Factual error: The briefer on the oil platform mission says the platform is 12 stories, and 80 million square feet. Doing the math, that makes it half a mile per side if completely square. It is nowhere near that size as shown. The largest oil rig in the world - Berkut in Russia's Far East - has a combined deck area of only 342,000 square feet. (00:13:35)
A Solar Calculator, a Game Ball, and a Cheerleader's Bosom - S1-E5
Factual error: In this episode we see George throwing a ball against his bedroom wall. On the wall is a picture of Axl Rose wearing shorts in the pattern of the USA flag. This photo is from the Guns N' Roses appearance at Rock In Rio 2 festival in Jan 1991. The show is set in 1989. 2 years prior to the photo the poster is made from is taken.
Factual error: In the opening sequence when Maddie is supposedly driving from Michigan through Ohio and back to Pennsylvania, you can very briefly spot the reflection of a "TD Canada Trust" in the car window. This is because the show is actually shot in Vancouver. In the United States the company is simply known as "TD Bank", which doesn't operate any branches in either Michigan or Ohio. (00:01:55)
Episode #1.7 - S1-E7
Factual error: Lorna uses the word 'okay'. The first recorded usage of this word in America was not until 1839 and in Britain not until the 20th century. The series is set in 1814 and generally uses language contemporary to its setting.
The Disappointment of the Dionne Quintuplets - S1-E4
Factual error: When Midge is moving to her parents' apartment there is a stack of books on the table while her son is watching TV. On top is a Nancy Drew book (the back of the book which is yellow). However publisher didn't introduce the editions with the yellow back covers until the 1960s.
Factual error: In several different episodes characters are escaping on foot to Canada, as evidenced by Ontario license plates. But the show is set in New England, and the only way to get to Ontario through the Eastern United States is by crossing a major body of water: The St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, The Niagara River, or Lake Erie. You can't walk there.
Factual error: The show has a BMW X5 (2007 - 2012) appearing when the media goes to the brother's house. (00:27:50)
Episode #2.8 - S2-E8
Factual error: In the opening seconds of the intro the BTK killer is following a woman home in his work van. Both the woman and BTK have license plates on the front of their vehicles. Kansas does not use front license plates. (Also, BTK's van shows the county abbreviation on the plate as WY - Wyandotte County - where Kansas City, KS is located nearly 200 miles away. The county tag abbreviation should be SG for Sedgwick County).
Factual error: In season 1, there is an Egyptian woman wearing ornate jewellery around her head. Unfortunately, at least 3 components are old UK currency coins from the latter half of the 20th century. Clearly visible are copper 2p pieces and one old silver 10p coin. (00:38:40)
Factual error: In the disturbing assault scene, after having his head smashed into a mirror and banged against the sink multiple times, there is no way Tyler would be conscious for the rest of the scene.
Episode #1.2 - S1-E2
Factual error: The settlers prepare to burn Verity at the stake as a witch. Witches were never burned in England or her colonies; they were hanged.
Pompeii's Gate to Hell - S4-E8
Factual error: This episode includes a segment about an abandoned dry dock in San Francisco. At one point, one of the commentators several times refers to the U.S.S. Ward as a "battleship," and marvels that it was built in 17 days. The Ward (DD-139) was a 1200-ton destroyer, not a battleship, and was launched after only 17 days, but then took another two months to complete. By way of comparison, the California (BB-44), an actual battleship of 32,000-tons built during the same time period, too nearly five years to complete.
Episode #1.5 - S1-E5
Factual error: The senior police officer's name tag reads "Assistant Commissioner" but he wears the rank insignia of a Deputy Assistant Commissioner.
Factual error: Two women come into town somewhere around San Luis Valley, Colorado with ring-necked Pheasants. The pheasants were brought into US a few times (East coast, CA) but really did not get established until late 1880s and in Colorado likely in the late 1890s (eastern and southwestern). The problem is it supposedly depicts the year 1880. They would more likely may have found some Gunnisons Sage-Grouse nearby or rabbits. (00:16:10)
Factual error: The show is set in 1991 yet the Lincoln town car being driven near the start is from 2003 or later.
Episode #4.9 - S4-E9
Factual error: Renate escapes from the prison in a Morris Ten Four, with the badge visible on the bonnet. However, this designation was not introduced until 1935 and the episode is set in 1931.
Factual error: The provincial police is always described as the Ontario Police Department (OPD) instead of the correct Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).
Factual error: At least two characters wear the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, which wasn't issued until 2012. The series is set in 1965.
Factual error: When Detective Inspector Sara Lunt's photograph in uniform is shown on the TV news she is wearing a double row of silver lace below her hat badge. Only chief constables wear this insignia, well above the rank of inspector.
Factual error: Science Officer Tilly calls the planet Trill a "very big" planet. It has an area of 500 million square kilometers. But that is not so large a planet. The Earth has an area of 510,100,000 square kilometers. So Trill is slightly smaller than Earth. Not really a "very big" planet.