Star Trek Picard — Series 1 Episode 10 — Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 2 — A Review

9th April, 2020.

You know, I think I’ve just got the Clap … 

I’m being very metaphorical, here, I should add!

For the past few weeks, the idea of clapping — at 8 o’clock on a Thursday evening — to show ones appreciation for the keyworkers of the National Health Service.

I have to admit to feeling a little bit uncomfortable about it, myself.

Yes: it’s a nice gesture: one that shows our support for a service that is Britain’s finest.

But I can’t help but think it’s exactly that: a gesture.

One we don’t do under normal circumstances, when, maybe, we should.

And a gesture that should be replaced.

By proper funding for their places of work, a more than generous pay-rise for still living staff, good pensions … 

And equally good arrangements for the families of NHS staff who’ve died as a result of Covid-19.

~≈®≈~

All this happened of course, just as I was sitting down in front of the TV.

Gesture, or otherwise?

The least I could do was hold on for five minutes, whilst the applause was going on.

Before I watch the last episode of Star Trek Picard, series one … 

~≈®≈~

Star Trek Picard* — Series 1 Episode 9 — Et in Arcadia Ego, Part 1 — A Review

6th April, 2020.

Right: I have to be honest … I’ve got some music on, at the moment.

Bass Culture, by the utterly hypnotic Linton Kwesi Johnson.

It’s not quite as heavy as his two earlier albums.

But still good to hear.

At any rate, I’ve been — you’ve possibly guessed it — watching TV.

Yes: I’ve caught another episode of Star Trek Picard’s first series … 

~≈†≈~

Star Trek Picard — Series 1 Episode 8 — Broken Pieces — A Review

4th April, 2020.

Is it possibly to be mildly outraged by something?

Now I look back at the introductory video?

I can’t help but think outrage is possibly too strong a word.

Although I’ve possibly a couple of things to be outrage at.

One?

Earlier to day, I went to the Brentwood branch of Sainbury’s.

Where, whilst queueing up, along side everyone else?

View this post on Instagram

Who the hell is the show off in the Lamborghini?

A post shared by Paul Nikolas Nak Downie (@mrcuddy2977) on Apr 4, 2020 at 4:16am PDT

I noticed the guy in the bright green Lamborghini, trying to park.

A Lamborghini, for  crying out loud.

That’s a little bit excessive, for just a loaf and a couple of spuds, would you say?

~≈¥≈~

The other thing that annoyed me?

I saw this piece of news, earlier.

Telling us a couple of 5G phone masts had been set on fire: with at least one attacking claiming they were attacking the site as 5G phone masts were responsible for the current Corona virus outbreak.

Ye … mothering … GODS!!!

How much of an idiot do you have to be to believe some of the sillier conspiracy theories doing the rounds?

Especially the bit of arse-hattery* that says a telephone pole can give you a virus?

And that you need to burn something down, or wear a tinfoil hat?

Ye gods!

~≈¥≈~

At ANY rate … ?

It’s a Saturday, I’ve been shopping, I’ve eaten …

And I have, as promised, managed to catch some TV.

Yes.

Another episode of Star Trek Picard’s first series.

~≈¥≈~

Star Trek Picard — Series 1 Episode 7 — Nepenthe — A Review

2nd April, 2020.

Hmmm … 

I’m having a problem, here.

Or was.

I was trying to find a way to open this post.

Telling you I’m having trouble starting it?   Seems as good a way as any, to start.

At any rate, I’m in the UK: life under lockdown is … 

Well, quiet: the trains are running a Sunday shrive, the traffic’s a lot quieter … and the neighbours don’t seem to be out much.

Personally?

I’m still job hunting, laundering … 

And frankly?

Watching TV.

And frankly?

Watching yet another episode of Star Trek Picard, series one.

~≈Ç≈~

Star Trek Picard — Series 1 Episode 6 — The Impossible Box — A Review

31st March, 2020.

You know, the video — the introductory video — is possibly going to be interesting … or just look odd.

Depending on your point of view.

But there’s something of an explanation for it, if nothing else.

I write brainteasers.

And, just to keep my ears occupied, whilst writing?

I’ll have old episodes of whatever, on in the background.

Today?

The six part, William Hartnell, Doctor Who story, The Web Planet.

Which, in the final episodes?   Sees the alien species the TARDIS crew are working with, the Menoptra, trying to lure a Zarbi to where they want to go … 

By yelling ‘zaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar-BEEEE,’ at it.

In assorted strange voices.

When you’re a Menoptra?

You have to do this sort of thing.

When your the person watching Menoptra doing their thing … ?

All sorts of things stick in your mind!

Frankly?

Watching something else, to make sure that you get a TV earworm — eyeworm? — out of your head makes a certain amount of sense.

Yes.

I’ve seen the next episode of Star Trek Picard’s first series … 

~≈†≈~

Star Trek Picard — Series 1 Episode 5 — Stardust City Rag — A Review

26th March, 2020.

Right … 

I’m unemployed, have a long term health condition — diabetes, since you ask — and am mildly frustrated about the corona virus lockdown.

There’s many things worth complaining about, I think.

One thing that does give me mixed feelings?

Is the — admittedly few — people on TV complaining about the amount of benefits they’re getting, as a result of being laid of in the crisis.

I know it’s hard: having been out of a job for two years, now., and on a very low income.

There’s nothing I can do about that, until the job situation improves.

To see others unused to being in my boat complaining about it, when the system is creaking under unprecedented strain?

Smacks of … 

There was one woman on the BBC News, today, compiling about the amount of Statutory Sick Pay she was receiving.

She’d been given it, if I’ve understood things correctly, as she was having to self-isolate: and complaining about the amount.

That she couldn’t live on that amount.

To me, struggling to manage on the amount I get … ?

It smacked of either ingratitude … or just plain old whinging …

~≈‡≈~

At any rate … ?

At any rate, I — like many of us — am stuck indoors.

With, quite literally, just my TV for company.

The TV … and another episode in the first series of Star Trek Picard…

~≈‡≈~

Star Trek Picard — Series 1 Episode 4 — Absolute Candor — A Review

24th March, 2020.

You know, I’ in the UK: and the UK … ?

Is on lock down.

We can only go out … ?   To shop for essentials, do banking, or get medication.

It’s very frustrating.

I’m job hunting, and, at the moment?

I was due to have a meeting at the job centre in a week and a half’s time.

Which then got converted into a phonemail in a week and a half’s time.

Which then got cancelled, this morning.

The job centre’s processing a lot of new claims.

I … 

I can understand why they’re going that: there’s a lot of pole redundant, however temporarily.

But I’ve enough experience with the Department of Work and Pensions — the government departments that organise the benefits system — to try and keep a paper trail of what they’ve told me.

~≈®≈~

At any rate … ?

I’m stuck indoors: as are we all.

If nothing else?

I can catch up with another episode of the TV show I’m watching, right now: another episode of series one of Star Trek Picard.

~≈®≈~

Star Trek Picard — Series 1 Episode 2 — Maps and Legends — A Review

20th March, 2020.

It’s officially official: I’m unemployed.

But you knew that, anyway: especially if you’ve been following me for a while.

So … ?

I don’t get out much.

Given the circumstances?

That’s possibly a good thing.

As the government has informed pubs, bars, restaurants and gyms that they should close up, tonight … 

And stay closed for an indefinite amount of time from tomorrow.

That’s going to hurt the industry.

Speaking as an ex barman?

There’s going to be a lot more of us, around.

There’s also my former profession: of pub quiz master.

I know one of two quiz masters, DJs, musicians who are now out of work.

Ans, as self employed … ?

I don’t know if the qualify for the help the government’s offering.

~≈†≈~

At any rate … ?

Not going out … ?

Not going out means … a lot of things, actually.

But mainly … ?

That I’m going to be the usual thing.

Yes.

Watching a lot of TV.

Tonight … ?   I’ve caught another episode of Star Trek Picard’s first series …

~≈†≈~