Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-12-2025 — Dalek Day.

21st December, 2025: Dalek Day.

Right … it’s officially Solstice.

Which means it’s the shortest day of the year, and it’s going to start getting dark, early.

Does it mean we have an excuse to start singing?

Not if you have a voice like mine!

Some else can do the job!

~≈🔔≈~

Did I mention yesterday wasn’t the Solstice … ?

Yesterday wasn’t the Solstice.

But did see my nephew pay a visit: and upload a video.

Feel free to hit the like button … !

~≈🚀≈~

Nik Nak's Daily Teaser — 21-12-2023 — The Daleks

21st December, 2023: The Daleks.

It's officially Thursday.

And?

I'm counting down the days until my iMac's repaired: it's due, tomorrow.

Not that I'm feeling anxious, or anything.

But I'm feeling anxious!

You possibly couldn't tell, could you!?

~≈⸸≈~

At any rate ... ?

In amongst all the various shades of panic, anxiety and caffeinated drinks?

I had a workman visit!

To repair the extractor fan in my bathroom.

Unfortunately?

He couldn't do it: as, apparently, he didn't have the right kit with him.

Or it was too fiddly a job for the kit he had.

That was disappointing.

But at least he was able to arrange for another appointment: when he could bring the relevant stuff.

~≈⸸≈~

Dr Who Anniversary Specials — The Daleks In Colour — A Review

23rd November 2023: The Daleks In Colour — Introduced.

Yes: I know.

It’s Thursday: and I’m planning on watching TV.

After I’ve had dinner.

And … ?   As ever, I’m planning on watching a very specific TV show.

Given today is officially the 60th Anniversary of the first broadcast of TV show, Doctor Who?

Given I’m a fan?

I’m doing dinner slightly earlier: so that I can catch the 19:30 broadcast of The Daleks In Colour on BBC 4.

The thing’s an edited, colourised version of the original Dalek story.

Granted?

I’m worried it could go the way of the original VHS release of The Brain of Morbius.

We’ll have to see!

~≈Ω≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-12-2022 — The Daleks

21st December, 2022: The Daleks

Right … it’s now officially Wednesday: and the shortest day of the year.

Frankly?

It’s one I’m expecting to be quiet.

Well … quiet … bar worrying about my gas bill.

I had my voucher, yesterday: the one that’s part of the fuel rebate, and that got held up by the postal strike and bad weather.

I cashed that off as soon as I got it, and put the money onto my gas meter.

Seeing how much money was on there, after the recent cold snap?

That was scary … !

~≈Ç≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-2-2022: World Wildlife Day

3rd March, 2022.

Yes: it’s a Thursday.

And?

I’m going to be going to going to going to my Thursday Weight Zoom Meeting.

It’s a drone fest, but helpful: it’s got me talking to people.

I’ve also double checked on my weight for it.

The reason I was worrying up, last week?   Was because I didn’t check if my scales had been zeroed.

I reset it, this morning: and got a result more in line with more recent results.

Phew!

~≈⚖️≈~

You’ll possibly have guessed I’m a fan of Dr Who.

One who’s just caught this scene from Genesis of the Daleks, on YouTube.

I’m just wondering about a plot point.

Did Davros make up the word, ‘Dalek’?

Or did he find it in the Doctor’s interrogation record … ?

Just a thought … 

~≈🐙≈~

Eve of the Daleks — A Review

1st January, 2021.

Right … ?

It’s just gone six on a Saturday night: and some silly quiz is on the TV, right now.

Frankly?

It’s noise: at least, as far as I’m concerned.

Its replacement … ?

Is a celebrity version of The Weakest Link: hosted by Romesh Ranganathan.

Which is a bit more watchable: even if I don’t recognise the celebrities.

At any rate … ?

I’ve got these on, as I’m waiting for the first of three Dr Who specials for 2022: Eve of the Daleks.

~≈📺≈~

Doctor Who — The Evil of the Daleks: Episode 1 — A Review

10th December, 2021.

Right … 

I’m going to do this post in two chunks: I’m starting it, now, so that I’ve got a link I can add to the video introduction that you’ve — hopefully — just watched.

One I can also add to the video version of the review: later tonight, or tomorrow.

Either way?

I’m going to turn off the music I’m playing — the 12” version of Propanga’s Dr Mabuse — then grab a cup of tea … 

And watch Episode 1 of The Evil of the Daleks.

Back, soon!

~≈📺≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 21-12-2020: The Daleks

21st December, 2020.

Right … 

Did I mention I had a flu jab, on Saturday*?

It’s why I didn’t do my usual post about the most recent episode of Star Trek Discovery I’ve seen, last night.

I was feeling mildly awful, to be honest!

I’ll be remedying the lack, tonight!

~≈🖖🏼≈~

Oh … I’m stuck indoors again: the gas safety check’s today.

~≈🖖🏼≈~

El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 2: Episode 2 — El tiempo en sus manos/The time on his hands — A Review

14th February, 2019.

Right, OK: I’ll admit it, and confirm what my introductory post has said.

I have — with the minimal savings I had — managed to buy a book.

I’ve bought a few, over the past few weeks.

And own a lot more in my own personal library.

Right now though?

I’m just personally glad to own a copy of The Daleks: the novelisation of the first Dr Who story to feature the creatures.

Whilst the version I have is a reprint?   The original was published in 1964: and was the first Dr Who series to be released as a novel.

It’s ALSO somewhat different from the televised version: as Unearthly Child wasn’t novelised until the 1980s, it’s introduces us to Ian and Barbara in a different way: they meet for the first time, just outside a police box … on a fog shrouded common.

~≈§≈~

As you may or may not know … ?

I’ve actually read it, before.

Many years ago, I actually managed to pick up an original, 1965 paper back edition of the book: when it still went under the title of Doctor Who in an Exciting Adventure with the Daleks.

Would you believe it, I’d found it at a scout jumble sale.

That original?   Was barely held together by sticky tape, was definitely not what you call mint … 

and is long since gone.

So … ?   Frankly, buying this edition is — to a certain extent — reliving my childhood.

But also interesting in another sense.

It’s me, having a lot at my favourite TV pho’s history: as an adult, rather than a slightly geeky teen.

Frankly?

I’m just wondering whether to put it at the top of my ‘To Read’ pile, or at the bottom.

We’ll see.

~≈§≈~

At any rate … ?

Dr Who is not all I wanted to tell you about, tonight.

Not by a long shot.

Oh, no.

As you’ve possibly realised, I tend to like a TV series, now and again.

There’s a few I’ve kept an eye open for.

Dr Who, obviously.

Merlin.   Mr Robot, The Man in the High Castle, House of Cards and American Horror Story, amongst others.

There’s others.

Of course there are.

Including the Spanish language series, El Ministerio del Tiempo: The Ministry of Time, to give it it’s English name.

I have to say, I started watching Series 2, last night.

Which, it has to be said, was a fantastic piece of work: one that demanded a second episode be JUST as good.

~≈§≈~

Dr Who — New Year’s Day Special 2019: Resolution

1st January, 2019.

You know, I THINK … my nephew likes games.

At least … he’s been over, tonight, to see Doctor Who.

Which we ended up watching, I should add.

Although it has to said, Jude has decided he like the look of Armagetron Advanced, the light-bike style game that’s been on my Mac for … 

Well, ever since I got a Mac running a version of OS X.

The PPC version of Tiger (OS X 10•4•x) on an old G4 …



Since you’re asking.



About the only WORRYING thing … ?



Is that Armagetron Advanced hasn’t managed to upgrade to a 64 bit version.

I’m getting a worrying amount of “This App Is Not Optimised” warnings …

At any rate, the reason my nephew was over … ?

Was the TV … 

Was specifically a TV show … 

The TV show … 

Dr Who … 

Resolution … 

~≈§≈~

Dr Who Series Nine: Episode 1 — The Magician’s Apprentice

19th September, 2015.

Now, here’s a rarity … 

I’ve opened a post … but have no screen shots to go with it … 

You’re possibly wondering what I’m talking about, aren’t you … ?   You are, aren’t you … ?   I can tell, you know.

A screen shot, so you know, is a photo: usually of something that’s on the screen — hence the name — of a computer, phone or tablet.

Occasionally … ?

It is — if it’s from a computer screen — an application window.

It’s application windows I’m thinking of, here.

You see, I’ve just watched the opening episode of Dr Who series 9 — episode 1, The Magician’s Apprentice — and come away very impressed.

EXCEPT for one thing.

My system — a first generation Mac Pro, running OS X 10.7.x, Lion — is hard at work.

Letting me write this post, whilst ripping a copy of The Curse Of Fenric with HandBreak, and using the native copy of QuickTime to export tonight’s episode into a form I can play back later.

All this … and keeping TweetDeck open, to see what’s going past … !

Frankly … ?   I’ve turned off the heating, under the circumstances.

And not yet had a chance to do a screenshot from the episode.

Wallpaper will have to do.

~≈Ê≈~

Doctor Who Series 8 — Into the Dalek: Oh, Hello … !

30th August, 2014.

You know, I think I’ve had an evening, tonight.

No, really … !

Obviously, I’ve had an evening.

I know that.

You know that.

We know that.

All that actually remains … ?

Is for me to tell you what I’m talking about.

~≈Î≈~

The Daily Teaser — 24-2-2013

Right, JUST as a question … ?

Is any one reading this on Facebook … ?   And getting rapidly annoyed by the beeping noises the site’s recently started to make, whenever one gets a notification … ?

I am … !

I’m just thankful I’m following Star Trek veteran George Takei* also mentioned it … !

Thankfully, whenever a celebrity mentions it, SOMEONE posts up a solution … !

If you’re getting annoyed by that beeping, you can turn it off, here

Right … 

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?   Yes, let’s … !

»»·««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw Debbiª putting in her answers: along with posting up this, she also managed to bag 5 out of 5.

Let’s see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we … ?

Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video … 

Q1) 24th February, 2010, saw who become the first cricketer to score a double century, in a One Day International game … ?

Q2) More to the point, which international side was he playing for … ?

Q3) 24th February, 1942, was the date of the ‘Battle of Los Angeles’: the (possible) air-raid than many people believe to be the first recorded sightings of what … ?

Q4) 24th February, 1955, saw the birth of Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs: what was the name of the animation studio he co-founded … ?

Q5) 24th February, 1868, saw who become the first US president to be impeached by the US House of Representatives … ?

Q6) And finally … 24th February, 2007, saw Japan launch it’s fourth what … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers

Q1) 23rd February saw the first powered flight in Canada: and the British Empire.   By which plane: the Silver Dart, the Golden Arrow or the Platinum Flechette … ?

A1) The Silver Dart.

Q2) 23rd February, 1883, saw Alabama pass what sort of law: a libel law, an antitrust law or contract law … ?

A2) Antitrust Law.   (You know, there’s a certain recovering lawyer of my acquaintance who’s eyeballing that question … )

Q3) 23rd February, 1954, saw the first use of the Salk vaccine: in Pittsburgh.   What disease does the Salk vaccine vaccinate against … ?

A3) Polio: or Poliomyelitis, if you want it in full.

Q4) 23rd February, 1999, saw the destruction of the small village of Galtür destroyed by an avalanche.   In which European country is Galtür … ?

A4) Austria.

Q5) And finally … 23rd February, 532 AD saw Justinian 1st order the building of which cathedral … ?

A5) The Hagia Sophia.   (Although, strictly, it started as a Basilica, then turned into a Mosque and is now a museum.   I always thought it had the relics of John the Baptist: but it turns out they’re in the Topkapi … )

I’ll leave you with Plastic Bertrand’s one international hit, Ça plane pour moi … 

With this quote from the late Steve Jobs …

“I’m the only person I know that’s lost a quarter of a billion dollars in one year.... It’s very character-building.”

Steve Jobs, February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011

I’ll also leave you with the rather sad news of the death of former BBC staff designer, Ray Cusick.

Sci-fi fans will know his work.   He built these guys … 

*        And noted Gay Rights activist, I should add, at this point … !

ª        THINK I managed to hit the like button for you, Debbi.   By the way … was that Wil Wheaton … ?   He get’s about … !

Dr Who Series 7 Episode 1: The Asylum of the Daleks

Hmmm … 

Now, that I’m thinking, is an interesting opening to a season.

Possibly.

Hmmm … 

You’re possibly wondering what on Earth I’m talking about, aren’t you?   Aren’t you … ?

Well … 

Now’s as good a chance as any to try and explain, isn’t it?

~~~~~

As both my regular readers — and most of my friends — will tell you, I’m something of a Doctor Who fan: and have been for years.

So today, I’ll happily admit to having headed out to mow my Mum’s garden, and babysit my nephew Jude, and pick a couple of bits and bobs from the Brentwood High Street branch of both the Co-op, and Wilkinsons.

I like toilet roll: at least, I hate running out of it … !

And on top of this … ?

I wanted to make sure I got back home in time to cook myself some dinner and settle in to watch the opening episode of Series 7, Asylum of the Daleks.

Which was … 

Interesting … 

Yes, interesting, let’s put it that way.

~~~~~

Asylum of the Daleks sees the Doctor being summoned by the mysterious Darla von Karlstein to the original Dalek homeworld of Skaro: she — seemingly — wishes him to rescue her daughter from a Dalek prison camp.

As it turns out … ?   Darla is actually a Dalek agent: primed to kidnap the Doctor, Amy and Rory, to bring them before what’s called The Parliament of the Daleks.

It seems the Doctor’s oldest foe has a little job for the Doctor.

Helping them clean out the Asylum of the title: the planetoid where the Daleks keep the most rabidly deranged members of their species.

They’ve got … an intruder …

And the only person they trust to get into the Asylum to help them clean out both intruder and patients is the Doctor …

~~~~~

Now, I have to admit, I enjoyed tonight’s episode, I did.

It’s seemingly set up the oncoming series, briefly reintroduced us to the main characters whilst updating us about what they’ve been doing — modelling and getting divorced, I should add, here — and given  us an introduction to Jenna Louise Coleman, who’ll be debuting as the new companion later in the year.

And seemingly … ?

I’m thinking the few episodes we’ve been told constitute this first batch of stories — show-runner, Steven Moffat has been adamant that Series 7 will be 13 episodes — don’t seem to tie off any of the questions raised in series 6.

The whole thing with The Silence didn’t seem very well finished to me, in other words.

I guess we’ll have to see what happens, won’t we … ?

An Opening … !!

*Spoilers*

You know, I think I’m impressed.

No, wait, scrub that.

I think I’m gobsmacked!

Seriously.

Because I’ve just watchedThe Pandorica Opens, the penultimate episode of series 5 of Doctor Who.

Now, I’m not too sure where, but I can remember reading, somewhere, a quote — from someone! — that referred to the new Dr Who’s reviver, Russell T. Davies, as “… Dr Who’s answer to P. T. Barnum”.

I can understand that.

After all, when RTD was on form with the series finale episodes, he’d write up — and then made sure got produced — a BIG finale!

And up until tonight, I’d’ve said Stephen Moffat and the crew would’ve had a job a a half to match some of the Russell T. Davies helmed two-parters.

Mr Davies had, after all, successfully revived the show, and set the standards, and raised it, year after year, after year.

Tonight, though?

Stephen Moffat and the cast and crew have managed to match that standard.

Can they match it in the second part, though … ?

The Pandorica Opens sees a warning from Vincent van Gogh getting delivered to the Doctor, via Winston Churchill, and by the hand of Alex Kingston’s River Song.

That the TARDIS is going to explode.

‹‹‹•›››

Wish I’d a screen grab of that, but maybe later … !

‹‹‹•›››

But the basics of the painting are simple.

That the TARDIS is due for destruction.

And that the much spoken of Pandorica …

Is under Stonehenge …

Phew!

And the Pandorica isn’t the fairy-tale that the Doctor had thought.

But it is a prison.

An incredibly tight, secure prison.

Designed by every single one of the Doctor’s foes still around.

Daleks.

Sontarans.

Cybermen.

Actually*, there’s a rather scary scene with an armless, headless Cyberman that’s rather gruesome: because you get the real scare when Amy has to deal with the cyberman’s head, first. Then the contents. Which was gross!

There’s Slitheen. (Yes, I know they’re Raxacorycofalipatoreansª, but I’m blowed if I could spell it!)

Judoon.

And one Auton.

One very special Auton.

One very familiar looking Auton.

That’s disguised as Rory …

Which is tragic.

But the Auton Rory has been constructed by the Nestene with one job, seemingly in mind: to distract Amy for the rest of the Axis of Evil …

‹‹‹•›››

Which is where the showmanship comes into play, of course.

Because lead writer, Stephen Moffat and the crew have done a stunner of a penultimate episode, here.

An episode that sees the Dr imprisoned by every single one of his foes.

An episode that sees River Songº trapped — and unable to help — in a rapidly disintegrating TARDIS.

An episode that heavily implies that The TARDIS is under the control of something …

And an episode that sees the Auton that turns out to be Rory shoot Amy …

‹‹‹•›››

Whoah … !

Like I said, earlier, this is a gobsmacking episode.

Because The Pandorica Opens is the emotional high point, thus far, of this series.

Going on this form … ?

Moffat, Smith and Gillan have settled in.

To answer my earlier question, about matching this in episode 13? I seriously think they can.

‹‹‹•›››

* Actually, I think that bit would’ve seriously had the former head of the National Viewers and Listeners Association screaming!

º Do you remember what River Song says in the Weeping Angels two parter, this year … ? That she’s in prison for killing one of the best men she ever knew … ? I’m wondering if that’ll come back to haunt us … !

ª Exactly how many ‘a’’s are there in that word are there, anyway … ? ComBom … ?