package gdm3 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration

[???]

https://askubuntu.com/questions/952853/how-can-i-fix-my-broken-package-manager-software-index-is-broken

was following the directions for this, got to sudo apt-update -f and immediate issues

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 18.04
Package: gdm3 3.28.2-0ubuntu1.4
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.15.0-29.31-generic 4.15.18
Uname: Linux 4.15.0-29-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.2
AptOrdering:
 libgdm1:amd64: Install
 gir1.2-gdm-1.0:amd64: Install
 NULL: ConfigurePending
Architecture: amd64
Date: Sat Sep 15 18:44:53 2018
DpkgHistoryLog:
 Start-Date: 2018-09-15 18:44:49
 Commandline: apt install -f
 Requested-By: daedalus (1000)
 Upgrade: gir1.2-gdm-1.0:amd64 (3.28.2-0ubuntu1.3, 3.28.2-0ubuntu1.4), libgdm1:amd64 (3.28.2-0ubuntu1.3, 3.28.2-0ubuntu1.4)
ErrorMessage: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
InstallationDate: Installed on 2018-08-22 (24 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 18.04.1 LTS "Bionic Beaver" - Release amd64 (20180725)
Python3Details: /usr/bin/python3.6, Python 3.6.5, python3-minimal, 3.6.5-3ubuntu1
PythonDetails: /usr/bin/python2.7, Python 2.7.15rc1, python-minimal, 2.7.15~rc1-1
RelatedPackageVersions:
 dpkg 1.19.0.5ubuntu2
 apt 1.6.3ubuntu0.1
SourcePackage: gdm3
Title: package gdm3 3.28.2-0ubuntu1.4 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.