Best crime TV character mistakes of all time

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Leverage picture

The Rundown Job - S5-E10

Character mistake: Upon finding the Spanish flu virus missing, Hardison freaks out about it killing 50m people 100 years ago, saying it would be even more deadly today due to the higher population. There's no reason to think so - the death toll in 1918 was massively exacerbated by the aftermath of WWI. Not to mention today we have vaccines, plus most deaths then were actually caused by bacterial pneumonia, which today is easily treated with antibiotics.

Jon Sandys

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My Name Is Earl picture

We've Got Spirit - S4-E6

Character mistake: While filming the cheerleader performance, Jasper refers to his inability of using computers ("We're gonna put this on YouTube as soon as one of us figures out how to use a computer!"). Earlier in the series, however, Jasper ordered himself a Russian wife online, so this statement is definitely off-character.

Dangar

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Homicide: Life on the Street picture

Show generally

Character mistake: In one episode, John, Meldrick and Tim are called down to their bank because they're getting a business loan to buy the Waterfront Bar (the bank's policy is to give good news in person). They start arguing and Tim announces at one point that "I've got a platinum card, Frank", which is marvelous, except he's talking to Meldrick.

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Crossing Jordan picture

Four Fathers - S1-E14

Character mistake: Mahershala said the child found in the cement had "osteoportrosis", instead of osteoporosis. Then the grief counselor repeated the same incorrect word.

Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.

Suggested correction: They said "osteopetrosis," which is a different medical condition from osteoporosis. Osteopetrosis is a genetic condition that causes overly dense, brittle, and misshapen bones starting in infancy.

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Diagnosis Murder picture

Inheritance of Death - S1-E4

Character mistake: Jack was off by more than double when he told Dr. Nash that 200ccs was almost a pint. In actuality, a pint is 473ccs. So, 200ccs is a little less than 1/2 of a pint.

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Without A Trace picture

The Line - S2-E14

Character mistake: While discussing an ex-con with Danny, Jack uses the redundant acronym "PO officer." Since, by definition, the phrase is redundant, his use of "officer" is unnecessary. (00:13:25)

Cubs Fan

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Forever Knight picture

I Will Repay - S1-E10

Character mistake: Nick asks Janette if she's ever turned anyone else into a vampire - an odd question, considering the fact that he already knows she has. He was there when she brought the baroness across in the 18th Century flashback sequence for "If Looks Could Kill." It's even odder that Janette tells him she's never done it, since she knows that Nick knows she has. Apparently, the only one not in the know here was the scriptwriter.

Jean G

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Trial & Retribution picture

Tracks: Part 1 - S11-E9

Character mistake: When Walker and Satch are in the car looking for Walker's son, Walker tells Satch his son is 17. Afterward, when they are out on the streets, Walker asks some people if they have seen his 18-year old son.

littlestar

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Crime picture

Episode #1.3 - S1-E3

Character mistake: Richie Gulliver is referred to as Rory Gulliver on the newspaper headline. As he's supposedly a very well-known Member of the Scottish Parliament, it's unlikely a newspaper would make a mistake like this.

Necrothesp

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Get Smart picture

The Mild Ones - S3-E11

Character mistake: The leader of the Purple Knights says that they would only be bike riders if they couldn't tell which gender someone was by their hair. This is a major mistake, because if you look at the hair of the Purple Knights, it's incredibly easy to tell which gender someone is.

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