Captain Jack Harkness - S1-E12
Factual error: When Gwen finds Toshiko's hidden message from 1941, she realizes that it was written in blood, and her flashlight reveals the bright red letters on the now-yellowed piece of paper. But after 60+ years, the iron in the blood would oxidize. The writing on the note should be rust-brown, not red. (00:33:40)
Factual error: Between getting disconnected by the bad guy and calling Ianto, Jack gets a dial tone on the dead man's cell phone. Cell phones don't generate dial tones. (00:11:10)
Factual error: Jack calls Gwen, and when Rhys takes the phone and hangs up on him, Jack's cell phone, for the second time in the series, sounds an audible, impossible dial tone. (00:13:00)
Captain Jack Harkness - S1-E12
Factual error: "Captain" Jack Harkness actually wears the rank insignia of a group captain, equivalent to an army colonel and never abbreviated to "captain". In fact, the RAF does not have a rank of captain (the equivalent rank is flight lieutenant). Neither does it have the position of "squadron captain", as he is described - a squadron commander in World War II usually held the rank of squadron leader (equivalent to an army major).
Suggested correction: "Captain" Jack Harkness actually wears the rank insignia of a group captain, equivalent to an army Brigadier. The equivalent rank of Captain in the RAF is Flying Officer.
Nope. Group Captain = Colonel (Air Commodore = Brigadier). Flight Lieutenant = Captain (Flying Officer = Lieutenant).
Group Captain in the RAF does in fact equate to Captain in the Royal Navy. The Army equivalent being, as stated, Colonel.
Factual error: Owen resuscitates Tommy using a defibrillator. The heart monitor shows a flat line, indicating Tommy's heart is not beating. A defibrillator has no effect in this situation. This is a widespread error in many films and TV shows.
Miracle Day: The New World - S4-E1
Factual error: When Rex is crossing the newer Severn Bridge (when still on the bridge) he sees paying kiosks. The kiosks for this bridge are in Wales, significantly after you have come off the bridge, and would not be in plain sight when you cross.
Factual error: Martha picks up a bone saw to start the autopsy on Owen. An autopsy should start with a Y incision from just below the arm pits to the sternum and then down the stomach to the pubic region - using a scalpel, not a bone saw.
Children of Earth: Day Three - S3-E3
Factual error: Andrew Staines was a junior Scots Guards officer in the 1960s according to the Torchwood database. However, the photograph of him in that era shows him with a general's capbadge.
Children of Earth: Day One - S3-E1
Factual error: On the government database, Torchwood is described as being founded by HRH Queen Victoria. As a sovereign, she was actually HM (Her Majesty) not HRH (Her Royal Highness).
Children of Earth: Day Three - S3-E3
Factual error: Frobisher tells the 456 he is the Permanent Secretary of the Home Office of the "United Kingdom and Northern Ireland". It should be the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is part of the UK.
