Cryptic crosswords are a great challenge for the brain, but they needn’t be scary. They’re not as deadly as the puzzles in the Exxilon City! Below are some hints and tips on how to complete them – Code Nine Anagrams: If a clue contains a word meaning “change”, such as “upset”, or “disturbed”, that means there is an anagram to solve. The words which require your attention are usually right next to the indicator word. Read more…
Cryptic Who started life on another platform many moons ago. Back then, you had to print out your crosswords and do them by hand. How times change. However, I have no intention of there being missing episodes by dumping them in a skip – the link to the old site is here – Cryptic Who which will remain online as an archive, where you’ll find dozens of past grids! In the meantime, Allons-y! Code Nine Read more…
Making the Autons the first monsters in the revived Doctor Who in 2005 was a masterstroke because it reintroduced Doctor Who’s modus operandi of making the everyday scary. After all, having immobile humanlike figures standing around shops in the latest fashions is kind of creepy… and that’s just the sales staff! Autons are effectively zombies of our own creation, but cold and impassive, with that evocative sound of their handguns priming. That’s something to think Read more…
Last week, we looked at the worlds of Robert Holmes, which prompted me to think of the Autons as a subject for crosswords. To my amazement, this is the first time the Autons will be the theme on this blog. Three years in (or thereabouts) and we’re still plundering new territory! Incidentally, that famous scene of the Autons crashing through the shop windows and shooting innocent people was filmed at Ealing Broadway where I did Read more…
Doctor Who would be a poorer place without the imagination of Robert Holmes. He has taken us to distant galaxies in the company of nefarious Space Pirates and duplicitous Time Lords, and right back down to Earth with ancient gods and window shop dummies coming to life! You can always be guaranteed a rollocking adventure with a Holmes story. They’re just fun with a capital F, and very few writers understood Doctor Who quite like Read more…
It is funny how themes emerge when you’re analysing data about a particular writer. Robert Holmes is, quite rightly, remembered for his outstanding contribution to Doctor Who, and for being right up there with Terrance Dicks. Look a bit further and there are common threads – valuable substances being fought over, gun-runners, ruthless companies, and big ideas around devious Time Lords. Doctor Who would be a poorer story without him. Robert Holmes, we salute you! Read more…
Regular visitors to this blog might be interested to know that The Celestial Toyroom Annual 2026 (courtesy of DWAS) features a crossword by your trusty compiler. This year’s theme is the Fifth Doctor, and I can tell you that it features some lovely art and great articles too. Keep an eye out for it because it’s well worth the price! Check out last year’s contribution too! – Code Nine x
“I never forget a face,” the Doctor once lied. He has met – and saved – many people in his centuries of travelling and not all of them have been nasty out for their own ends. This week, we take a look at those brave people who have helped the Doctor and his companions along the way. Some of them are recurring characters and some are one-offs he only met the once. Where would we Read more…
