Luke Kenneth Casson Leighton wrote:
i would expect under these circumstances to just be able to press "Ctrl-Alt-F1" and to log in at a text console as root.
if that's *not possible* then it's a severe bug.
From the OP I understand it is about starting TDM, when expected is to spawn console only.
I must admit I have never tried it. I either have workstation (TDM expected) or have a server (no UI).
Instead complaining and stiring up dust around systemd, raise a bug so it may be properly investigated and fixed. There might be adjustment needed in some part of tdm.
regards