Ethan Clarke
In the Doctor Who episode Rose, Rose Tyler's boyfriend Mickey Smith is replaced by a plastic version of himself, yet Rose does not seem to notice. This has been noted as a plot hole by some, as Rose doesn't seem to realise anything is amiss even when Plastic Mickey begins twitching, talking strangely, and driving erratically. Some have theorised that this was a deliberate choice by the writers to show that Rose pays little attention to Mickey, or that she is not yet assuming that unusual occurrences are linked to aliens. Others have suggested that the TARDIS has the power to go unnoticed, allowing Plastic Mickey to escape Rose's notice.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rose's lack of attention to Mickey | Rose was oblivious to Mickey acting strange |
| Rose's lack of suspicion | Rose didn't suspect unusual occurrences were linked to aliens |
| Mickey's behaviour | Mickey did silly things to impress Rose |
| Mickey's appearance | Mickey looked like a Barbie doll |
| Plot device | Writer RTD acknowledged the plot hole in his autobiography |
| Rose's character development | Rose became careless and insensitive after spending time with the Doctor |
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What You'll Learn
Rose was oblivious to Mickey acting strange
Rose's preoccupation with her own concerns: It is possible that Rose was going through a challenging phase in her life, grappling with personal issues or emotional turmoil. She might have been so absorbed in her own problems that she failed to notice Mickey's peculiar behavior. Deep worry has a way of blinding people to their surroundings, causing them to become self-absorbed and oblivious to the subtle changes in the behavior of those around them.
Selective attention and expectations: Our brains are constantly filtering the vast amount of information we receive through our senses, and we tend to notice things that confirm our expectations or fit into our mental schemas. Rose, expecting Mickey to behave in a certain way, might have subconsciously ignored any signs that contradicted her expectations. This is known as selective attention or confirmation bias. Mickey's strange behavior could have fallen outside of Rose's focus of attention if it didn't align with her preconceived notions of how he should act.
Busy environment and distractions: It is also plausible that the surroundings were hectic and distracting. If they were in a crowded place with a lot of activity, loud noises, or other engaging conversations, Rose's attention could have been divided. In such situations, it becomes easy to miss subtle cues and strange behaviors, especially if one is not specifically looking for them. The brain tends to filter out unimportant information to manage the overload of sensory inputs.
Rose's trust and familiarity with Mickey: If Rose had a deep trust in Mickey and they shared a close bond, she might have been less inclined to question his behavior. Sometimes, when we are comfortable and familiar with someone, we assume we know how they will act and respond, and this can lead to a form of blind trust. Rose, feeling secure in their relationship dynamic, may not have felt the need to scrutinize Mickey's every action, especially if his strangeness was intermittent or subtle.
Similar strange behavior in the past: If Mickey had exhibited similar odd behaviors in the past, which turned out to be harmless, Rose might have become accustomed to them and viewed them as typical Mickey quirks. Over time, she could have developed a form of desensitization to his peculiarities, causing her to overlook any new or escalating strange behaviors. This is especially true if Mickey had a history of eccentricities that Rose had always accepted as part of his unique personality.
Mental exhaustion and stress: Lastly, if Rose was experiencing mental exhaustion or high-stress levels, her cognitive abilities might have been impaired. Stress and fatigue can affect our attention to detail, critical thinking skills, and perception. In such a state, it is easy to miss subtle changes in someone's behavior, especially if they are good at concealing their true intentions or motivations. Rose might have simply lacked the mental bandwidth to notice Mickey's strangeness.
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Rose didn't pay much attention to Mickey
In the Doctor Who episode "Rose", Rose Tyler's boyfriend Mickey Smith is replaced by a plastic version of himself, yet Rose does not seem to notice. This has been described as a plot hole, but there are several reasons why Rose might not have noticed.
Firstly, Rose is portrayed as being oblivious to the fact that her boyfriend was acting strangely. She was also shown to be increasingly careless and insensitive the more time she spent with the Doctor, and it is suggested that she didn't pay much attention to Mickey. For example, she often showed a strong connection with the Doctor in front of Mickey and made him wait for her when she came back from travelling.
Secondly, the writer RTD noted that at this point in the show, Rose wouldn't immediately assume that every unusual occurrence was linked to aliens. He reasoned that no real human would think "turned to plastic" was a possible explanation for Mickey's appearance and behaviour, instead thinking he was just messing around.
Finally, the tone of the episode is described as "ridiculous and absurd", and viewers are subtly encouraged not to take it too seriously. The threat of the Nestene Consciousness is laid out well, but the episode is more focused on introducing the characters of the Doctor and Rose and setting up their adventures together.
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Rose was becoming insensitive due to her time with the Doctor
Rose Tyler, a faithful companion of the Ninth and Tenth Doctors, underwent a significant transformation during her time with the Doctor. While she initially came across as immature, she evolved into a courageous fighter for humanity, displaying a strong connection with the Doctor. However, her journey also had a darker side, as she became increasingly insensitive and careless.
Rose's insensitivity was evident in her interactions with her boyfriend, Mickey Smith. On one occasion, Mickey was replaced by a plastic duplicate, yet Rose failed to notice the difference, even as the fake Mickey displayed unusual behaviour and speech patterns. This could be attributed to Rose's growing indifference towards Mickey, as she often showcaseed her bond with the Doctor in front of him and left him waiting during her travels.
Rose's time with the Doctor influenced her perception of danger and mortality. She embraced the thrill of adventure, taunted Daleks, and believed herself to be indestructible. While the Doctor's enthusiasm was infectious, Rose's behaviour suggests she became desensitized to certain risks. She even tried to emulate the Doctor, potentially influenced by his narcissistic tendencies and sense of invincibility.
The influence of the Doctor on Rose's character development is undeniable. While she matured and gained confidence, she also became careless and insensitive to the feelings of those around her. Her relationship with Mickey suffered, and she struggled to recognize the unusual occurrences linked to aliens. Rose's transformation serves as a reminder of the impact that such extraordinary experiences can have on an individual.
In conclusion, Rose's time with the Doctor led to a noticeable change in her personality. While she became a stronger and more adventurous individual, she also developed a certain insensitivity and carelessness. This transformation highlights the complex nature of personal growth in extraordinary circumstances and the potential consequences of embracing a life of danger and excitement.
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Rose didn't assume unusual occurrences were linked to aliens
In the Doctor Who episode "Rose", Rose Tyler's boyfriend Mickey Smith is replaced by a plastic version of himself, yet Rose does not initially notice. This has been described as a plot hole, as it seems unrealistic that Rose would not realise her boyfriend had been replaced by a plastic replica.
One explanation offered by writer RTD in his autobiography is that Rose doesn't immediately assume that every unusual occurrence is linked to aliens. In other words, she doesn't have the same frame of reference as the audience, who knows that aliens and other supernatural phenomena are a regular part of the Doctor Who universe. From Rose's perspective, it's more likely that Mickey is acting strangely or looks unwell, rather than assuming he has been replaced by a plastic duplicate.
Additionally, it's suggested that Rose doesn't pay much attention to Mickey in general. Their relationship is strained due to Rose's strong connection with The Doctor, and she even leaves Mickey behind to travel with The Doctor. It's implied that Rose is somewhat careless and insensitive towards Mickey, which could explain why she doesn't notice his unusual behaviour.
Furthermore, it's worth considering the context of the episode. The early shots of "Rose" are described as having a horror film-like atmosphere, with plastic mannequins coming to life and attacking people. In this context, it's possible that Rose is simply in denial or too shocked to fully process what is happening, especially since the idea of a consciousness taking over plastic objects is a new and bizarre concept to her.
While Rose's failure to notice Plastic Mickey may seem like a plot hole, it can be explained by her lack of assumption that unusual occurrences are linked to aliens, her inattention to Mickey, and the shocking and bizarre nature of the events unfolding around her.
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Rose was distracted by her connection with the Doctor
Rose Tyler was a faithful companion of the Ninth and Tenth Doctors in Doctor Who. However, her connection with the Doctor has been a point of contention for viewers, with some questioning how she could not notice that her boyfriend Mickey Smith had turned into plastic.
One possible explanation is that Rose was distracted by her growing connection with the Doctor, which made her careless and insensitive to Mickey's feelings. As Rose spent more time with the Doctor, she began to absorb the heart of the TARDIS, taunted Daleks, and thought she was indestructible. This could have led to her becoming oblivious to Mickey's strange behaviour and appearance.
Additionally, Rose often displayed her strong connection with the Doctor in front of Mickey, even making him wait for her while she travelled without him. She rejected his attempts to join her in the TARDIS, yet was upset when he decided to leave and fight the Cybermen. This dynamic could have contributed to Rose's lack of attention towards Mickey, as she was more focused on her adventures with the Doctor.
Furthermore, the writers of the show have acknowledged this plot hole, suggesting that Rose's initial disbelief that unusual occurrences are linked to aliens could be a factor. They also noted that Mickey's character is the type to do silly things to impress Rose, so she may have simply thought he was acting strangely to get her attention.
Overall, while Rose's failure to notice Plastic Mickey remains a curious aspect of the show, her distraction and changing priorities due to her connection with the Doctor could provide a plausible explanation for her behaviour.
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Frequently asked questions
Rose was oblivious to the fact that her boyfriend had turned into plastic, and was acting strange. This could be attributed to a plot device, or the fact that Rose wasn't assuming every unusual occurrence was linked to aliens. She may have thought he did something to his hair or that he was clammy. Mickey might also be the type to do silly things to impress Rose, so she might have thought he was messing around.
Rose did notice that Mickey was acting strangely, but she didn't seem to realise he was made of plastic. She noticed that he was talking as if he wasn't sure how to use his mouth, and was driving erratically. However, she didn't seem to put these signs together to realise he was made of plastic.
No, in the same episode, mannequins in a department store also came to life and began moving. The Doctor explains that there is a consciousness capable of projecting life into anything made of plastic, and it is trying to take over the world and destroy humanity.
Yes, eventually, when the Doctor shoots a champagne cork into Mickey's malleable face, things click into place for Rose and she realises he is not the real Mickey.
