Theory:Torchwood television discontinuity and plot holes/A Day in the Death


 * If Owen cannot breathe, as he realises in this episode when he fails to resuscitate Henry Parker, then he shouldn't be able to speak. Owen also claims that he has no sense of feeling. This presents numerous inconsistencies, for example the fact that he can speak also presents a problem here. Anyone who has had a local anesthetic for a filling will know how unclear speech can be with a numbed mouth.
 * Owen was revived by alien technology. It is possible that his current state allows him to speak in a manner which doesn't rely on the normal elements of human speech.
 * Not only that, but there is no reason why it should be physically impossible to inhale or exhale. The diaphragm is just another muscle, and since he can obviously use his muscles he should be able to inhale and exhale. They act as though it is impossible for him to breathe, not that it's merely unnecessary.


 * Owen can be clearly seen breathing on occasions throughout the episode? The technology which has revived Owen is alien and largely unexplained.
 * For Owen to have the outward appearance of respiration without the sensation and chemical processes thereof would be consistent with the unpleasant state he finds himself in.


 * In a modern crash cart and life support system such as that by Parker's bedside, there is a air bag to use as doctors in the hospital do not use mouth to mouth.
 * This could be a mistake on the part of Parker's medical staff.


 * The capacitative click-wheel style of iPod Owen uses depends on the human finger's own electrical field to operate, and shouldn't have responded to a dead finger.
 * It's possible the alien form of resurrection left Owen with some form of bodily energy not normally found in dead tissue, which happened to be iPod-compatible.