Theory:Doctor Who television discontinuity and plot holes/The Idiot's Lantern

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This page is for discussing the ways in which The Idiot's Lantern 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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• The Doctor and Tommy have their faces sucked into the TV along with the inspector when they search the TV store. Apparently, since the Doctor and Tommy have been around the same time as the Inspector, how come the Doctor and Tommy survive and the Inspector's face is gone?

The Doctor might have used his sonic screwdriver to get his and Tommy's face back, but not had time to rescue the Inspector.

• How does the Wire use the image of the host? Why not use someone else or doesn't the real person know about this event?

• The Doctor gives Rose a Betamax tape to record over but how can she if she does not have a Betamax tape-recorder?

She might have picked one up before this event or might just pick one up in the future. Also, a mere magnetic field could be used to erase it.

• What does the Episode's Title have to do with the plot? The Idiot may refer to Eddie Connelly but what's his lantern?

The Idiots Lantern was a common term for television, the idea being that idiots are led along by it, like moths following a lantern.