It’s been a tough week as a Trek fan. Losing both Walter Koenig and Sir Patrick Stewart in the course of a few days feels like I have been personally targeted. I’m sure a lot of us feel the same way. It’s not mourning, of course—I never spoke to either man, and have no idea what they were like as people. But the fundamental truth remains. I feel like, somehow, I’ve lost something that had important and meaning in my life. Ridiculous? Yes, absolutely. But it’s not a feeling I can rationalise away.
It’s a good excuse to watch some Trek this weekend, anyway. Wrath Of Khan and First Contact, perhaps.
Here’s a rather lovely overview of Patrick’s life and career, and a great interview with Walter from 2025, giving some insight into what it was like being a TV actor in the 60s.
Wherever you are, whenever you are, however you are, welcome to The Swipe.
Rob is reading…
The House In The Cerulean Sea. As expected, it’s a bit cutesy and cosy, but there’s a distinct atmosphere, a great setting and some interesting characters. Frankly, a bit of a balm after having JAmes Ellroy scream in my face for eight weeks.
Rob is watching…
SNL UK has been a bloody triumph, and yes I know I’m repeating myself but damn it’s nice to see some British comedy with bite and sharpness and a devil-go-hang attitude. Here’s a piece from the Hollywood Reporter which is a little snarky but captures the vibe of that wonderful last show with Cynthia Erivo.
Rob is listening…
The new Queens Of The Stone Age album, the tongue-twistingly titled Perfecth. It’s leaning into the gothic, slow-paced side of the band, with few of the striding motorik ragers which got me into the band in the first place. A grower, I suspect, and one which will make more sense as the weather changes.
Rob is eating…
Cottage Pie. The trick is to really let the meat take on colour. The easiest way to do that? Dump the whole block of mince in the pan without breaking it up and let it cook for a good ten minutes on each side. You’ll know you’ve got it right when the kitchen smells like a burger joint.
Rob’s Low-Key Obsession Of The Week…
Excessively complicated geekery for its own sake is very soothing to me, what can I say.
This is a simple idea which can make such a difference. We should be embracing our libraries as third spaces, not clamping down on opening hours or closing them altogether.
A great piece on It’s Nice That on designer imprint No Ideas, and how they embraced self-publishing as the only way to make the things they really wanted to make. Quite inspirational, frankly.
Again from ITT, on the beautiful new film from Laika, Wildwood. An incredible melding of storytelling, craft and sheer determination, Wildwood deserves to be seen, embraced and celebrated. The exhibition of sets and elements from the shoot is a must-see if you’re in That London over the next few weeks.
This is a great idea. Wikipedia but for the walkable half-hour around your current location. Rediscover your home town! Check fun places to go when you’re on holiday! This is one of those simple, obvious notions that somehow slipped through the gaps in our cognition. I’m so glad it finally got made.
Ted Gioia takes the whole of human history and pulls out the important touchpoints in how we learned (and possibly forgot) how to talk to each other. This is big thinking, presented in a friendly and accessible manner. Dive in, you’ll feel smarter at the end.
42 Milestones In The History Of Conversation
As it’s the season, here’s Chloe M from Trash Humper on those horror movies that will give you delicious tingles in all sorts of ways. Some bangers in here. Wait, let me rephrase that.
This brave new world of AI leads naturally to all-new, all-different ways to scam, con and generally bilk hard-working folks out of their hard-earned cash. Authors seem to have been targeted in a particularly nasty way, by playing to our fatal flaws—the need for attention and rampant, unfettered ego.
Thanks, pal Jillian for reminding us of an important Halloween fact—that magician and escapologist Harry Houdini found there was no getting away from the cold clutch of death’s fingers mooohahahahahaaa, It’s a heck of a story, tragic, silly and all too relatable.
It’s a short one this week—I made the foolish error of trying to install a new wi-fi hub yesterday and it’s all gone orribly wrong. 5G is my saviour, but one must be mindful of one’s data allowance.
Let’s Outro with a proper dose of Rocky Horror courtesy of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert. Lord knows how you do the Time Warp in that confined space.
See you in seven, fellow travellers.
