Theory:Doctor Who television discontinuity and plot holes/The Eleventh Hour


 * The selection of clips displayed by the Atraxi vessel includes recognizable footage from events the careful viewer knows didn't happen on Earth, or at least didn't happen on the Earth of the time in which the story is set. The opening Cybermen clip is recognizably from the moment they crashed Pete Tyler's party in Rise of the Cybermen. Likewise, there's a shot of the Vashta Nerada-controlled skeletons from The Library. There are also glimpses of Hath, who might have come to the "standard universe" Earth at some point, but not as early as the 21st century. It is unclear why the Atraxi are seeing these particular images. Perhaps it suggests they have some ability to see across parallel timelines, or indeed have some ability to look into the future. Perhaps it indicates that they have accessed UNIT computers, which might have included formal reports by Martha Jones, or Torchwood computers, which would have included information on the Cybus-created Cybermen. The inclusion of the specific image of the Vashta Narada perhaps indicates they've scanned The Library computer at some point — though, again, this would imply they have some time-traveling capabilities. It is also possible they were somehow scanning the Doctor's memories.
 * The Doctor did state that the Atraxi followed him and were "only late because he was" which suggests that the Atraxi do have at least some level of time-traveling capabilities.


 * The prominent shot of the London Eye in the opening sequence creates a bit of a narrative problem in dating the episode, especially as Rory's ID badge was issued on 30th November 1990.
 * The Tardis could have travelled back in time between the 1st scene and crashing into Amy's garden.