"Not Quite" Killer AI Robots

And then there is the Russian way ...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/crre8g5e45jo

Nasty if they fall on you!

Just a Shout Out to the Podcasts I have been listening to [BBC Americast], [The Atomic Hobo], [Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy] and [Anything But a ONE - Adventures in Historical Miniature Wargaming]

 A shout out to these gents and ladies for making my life tolerable while doing DIY (kitchen painting) and washing the dishes (and given in no particular order or merit, I like them all): 

• BBC Americast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p07h19zz
• The Atomic Hobo: https://shows.acast.com/atomichobo
• Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy: https://wsspodcast.libsyn.com/
• Anything But a One! Adventures in Historical Miniature Wargaming: https://anythingbutaone.buzzsprout.com/

Adding a new one: 

• BBC Ukrainecast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0bqztzm

Rogue Heroes Inspired Journey Continues .. Next Stop a Book!

Following on from my interest in the BBC TV series I was naturally "hooked" by the array of SAS themed books in the supermarket "in the fashionable to be reading" section, aka an area of distraction for bored dads and teenagers. I was spoilt for choice with three SAS North African Dessert themed tomes on display (see below, I chose 'Sped Aggression Surprise' a bargain with a pre-Xmas tenner spent in a flash in Tesco): 

I chose not the overtly BBC (as in, based on the recent series) one, reasoning on grounds on diversity of background research and flick-through appeal (it was not so heavy on pictures and had maps but the also content looked more interesting). Not disappointed to date, as a hundred or so pages in and it has elaborated on the pre-North African history of the SAS and the funny "other things" (Vichy French, Abyssinia, Iraq, Levant) going on around the rest of the Mediterranean at that time. The crazy intelligence chief who fabricated a SAS back-story, based on feeding the Axis disinformation features prominently (this being a certain staff officer Dudley Wrangel Clarke).

WIP: Still reading, the SAS "proper" has not appeared yet, but there is a lot of pre-SAS Commando units being talked about!

BBC Series - SAS Rogue Heroes (North Africa)

With some trepidation I started to watch Episode One of the new BBC - SAS Rogue Heroes series. It had come with dare I say it, surprised recommendations from fellow some wargamers whom I deeply respect for their taste and acumen, so I took a deep breath and watched (or rather binged it on iPlayer). The jury was out in parts, the legend and the lore of the SAS are so easily overdone but as the story progressed I was totally hooked (for better or worse) but would it hold up in the cold light of day? It certainly had all the trappings of a professional marketing sell, the line-up of actors had clout, a "sexy rock and roll-heavy metal" sound track to boot and a very pacey delivery! (see below, would this montage of history, fiction, rock music and brat-pack acting [in a good sense] actually work?):     

And the verdict was .. well .. after some (short) deliberation .. I thought it was bloody brilliant! Somehow it all came together and seemed to get the gist of all the madness and stupidity associated with that era of the war - spot on. The wife even watched the series all the way through with me (partly due to the link with Sex Education actor and the lad who played the strapping Irishman [despite the beard]), it was simply such gripping television. Well done BBC how you pulled this off I do not know, in my heart I was expecting a "bitter lemon". There should not be a way that 1970's and 1980's rock music [Motorhead] could work for WWII - but it did. How? I still don't know, but do not care! Previously I was an instrumental "Where Eagles Dare" soundtrack person for top war stories but heck, (Rock Music) it worked, along with racing jeeps across the desert. You would, wouldn't you? The depiction of the LRDP was superb, they could have been over easily done, but no, a taxi service with guns who could navigate the desert like nobody else could. As for the storyline: I was laughing at moments, crying at moments and literally in awe - terrified at what was going to happen next - moments when I though "don't be daft - they wouldn't would they?" It has left me rushing for Michael Asher's history of The Regiment for the back story (it has been on the bookshelf long enough waiting to be read) .. and I bet I will get an Xmas book (and there are a few of them already out there) from the supermarket book isle! Sure I will find "discontinuity errors" as bits will have been simply "ripping yarns" but I love the disclaimer .. "the most incredible and unbelievable bits are the bits that are probably true"! Spoiler alert .. the last episode ended with Stirling down (captured), but will there be a Series Two following Paddy Mayne (and perhaps shots of Stirling musing in Colditz)? Meanwhile I unpacked "Undaunted: North Africa" and took a look at my 20mm Western Desert collection (with the classic LRDP set and some Dixon SAS metals, Strelets SAS-North African figures and Italians/DAK). There is a game or two in there to be had there ;) 

BBC iPlayer/Web-site: The Bomb (Interesting Series)

While reading the news on the BBC web-site I came across (see below, amazingly already onto its second series): 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p08llv8n

Twenty minute sound bites!

Interesting TV I have "Binged" recently

Some thing also that has been keeping away from blogging is a bit of intensive TV programme binging. Netflix and BBC iPlayer in particular: 

AI related (see below, a BBC Panorama classic IMHO): 

Are You Scared Yet Human: BBC iPlayer

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000wft2/panorama-are-you-scared-yet-human

And following on from that the BBC iPlayer recommended the following series called: "Can't get you out of my Head" which was a bit of a trippy all over the place journey .. sort of related to AI, historical events  of world politics and a dystopian view of the word, ultimately saying "don't change things because you make things worse - make the best of what you have got". I watched it al the way through just to see what sort of ending it came up with (see below, the headlines give you a gist of the confusing things that are going on .. and it is right, I cannot get the thoughts and images out of my head):

Finally I turned to the insanity of the Squid Games, despite what I considered a dodgy popularist theme (as in the kids liked it) and a very slow episode one .. I got hooked and (sadly) can recommend it (though not taking art in one). The eldest kid was slightly impressed that I guessed the ending (see below, it now has a fully fledged cult following):  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqxAJKy0ii4

I am just waiting for the spin-off merchandise to make it to 28mm scale. Although the menacing "Pink Troopers" are probably the more memorable iconic image you take away (see below, perfect for Halloween trick or treating): 

Back to some wargaming now. 

Warlord Games - Cybermen

The merciless killers of the Dr Who. A squad because simply one won't do they come in packs (see below washed and off the sprue .. tempted not even to paint them .. but I will): 

Something for the Daleks to shoot at! Good old fashioned Science Fiction fun!

Daleks and "Why not?"

They are "the" iconic Sci-Fi, horror, cult, best of the BBC generation spanning "baddies". So when Warlord Games were selling some sprue off at half price it was a 'no brainer' (see below, the distinctive Dalek chassis is clearly visible alongside some equally 'unmissable' Warlord game "sales" sprue):  

With twelve Daleks you can pretty much take over the world, especially if you allow them to fly! Personally as a person brought up on the black and white telly I think that is cheating (see below, I am thinking various colour schemes are required from red, while, yellow, gold and black):  

As I am a heretical Sci-Fi person that freely mixes genres these can be thrown up against Space Marines, Star Trek, Star Wars to Traveller. The only limitation is your imagination,