Good Omens — Series 3 Episode 1 — “The Finale” — A Review

20th May, 2026: The Introduction.

It’s officially the case: that I’m starting to catch up with myself.

Or, at least, that I’ve got dinner on the go, caught up with the Teasers and released a video: about copying blu-rays discs.

Frankly?

I’m glad I found the ‘drop shadow’ feature in Final Cut Pro.

I don’t know if it does much for the opening titles … but at least the shadowing helps, I think.

At any rate … ?   And with that out of the way?

I can move on.

And catch up with a few things.

One thing I meant to catch up with?

Is a few TV shows.

So, tonight?

I’m going to eat dinner, wash up, boil the kettle … 

And watch the last ever episode of Good Omens.

Given this review will take a while … ?

I expect to have this written review done by Friday, 22d May, and expect to have the video done the same day.

I hope you’ll be sticking around for … “The Finale” … 

~≈🪽≈~

Good Omens Series 2 Episode 6 — “Every Day” — A Review

29th September, 2023: the Introduction.

It’s official: I’ve been into town, today!

Strangely enough?

It was the second time I got out of the flat, today: I posted a letter, the first time.

The second time was to have an eye test!

The excitement’s overwhelming you, isn’t it … ?

At any rate … ?

I’m now, officially, cooking dinner.

And … ?

Kicking myself for not telling people about this video, by an old friend:

I can’t think who the extra presenter is!

At any rate … ?

Dinner is being cooked.

Stuff has been transferred from an external drive, to TV.app.

And, more specifically?

Once I’ve eaten, I’m going to be settling in with “Every Day”, the last episode of Good Omens … then tell you about it, tomorrow night.

I’ll see you then.

~≈👹≈~

Good Omens Series 2 Episode 5 — “The Ball” — A Review

22nd September, 2023: The Intro.

It’s Friday: and … ?

I officially live in a ground floor flat.

And have just seen three — count them, three — whole police vans go past.

Police Technical Support vans, so you know.

Quite what’s happening at the other ens of my street?

I think I’d rather not know!

~≈👼🏻≈~

At any rate … ?

It’s Friday night.

Which means?

Well, as ever, it’s fish and chips for dinner!

Next … ?

I’ll be watching the next episode of Good Omens: then telling you about it, tomorrow.

Assuming we’ve not been arrested.

~≈👼🏻≈~

Good Omens Series 2 Episode 4 — “The Hitchhiker” — A Review

15th September, 2023: the Introduction.

Right … 

It’s officially Friday.

And … ?

Potatoes have just been chopped up: then boiled … and shoved into the oven.

Fridays, for the past few months have taken a vague form.

Make and eat dinner.

Watching a video whilst having dinner: and old friend is doing some interesting stuff about Judge Dredd.

Then … ?

Once I’ve eaten, washed up, cleaned my teeth, done the hoovering, conquered the world, and ensured a meaningful peace in the Middle East … ?

Or, at least, washed up … ?

I’ll be watching the next episode of Good Omens’ second series: and telling you about it tomorrow night.

I’ll be back, then!

~≈😈≈~

Good Omens Series 2 Episode 3 — “I Know Where I’m Going” — A Review

8th September, 2023: the intro.

Right … I’m writing this on Friday.

And, if you’re in my part of the UK … ?

You’re as aware as I am, that it’s damn hot!

Hot enough to make cooking dinner decidedly uncomfortable.

Frankly?

I can only hope that it cools down at some point over the next few days.

Blistering hot summers aren’t supposed to last into September!

~≈👼🏻≈~

At any rate … ?

I’m writing this on Friday, 8th September: whilst dinner’s doing.

And?

Once that’s done, a video about Judge Dredd commented on, and washing up out of the way … ?

I’ll be posting my reviews of “I Know Where I’m Going”: and find out exactly what that title means!

Back, tomorrow … 

~≈👼🏻≈~

Good Omens Series 2 Episode 2 — “The Clue” — A Review

1st September, 2023: the Intro.

Right … I have to admit to starting this post, very early.

At roughly 11:30 on a Friday morning.

A lot earlier than usual: normally I’m cooking dinner.

But?

I’m looking after my nephew, today.

And I’ve started this review post early, to save time, later.

At ANY rate?

I’m going to be watching another episode of Good Omens, tonight: and telling you about it, tomorrow: I’ll see you then.

~≈😈≈~

Good Omens Series 2 Episode 1 — “The Arrival” — A Review.

25th August, 2023: An Introduction.

It’s official: it’s Friday.

And I’ve just turned down my chips.

Turned down the heat of the oven that’s cooking my chips, I should say!

At any rate, it’s Friday: and I’ve had a few weeks off.

At least from watching a TV show, then telling you about it.

The last series I caught?   Was Star Trek Strange New Worlds’ very impressive second series: something that climaxed with the tenth episode, “Hegemony”.

The next series I’m planning to catch … ?

Is the second season of Good Omens.

It’s something I’m looking forward to.

With a certain amount of trepidation.

I’m a fan of Terry Pratchett: the original novel, by he and Neil Gaiman, is something I’m fond of.

As was the original series.

So?   I’m looking forward to this second series: knowing it’s not based on a second book in the universe the pair worked on.

I’m looking forward to it … with some trepidation.

Frankly?

We’ll have to see what I make of this.

I will, as ever, have this first written review up on 26/8/2023: with the video version not long after.

~≈🪽≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 10th November, 2020.

10th November, 2020

Wouldn’t you know it … ?

There’s now a supplemental update for macOS Catalina 10.15.7 … !

Which sounds a bit underwhelming, I know.

I’m also aware the update includes several security patches.

So installing it, as soon as possible?

Would be a good idea.

Apple — being garrulous for once — and telling us that exploits that use the feature being spotted in the wild is … rare … 

~≈Á≈~

It’s officially official.

I’ve just had a phone call: from my landlord.

The repair man is due down, today, to reinstall the security bar on the from door.

And, as I managed to get the call in, in time?

ALSO have a look at the internal door handle.

Here’s hoping … 

~≈Á≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 30-3-2020: Florida, Again …

30th March, 2020.

Right … 

The one thing I can do, today?

Is make sure I buy binbags!

I forgot them on Saturday.

And, wouldn’t you know it?

Nowhere nearby had any!

Isn’t shopping a drag … ?

~≈¥≈~

At any rate … ?

The lockdown’s not made much of a difference for me: I’m trying to keep in touch with friends and family.

And trying to keep job hunting, and blogging, as well.

I’m in the midst of prepping up the next set of Teaser videos as we speak.

Because I’m doing that … ?

The Star Trek Picard reviews are … taking longer than I though they would.

But … ?

I’ll be adding to that list: Michelle Hurd’s something to watch!

As is Patrick Stewart’s ’Allo ’Allo routine … !

~≈¥≈~

Good Omens — Series 1: Episode 6 — The Very Last Day Of The Rest Of Their Lives — A Review

5th July, 2019.

Sad times can be very sad.   As you’ve possibly realised.

There’s upsides: although these are bitter sweet.

IN my particular case?



Simply a touch of money inherited from my stepfather: with the help of my two sisters, Anna and Ruth.

I’ve been able to replace a few big ticket items around the house.

I’ve a new oven due, for example.

A new tumble dryer’s* been delivered, as has a new microwave oven.

Bits, bobs, clothes, a new book or two: the Dune Encyclopedia looks good.

And unbelievably detailed.

The other thing I’ve picked up: with a bit of a story too it?

Is a new TV.

Which is now in place: in front of my favourite armchair, and loudly playing some Eno inspired ambient.

Having just been used … 

To watch the last episode of Good Omens …

Did anyone else catch the Dr Who† reference … ?

~≈§≈~

Episode 6 — The Very Last Day Of The Rest Of Their Lives — opens with a brief glimpse of the future: showing us Crowley (David Tennant) being put on trial by his peers.

Stepping back … ?



It shows us why.

Shows us Adam (Sam Taylor Buck) confronting Gabriel (Jon Hamm) and Beelzebub (Anna Maxwell Martin) … 

Confronting — and winning out against — the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse … 

And finally?

Confronting Satan (Benedict Cumberbatch) himself.



And then … … ?



Then having to deal with his annoyed father, Arthur (Daniel Mays).



Sometimes, the only way to stop the Antichrist … ?

Is to ground him … 

~≈§≈~

Now … 


Good … ?



I have to say yes.



This episode of Good Omens is a very light and fluffy climax: for what’s been a faithful adaptation.

Fluffy … ?



Might be the wrong word … 

Light might be the better one.



Good Omens, much like the novel itself?

Is both satirical: taking the proverbial Michael out of human foibles, out of our deep tendency to view our side as the good guys … and the other side as demons incarnate.



But also shows us something else.

We’re human.



All of us.

Good or bad, black or white, male, or female, Antichrist or otherwise, what we are … ?



IS sometimes less important than who we are.

~≈§≈~

As a final thought … ?

As a final thought, I have to admit, I’ve always had an ambiguous relationship with the film — or TV show — of the book.

I find the details that reach the screen don’t look anything like the ones that have crawled off the page and into my head.

Neither do the actors.

I believe I share that with a lot of fans.

I worried about how Good Omens would turn out.

I don’t think I should have.

This is a very good adaption: true to the book, and with a cast that’s top notch.

It’s I think will delight fans … 


And, hopefully, interest non-fans.

Can I suggest that, if you’ve read my posts about the show, and been encouraged to watch Good Omens?



That you do me a favour, and read the original novel.

I think it’ll will repay you.

*        The thing’s got an accompanying app.   An app, for God’s sake!

†        About half way through the episode, Adam is eventually taken home by his dad.   Arthur’s car’s number plate?   Spells out SIDRAT: the copied imitation TARDIS created by the War Chief and sold to his masters in Patrick Troughton’s last Dr Who‡ story, The War Games.

‡        There’s a few former Dr Who cast members in there.   Dan Starkey (Strax) turns up as a passerby, Anna Maxwell Martin (Beelzebub) was in a Christopher Ecclestone episode called The Long Game, Michael Sheen was in The Doctor’s Wife.   Then there’s David Tennant’s whole family …

Good Omens — Series 1: Episode 5 — The Doomsday Option — A Review

3rd July, 2019

I think we can say this: that we have to live with the consequences of our actions.

The one I’m worried about … ?

Is simply the fact I now have a green screen set up … !

OK, it’s not working perfectly: the thing only got unpacked a few hours ago, and needs ironing.

Which accounts for the speckled look.

But … ?



I know have a green screen: and I’m wondering where to put in between uses!

~≈Ü≈~

At any rate … ?

I’ve got a green screen that — once it’s ironed — I can use to do all sorts of basic compositing: including the effects seen in the video intro.



All that … ?



All that because I like talking about TV shows?

Well, yes: I always did like that Max Headroom effect.

At any rate … ?



And while we on the subject of TV … ?

Yes: I’ve seen another episode of Good Omens … !

~≈Ü≈~

Good Omens — Series 1: Episode 4 — Saturday Morning Funtime — A Review

1st July, 2019.

Yep: it’s been enough of a quiet day … 

To do a little shopping.



For practical stuff: rather than going on electronics.

I’m now expecting a tumble-dryer on Friday.

And more clothes … 



I don’t know about you, but I can only afford cheap stuff: which barely lasts for five minutes.

And means I end up spending more than someone who gets something of better quality … 

The good stuff lasts.



Hmm …



Remind me to tell you about Terry’s Pratchett’s boots theory.

Talking of which … ?



Did I tell you I watched more TV, tonight … ?

Yes … 

Good Omens … 

~≈¥≈~

Good Omens — Series 1: Episode 3 — Hard Times — A Review

27th June, 2019.

Yes!

My kitchen sink is not making hideously horribly glugging noises.

As you. Possibly aware, I had an issue with it, last night.

Something seemed to be coming up the pipes.

Quite why, or how … ?

I’m still not sure.

But … ?



At least I’ve managed to report it to my landlord.

~≈Ç≈~

At any rate … ?



Unemployment means I have time on my hands.

Time enough to get snotty: if my AppleTV starts playing up at a crucial moment.

OK: I can reset everything by switching it off, pulling out the power cable, then plugging it back in again.

But it IS awkward … 

And thankfully, something I didn’t have to do, before sitting down with episode 3 of … Good Omens … 

~≈Ç≈~

Good Omens — Series 1: Episode 2 — The Book — A Review

26th June, 2019.



Yep: it’s a thing … 



I have a kitchen sink that’s misbehaving: and upsurged a couple of times, tonight.

And yes: I have managed to clean that sink.

And unblock the drain.

All to no avail.

I still get upsurging.



And … ?

On the advise of my landlord’s out of hours service?

It’s something I’m going to have to chase up in the morning.

I just hope it doesn’t get so bad, it floods the place.

At any rate … ?

At any rate, it’s another quiet night: which means another episode of … 

Good Omens … 


~≈¥≈~

Good Omens — Series 1: Episode 1 — In The Beginning — A Review

25th June, 2019.

You know, there’s upsides and downsides, to life on the proverbial dole.

The length of time between interviews … the boredom …

It can leave you feeling … 

Mildly depressed, to say the least.

For me personally?

A couple of family deaths hasn’t helped.

Something I AM grateful for … ?

Is simply the amount of films and TV shows I’ve got access to: and the fact I can air my thoughts on what I see.

Yes: you’re right.

I’ve finally managed to access Good Omens: the series based on the book by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.

~≈§≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 3-3-2017: In Florida

I am still — still — yawning, at the moment.

That’s even after a night on a new mattress!

Still …

I’ve tomorrow and Sunday booked off as annual leave.

Which means one thing.

I can sleep in.

Unless something drastic, like the building burning down, happens.

Which I very much doubt.

~≈†≈~

At any rate … ?

I know that the next door neighbours will be quiet.

Lynn, who lived in the flat next door for the past decade?   Has now officially moved out, and handed back her keys.

Frankly?

I’m saddened.

As she was a good neighbour: and one of the few that have lived here longer than I have.

Right at the moment, though?

Yes, I know I’ve mentioned this before now.

But I’m wondering who on Earth’s going to move into the flat, next door!

~≈†≈~

The Doctor And Neil …

You know, I’ve said it before, and I’ll probably say it again, I was shocked when I learnt Peter Capaldi had been cast as the twelfth actor to play Doctor Who.

Shocked.

Surprised.

It has to be said,  I think I was actually shaking on the day.

Possibly not something to admit.

At ANY rate, I was shocked … 

But ALSO thinking — as I still do, now — that it’s the PERFECT bit of casting.

OK, I could be wrong — my belief that Daniel Rigby or Damien Molony would bag the part show that, very well — but on the whole, I think he’s going to prove superb.

~≈^≈~

But I’m ALSO very aware that writer, Neil Gaiman — who, along with Terry Pratchett, Storm Constantine, and the late Iain Banks is one of THE writers in the fantasy and science fiction, today — has written for the show.

And has raised an interesting point.

That the show’s producers have missed an opportunity, over the years, in not casting a black or Asian actor in the show’s lead role.

And that a black actor — who he did not name — had been approached to play the 11th Doctor, but had turned the job down.

Understandable, I think,

However different we may be from the 1970s and early 1980s — when Britain’s small black and Indian community would have had a seriously rough time — I think any black actor getting the offer would quite possibly have turned it down — in part — because science-fiction in the UK not being popular in amongst Britain’s various minority communities.

And, in part, for fear of a good old fashioned racist backlash.

Which I think is both a shame.

And a possibly damning indictment of a country that likes to think of itself as tolerant.

~≈^≈~

Now, I’ve heard an argument or two, against casting a person of colour in the role.

Which boil down to two different things.

For STARTERS … ?

Well, for starters, the good old fashioned idea of tokenism: the thought of casting a token black/asian actor, to show that the programmes at least had a token black actor as the lead character.   Or, if nothing else, as a companion or regular character.

I think we’d have to ask Freema Agyeman or Noel Clarke about that: to see if they believe their casting was something like that.

The OTHER argument … ?

Boils down to continuity.

Or, if you want to simplify it, and put it THIS way … 

IT ’S NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE … !

To my mind, that’s the stupidest argument in the book.

Up until Margaret Thatcher was elected in 1979, the UK had never had a woman as Prime Minister.

Up until Benjamin Odeje became the first black player to have worn an England Football shirt of any kind, with Viv Anderson, the first as a full international.

It’s only in the past few years the USA has elected a black American as president.

Now, to my way of thinking … ?

‘IT ’S NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE’ is possibly the most stupid argument going.

Things will not change and racism not challenged: unless and until people have the guts to do so.

And be the FIRST to do so … !

Coraline: Just For Kids … ?

26th May, 2013

You know, I’ve a very old friend who — when I mentioned, by SMS, what I was watching, tonightª — raised an interesting point.

“If you’re going to start watching films based on the work of Neil Gaiman, why start with what’s basically a kids film?”

There’s possibly a couple of good answers, there.

1)     When I rented it from iTunes, Coraline was the only adaption of Gaiman’s work that I knew about: frankly, I wasn’t going to faff about looking for another, unless I had more time.

2)     The other answer, the one I just thought of, making a cocoa while I was mulling over this post?   Was simply that we expect kids to start with kids films.   Some of which can be scary, if they’ve not been too Disneyfied‡.

I’m thinking, here that Coraline might well not be as scary as — say — The Wizard Of Oz* or The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey†.

But certainly isn’t Disney … !

~≈^≈~

Dr Who — Series 7, Part 2: Episode Twelve — Nightmare In Silver

You know, it’s times like this that I have to ask … 

“Why Have I Never Added Warwick Davies as A Tag To A Post … ?”

Bless him, he’s been in at least a couple of other things I’ve seen since living in Rollason Way: at least one episode of Merlin, plus, of course, he was the actor who played — to Alan Rickman’s voicing — of Marvin the Paranoid Android, in the film version of The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy.

At any rate … ?

I’ve managed to correct that, today, by adding Warwick to list of actors who get a mention in my tag list.   Newcomers will find THAT at the bottom of the page … 

At any rate, you’re probably wondering why on Earth I’m burbling on about, aren’t you … ?

Well … 

I’ve just seen tonight’s episode of Dr Who: and, whilst it’s possibly not the best episode of the show, ever … ?

Neil Gaiman, in writing Nightmare In Silver for the Moffat/Smith era team, has pulled another The Doctor’s Wife, out of the hat: and helped re-define part of the series mythos.

I’d better get explaining, hadn’t I … ?

~~~~†~~~~

Following directly on from last week’s episode — The Crimson Horror — Nightmare In Silver sees the Doctor —  Matt Smith’s ever ebullient Eleventh — taking Clara — along with Angie* and Artie, the two children she’s the nanny for — to Hedgewick’s World: a world that had been the universe’s largest amusement park, until it closed.

Closed … and bought out by Mr Webley, and his sidekick, Porridge — Warwick Davies — who have an interesting line in running the few remaining waxworks.

And a Mechanical CyberTurk† … !

It’s only after our heroes have moved on, that Webley finds out that his CyberTurk … 

Isn’t as dormant as he thought, being home to the sort of woodworm that only a dead Cyberman could hold … 

~~~~†~~~~

Now, did I enjoy this … ?

You betcha … !

Now this may not be the best in series.   But Nightmare in Silver is a thoroughly enjoyable romp of a story, much like the season’s other highlight, Cold War.   One that I’m personally inclined to put on a par with this year’s Ice Warrior episode.

It’s ALSO an episoe that, additionally, adds some new twists to an old foe.

What’s more, Nightmare in Silver that the Cyber Empire’s started calling itself ‘the Cyberiad’: AND has the capacity to do Borg-like cyber-conversions of both humans and othersº.

And some stunning supporting cast, hence my mentioning Warwick Davies, earlier.

And you can’t say fairer than that, now CAN you‡ … ?

*        Eve De Leon Allen and Kassius Carey Johnson, respectively.

†        Which is possibly the nearest any of us will get to see of the original Mechanical Turk: that was exposed as a hoax in the 1820s, but was supposed to be a chess-playing clockwork robot.

‡        Hang on, CYBERMITES … ?   A detachably hand that you can send off to strangle someone … ?   A removable head … ?   How cool is THAT … !!!!!!!!!??!!!

º        I add more in my comment … 

World Book Night: Oooh … !

Hmmm …

Just missed him.

Meant to corner the neighbour who quietly emailed me to let me know that one or two of the neighbours had concerns about the fire engines getting through to the area … !

Oh, well …

I’ll catch him later … !

»»·««

At ANY rate, I thought let you briefly know about a couple of things.

Firstly … ?

Well, I’ve probably mentioned I’ve been scanning a lot of old family photos onto Bruce, haven’t I … ?

Well I have: too the point where I’ve actually managed to move my iPhoto library to my external drive.

With help from this link, here.

OK, 7½ gigabytes isn’t much in the way of space, or photos.

But it’s a fair old chunk of Bruce’s hard-drive, thanking you … !

»»·««

Next off … ? Next off is the simple fact that I’ve had the email in that lets me pick where I’m going to collect my World Book Night books from.

Me being me, of course … ?

I’ve picked Brentwood Library.

Here’s hoping I can shift them …