Theory:Doctor Who television discontinuity and plot holes/Terminus

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This page is for discussing the ways in which Terminus doesn't fit well with other DWU narratives. You can also talk about the plot holes that render its own, internal narrative confusing.

Remember, this is a forum, so civil discussion is encouraged. However, please do not sign your posts. Also, keep all posts about the same continuity error under the same bullet point. You can add a new point by typing:

* This is point one.
::This is a counter-argument to point one.
:::This is a counter-argument to the counter-argument above
* This is point two.
::Explanation of point two.
::Further discussion and query of point two.

... and so on. 

• If the Doctor is correct that Terminus created the universe while time traveling, then the entire universe is a predestination paradox.

That's the point. Doctor Who is full of predestination paradoxes, so it isn't an error.

• As the Doctor points out, the engines of Terminus must be incredibly powerful to move a ship that size through time. The builders of Terminus must have known that an emergency necessitating a fuel dump was possible for them to build in systems to handle the process. It sounds as if the only reason that the first explosion didn't destroy the universe is that, at the time it happened, there was no universe to destroy. Did the builders of Terminus not realize that they had built engines so powerful that a catastrophic failure - something any engineer should take into account - could threaten the entire universe?

It's possible that the original builders had a whole string of failsafes to prevent accidentally destroying the universe, but, because of the tampering by Terminus Inc. (possibly including explicitly overriding a bunch of safety features they didn't understand), or the fact that nobody around knew how to use the systems properly, they didn't come into play.

• Olvir appears completely oblivious to the gigantic Garm and Nyssa's screams at the start of episode four, even as it occurs about a meter from where he's standing. He doesn't even look at the Garm as it walks away.

• Did Tegan really stop the space liner's launch just by pounding on the ship's console as if it were an old TV?

The ship seems to think that it is under attack, and needs to abort the launch to avoid damages.

It is possible that the launch was actually aborted by Turlough opening the door between the ship and the TARDIS, which is shown as having occurred while the abort announcement continues.

• The origin of the Terminus station is left a little unclear. What was its original function? How did its original pilot/owners and their ability to travel in time get forgotten? How did it come into the possession of Termius Inc?

It originally belonged to some alien race. It's pilot was killed in the way postulated by the Doctor. It was found floating in space as a derelict and salvaged by Terminus Inc., and partially adapted for their needs. They then installed the Garm and the Vanir, without bothering to make a full check of the interior due to the radiation levels in the forbidden zone, and because they didn't really care what happened to the Lazars.

• How does Turlough's tampering with the electronics on board the transport ship at the climax of episode three, lead to the triggering of the automated fuel-dumping proceedure within the Terminus control room, in the forbidden zone?

It doesn't. It is just a coincidence that the two events occur simultaneously.