 18 | Maybe health worker’s vehicle? I’m not sure (5) |
| CARER – CAR (vehicle), ER (I’m not sure) | |
| 20 | One who figures drama thematic? I answer in part (13) |
| MATHEMATICIAN – Hidden [in part] in {dra}MA THEMATIC I AN{swer}. Spectactular! | |
| 21 | Call band (4) |
| RING – Two meanings | |
| 22 | Write label, acceptable, for US Department location (8) |
| PENTAGON – PEN (write), TAG (label), ON (acceptable – e.g. that’s not on!) | |
| Down |
|
|---|---|
| 1 | Attempts more than one rugby score (5) |
| TRIES – Two meanings | |
| 2 | Method of learning about sea over-optimistic (7) |
| ROSEATE – RO~TE (method of learning) containing [about] SEA. The dictionaries are not agreed on whether the optimism is excessive. |
|
| 3 | Underhand clubs ruined tennis deal (11) |
| CLANDESTINE – C (clubs), anagram [ruined] of TENNIS DEAL | |
| 4 | Confirm a non-drinker is in Paris (6) |
| ATTEST – A, TT (non-drinker – tee-totaller), EST (‘is’ in Paris) | |
| 6 | When lunch might be provided to make amends (5) |
| ATONE – AT ONE (when lunch might be provided) | |
| 7 | Famous chemist put up rates wrongly (7) |
| PASTEUR – Anagram [wrongly] of UP RATES | |
| 9 | In France, refusal of screenplay, say, with no outstanding features (11) |
| NONDESCRIPT – NON DE (in France, refusal of), SCRIPT (screenplay, say) | |
| 12 | Church member starts to entertain really engaging individual (7) |
| CHARMER – CH (church), ARM (member), then E{ntertain} + R{eally} [starts to…] | |
| 14 | Showing courage embracing Left’s favourite (7) |
| DARLING – DAR~ING (showing courage) containing [embracing] L (Left) | |
| 15 | Extraordinary, ta! Beer money returned! (6) |
| REBATE – Anagram [extraordinary] of TA BEER | |
| 17 | Means of communication in palatinate? (5) |
| LATIN – Hidden [in] {pa}LATIN{ate} | |
| 19 | Series of matches in a row? (3-2) |
| RUN-IN – Two meanings. The run-in to a sporting event is the period of time or series of matches leading up to it; it can also be an argument or quarrel with someone. | |
Just under 2h with LEADER and DARLING provided in whole or part by checking answers (so DNF I guess). First time “finishing” a cryptic crossword and very glad of this resource in helping understanding, thanks jackkt!
Congrats!