8 Great Sci-Fi TV Shows With Plot Holes Too Big To Ignore

The following article contains spoilers.It’s not easy to write a sci-fi show that’s truly perfect. This is, after all, a genre that lends itself perfectly to ambitious imagination, which is something that can sometimes result in plot holes that are impossible to ignore. This doesn’t necessarily ruin a sci-fi show, however. In fact, there are several genuinely great sci-fi series that nevertheless have a few plot holes that one can’t just look past.

From modern shows like Westworld to classics like The X-Files, these exceptional series are proof that, even with a few logical inconsistencies in the script here and there, a sci-fi show can still manage to be great. These are, indeed, shows with a nearly innumerable number of positive qualities, which are by no means ruined by the rugged edges of their writing.

8

‘Westworld’ (2016–2022)

Image via HBO

When talking about HBO’s dystopian sci-fi Western Westworld, Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy‘s adaptation of Michael Crichton‘s 1973 film of the same name, there’s a fact that most fans tend to agree on: the show’s first season is an undeniable masterpiece, even if the following three seasons saw a considerable decline in quality. Some may argue that that’s caused this to be one of those thriller TV shows that have aged like milk, but most sci-fi fans would agree that Westworld is still a fantastic show, even in spite of its issues.

Among those issues is a number of plot holes too significant to simply look away from. Dolores’ plans are at times a bit too contrived, the park’s security is absurdly inconsistent, the purpose of season two’s finale’s last scene… The list goes on. It’s fair to say that a few of the show’s most prominent unanswered questions might have been addressed and satisfactorily explained if the series hadn’t been canceled after season four, but even still, no matter how fun it is and how airtight its first season seems, Westworld is still a slice of Swiss cheese of a show.

7

‘Fringe’ (2008–2013)

Image via FOX

Fringe starts out as a more episodic sci-fi show, inspired by the likes of The X-Files and The Twilight Zone, in its first season. After that, however, that mystery-of-the-week-type show starts transforming into a far more serialized and entertaining hybrid between procedural and sci-fi elements. This makes it one of the most rewatchable sci-fi shows ever, but, alas, rewatches will inevitably reveal the show’s many unexplainable plot holes.

From the rules of parallel universe travel feeling inconsistent from episode to episode, to the paradox of Peter’s existence never being fully coherent or satisfyingly explained, there are a bunch of plot elements in Fringe that are impossible to reconcile. This hardly ever matters, though—this is still one of the most fun sci-fi shows of 21st-century broadcast television, and even if its narrative about parallel universes may not be entirely flawless, it’s still a blast to follow.

6

‘The 100’ (2014–2020)

Image via The CW

The 100 is the type of sci-fi show that got darker and better every season, a post-apocalyptic teen gem (based on Kass Morgan‘s YA novel series of the same name) that demonstrates the peak of The CW’s capacities as a network. But like pretty much every other YA dystopian story of the 2010s, a decade during which the genre saw the biggest boom in its history, The 100 doesn’t quite manage to be free of fault.

Heroes acting out of character is a common occurrence in The 100, and the number of radiation-related plot holes is also far too large to count. There are also a few problems with how much sense technological and societal development align with the timeline since the apocalypse. But when a show is this intense, has such consistently high stakes, has such strong character development, and takes full advantage of what the sci-fi genre has to offer, it becomes far easier to ignore a few plot contrivances here and there.

5

‘Lost’ (2004–2010)

Image via ABC

Over the course of the 2000s, Lost was far and away one of the biggest shows on television. Everyone in the pop culture zeitgeist seemed to be having conversations about this pioneer of the mystery box genre, a type of show that relies on vast and highly complex stories full of secrets and surprises. That’s the best way to describe Lost, a mystery sci-fi show that brought up at least two more mysteries every time it decided to have one solved.

However, that focus on twists, questions, and mysticism inevitably led the show to fall into a few plot potholes on the road to its divisive finale. The rules of the island are inconsistent and impossible to fully explain, and key mysteries like the significance of the iconic number sequence remain equally worthy of head-scratching 16 years after the show ended. But even still, Lost is one of those classic thriller shows that have aged remarkably well, a gem of the genre with one of the most fascinating mythologies of any show of its kind—even if that mythology has more than a few holes.

4

‘Stranger Things’ (2016–2025)

Image via Netflix

Controversial final season notwithstanding, there’s no denying the tremendous impact that Stranger Things had not only on the Netflix catalog, but on pop culture as a whole. Despite wearing its ’80s influences on its sleeve with love and nostalgia, the originality of this delightfully fun, scary, and emotional adventure sci-fi show is on par with any other of the genre’s best modern outings. However, there are plenty of Netflix shows full of plot holes, and Stranger Things is no exception.

Alas, a solid number of Stranger Things‘ plot holes come from its final season. Why was Dimension X so devoid of monster goons? How did the government back down so easily? Why wasn’t Will affected by Vecna’s death? But even the previous four seasons had issues, like the murky rules of the Upside Down and the abundance of plot armor and deus ex machinas saving characters from otherwise inescapable situations. Stranger Things is a fantastic show overall, but the imperfections of its writing are undeniable.

3

‘Doctor Who’ (1963–Present)

Image via BBC

Sometimes, sci-fi fans are looking for a show that they’ll be able to enjoy for several months. For that, there are plenty of great sci-fi shows longer than five seasons out there. But for those who really want a show that will work as a hell of a time investment, what better option could there be than the longest-running science fiction TV show in history? It went through a 16-year hiatus, but Doctor Who is still the currently-running sci-fi show with the longest and richest history.

It should surprise no one, though, that over the course of that very long history, Doctor Who has run into plot holes the size of the TARDIS’ interior. From the Doctor’s age to the nearly canon-destroying “Timeless Children” story, the sheer number of Doctor Who plot holes is almost unbelievable. But in a show this consistently fresh and fun, one where anything is possible, and the narrative can always practically fix itself, plot holes become an essential part of the series’ charm.

2

‘The X-Files’ (1993–2018)

Image via FOX

The X-Files revolutionized televisual science fiction, but even setting aside its tremendous historical impact, this ’90s classic would still be one of the most enjoyable and well-made shows in the genre’s history. Bolstered by Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny‘s off-the-charts chemistry, as well as the endlessly fun dynamic between Mulder and Scully, it’s no wonder that this has remained one of the most iconic sci-fi cult classics in the history of television for as long as it has.

It’s easily one of the best sci-fi shows of the ’90s, but that doesn’t mean that it’s without problems. Characters coming back from the dead in ways that strain credibility, Scully always conveniently missing proof of the paranormal’s existence so that it’s logical for her to remain a skeptic, the Cigarette Smoking Man’s confusing connection to the Mulders… There’s no shortage of plot elements in The X-Files that defy logic.

1

‘Battlestar Galactica’ (2004–2009)

Image via SyFy

Battlestar Galactica is one of those sci-fi shows that hold up surprisingly well, a phenomenal, dark, and mature series that reimagines the 1978 show of the same title. It’s a direct thematic response to the United States’ post-9/11 years, but also a universally enthralling gem that every fan of the genre—no matter where in the world they’re from—should be able to vastly enjoy. Gritty, character-driven, and constantly defined by the high stakes of its narrative, it’s a must-see for people who love science fiction.

But though it’s generally agreed to be one of the 21st-century sci-fi series that approaches perfection the most, that approach is by no means complete, particularly considering the story’s many plot holes. The reveal of the Final Five Cylons, Dee’s abrupt death, and the fuzzy rules of Cylon resurrection are but a few of the examples that shed light on how messy Battlestar‘s writing could sometimes get. But is it still one of the greatest shows that the genre has ever seen? Absolutely. If anything, this is proof that plot holes don’t necessarily ruin a sci-fi show that’s otherwise phenomenally made.