5 Things About ‘Watchmen’ That Made Zero Sense and 5 Things That Made Perfect Sense
“Watchmen” is full of sharp ideas and bold twists. It also has moments that leave you scratching your head. That mix is part of why it sticks with people.
Below are ten picks that look at both sides. We move back and forth between confusion and clarity to show how the story balances chaos and control.
Zero Sense: Dr. Manhattan sees time all at once but misses Veidt’s plot
Dr. Manhattan says he experiences time all at once. He knows what will happen and what has happened. With that power, it feels odd that he does not catch the plan in motion.
The story points to “tachyons” that block his view. That is a quick fix, but it still feels thin. A being who senses time like a book should spot other signs. His blind spot looks more like a device than a truth.
Perfect Sense: Rorschach’s refusal to compromise
Rorschach lives by a hard code. He will not bend. When he learns the truth, he chooses death over silence. That choice fits him.
His end is harsh but honest. It shows that ideals can cost everything. In this world, a moral stand often comes with a body count. His fate proves the point.
Zero Sense: One staged disaster leads to lasting world peace
The plan bets that one huge shock will unite old enemies. Fear can spark a truce, sure. But long peace from a single event is a stretch.
Rivals tend to drift back to old habits. New crises always show up. A fake threat would likely fade, and distrust would return. The plan’s long-term promise feels shaky.
Perfect Sense: The Keene Act forcing heroes to retire
Unlicensed vigilantes create legal and safety risks. Of course a government would step in. A ban is a simple, practical move.
That push drives heroes to choose sides: quit, go secret, or join the state. It sets real pressure. This is how systems respond when masked people punch criminals in the street.
Zero Sense: Laurie’s fast relationship swings
Laurie’s love life shifts quickly. Feelings move from distance to romance and back again. The changes happen with little space to breathe.
It reads like plot needs more than character needs. More time on her doubts and hopes would help. As it stands, the turns feel rushed.
Perfect Sense: Dan’s search for purpose in the suit
Dan is gentle, smart, and a bit lost. The suit gives him purpose. When the world tilts, he returns to it because it makes him feel useful.
His confidence grows when he helps people again. The moment he saves lives is the moment he comes alive. That arc is grounded and human.
Perfect Sense: The Comedian as state power made flesh
The Comedian does the dirty work that polite leaders deny. He laughs because he sees how brutal the world is. That role fits the book’s bleak view.
His cracks show he still has a line, twisted as it is. When he learns the big plan, he breaks. That reaction tracks with a man who mocks ideals but still has a gut.
Zero Sense: Framing Dr. Manhattan unites the world?
The film swaps the fake alien for blasts blamed on Dr. Manhattan. The idea is that fear of one godlike figure will end rivalries. That leap feels weak.
Nations would not trust a truce built on one man’s power. They would plan countermeasures or new weapons. A peace based on a single scapegoat looks fragile from day one.
Perfect Sense: The Comedian’s death as the spark
The opening fight is brutal and tight. It sets the tone and the mystery in minutes.
His death pulls every thread together. Power, secrets, and old sins collide. The inciting incident works exactly as it should.
Share your own “makes sense / no sense” moments from Watchmen in the comments—what did we miss?
