The Most Disturbing Plot Hole in a Science Fiction Movie: The Water Paradox in 'Signs'

As an SEO professional, I often analyze the intricacies of storytelling, but one plot hole stands out in 'Signs' (2002), directed by M. Night Shyamalan. Specifically, the creatures being defeated by water is a bewildering and illogical twist that leaves many viewers scratching their heads. This article delves into why this plot hole is so egregious and how it breaks the fourth wall of the narrative.

The Water Paradox in 'Signs'

Spoilers Ahead! If you haven't seen Signs, you might want to skip to the next section.

So, Mel Gibson and his family are tormented by aliens that are taking over the world. The aliens are finally defeated because they are killed by... water.

My take on this plot hole is that these creatures have the advanced technology to travel halfway across the galaxy but are oblivious to the presence of dangerous chemicals on the planet they land on. This is simply too hard to believe even with artistic license. This water paradox raises several questions: why would these high-tech beings not consider the chemicals on the planet, and why would they use such a seemingly ineffective substance to defeat them?

The Inconsistencies in the Alien Invasion

The movie Signs (2002) presents a scenario where water is corrosive to the alien creatures. It is through the use of water that they are ultimately defeated. However, this raises a set of logical inconsistencies that make the plot hole even more glaring.

Firstly, we are led to believe that water is the basis for life and scientists agree that it is necessary for life to thrive. The very fact that the aliens would invade a planet with such an abundance of water is itself a significant plot hole. Moreover, the aliens are supposed to be technologically advanced and would surely have the means to analyze the environmental conditions of any planet before landing.

To make matters worse, the aliens don't invade a desert; they invade Pennsylvania farm country, walking barefoot on grass in the early morning. Dew should have eaten their feet away, not to mention the fact that simply inhaling could be asphyxiation for them. The driest place on earth averages only 10% humidity, which would be poisonous to them.

A Time Traveling Gaffe of Epic Proportions

Beyond the water paradox, the aliens' time travel sequence in Voyager (1977) is another plot hole of epic proportions. In Voyager, the crew discovers a world that has just killed everyone on the planet. They investigate and are sent back in time to prevent the disaster, only to find that preventing the disaster means they caused it in the first place. Spoiler: they solve the problem by preventing themselves from being rescued.

What makes this plot hole so egregious is that it lacks an initiating event. In the standard time travel story, some type of disaster occurs, and the time travelers go back to prevent it. In this case, the disaster they need to prevent is their own interference. Think about it: if there is no disaster, there is no reason for them to interfere in the first place. It is akin to a self-perpetuating time loop, except it is a self-preventing time loop. This paradox has bugged me ever since I first watched the show, and it serves as a cautionary tale about writing meta-paradoxical time travel stories.

Conclusion

These plot holes in 'Signs' and 'Voyager' challenge the logical consistency of the stories and highlight the importance of meticulous storytelling and world-building in science fiction. While artistic license allows for certain liberties, real-world logic and consistency are crucial elements in keeping the audience engaged and entertained. By examining and critiquing these plot holes, we can improve our understanding of what makes a compelling and believable science fiction narrative.