Staying Sane

[felineranger.livejournal.com]

So here's a thought. In KK2's universe, Holly chose to bring Lister back as a hologram, even though they'd split up before the accident. What does this infer about their relationship and, by extension, Lister and Rimmer's?

Does this mean that although Rimmer is the best person to keep Lister sane, that Lister is the best person to keep Kochanski sane? In Balance of Power, Holly says he made the choice based partly on conversational word count. Surely that can't be the case in Kochanski's universe, as they only dated for a few weeks. Is it maybe based then on the idea of a project? Lister works on making Rimmer a better person, while Kochanski works on making 'her Dave' more refined?

Maybe KK2's Holly made a choice based not on who would keep her sane but who would keep her safe. Holly chose the person who loved her the most. Who would never get sick of her company, who would follow her through any danger, forgive all arguments and devote his entire existence to keeping her going.

Maybe our Holly made the same choice.

Comments

*squee*

[rosecathy1.livejournal.com]

I'm having massive heart-eyes right now.

[lala-sara.livejournal.com]

Yes yes I also though of that. In my fic I explained it (or rather Dave from that universe explained it so I can't say for both Hollys' motivations still) like that: they obviously have to have a connection and yes it should be someone who is in love with the live one but who isn't loved quite the same in return. Because being in love with a soft-light hologram is frustrating and would not add to the sane thing (and the priorities goes to a live one). But the other way around is important, yes. You have to be committed. So Holly definitely knew something about Rimmer and his feelings :) As he actually sees almost everything on the ship he must know. He couldn't bring Kochanski as a hologram because their balance was off on opposite side - it was Dave who was in love and Kris wasn't.
By the way did someone write the conversation Rimmer and Holly had when Holly switched him on for the first time? Because we never saw it but Rimmer was actually briefed. So while Holly was briefing him he had to question why him. So Holly have to at least think if not answer why indeed it is him and the word count is not the whole answer.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

There's been at least one fic in the last 2-3 years with Holly turning Rimmer on and talking with him, but I don't remember who wrote it ....

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Romantic or platonic or whatever tone you take of it, I am pretty sure Rimmer is the person on Red Dwarf most concerned with Lister's well being. Including Peterson, Kochanski, et. al.

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

Yes, even if you want to take the platonic view, Lister is the only person Rimmer has authority over and probably also the first. Then there's the obvious fact that they're roommates and literally can't avoid being in each other's business. Even if you have no romantic feelings for someone, in that situation they're going to be in your thoughts whether you want them there or not. In fact, someone on Tumblr wrote a drabble on that theme ages ago with a premise which I won't give away because you need to read it really. http://strictlybuttersideup.tumblr.com/post/47101287040

Are we ever told if Lister was Rimmer's first roommate or is the implication that no-one else would put up with him?

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Oooh, interesting take on it. It's definitely the only time I've seen that idea.

(Saw the comments too. Don't worry, Seb, nobody thinks you are a, or like, icky homo.)

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

Yeah, saying a / between Rimmer and Lister's names makes him bristle was rather unnecessary. Really, it's that kind of thing more than outright hostility which leads to the perception that slashers are looked down upon.

(Gah, I didn't really want to get into that but, well...) *Shrug*

[lordvalerymimes.livejournal.com]

Why the fuck are people so goddamn touchy about slash? The fact that people who you can literally choose to ignore and have NOTHING to do with, like to write stories about two characters being in a relationship, why does that make you "bristle"?

That whole attitude about slash just gets my feckles up. No one is making you read it, or subjecting you to it. You don't like it, ok, don't read it then. Why get pissy that it exists at all?

Sorry, ranty today.

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

I totally agree with you, but I'm kind of embarrassed because I feel as though it looks (to people who don't know me well) as though I was trying to start wank again. :o

I truly, truly wasn't. I only linked to that drabble because (a) it fitted what I was talking about and (b) I felt it deserved a wider readership. I deliberately linked to it from a different blog to the one we're talking about.

Having said all that, I know that comment's from 2 years ago, but yes, it was the accumulation of three or four years of reading stuff like that which made me see red a couple of months ago. So, outsiders reading this, now you know. I do not have some kind of vendetta against other areas of fandom. Just tired of that kind of attitude.

If you'd like to discuss this more in private, LVM, I'm fine with that. Or not. Whichever. :)

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

And also, head canon accepted. *Hearteyes* :D