For All Mankind — Series 5 Episode 5 — “Svoboda” — A Review

4th August, 2026.

“Svoboda”.

The Introduction.

At the moment … ?

It’s a Tuesday afternoon: and I’ve got a Pretenders’ tune, “Middle of the Road”, on in the background.

On repeat.

Because?   Because AppleTV are airing a version of Neuromancer in a few months time: a Pretenders tune is entirely appropriate, as Neuromancer’s writer based the look of one character on Pretenders lead singer, Chrissie Hynde.

I want the song repeated because it seems to be a good one to type to.

I’m also using it as I write the text you’re reading, a review of an episode of For All Mankind.

And as the song’s used in the sound track of series two?

Well … yeah … pressing Repeat seemed appropriate … 

~≈🪐≈~

At any rate: it’s Tuesday.

And … ?

I’m going to be having dinner, then watching “Svoboda”, the fifth episode of For All Mankind’s fifth series.

Once Chrissie stops singing … 

~≈🪐≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6th August 2026.

6th August, 2026.

Yep: that’s right.

I woke up with Hazel O’Connor’s “Eighth Day” banging its way around my head.

Why?

I don’t know.

But my only way of dealing with it … ?

Is to play more Hazel O’Connor.

Or play you my nephew’s latest!

Just don’t ask about pizza.

Bloody Domino’s website, grrr, mutter, mutter … … !

~≈🍕≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 5th August 2026.

5th August, 2026.

Yes: I’ve officially decided to open this post with a lot of old trolley!

So … ?

There’s nothing new, there, then … !

~≈🧇≈~

On a more serious note?

Seemingly, there’s elections due in some local councils.

Including ones for Somerset Council, next year.

The Tories have a problem with Joshua Bonehill-Paine: who’s one of their candidates.

Whilst he’s apologised for his behaviour … ?

It seems he has a history of anti-semitic behaviour: being imprisoned for various racially aggravated crimes.

He’s has served time for them.

Now, I’ll happily admit: a person can change.

Rehabilitating an inmate is part of a prison’s role, after all.

Personally, though?

Were I Kemi Badenoch, were I Tory party leader … 

I’d be seriously re-thinking letting the chap stand … 

~≈🗳️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 4th August 2026

4th August, 2026.

Yay!

I’ve lost weight!

OK, just in case you hadn’t realised, I’m obese.

So I’m not in the best of health, as a result.

I’m working on reducing my with a mix of a heftily monitored diet, and a weekly dose of Mounjaro.

And weekly weigh-ins, every Monday.

At yesterday’s?

I founds I’d lost 1·1 kilograms.

Which is good.

That said?

I’d gained 1·6 kilograms, the week before.

So, hopefully?

I’ll’ve lost a bit more, by next week’s meeting.

Here’s hoping I can lay off the crisps in the meantime!

~≈🌯≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3rd August 2026

3rd August, 2026.

Earworms … are insidious, sometimes.

But?

I don’t get songs banging around my head.

No: I’ll get the occasional word floating around in my mind.

At the moment, I’ve got the words, ‘yurt’, and ‘yonk’, filling the earworm shaped hole.

I still don’t know why this happens.

If I did … ?

Well, I’d possibly be rich … !

~≈🏕️≈~

At any rate … ?

It’s Monday: and the day for my weight management weigh-in.

I’m nervous: as my weight was up, last week.

I’ll have to see how it goes!

~≈⚖️≈~

I keep half an eye on politics: even is I’m not sure I can follow a political argument, or a party’s policies.

One thing I do know?

Is that some things can get very silly.

We have a by-election in Clacton, next week: called after the resignation of the (then) sitting MP, Nigel Farage of Reform.

There’s possibly lots to discuss: including the fact that Count Binface seems to be the only serious contender.

One thing I did notice, though … ?

Was a news piece from the BBC’s website.

A piece that tells us the ballot for the election is one of the longest in British political history.

I suspect Count Binface will do well off the back of that.

I believe that — in that situation — most of us wouldn’t wade through the complete list: would go for a name we recognise.

And that, given the names are in alphabetical order?

People will come across Binface well before they get to Farage.

I can only hope.

I’d love to see Nigel’s face, if he loses … 

~≈🗳️≈~