Top 10 Biggest TV Plot Holes

One thing the “Star Trek” series’ writers could just never agree on was what happens when you go past warp 10. In a few episodes of the original 1966 series and “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” The Enterprise zipped around at warp 10 and beyond on more than one occasion. The result? Well, the ship just went a lot faster. This all gets kicked in the head, however, when in the “Star Trek: Voyager” episode “Threshhold,” the writers seem to have forgotten about the existing canon and Tom Paris achieves warp 10 in a shuttlecraft and becomes, according to the Voyager crew, the first human ever to have done so. They discover that warp 10 is so fast that Paris simultaneously exists in every point in the universe at once, and has his DNA mutated. That’s funny, considering that no one on the Enterprise ships was affected and actually seemed a-okay after going by warp 10 and beyond.

Claire Bennet is certainly one of the luckier teenage cheerleaders out there with her more than impressive ability of regenerative health. We’ve seen her walk through fire and nuclear blasts on many occasions, but she didn’t even know she had this ability until she entered high school. Yet, when her biological mother reveals that she believed Claire died in a house fire as a baby, “Heroes” tried to use her regenerative healing as a means of explaining how she survived. The problem is that this completely negates the previous storyline that said she actually developed her powers when she was a teenager. Wow, this is messy.

The saying goes ‘innocent until proven guilty’… unless the evidence is completely made up for the purpose of the plot, right?! Halfway through season two of “Prison Break,” the former Captain of Fox River is unable to prove his innocence in the murder of Roy Geary, when he is framed by T-bag with the use of a particularly threatening voice mail. However, even fans could have realized that Bellick was actually in the hospital at that date and time and so should he should have been proven innocent. Either this is a huge plot hole or the Fox River State police aren’t very good at their jobs.

#7: How Does Teleporting Work? “Doctor Who” (1963-86; 2005-)

Also in:

Top 10 Supernatural Plot Holes You Never Noticed

Teleporting is a very powerful ability, so let’s only use it when it suits the plot, alright? Don’t get us wrong, we’re not letting those artificial humans who are so infected they can’t run and yet they can somehow climb from “New Earth” off scot-free either. But for this entry, we’re going with Lupton’s capturing of the blue crystal and his immense power to teleport himself. After much diligence into the investigation, The Doctor pursues Lupton in a multi-vehicle chase – and yet, we find out at the end of it that Lupton could have just teleported away from it at any moment. So the obvious question here is: why didn’t he just do that? This mishap is remembered by fans as truly one of the more simple moments in a usually clever series.

Secret identities are always awesome on TV, especially when they’re so well hidden… but here, it really isn’t. In “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,” the world is consistently ravaged and destroyed with only a group of teenagers with attitude to defend it. What’s strange is that no one seems to notice the six absent chairs at Angel Grove High School every time the world needs saving. We could apply this type of question to many other TV shows that have teenage superheroes, but as nearly every attack on this live action children’s series takes place during school hours, we just simply can’t imagine a world where something like this would simply be ignored.

#5: Ross’ First Time “Friends” (1994-2004)

Also in:

Monica & Chandler VS Ross & Rachel: Who is the Ultimate Friends Couple?

The love life of New York’s favorite awkward roommate has always been under scrutiny, probably because he can’t get it straight himself. As most know, Ross’ former wife Carol came out as a lesbian and instigated their divorce, after which the newly found singleton admits to his friends that she took not only his possessions but also his virginity. Or at least that’s the story Ross keeps up for years until a certain back and forth in season 7 realigns the audience’s view on his sexual history. So which was it: a sexually adventurous cleaning lady or your lesbian ex-wife? Only one can be your first time.

#4: Angel’s Hellish Return “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)

Also in:

Top 10 Memorable Buffy & Angel Moments

This particular vampire certainly has some shifty powers. Despite Spike and his gang being able to break through six feet of steel, Angel can’t cut through a thin wire door. And yet he is able to return from Hell without warning or explanation. Surviving Satan himself to return to the living world is not an easy task and especially not something to just gloss over… so excuse us while this obvious plot hole is completely glossed over by the show’s writers and producers. We can’t imagine how stunned and confused fans must’ve been at this shocking moment.

#3: Bye Bye, Judy “Family Matters” (1989-98)

Also in:

Top 20 Family Guy Plot Holes You Never Noticed

So after a heartfelt wedding episode, you tune in next week to see-…. wait weren’t there more Winslow family members? Halfway during the Season 4 run of the hit sitcom, show creator William Bickley decided to cut out the Winslow’s nine-year-old daughter, Judy, due to budget constraints. However, crazier still is that no explanation was given for her obvious disappearance and that characters would have no memory of her or talk about her ever again. In its own universe, this plothole is just as creepy as it is big.

#2: Principal Skinner’s Past “The Simpsons” (1989-)

Also in:

Top 10 Principal Skinner Pranks on the Simpsons

Let’s talk about Armin Tamzarian, a man you know best as Principal Seymour Skinner! The Springfield Elementary disciplinarian has a gritty past dating from Vietnam War – not that you’d hear about it today on the show, or even from the writers. Mr. Tamzarian was fighting in ‘Nam alongside the real Seymour Skinner, whom he believed died in combat. So Tamzarian did the logical thing and took over his identity and life. Unfortunately, things get weird when the real Skinner shows up in Springfield at the beginning of season 9. But ultimately the town decides they’re happier with the imposter and banish Skinner from Springfield forever – along with any mention of the incident or the name Armin Tamzarian. This change to Skinner’s backstory, after years of investment, garnered controversy and criticism everywhere so perhaps the resulting silence on the topic is understandable. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few dishonourable mentions - Season 8 Plot Holes “Dexter” (2006-13) - Post Traumatic Slide Syndrome “Sliders” (1995-2000) - Everyone in the Village Has a Number for a Name Except for Cobb “The Prisoner” (1967-68)

#1: The Entire Series “Lost” (2004-10)

Also in:

Top 20 South Park Plot Holes You Never Noticed

What was once a gripping, mysterious and complex series became a befuddled, confusing mess; how the mighty did fall. The holes of “Lost” are so big we could fit every WatchMojo video plus a misplaced polar bear inside them. Why do only certain characters get transported back to 1977? What was the ‘loophole’ that killed Jacob? Why is the Island underwater at the start of season 6? All these questions and more were left completely unanswered in one of the biggest teases ever to hit television. Do you agree with our list? Which plot holes left you scratching your heads? For more mind bendingtop tens published everyday visit WatchMojo.com and don’t forget to subscribe.