Theory:Doctor Who television discontinuity and plot holes/Night Terrors

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

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• I'm guessing that it was originally written with a girl in the child role given the use of a dolls house and scary dolls. Not that boys can't play with dolls, its just not a usual toy for a boy who clearly has a love of robots, cars and action figures...

It was definitely written for a boy; Gatiss' original outline was titled "What Are Little Boys Made Of?", and that was also the working title for the episode used early in the season.

Gatiss also said that he always had a fear of blank-faced dolls like that as a little boy, so, it makes sense that he'd write that into an episode about a little boy with a fear of blank-faced dolls.

Also, most little boys don't always get their first pick of toys, especially in working-class homes, where you often get whatever hand-me-downs the family happens to have around. (That can't be the explanation in Gatiss' case, since both of his parents are professionals; I'm guessing, given that they were psychiatrists and it was the late 60s, they were worried that all his robot and dinosaur toys were the result of social stereotypes about masculinity and decided to balance them out with some dolls.)

And the dollhouse doesn't even need to have been George's--just something that would have scared him enough to go into the cupboard. The dollhouse and accessories being made of wood also suggests they're older--if they were new-bought they'd more likely be plastic--so they're more likely Claire's.

To prove the above point, one of George's toys is Serpentera, a zord from the second season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. That toy would be from 1994-5 - 16-17 years ago, and so is probably also a hand-me-down.

• Why does Amy carry the lantern if it doesn't seem to produce any light?

The lantern does produce some light.

• I’m sorry, I’m sure that this was all explained in the episode, (and some off-screen sources) but let me get this right; George’s fears originated from thoughts he had about the possibility that Alex and Claire would send him off to somewhere and might reject him?