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Theory:Doctor Who television discontinuity and plot holes/The Romans

Theory page
You are exploring the Discontinuity Index, a place where any details or rumours about unreleased stories are forbidden.
Please discuss only those whole stories which have already been released, and obey our spoiler policy.

This page is for discussing the ways in which The Romans 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. 
  • Nero was only 26 - 28 at the time this story was set and not middle aged as he is presented here.
Perhaps the decadent lifestyle was catching up with him. Also, famous rulers, particularly ones history hasn't been kind to, in movies and TV shows are often depicted older than they really were. Richard III was only in his early thirties when he died, yet he's often depicted as being much older.
  • The swords used are not historically accurate and the assassin's blade tip is circular.
In the Whoniverse, Roman swords may not be the exact same type used in the Real World. Also time is in flux.
  • The events of this story while presented for comic effect deviate a great deal from accepted historical fact.
Accepted history is sometimes inaccurate.
  • Nero shows remarkably little curiosity as to who it was trying kill him. Surely he would have pressed the Doctor to find out how he knew the goblet was poisoned.
  • It is highly unlikely that Sevcheria, a lowly slave trader cum games organizer, would ever be put in charge of security at the imperial palace.
  • Why doesn't Barbara say anything about their trip to Rome when they are back in the TARDIS. She doesn't even react to hearing that The Doctor was actually the lyre player that she had helped save.
She does say something, it just doesn't happen until the following episode, The Web Planet. She explains to Vicki that she didn't have the chance to say anything about it earlier.
  • The guards are seen carrying swords with nets, something that would never have happed in ancient Rome,
Accepted history is sometimes inaccurate. Also, events in the Whoniverse sometimes happen differently.
  • Locusta, though a real person, was not an 'official prisoner'
Accepted history is sometimes inaccurate. Also, events in the Whoniverse sometimes happen differently.
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