For All Mankind — Series 5 Episode 6 — “No Sudden Moves” — A Review

11th August, 2026.

“No Sudden Moves”.

The Introduction.

OK … music … 

It’s Tuesday: so, as I write this, I’ve got a Genius playlist playing in the background.

Complete with PIL’s “This Is Not A Love Song” at full pelt.

Which I’ve not listened to for a while: so it’s good to hear it, again.

It’s almost as good to hear Spandau Ballet’s “Chant №1”: the song that’s come up next.

All of that is beside the point.

It’s Tuesday.

So, after dinner, I’ll be watching the next episode of For All Mankind: then writing a review of it.

This post … ?

Will go live by Thursday: hopefully!

I’ll see you then … !

~≈🪐≈~

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 … 

~≈🪐≈~

For All Mankind — Series 5 Episode 4 — “Open Source” — A Review

27th July, 2026.

“Open Source”.

The Introduction.

OK: it’s Monday night … and … ?

I’m filling in time, in a way.

I’ve started For All Mankind’s fifth season, a few weeks ago: and enjoying it, so far.

But … ?

I’d like to get this review done by Wednesday … but very aware I’ll be looking after my nephew, that day … so I’m getting started early.

Hopefully?

I’ll have this done by Friday: and I can let you know what I though of the episode … 

~≈🪐≈~

For All Mankind — Series 5 Episode 3 — “Home” — A Review

20th July, 2026.

“Home”.

The Introduction.

Right, then: it’s officially Monday, and dinner’s doing.

In point of fact, I’ve just heard my vegetables go ‘Bing’.

Or, at least, heard the microwave go ‘Bing’

So dinner is almost ready to be eaten … 

~≈🪐≈~

Right … that’s dinner out of the way … !

I’m writing this on Monday night: the day before I’m intent on watching “Home”, the next episode For All Mankind series five.

And will be finish the subsequent written and video reviews by this coming Friday.

Right now … ?

I’m looking for to it.

Episode 2 ended on a cliffhanger … 

~≈🪐≈~

For All Mankind — Series 5 Episode 2 — “The Hard Six” — A Review

14th July, 2026.

“The Hard Six”.

The Introduction.

It’s officially the case that a man in search of a wife … is possibly some kind of weird stalker.

Or trying to paraphrase Jane Austin.

Or getting mental images of some of the odder characters in The League of Gentlemen.

Which is possibly a whole other post.

At any rate?

It’s Tuesday.

Which means I’ll be watching “The Hard Six”, the next episode of For All Mankind, tonight.

When writing the bulk of this review: and releasing it, and the parallel video version, by this coming Friday.

I’m starting this post early … as I’m expecting my nephew this afternoon.

Fun — and possibly pizza — will be had … before the main event … 

Let’s move on …

~≈🪐≈~

For All Mankind — Series 5 Episode 1 — “First Light” — A Review

7th July, 2026.

“First Light”.

The Introduction.

It has to be said: there comes a time when tedium will only carry you so far.

Well, not tedium, per se.

But the awareness that there’s only so much on TV: and, therefore?

Only so much you want to talk about.

Of current TV shows?

I’ve binged Slow Horses, and found it entertaining.

I’ve caught the first series of The Blacklist, and found that equally entertaining.

I’ve seen the first episode of the new series of Silo: and been left intrigued.

But, with Dr Who, and Star Trek, off-air?

There’s few series I feel inclined to tell you about.

Or, at least, there hasn’t been, since March, and the last series of Stranger Things.

But … ?

There’s a something things I felt I should start watching: and tell you about.

Yes: the fifth and latest series of AppleTV’s For All Mankind.

I’m going to be watching the first episode, “First Light”, tonight: then posting my written and video review by this Friday.

I’ll see you … in a few days time … 

~≈👾≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 11-4-2026 — The Apple 1

11th April, 2026: the Apple 1.

Right, then: it’s officially official.

I’ve seen another episode of The Daleks’ Master Plan.

And I’m greatly saddened: that so many episodes of the thing are missing.

As wonderful as the remaining episodes are … ?

I’m very aware there’s huge gaps.

And dearly wishing Aunty would release the thing as an animated bluray!

I’d buy one!

~≈📀≈~

In other news … ?

The Artemis 2 mission has safely returned to Earth: with a crew that’s described as “happy and healthy”.

Good for them!

At this stage, the only minor concern is, I’m told, the heat sheilds: although they seemed to have worked, and worked well.

But … ?

I can still remember the Colombia Disaster, the accident that saw a space shuttle burn up on re-entry, because of a defective heat shield.

I can only hope NASA’s keeping an eye on those … 

~≈🚀≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3rd January 2026

3rd January, 2026.

I took photos, earlier: just so I could show you something.

Yes: my street’s had official snow!

Which looked nice, but felt cold!

On the upside … ?

I — like others — have been officially told I’m to receive a twenty-five pound Cole Weather Payment: one that will take five working days to go through.

The sooner it does, the happier I’ll be … !

~≈🥶≈~

I’ve mentioned, over the past couple of days, the issues I’ve had with my Mac.

An issue with Spotlight seemed to be causing overheating: especially with any number of Pages documents, open.

I attempted to death with it by emptying the caches in the ~/Library/Metadata/Corespotlightfolder.

So far?

That seems to have worked: although I’ve not tried recording video with many Pages documents open.

The one remaining time I’ve had an issue?

Is when using Finder to access my external drives.

Although that only seemed to cause issues, once.

So far?

So good.

But I have a workaround, if needed: and a rough idea — moving my Pages documents from iCloud — of more things I could try.

If needed.

~≈📄≈~

On a related theme?

When diagnosing the corespotlightd issue, I had to restart my Mac in Safe Mode: the mode that turns off extraneous extensions, and disables third-party apps.

To do that on an Apple Silicon Mac, you need to:

• Turn off your Mac.
• Press and hold the power button until the options screen comes up.
• Select your start up disc.
• Press Shift (⇧) to display the ‘Continue in Safe Mode’ button.

Bear in mind I have a Mac keyboard with two Shift keys, one at each end of the relevant row: and that I’m left-handed.

But, like everyone else, I use my off-hand to press Shift.

My right hand, in my case.

So … ?

Pressing the Shift key, the right Shift key, did nothing.

It wasn’t until I thought to try the left Shift key, that I got the ‘Continue in Safe Mode’ message, and was able to proceed.

I swore, a lot.

And am still a touch annoyed about that.

Yes: I know the regular, shorter, Mac keyboards have one Shift key, and that it’s placed on the left to make it accessible to the right handed majority.

But not everyone’s a north paw.

Apple could possibly re-think that bit of design: or update the Logic board!

~≈👎≈~

As I write … ?

Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, is being bombed.

No-one had said why: although CBS News tells us that the 47th President of the USA has ordered it.

It wouldn’t surprise me: given the actions the President has ordered on Venezuelan shipping.

There’s possibly a lot we can say, there.

For a start?

The President is a blatant, two-faced, hypocrite.

Taking military action, military action of possibly dubious legality, whilst trying to broker peace deals between Ukraine and Russia, and between Israel and Hamas.

I know we expect lies and hypocrisy from world leaders.

But … ?

The 47th President is pushing the boat out, along side dropping bombs.

~≈💣≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 2nd January 2025.

2nd January, 2026.

Right: I wrote, yesterday, that I was having issues with my Mac.

It was overheating, and freezing, when I had a lot of apps open: specifically, a lot of apps, when used with Pages, Apple’s word-processing software.

Or when I have a lot of Pages documents open, some thirty odd, when trying to record a QuickTime video: which normally isn’t an issue.

All I knew for sure … ?

Was Activity Monitor was telling me that processes called corespotlightd and kernel_task were going into overdrive: using up a lot of RAM, and CPU resources, in the processes.

I did a lot of asking around.

Apple’s support line wasn’t especially helpful.

Apple Communities were more useful.

They, and a confirmatory Google search, told me that corespotlightd is the part of Spotlight, the Mac’s onboard search software, that corespotlightd is part of that … 

And that, if the files in corespotlightd’s cache folders go bad … ?

You end up with a look of overheating.

There were — or are, I should say — several solutions.

Most of which involve getting Spotlight to re-index — re-organise — the hard drives.

In my particular case?

That involved opening up the relevant cache folder, ~/Library/Metadata/Corespotlight, then emptying the contents of the folders within it.

Then restarting my machine.

So far … ?

That seems to have solved the problem: although I’ve not used my machine at full pelt.

We’re going to have to see what happens, there.

~≈🍏≈~

The War Between the Land and the Sea — Episode 4 “The Witch of the Waterfall” — A Review

14th December, 2025: “The Witch of the Waterfall”.

An Introduction.

It’s not often I duplicate posts: at least, not often I use the opening of one post as the opening of another.

Except it’s something I did, last week: when writing my introduction to my reviews of the first two episodes of The War Between the Land and the Sea.

And it’s something I’ve repeated with this week’s episodes.

Sue me!

Additionally?

It’s not often I complain about Apple.

For those of you who don’t know, I’m something of a Mac fan: I’m writing this on a 2024 Mac mini, using macOS Tahoe 26.2, and Safari 26.2, to write this post.

I had problems, updating to the new versions, last Thursday: when, after the update to 26.2, my browser would not stay logged into my usual websites, after switching the thing on in the morning.

Then would sign me out when I switched it off.

As you can imagine?

It was very frustrating.

Contacting various people proved little help: including Apple’s community forums.

So?

I contacted Apple’s Support line.

Where an extremely helpful young person managed to diagnose the issue.

All I had to do, it seems, was make a small change to Safari’s preferences: turning off the cross-site tracking option in Safari>Settings>Privacy.

That seems to have solved the problem, for now: although I don’t know what long term issues may happen as a result.

I hope they’re minimal.

But I’m also aware I had that box checked for several years: with no problems.

Why it’s happened with this update?

I don’t know!

~≈🧜🏼‍♂️≈~

My problems aren’t why you’re here.

You’re possibly here out of curiosity, boredom, or a random social media post.

So, if you’re a newcomer to Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar, I’ll have to repeat what I’ve said in earlier posts.

In other words, say “Welcome aboard”, tell you I write the Daily Teaser quiz, and about films and TV shows I’ve watched.

One of those shows?   Is the Dr Who spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea.

I saw the first episodes, “Homo Aqua”, and “Plastic Apocalypse”, last week, and caught the third episode, “The Deep”, last Sunday.

This post?

Is about the fourth episode, “The Witch of the Waterfall”.

Yes: I’ve started this post, early.

But?

It’s Christmas.

It’s busy!

And the weather is acting up.

Let’s move onto the review, shall we … ?

~≈🧜🏼‍♂️≈~

The War Between the Land and the Sea — Episode 3 “The Deep” — A Review

*Spoilers* 

13th December, 2025: “The Deep”.

An Introduction.

It’s not often I duplicate posts: at least, not often I use the opening of one post as the opening of another.

Except it’s something I did, last week: when writing my introduction to my reviews of the first two episodes.

It’s not often I complain about Apple, either.

For those of you who don’t know, I’m something of a Mac fan: and writing this on a 2024 Mac mini, using macOS Tahoe 26.2, using Safari 26.2 to write this post.

I had problems, after updating to those versions, Thursday: when, after the update, my browser would not stay logged into my usual websites after a restart.

You can read more details, here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/256210549

But, after contacting Apple’s Support line?

It seems all I had to do to correct the issue, was to make a small change to Safari’s preferences: turning off the cross-site tracking option in Safari>Settings>Privacy.

That seems to have solved the problem, for now: although I don’t know what long term problems may happen, as a result.

I can only hope those are minimal.

~≈🧜🏼‍♂️≈~

Me complaining isn’t why you’re here!

No.

So if you’re a newcomer to Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar, I’ll have to repeat what I’ve said in earlier posts.

Tell you I write the Daily Teaser quiz, about films I’ve seen and TV shows I’m watching.

Whether you’re an old timer, or new to this blog?

I started watching the Dr Who spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea, starting with the first episodes, “Homo Aqua”, and “Plastic Apocalypse”, last week.

I’ll be doing the same thing, for episodes three and four, this week: and something very similar for the last episode!

Yes: I’m starting this post early.

But?

It’s Christmas.

And I wanted to have a good bitch!

Let’s get on with the review, shall we … ?

~≈🧜🏼‍♂️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 14th December 2025.

14th December, 2025.

Right … 

I think I know what’s going on.

I updated my operating system, a couple of days ago.

Ever since?

I’ve had issues signing into Blogger.com: and needed to sign into everything, every time I start Safari, after re-starting my machine in the morning.

It’s meant that when I start a post?   I can’t upload photos to it, without having to reset God knows what!

The workaround that I’m using for now … ?

Is simply that I log into the site with Firefox, upload photos, then switch back to Safari.

It’s a right royal pain … 

~≈🦊≈~

About the only thing I can say for certain, though … ?

Is that is the photo uploading problem only happens, only needs the work-around … when I’m adding the first photos!

The next ones, like the ones of the this morning’s gorgeous sunrises?

Aren’t causing issues … !

Why … ?

If I knew that, I possibly wouldn’t have an problem!

~≈📰≈~

14th December, 2025: 10:53

Just as a revision to this post … ?

I’ve contacted Apple’s Support people.

It seems all I had to do to correct the login issue was to make a small change to Safari’s preferences: turning off the ‘Cross-site tracking’ option in Safari>Settings>Privacy.

That seems to have solved the problem, for now: although I don’t know what long term problems may happen, as a result.

Here’s hoping those are minimal.

~≈✔️≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 29-4-2024 — International Dance Day

29th April, 2024: International Dance Day.

🎵La la🎶 … Monday, Monday … !

Yes: it’s officially Monday.

Which is a cue to start singing, obviously.

But is also a cue to get up early.

Yes: it’s weight management day, again, today.

Hopefully?

Putting sweeteners in my tea will have made a difference.

~≈🫖≈~

There’s rumours.

Of course there’s rumours!

Especially when technology company, Apple, is involved.

Especially when you consider the company’s announced an Apple event for 7th May, this year.

Inevitably?

There’s speculation that new M4 chips will feature: in either new models of iPads, or in new Macs.

That family of chips could well be interesting.

I’m using an M2 Mac mini: and, problems aside, the machine does seem fast.

An M4 could well be a serious improvement.

About my only suggestion?

Is about the internal hard-drive.

Apple currently retails most of their consumer models — the MacBook Air, the iMac and the Mac mini — with 256gb solid state drives.

Which are OK … if you’re doing light work.

But, as far as I’m concerned, aren’t necessarily large enough for heavier use.

I can only hope that if Apple does introduce whizzy new chips?

That they increase hard drive size in their baseline models, as well.

~≈🍏≈~

For All Mankind — Series 4 Episode 10 — “Perestroika” — A Review

15th January, 2024: the introduction!

Right then … 

As I type — write? create? — this post, I’ve got an air fryer cooking some potatoes behind me.

Ones that will go very well with the sausages and vegetables I’ve got doing.

You’d possibly guessed I’m cooking: especially if you’ve been following my For All Mankind posts for a while.

At any rate: I’m doing dinner.

Then … ?

I’ll be watching the tenth — and last — episode of For All Mankind’s fourth series.

I’ll have this post — and its video equivalent — published late tomorrow: 16th January.

I’d love to hear what you think: both about the series, and my reviews!

~≈👾≈~

For All Mankind — Series 4 Episode 9 — “Brazil” — A Review

8th January, 2024: the introduction.

Yes: we’re back to relative normal, now Christmas and New Year is over.

It’s back to watching a TV show on a Monday evening: and posting the reviews by the next day.

It’s also back to going to my weight management class on a Monday morning.

And?

Surprisingly, I’ve actually lost a kilo!

We’ll have to see what happens, next Monday.

~≈🚀≈~

At any rate?

It’s Monday, 8th January, and?

Once I’ve had dinner, I’ll be watching “Brazil”, the next episode of For All Mankind’s fourth series: then writing about it, tomorrow.

I’ll see you then!

~≈🚀≈~

For All Mankind — Series 4 Episode 8 — “Legacy” — A Review

30th December, 2023: an introduction!

Right … 

Is it Chicken Kiev … or Chicken Kyiv?

The war in Ukraine is such that we show our support for one or the other side by spelling the name of the dish — and the city — as Kiev: the Russian way.

Or Kyiv, the Ukrainian way.

Either way … ?

I don’t know that it matters, much, right here and now.

What matters?

Is simply the fact that — once I’ve eaten the one I’m having for dinner? — I’ll be watching “Legacy”, the next episode of For All Mankind.

Then telling you all about it!

~≈🪐≈~

For All Mankind — Series 4 Episode 7 — “Crossing the Line” — A Review

23rd December, 2023: an introduction.

Right … it’s Saturday night as I write this.

And?

Once again, I’m using the back-up laptop to do so.

It’s not a nice experience: but will do for now.

Until my iMac gets back from the repair shop.

I’ve spoken to the shop: and it could well be ready, tomorrow.

The place is a short train journey away.

On a day when the trains aren’t running!

Heigh-ho!

~≈🛸≈~

At any rate?

It’s Saturday.

And ... ?

As I’m going to be watching Dr Who on Monday, I’m going to be watching “Crossing the Line”, the next episode of For All Mankind, tonight.

Then telling you about it, tomorrow evening!

Hopefully, I'll see you then!

~≈🛸≈~

For All Mankind — Series 4 Episode 6 — “Leningrad” — A Review

18th December, 2023: the Introduction.

Right ... it's Monday.

And ... ?

Dinner is, as ever, cooking: steak and chips.

With vegetables.

Frankly?

I'm worried.

Because I'm very aware that the introduction video on this post ... isn't up to my usual standard.

Basically?

My usual daily driver -- a 21.5", 2017 iMac -- is being repaired: and it's going to cost a fortune to do.

Times are tough: and I hate to ask.

But, if you can help, financially -- by pressing this link, or pressing the Donate button in the sidebar -- I'd appreciate.

~≈🛸≈~

At any rate?

It's Monday, 18th December, the last of the cards are posted -- after forgetting to take them with me, when I went out -- dinner's doing, and?

I'm going to be watching “Leningrad”, the sixth episode of For All Mankind's fourth series, tonight.

And publishing this review, tomorrow: on the 19th December.

Hopefully?

I'll see you then!

~≈🛸≈~

For All Mankind — Series 4 Episode 5 — “Goldilocks” — A Review

11th December, 2023: an introduction and announcement.

Right … 

I’m writing this — as I always do — on a Monday evening: as potatoes are boiling.

And now in the oven.

Yep: I’m making my own chips.

At any rate … ?

I’m doing dinner.

And, once that — and tonight’s I’m Sorry, I Haven’t A Clue listened to — I’ll be watching “Goldilocks”, the next episode of For All Mankind’s fourth series.

I’ll have my written and video reviews up, tomorrow night!

I’ll see you then … 

~≈🛸≈~

For All Mankind — Series 4 Episode 4 — “House Divided” — A Review

4th December, 2023: the Introduction.

Right … it’s now officially Monday!

In case you hadn’t guessed.

And?

Yes: that means potatoes are being boiled … and dinner prepared.

And possibly another video or two, being cut.

At any rate: it’s Monday, and I’m going to be watching “House Divided”: the next episode of For All Mankind.

By the time you’re reading this?

It’s be the 5th December: hopefully, you’ll be enjoying my review!

~≈🚀≈~