Best mystery TV factual errors of all time

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And Then There Were None picture

Episode #1.1 - S1-E1

Factual error: Unlike Christie's novels, there is no explicit statement of the date - the original novel started on the August 8th, which is compatible with what is shown here; Vera is interviewed and the letters are all posted on August 2nd 1939, which would fit. However, there's a problem when Vera changes seats en route to Soldier's island. A passenger is reading the Daily Express, and the headline is from August 29th of that year. Too much time elapsed and it's the end of the Summer while the chat between Emily and Vera implies otherwise; it's also Tuesday but the doctor comments "It's been a long week" when he apologizes at dinner - the weekend feels a more appropriate time for a party and gathering as shown. (00:06:15)

Sammo

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Resident Alien picture

Family Day - S2-E5

Factual error: The phone number Harry is given has an exchange that starts with "0" (the first 3 digits after the area code). Phone numbers (in the US) can't start with "0" since that's the "operator."

Bishop73

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The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance picture

The Crystal Calls - S1-E9

Factual error: At the end when Skeksis enters the crystal chamber, in the overhead shot you can see 22 arcane symbols around the crystal when there should only be 18, one for each exiled skeksis. (00:45:53)

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The Rockford Files picture

The Countess - S1-E4

Factual error: Two cops (the bowtie guy that cuffs Rockford and the one that watches him being taken away from his trailer) report to HQ saying that the protagonist is a suspect for a 157, to which Rockford reacts saying he did not murder anyone (and it is in fact what he is accused of). But homicide is in CA police code 187, not 157. A 157 is an entirely different felony. (00:21:00)

Sammo

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Crossing Jordan picture

There's No Place Like Home - S2-E1

Factual error: This is at the end of the episode, when Jordan takes the key that she found for the 66 Ford and tries it in the ignition it should have been a square key. Round keys were for the doors and trunk. Back then they made two keys - one that opened the car doors and trunk and one that started the ignition. She never even tried the key in the trunk.

Imemine

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Lovecraft Country picture

Show generally

Factual error: In Massachusetts, Atticus, Leti and George are attacked by the local sheriff and his deputies, who are patrolling the county roads. In Massachusetts, sheriffs run the county jails, but they do not (and did not) handle routine policing, which is the responsibility only of municipal police departments.

Necrothesp

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Get Smart picture

Closely Watched Planes - S4-E3

Factual error: If there really was a hatch leading into mid-air in the airplane bathroom, instead of being soundless like shown, it would be incredibly loud and Max would have noticed. Also, the sudden pressure change would have sucked him out no matter what he did to stop it.

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Ironside picture

Force of Arms - S1-E16

Factual error: The chopper's main rotors are at a speed enough to cause rotor wash, but the men's coats or hair don't move at all, when they should have been buffeted around.

Movie Nut

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Carnivàle picture

Los Moscos - S2-E1

Factual error: Outside the church headquarters where Norman has his stroke is a board saying 'United Methodist Church'. The UMC didn't come into existence until 1968. It was the Methodist Episcopal Church in the 1930s.

Necrothesp

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Law & Order: Criminal Intent picture

Show generally

Factual error: When the cops need to arrest a medical professional, they are frequently shown barging into his/her office, exam room, or even operating room. This would never happen in real life and is strictly forbidden, as it is a gross violation of the patient's privacy, and in the case of the OR, could contaminate the sterile environment, thereby jeopardizing patient safety as well.

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The Last Thing He Told Me picture

Protect Her - S1-E1

Factual error: When Jules and Hannah are talking about the financial shenanigans at Owen's firm, Jules says that the owner of Owen's company had fraudulently driven up the price of the stock before the IPO. This is impossible. The IPO is the first time the shares become tradeable.

bnemirow

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The Return of Sherlock Holmes picture

The Second Stain - S1-E3

Factual error: Holmes and Watson walks through a colonnade. Clearly visible in the background right over Watson's head is part of a 20th century circular red and white road sign. (00:34:18)

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The Beast picture

Mercy - S1-E8

Factual error: At the beginning of the episode, Patrick Swayze is looking at photos of two Iraq veterans who have been murdered. He identifies one as a Marine Lance Corporal and the other as an Army PFC, but both pictures show men in U.S. Army uniforms. A bit later, his partner, who is supposed to be a Marine vet, refers to his decision not to "re-up," using the Army term for re-enlistment, rather than "ship over," as it's referred to in the Navy and Marines.

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True Detective picture

Season 1 generally

Factual error: A number of times throughout the season they refer to LSD being found in dead bodies and LSD being matched with other LSD found in other (living or dead) bodies. LSD starts a chain reaction in the brain which requires about an hour to take a noticeable effect. And, by that time, it has completely broken down and no longer exists as LSD in the body - before the person even begins to get high. There is no test for LSD even in the most bombed living individual, let alone a dead body years later.

roy sandefur

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The Following picture

Pilot - S1-E1

Factual error: The FBI agent introduces himself and says "Mike Weston - I did my thesis on Joe Carol at the academy." FBI agents are required to have a university degree, but they don't write thesis' at the academy. A person is either in a university or at Quantico getting trained. They are not writing papers at Quantico. They need the degree beforehand to get in. (00:10:30 - 00:11:30)

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