Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30-10-2026 — The Deadly Assassin.

30th October, 2026: The Deadly Assassin.

Oh, now that’s sad!

Sir Patrick Stewart has died: after what’s described as a “brief and poignant journey” with Alzheimer’s, and with Lewy body dementia.

A brief journey … 

I best remember him as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation: and can also remember him in I, Claudius, as the villainous Lucius Sejanus.

I am — here’s the word, again — saddened to hear about this.

After all: the man was a seriously good actor.

And … ?

Took one hell of a punt with his career, taking the lead role with a strange little SF show that wasn’t guaranteed to work.

Despite the fact he didn’t unpack his suitcase for some time?

The show was successful.

And influential: I’m convinced the US TV companies behind franchises like Law and Order, CSI and NCIS saw Star Trek: The Next Generation, and it’s host of spin-offs, and thought “Hang on … they’re on to something, there.”

I think the same applies to the revived version of Dr Who.

I don’t know if Russell T Davies and company would have mentioned it to sceptical BBC executives, back in 2005, mentioned the fact TNG showed how successful a revival could be: but would’ve been stupid not to make a point of it!

TNG’s success?   And its influence?

Could not have been possible, would not have been the same, without him.

I also think the show’s success in the UK wouldn’t have possible, without he and the producers decision to cast an English lead.

For that?

I’m grateful to the man: and sad to hear of his loss.

~≈🖖≈~

Just as an extra thought?

I note that the BBC articles have said the Sir Patrick died after a a “brief and poignant journey” with Alzheimer’s, and with Lewy body dementia.

I have mixed feelings, there.

Yes: I am saddened about both his death, and to hear about the diagnosis.

But also mildly grateful to hear his death seems to have come only a short time after diagnosis.

Having seen what the condition can do, I’m grateful the journey was brief: death can be a mercy in these circumstances.

I’d doubt that makes the death easier for his family, friends and cast mates.

My thoughts are with them … 

~≈🖖≈~

Let’s move on.

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Mum* and Debbi† putting in their answers: with Debbi scoring five out of five, and Mum on four.

Let’s see how everyone does with today’s questions, shall we?

Here they are, along with the How To, License and video.

Q1)        Doctor Who story, The Deadly Assassin, started on 30th October.   Of which year of the 1970s?

Q2)        Who played the Doctor in The Deadly Assassin?

Q3)        It was the first Doctor Who story where the Doctor had no what: companion, hat or TARDIS?

Q4)        The story’s main villain is an old enemy of the Doctor.   Which old enemy: the Master, the Daleks or the Cybermen?

Q5)        Finally … ?   Controversially, the third episode of the story ended with the Doctor being drowned.   Which TV campaigner complained about this: Mary Whitehouse, the Moral Majority or Lord Longford?

Here’s yesterday’s questions and answers … 

Q1)        29th October is the feast day of the incredibly self-obsessed Saint Narcissus of Jerusalem.   He’s usually depicted holding a blossoming what: rose, petunia or thistle?

A1)        Thistle.

Q2)        The first public, high definition TV broadcasts started on 29th October, 1998.   Where: the USA, Canada or Mexico?

A2)        The USA.

Q3)        According to the UN, 29th October is the International Day of Care and what?

A3)        International Day of Care and Support.

Q4)        The London Pageant took place on 1621, took place on 29th October, 1621.   It celebrated Edward Barkham’s installation as what: Lord Mayor of London, Archbishop of Westminster or King?

A4)        Lord Mayor of London.

Q5)        Finally … ?   Sixty-two people were killed on 29th October, 2005.   Where: Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata?

A5)        Delhi.

Here’s a thought …

“Nine out of ten.”

Cardinal Borusa, speaking to the Doctor in the last episode of The Deadly Assassin.

And an opening …

The next ten question sets are on 8th, 10th, 19th, 25th and 29th November: they’re about Monty Python’s Life of Brian, All Quiet on the Western Front, Quatermass and the Pit, Journey to the Centre of the Earth and the Grand Ole Opry.

Your comments, and today’s answers, will be published in tomorrow’s Teaser.

AI is used to suggest some themes: but avoided when writing the questions.

Answers are as accurate as possible: at the time of writing.

Decisions about scores are final.

Thank you for coming: have a good day.

*        Hello, Mum!   (Question one was ‘a thistle’, Mum, rather than ‘a staff’.)

†        I think they were, weren’t they, Debbi?   Way back in the day …