This American PBS documentary covers propaganda from ancient times to Trumpian times. It’s a bit all over the map and lacks a coherent narrative. But it does cover interesting incidents. From the Che Guevera image:

To Kathy Griffin:

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Warren’s Vortex is a New Zealand science fiction comedy television series which began screening on 24 August 2025.

Made by the people who brought us “Wellington Paranormal”, which I did not like. But this is different, and better. It has a 1970’s Dr Who vibe, with cheap sets but actual science fiction narratives, concepts and often satirical takes on modern life.

The two main characters, Warren (Maaka Pohatu) and his daughter Lucy (Louise Jiang) understand the genre and really go for it. There is a good scattering of NZ actors; Ginette McDonald, John Bach, Hilary Barry.

And overall, the six episodes are a fun family treat.

“USS Callister : Into Infinity” is the sixth and final episode in the seventh season of Black Mirror and the sequel to “USS Callister”.

Three months after the events of “USS Callister”, the digitally cloned crew of real people, led by Captain Nanette, have been surviving in the Infinity game universe by robbing players.

In the real world, an investigative reporter questions Callister Inc. CEO James Walton about the players without gamer tags and Robert Daly’s use of an illegal DNA cloning device.

Nanette Cole, the real-life counterpart of Captain Nanette, spies on the interview. She offers to help Walton look into the rogue players. After investigation, she concludes the rogue players are cloned co-workers.

Then it’s into a twisty turning tale in the real and online worlds. As much as I enjoyed the first episode, this is even better. And it takes 90 minutes.

The ending was hilarious, obviously someone has read “The Neverending Story”.

“USS Callister” is the first episode of the fourth series Black Mirror. Written by series creator Charlie Brooker and William Bridges and directed by Toby Haynes.

The episode follows Robert Daly (Jesse Plemons), a reclusive but gifted programmer and co-founder of a popular immersive virtual reality-based massively multiplayer online game who is bitter over the lack of recognition of his position from his coworkers.

He takes out his frustrations by simulating a Star Trek–like space adventure within the game, using his co-workers’ DNA to create sapient digital clones of them. Acting as the captain of the USS Callister starship, Daly is able to order his co-workers around, bend them to his will, and mistreat them if they get out of line. When Daly brings newly hired Nanette Cole (Cristin Milioti) into his game, she encourages the other clones to revolt against Daly.

The Rainmaker is an American legal drama television series based on John Grisham’s 1995 novel.

A young lawyer is fired from a white-collar firm and signs on with a small-time ambulance chaser who work out of a converted former restaurant. He soon finds himself facing off against his former employer in court when he takes on a wrongful death suit involving a man who died while undergoing hospital care.

John M. Slattery Jr. plays the big bad lawyer boss with some style. Madison Iseman is the legally blonde fresh young lawyer. Milo Callaghan is the all American buff lad ready to take on the system.

But the stars of the show are Lana Parrilla, who I had seen before. Turns out she was in ‘Once Upon a Time’ (2011-2018).

But having the most fun is PJ Bryne as the paralegal.

There is a completely unnecessary sub-plot involving a woman and her abusive husband.

But most if it is a decent legal drama/thriller with the usual satisfying ending.

Death By Lightning is an American historical drama created by Mike Makowsky and based on the 2011 book Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard.

It stars Michael Shannon as United States President James A. Garfield.

He also starred in The Current War and Knives out

Matthew Macfadyen as his assassin Charles J. Guiteau

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And Nick Offerman (husband of Megan Mullally – Will & Grace) alias Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation.

The four-episode series premiered on November 6, 2025, on Netflix.

It received widespread acclaim from critics, with particular praise for the performances, and was named one of the best television programs of the year by the American Film Institute.

And it shows what a great historical drama can be when experienced people are involved