I was initially very underwhelmed by this one but stretching and stretching and stretching what could be read into left me quite admiring it. It takes a simple clash of personalities from the broadcast episodes and, through the tiniest tweak, turns it into a commentary on historical ideologies.
In the cold light of day, I'm not wholly sure it does actually do this. If that was Hayles's intention, there are a lot of inconsistencies, but that just allows it to lingers on the mind even more.
It's interesting how much influence it already feels Hulke's Target novels have already had, even on a story from before he ever wrote for the show.
As shown on TV, Storr is just a forcefully-backwards thug who can't tell the difference between preserving his own autonomy and rejecting every scientific advance there has ever been. In the novelisation, his intractable position is a response to an equally unyielding force and becomes another example of noble, if flawed, individuals asserting their humanity in the face of a corporatist future that seeks to steamroller everyone into utility to global head.
And, with Penley in charge at the end, working side by side with Clent again but now on his terms, Storr might well have won the war despite his own demise. World Computer Control's days are numbered and it's Storr's accolade counting them down.
To see me stretch this point even further and at even greater length, click here...
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