Character Relationship Map: Time Warp

Characters

• Capt. Mark Devore (played by Harry Johnson) — protagonist

  Capt. Mark Devore is the returning commander of the Solo One spacecraft after its experimental journey to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. He discovers Col. Ed Westin is suppressing the mission’s t...

• Col. Ed Westin (played by Adam West) — supporting

  Col. Ed Westin oversees the Solo One mission and prepares for its crew’s return. When M.U.D. (voice) reveals the truth about the missing mission data, Westin shuts down the ship’s reactors, blocking i...

• Ellen Devore (played by Gretchen Corbett) — supporting

  Ellen Devore is Mark Devore’s wife, waiting for him after he is believed to be missing. On their wedding anniversary, she holds a séance in hopes of contacting him, and Mark’s sudden appearance convin...

• Cardinal Rule (played by Peter Kastner) — supporting

  Cardinal Rule is an Air Force theologian and psychologist who becomes involved in the effort to obtain the Solo One mission tapes. He is urged to persuade the commanders to abandon their demand, placi...

• Ron Devore (played by Steven Mond) — supporting

  Ron Devore is Ellen Devore’s child and is uneasy about her continued fixation on the past and her attempts to contact Mark Devore. Mark’s unexpected appearance during the séance confirms to Ellen that...

• M.U.D. (voice) (played by Barry Gordon) — minor

  M.U.D. (voice) is the altered computer of the Solo One spacecraft, originally called Wes-10. Mark Devore changes its identity and later builds a portable version so they can remain connected. Playful...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Cardinal Rule → Col. Ed Westin (Professional Persuasion Attempt) — Cardinal is asked to use his role as an Air Force theologian and psychologist to influence the commanders over the demand for the tapes.

  Cardinal Rule is drawn into the effort to obtain the mission tapes and is urged to persuade the commanders to abandon that demand.

• Capt. Mark Devore → Ron Devore (Family Father And Son) — Mark's unexpected return brings him back to the family Ron has been living with during Mark's absence.

  The plot identifies Ron as Mark and Ellen's child, and Mark returns to his family.

• Capt. Mark Devore → Ellen Devore (Family Husband And Wife) — Their reunion briefly restores their marital bond, but Mark leaves again before explaining much about his return.

  Mark reunites with Ellen on their wedding anniversary and shares a tender anniversary moment with her.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Col. Ed Westin → M.U.D. (voice) (Conflict Adversaries) — MUD discloses information Westin does not want revealed, and Westin responds by disabling the reactors.

  MUD tells Westin that the mission data is missing and that the computer recorded only Gene Autry songs. Westin then shuts down the ship's reactors.

• Capt. Mark Devore → M.U.D. (voice) (Alliance Close Partners) — Mark relies on MUD's companionship and warnings while pursuing a risky plan to return toward the warp.

  Mark builds a portable version of MUD so they can stay connected after leaving the ship, and they plan together to reach Solo Two.

• Capt. Mark Devore → Col. Ed Westin (Conflict Adversaries) — Westin's effort to suppress the mission evidence puts him in direct conflict with Mark, who wants to return and expose what happened.

  Westin shuts down the ship's reactors after MUD reveals the truth, preventing the ship from deploying its protective shielding. Mark realizes Westin d...

Story Analysis

Mark Devore confronts the suppression of his mission's truth while attempting to reconnect with his family and find a route back toward the warp.

Plot Progression

1. The Missing Mission Record — Solo One approaches Earth as officials anticipate valuable recordings. MUD reveals that the tapes are blank, and Westin shuts down the reactors, leading Mark to suspect an effort to suppress the truth...
2. A Return to the Devore Family — Mark and MUD reach Earth in July 1986, a year after Mark was expected home. At the anniversary séance, Mark's appearance convinces Ellen he is alive, and he briefly reunites with his family.
3. The Tape Dispute Widens — Cardinal Rule is brought into the effort to obtain the mission tapes and is urged to persuade the commanders to abandon their demand. Meanwhile, Mark and MUD decide not to give up.
4. The Risky Route Back — With Solo Two due to launch in two days, Mark and MUD plan to reach it and travel back toward the warp. MUD warns of dangerous obstacles, and the account ends before their attempt begins.