Titan: Prologue & Part 1 – SPOILERS

[Ian Symes]

Welcome to the spoiler-laden discussion thread for Red Dwarf: Titan Prologue and Part 1: Walverlof.

This is a place for no-holds-barred, detailed, nitty-gritty opinions and theories on everything in the first part of the book. Please try and avoid referencing anything from beyond this part, so that people can visit each thread as they complete each section of the book. And if you haven’t yet read Part 1, get out of here immediately.

Your comments may be used in the DwarfCast Book Club at a future date, so if your point is related to a specific sub-chapter, do mark it clearly.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

 

 

Topic

[Turk Thrust]

Chapter 9

It feels like typical Rob to casually mention Kapkap slaughtering a busload of Mormons and the bleakness of it makes me laugh.

I initially found the final few lines confusing (maybe that’s just me or maybe that’s what the writers were aiming for). It mentions nothing getting in Kapkap’s way and him taking revenge before stating, “Red Dwarf was in dock.” I wasn’t sure whether this meant that Red Dwarf was going to get in his way or that he was going to take revenge on Red Dwarf. Or both.

[Turk Thrust]

Chapter 10

Back to Kochanski and Themis and, I never thought I’d say this, but I find this part of the plot more intriguing than the Rimmer and Lister stuff. This might be the best writing that there’s ever been for Kochanski and I enjoy her trying to solve the mystery of what has become of Themis. We also don’t know what will happen to Themis in the future and whether she will survive.

[Turk Thrust]

Chapter 11

Nice that the reader knows how life or death the cheese situation is, but that Rimmer and Lister are blissfully unaware.

Very Rimmer to turn “turpitude” into a positive.

Is this the first time that Lister has said, “Rimsy”?

Chapter 12

Kochanski removes the cactus from her face, “ignoring its screams of protest” and I love little details like that. It shows the quality of both writers and adds a lot of depth to what could have been a boring moment.

It’s nice to get back to the Themis plot which adds some energy at this point.

[Turk Thrust]

Chapters 13 & 14

I haven’t read other posters’ comments yet because I wanted to come to my own conclusions first, but I’ll be interested to see how people feel about the Petersen/Pear sections of the book.

I don’t dislike them, but I think that if you were going to make a movie version of this story, they would probably be cut. They don’t really move the plot along and maybe exist mainly to give Byle something else to be angry about.

There is the neat twist of Pear wanting a drink at the end, though.

[Turk Thrust]

Chapter 15

It’s good to get back to Kochanski and she does some smart detective work to deduce how Themis exited the hotel.

Rob’s use of “RoD” had me scratching my head for a moment before I managed to work out it meant rate of descent.

[Turk Thrust]

Chapter 16

A new twist with identical cats and two Listers. At moments like this, I think the fact that Rob and Andrew initially wanted to make a TV show is fairly evident. There are times when I wonder whether there are too many plot strands and too many characters. It does mean, however, that the book is packed with ideas.

[Turk Thrust]

Chapter 17

The reveal that Hollister’s first name is Randy is amusing and makes you wonder whether it was a deliberate nod to Holoship (probably not).

I feel in this chapter there’s a nice mix of very traditional comedy writing and the innovation of sci-fi ideas.

Cheaty golf clubs were used way back in P.G. Wodehouse’s books, gags about golfing attire are as old as the hills, and I haven’t seen the phrase “screaming abdabs” for a long time. I recall that it was in the book/film Billy Liar which Rob and/or Andrew would probably be familiar with.

Clever to end the chapter with, “things were probably going to get worse. Much worse.” Makes the reader want to turn to the next page to see what insanity it about to unfurl.

[Rushy]

Personally, I quite like the alliterative insults that Rimmer directs towards him.

It’s an amusing gimmick, but it completely takes me out of the book every time as it’s just so iconic to Lost in Space. Where the insults are much more creative, I might add (“bubble-headed booby!” is fucking legendary). So it just feels like they’re stealing from another sci-fi comedy, even if it isn’t intentional. 

https://irwinallen.fandom.com/wiki/Dr._Smith%27s_Insults

[Turk Thrust]

Chapter 18

Some good interplay between Rimmer and Lister here, I enjoy the running gag of Carzon over-verbalizing, and Rob and Andrew have done a fine job of finding a new way to mine comedy from a mechanoid character. His innocence blends well with the contrasting personalities of Rimmer and Lister.

There are obvious parallels between moments here and a classic scene in Future Echoes. There is so much new stuff in the book that that’s not really a criticism, but this section obviously can’t compete with the cleverness of seeing Future Echoes for the first time.

I confess that I’ve never seen the word, “arlarse” but I’ve spent a fair amount of time on Merseyside, so people have probably said it about me a few times!

[Turk Thrust]

Chapter 19

Probably a good thing that they went for a Ronettes reference here instead of naming a really modern pop trio. 

A genuinely funny scene with Carzon making his speech to the misfits before the twist of him admitting, “Last time we all got very badly beaten.” It’s the sort of moment that would really work well as part of a TV series.

Good use of the comedy rule of 3 with Lister, the barman, and Carzon all inflicting physical pain on Rimmer.

[Turk Thrust]

Chapter 20

Very Rob to include a decapitation scene and deft work by the writers to still make Kapkap come across as a slightly sympathetic character.

[Dave]

’ll be interested to see how people feel about the Petersen/Pear sections of the book.

I don’t dislike them, but I think that if you were going to make a movie version of this story, they would probably be cut. They don’t really move the plot along and maybe exist mainly to give Byle something else to be angry about.

For me they very much felt like a running gag subplot you’d have in a sitcom. Every so often cutting to their antics would be a fun thread.

[Turk Thrust]

Chapter 21

Lister’s gift of a “Liverpool Locksmith” is a very smart piece of writing imo. It feels very believable for Lister to give that kind of present, it provides a little more backstory about their relationship, and it helps to progress the plot as it enables Kochanski to read the deleted news reports about Themis.

I confess that I’d never heard of Wet Nelly cake before, but now want to give it a try.

[Turk Thrust]

Chapter 22

Carzon’s head disappearing and then coming back into view is a great visual joke and could have worked very nicely as part of an animated show.

On the other hand, Rimmer and Lister’s conversation with their eyes works perfectly in print and I like that it ends with Carzon looking on bemusedly, “He didn’t speak eyeball.”

It’s a bit of a cliche to have people hiding in a cellar before a sudden noise threatens to give them away (often a sneeze or a phone call), but the pen suddenly springing to life is a much more interesting way to do it and the message from the future promises to take the book on a new exciting path.

[Turk Thrust]

Chapter 23

“Why would you not be having said so?” This is the kind of writing that makes me love Red Dwarf.

Chapter 24

The infinite tunnels idea is another concept that could have worked as part of a TV episode. Carzon casually saying that they can’t stop walking because the robo-roaches will consume them only adds to the fun.

The image of Lister and Rimmer trying to moonwalk perhaps betrays the fact that Titan could have been an animated series.

This use of the cat to get them out of the tunnels is quite a good way to include him in the story. It doesn’t feel too forced at this point.

[Turk Thrust]

Chapter 25

The idea of a cassette recorded being a valuable antique in the future I like.

Jansen Van Vuuren getting turned into a No Brainer I’m not so keen on. I feel like maybe there is a danger that the violence is making things a little too grim by this point.

[Turk Thrust]

Chapter 26

As the roaches approach Rimmer, it feels very Dwarf (in a positive way) to have the characters locked in an acrimonious conversation as death seemingly approaches.

Less positive for me is Lister telling Rimmer that they are really friends as it feels a little overly familiar.

[Turk Thrust]

Chapter 27

While Van Vuuren’s condition is a little too dark for me, the use of the cassette recorded is a nifty way to give Kochanski the next clue about Themis’ location

Chapter 28

Lister’s “Now we are four” comment feels a tad forced to me. I understand the intention of it, but Rob and Andrew have yet to really show that a cat character (or certainly not the Cat’s character) can blend with the other 3.

Carzon shouting at the Count is fine, but Rimmer having a bag over his head for the entire scene adds a lot to it.

[Podey]

The Peterson/Pear sections gave me big Discworld vibes, in tone.

[Turk Thrust]

Chapter 29

I like that Rob and Andrew cleverly explain how Carzon is happier than Rimmer and Lister because he accepts his lot. It also rings true.

[Turk Thrust]

Chapter 30

Another Petersen chapter which, for me, disrupts the flow of the book. I really want to learn more about the message from the future or what has become of Themis.

Chapter 31

Rimmer wearing a watermelon/melon and sunglasses is an amusing image and works if I picture it as part of an animated series. I’m not sure it would work in a live action sitcom.

Again, Carzon’s face morphing into Kryten’s feels like something from an animation. It’s a strong way to conclude part one, though, and I think any reader would be eager to swiftly dive into part two.

[Moonlight]

Chapter 29

I like that Rob and Andrew cleverly explain how Carzon is happier than Rimmer and Lister because he accepts his lot. It also rings true.

This also feels a bit like Rimmer’s fish speech in Siliconia.

[Turk Thrust]

I thought it was interesting that in a recent interview Andrew Marshall did with Forbidden Planet he talked about them wanting to do something new with the characters:

“Hundreds of years ago, when there was a coronation, they used to have to rent the jewels that were in the crown. They were not permanently in the crown, they were just rented for the occasion and after the coronation, the jewels would be taken off back to their owners again. And I thought, what we have here is we’ve got these jewels, these wonderful four main characters that Rob and Doug have created, and what we’ve got to do is take these jewels and put them into a new setting, a new crown, that will look completely different to the other one, but hopefully will still be just as entertaining and you’ll still be connected to it because you know the characters.”

I think they really succeeded on that score as Titan feels like a very full, vibrant world and, although the book has its faults, I don’t really miss the ship or having the members alone in deep space. As that was the central premise of the show, that’s a pretty big achievement.

[Asclepius]

Chapter 10

Back to Kochanski and Themis and, I never thought I’d say this, but I find this part of the plot more intriguing than the Rimmer and Lister stuff. This might be the best writing that there’s ever been for Kochanski and I enjoy her trying to solve the mystery of what has become of Themis. We also don’t know what will happen to Themis in the future and whether she will survive.

Agreed. I found the Kochanski sub (?) plot the best bit in the whole thing.

[Asclepius]

Chapters 13 & 14

I haven’t read other posters’ comments yet because I wanted to come to my own conclusions first, but I’ll be interested to see how people feel about the Petersen/Pear sections of the book.

I don’t dislike them, but I think that if you were going to make a movie version of this story, they would probably be cut. They don’t really move the plot along and maybe exist mainly to give Byle something else to be angry about.

There is the neat twist of Pear wanting a drink at the end, though.

And I really, *really* disliked these scenes. It was a joke that didn’t work that got repeated ad finitum. It never did work, and was, ahem, totes cringe. Repeatedly.

[Asclepius]

Chapter 27

While Van Vuuren’s condition is a little too dark for me, the use of the cassette recorded is a nifty way to give Kochanski the next clue about Themis’ location

Chapter 28

Lister’s “Now we are four” comment feels a tad forced to me. I understand the intention of it, but Rob and Andrew have yet to really show that a cat character (or certainly not the Cat’s character) can blend with the other 3.

Carzon shouting at the Count is fine, but Rimmer having a bag over his head for the entire scene adds a lot to it.

Yeah, the body horror of Van Vuuren is brutal. I also love the tape recorder bit, but the Pot Noodle joke was a little too far for me.

[JimReaper]

That’s me finished Part 1. I’m listening to the audiobook as I’m dyslexic so I’m reviewing both.

Overall so far, I think Titan is really good. There’s no way this is just ‘one universe to the side’ of any of the previous versions of the franchise. There’s just too many big changes to Bubble/Doug/Novel Dwarf for that to sit right. It’s more like 6 universes to the side. But it is a very good Red Dwarf story and crucially, it feels right.

My biggest bugbear, like a few folks have mentioned, are the Peterson and Pear segments. The initial joke is funny but it’s all very broad and sketch-show. I hope this plot line is leading somewhere significant as otherwise it’s a bit of a pain. I don’t like the characterisation of Hollister. This man is closer to Dennis The Donut Boy than the firm-but-fair, relaxed-but-competent Captain of S1 and 2. I’m also not keen on the changes to Holly. Making him solar-system wide piece of software instead of a unique AI personality takes something away for me. I do like how he’s utilised though. It’s good he’s sharp and in a pre-computer senile state while still being droll.

But otherwise, I’m liking the book very much so far. The worldbuilding is great and the characterisation of the leads is bang on. Lister and Rimmer are written with both pathos and insight and they feel like pre Series 1 versions of the people we meet in The End. Another big positive for me is Kochanski. She closest to her (IMHO) peak Series VII persona – smart, resourceful, geeky – but with less posho airs and added layers self reflection on who she is verses who she wants to be. Her detective plotline is properly gripping. I could picture Chloe playing her really well if this had been filmed back in the day (and Rob had wanted her for the part).

Talking of performances Re: the Audiobook, Overall Chris Barrie’s reading is absolutely terrific. He gets the rhythm of the prose bang on and his vocal work for Rimmer (properly youthful sounding) and Lister (a heartbroken young Craig) are magnificent but I particularly like his Carzon. I don’t know if it’s deliberate, but the voice he’s chosen is very similar to Butler’s from Series XI – which makes sense as they are both early DivaDroid models. Done on purpose or not, it’s a nice touch. The only let downs are Byle – who is played very broad – and the secret ID’d main villain. We’re told this baddie has a constantly changing monotone but Chris has gone for the same voice every time and chosen something generically ‘Northern’ which jars. A bit of digital modulation here would have gone a long way to selling this character but it’s a small niggle and it hasn’t detracted from my enjoyment too much.

Overall, this is really good Red Dwarf and a smart way to do a prequel soft reboot that acknowledges what went before. I’m enjoying it way more than the Backwards novel and at least as much as (the underrated in my view) Last Human. 

On to Part Two!

[Moonlight]

This man is closer to Dennis The Donut Boy than the firm-but-fair, relaxed-but-competent Captain of S1 and 2.

I’m not necessarily defending the VIII version, but I would argue that the moment you start trying to make Hollister a funny character who has quirks and delivers jokes you’re automatically breaking from his initial characterization in the early series anyway. The only true comedic scene he has pre-VIII is in Stasis Leak where he’s still acting the same straight-laced captain as he always does early on, but there’s the farcical elements of the silly costume and Rimmer misunderstanding it against him acting like a totally normal, reasonable guy.

I’m not convinced Hollister would be that engaging of the character or produce that many jokes if you expanded his role but then tried to rigidly adhere to the original depiction that has all of four apperances in which he is mostly taking disciplinary action against his subordinates, one of which lasting about 15 seconds.

I’m fine with making him a little bit of a weirdo like every other character if you’re planning to do anything more with him than just have him be a somewhat stern authority figure. It’s not that you can’t make comedy with this personality, but he doesn’t seem to be the type to deliver quippy dialogue or have strange quirks that can be mined for jokes.

I know this is probably a bit sacrilegious on G&T but I think I would be fine with the direction VIII takes Hollister if he just had better material (which also includes not constantly making fat jokes). I also can’t imagine simply trying to revert to his original characterization improving his Skipper cameo, either, because what jokes would he deliver? Mac is a really funny actor and I like when he has more to do than be stern. It’s just that I don’t think he was given very strong material when he was a focal character of the show.

Titan Hollister is a lot more subtle in terms of being a weirdo than Captain Dennis, too.

Anyway, my main argument is just that I don’t think the original characterization of Hollister has enough comedic meat on it to sustain a role much larger than the limited appearances he has in The End, Me2 and Stasis Leak, and I understand why both Doug and now Rob made him a bit silly in their solo efforts. Your mileage may vary as to the success of these attempts.

(My spell check seems to have fucked off so I sincerely hope I fixed everything.)

[Rushy]

I feel like the natural approach would be to let Hollister actually be smart. Aside from maybe Kryten, almost every character in Red Dwarf is kind of an idiot. Or at least extremely arrogant to the point of idiocy. 

Hollister being cool as a cucumber and having dry wit would match his earlier depiction while also expanding the character’s comedic potential. Mac’s own sarcastic personality would suit Hollister to a tee, and I’m surprised they never leaned into that. 

[Asclepius]

This man is closer to Dennis The Donut Boy than the firm-but-fair, relaxed-but-competent Captain of S1 and 2.
I’m not necessarily defending the VIII version, but I would argue that the moment you start trying to make Hollister a funny character who has quirks and delivers jokes you’re automatically breaking from his initial characterization in the early series anyway. The only true comedic scene he has pre-VIII is in Stasis Leak where he’s still acting the same straight-laced captain as he always does early on, but there’s the farcical elements of the silly costume and Rimmer misunderstanding it against him acting like a totally normal, reasonable guy.

I’m not convinced Hollister would be that engaging of the character or produce that many jokes if you expanded his role but then tried to rigidly adhere to the original depiction that has all of four apperances in which he is mostly taking disciplinary action against his subordinates, one of which lasting about 15 seconds.
I’m fine with making him a little bit of a weirdo like every other character if you’re planning to do anything more with him than just have him be a somewhat stern authority figure. It’s not that you can’t make comedy with this personality, but he doesn’t seem to be the type to deliver quippy dialogue or have strange quirks that can be mined for jokes.
I know this is probably a bit sacrilegious on G&T but I think I would be fine with the direction VIII takes Hollister if he just had better material (which also includes not constantly making fat jokes). I also can’t imagine simply trying to revert to his original characterization improving his Skipper cameo, either, because what jokes would he deliver? Mac is a really funny actor and I like when he has more to do than be stern. It’s just that I don’t think he was given very strong material when he was a focal character of the show.

Titan Hollister is a lot more subtle in terms of being a weirdo than Captain Dennis, too.
Anyway, my main argument is just that I don’t think the original characterization of Hollister has enough comedic meat on it to sustain a role much larger than the limited appearances he has in The End, Me2 and Stasis Leak, and I understand why both Doug and now Rob made him a bit silly in their solo efforts. Your mileage may vary as to the success of these attempts.
(My spell check seems to have fucked off so I sincerely hope I fixed everything.)

It’s weird, in a way, when you think of the post ’97 fan narrative. Doug did the plot, Rob did the jokes, and Doug ultimately went too broad.
Here we see that Rob *also* went down the route of Hollister being a useless, fat joke of a man.
Here we see that Rob also went down the avenue of Duane Dibley just shouting his own name.
Here we see that Rob, like Doug, also brought Kochanski back in a different style to how she’d been before (it’s difficult to imagine the CP Grogan version acting as the ‘Titan’ one does. She had a quip for everything. This Kochanski is much more straight).
Rob, like Doug, totally ignores Hattie Haydridge’s Holly.

There’s undoubtedly others, too.

[Flap Jack]

Hollister isn’t even stern in Stasis Leak. I’m pretty sure that as long as it happened within the confines of that particular episode, Rimmer could have violently stabbed him to death, and in his dying breath Hollister would have said “That’s it! 5 years PD, no take backsies!”.

[Dave]

Hollister comes across as a really reasonable dude in Stasis Leak. Just a really reasonable dude who has to deal with Lister and Rimmer’s shit.

[Flap Jack]

If Hollister was that reasonable in The End, Lister would have died. Makes u think.

[JimReaper]

It’s weird, in a way, when you think of the post ’97 fan narrative. Doug did the plot, Rob did the jokes, and Doug ultimately went too broad.Here we see that Rob *also* went down the route of Hollister being a useless, fat joke of a man.Here we see that Rob also went down the avenue of Duane Dibley just shouting his own name.Here we see that Rob, like Doug, also brought Kochanski back in a different style to how she’d been before (it’s difficult to imagine the CP Grogan version acting as the ‘Titan’ one does. She had a quip for everything. This Kochanski is much more straight).Rob, like Doug, totally ignores Hattie Haydridge’s Holly.
There’s undoubtedly others, too.

I agree.

I can’t see Grogan playing this version of Kochanski but can absolutely see Chlöe doing it as she’s pretty close to the Series VII version in attitude and competence.

I think Rob and Doug’s tastes / story instincts are far closer than many people have assumed. It’s why they fit so well together after all. You can leave a gestalt entity, but your thinking will always be informed by having been part of a gestalt entity.

[Rushy]

Disagree on the Chloe comparison. VII Kochanski was competent, sure, but her neuroses and borderline loony attitude (way past borderline if we’re talking about VIII) played a much greater role in her characterisation. I saw none of that in Titan Kochanski. 

To me, she read very much like the version of Kochanski we saw in The End. Sarcastic and down-to-earth, yet professional. I could easily imagine Grogan wearing that inflatable penis balloon for a laugh. 

[Podey]

I was picturing her as Chloe.

[Flap Jack]

I was picturing Grogan, but only because I assumed Rob himself would have been picturing the only actor to play Kochanski while he was actually working on the show (Dona DiStefano notwithstanding). In terms of characterisation Titanski fits Kochannett as well as or better than Groganski, because Groganski appeared so little that she pretty much had no defined personality.

Plus she’s noted to have an English accent in Titan. Not the right one, but still.

[sleepey]

her neuroses and borderline loony attitude (way past borderline if we’re talking about VIII)

– The first few minutes of Duct Soup

– 

– 

[Rushy]

The first few minutes of Duct Soup 

I found Annett much more endearing in VIII. I know she had little to do, but she seemed to gel much better with the group and I liked how unashamedly kooky she was by that point. 

Duct Soup is still very much in the “throw stuff at the wall to see what sticks” period. 

[Dax101]

With Hollister for Series 8, most of his characterisation or at least the comedy, was pretty much taken from that one scene from Stasis leak where he is dressed as a chicken, and Rimmer throws paint on him. There is a lot of that in Series 8 where Hollister is the butt of the joke.

In terms of Titan, I imagine he isn’t written as low as what Series 8 made him, but from Rob’s perspective, he hasn’t written for Holister since 1988. Rob had not seen Series 8. So Titan’s Hollister was about trying to infuse comedy into a character that, for Rob, had not really been that funny in Series 1 and 2.

[Podey]

The first few minutes of Duct Soup 
I found Annett much more endearing in VIII. I know she had little to do, but she seemed to gel much better with the group and I liked how unashamedly kooky she was by that point. 
Duct Soup is still very much in the “throw stuff at the wall to see what sticks” period. 

Really? I feel like she was multi-dimensional in 7 and felt more “woman written by a bloke” in 8.

[JimReaper]

 Really? I feel like she had multiple dimensions in 7 and was reduced to “ditsy girl” in 8.

I love Kochanski in VII. She’s essentially a different character from the original one (my theory is she was replaced by The Inquisitor) so I found it hard to accept her at the time but with hindsight she’s amazing. At her best (in Ouroboros, Beyond A Joke, Epideme and Nanarchy) she is brilliant, confident, goofy, compassionate, determined and genuinely fond of Lister… all traits that the new Titan version shares, hence me imagining Chlöe in the part.

[Warbodog]

There are some spoilers beyond Prologue & Part 1 in these posts, for any future people staggering their reading and analysis.

[Dax101]

I assume Doug thought the fans were not that fond of her in Series 7 because she was a little uptight, so he toned her down for Series 8.

[Turk Thrust]

I assume that Rob and Andrew made Kochanski from a Yorkshire family to completely differentiate her from any other versions of the character. And a very wise move it was, too.

[Flap Jack]

Doesn’t make sense to me. An underlying and explicitly stated premise of the book is that it’s “one universe to the side” after all, and some characters are virtually identical to their original versions while others are noticeably different. Why is Kochanski alone the one who needs to have her origins shifted in order to distinguish her from her prime universe counterpart?

Like if that was a serious concern they should have made Lister Geordie or something.

[Rushy]

Doesn’t make sense to me. An underlying and explicitly stated premise of the book is that it’s “one universe to the side” after all, and some characters are virtually identical to their original versions while others are noticeably different. Why is Kochanski alone the one who needs to have her origins shifted in order to distinguish her from her prime universe counterpart? 

Titan was planned as a TV show, and the book is most likely an adaptation of the pilot episode(s). They may have had specific actors in mind for the younger versions of the crew, and Kochanski’s happened to be from Yorkshire. And it stuck to their vision of the character or something. Idk.

[Rushy]

Really? I feel like she was multi-dimensional in 7 and felt more “woman written by a bloke” in 8.

“Oh, but Cassandra promised” is funnier than anything she did in VII. As is “oh my God, that’s so embarrassing.” 

I also really loved the pan on her head in Only the Good, the way she looks at Lister from under her hat in Back in the Red, and her smoking the cigars and dancing around with the rest of them in the deleted ending. She went native, so to speak, and there’s something really delightful about that. 

[JimReaper]

Doesn’t make sense to me. An underlying and explicitly stated premise of the book is that it’s “one universe to the side” after all, and some characters are virtually identical to their original versions while others are noticeably different. Why is Kochanski alone the one who needs to have her origins shifted in order to distinguish her from her prime universe counterpart?
Like if that was a serious concern they should have made Lister Geordie or something.

It’s stuff like this that makes me feel the book is several universes to the side. I love the book but there’s just too many big changes for this to be right next to any of the previous continuities.

[Quinn: Clochebusters World Champion]

Titan was planned as a TV show, and the book is most likely an adaptation of the pilot episode(s).

Andrew has basically put this speculation to bed. The book is the book. There was once an idea for a TV show but the book is entirely its own thing. 

[Author]

Replies