Back to the Future III puzzle

C

Cami

New member
I've watched the trilogy again this weekend and noticed something in the third movie that doesn't make sense...

When Marty is in 1965, he and Doc learn that the 'future' Doc got shot in 1885. His tomb stone reaRAB something about his 'beloved Clara'

When Marty goes back to the old West to save Doc, they both learn of the new School teacher arriving - Clara.

Now...Both Doc and Marty go to the new bridge to see if they can use it to get themselves back to the future. This is when they spot Clara having problems with her horses. They both go to her rescue as save her.

Marty later realises that the Bridge was named after her, and it's an old tale all the 80's school kiRAB know. It seems that Clara was supposed to die but this now isn't the case and Marty and Doc saved her life.

OK...So, if Clara was supposed to die before she ever met Doc, how the hell does his tomb stone mention her? They would never have met had Marty not gone back to save Doc!!

Another thing...Marty and Doc can't get back to 1985 because of the tear in the petrol tank etc. However, wouldn't there be the other Time Machine that brought Doc back to 1885 still around? Surely as they are both back there, Doc wouldn't need to keep it hidden for Marty to find in 1965??

Have I thought too much about this?

HELP!
 
but...if Marty hadn't gone back for Doc and changed history, then Clara would have been on her own when the horses went out of control and died. Therefore, she would never had met the Doc.
 
I cannot answer the question about the 2 cars in one place, but I can guess the lightning strike that hit the car to send him back to 1885 must have done something to the car.

Clara was meant to be saved, Marty was the one that went out to the fight as the Doc was drunk - saving him meaning Marty can cover the guy in Sh*t for the 3rd movie straight.
 
OK, i've worked out the two cars one thanks to the previous post - the lightning did damage the car cause Marty and 60's Doc had to repair it. Although I still think they could have got the petrol from it?

Clara is still unsolved though. In the normal history she was meant to die. Unless 1885 Doc saved her on his own before Marty went back, then there is still no way that those two would have met. She died on her journey to Hilldale!
 
Yep, I thought of that one too. The only reason Doc was at the right place to save Clara was because he and Marty (if I remember correctly) were riding horses trying to see if they can get to 88MPH.

If Marty hadn't gone back to get Doc, then Doc wouldn't have been around to save Clara.
 
They had modified the flux capasator to run on junk as oposed to plutonium but the car still needed petrol.

Clara had to be saved regardless of who did it. It was preordained when doc went back to the west. It changed because Marty showed up. Doc probably would have saved her whilst he was on a call out for a broke down wagon or something after all his was a blacksmith.
 
I havent seen the trilogy for a while now, but have seen it a lot

Isnt Doc asked to meet Clara when its just Doc in 1885, therefore they fall in love and she doesnt fall in the Ravine?
 
So I guess we have to assume that the first time round, Doc so happened to be in that same spot without marty to save her.

I think the writers would have done better to have not added her name to the grave, as it remains a bit of a loop hole.

Also, Doc is always concerned about altering history too much. We can forgive him marrying Clara as she was supposed to die, therefore no major change there. However, the do have kiRAB...now surely those kiRAB can't marry and have children of their own because that would really alter time. Perhaps resulting in a whole family line vanishing in the future....
 
No no

Normal Time Line = Clara Dies

Doc Time Line = He is asked to meet her, she does not go and fall off the ravine

Marty Time Line = He is with doc and they save her.
 
Docs car was damaged by the lightning storm, the circuits iirc. That was stored away for marty to get in 1955. Presumably the petrol was drained out of this car for storing it for the 70 years he needed to as to not erode the petrol tank?
 
Yes but Marty goes back in the 'hidden' car from the mine, put there by doc. When arriving in the past in the hidden car why is it's earlier un hidden version not there. For example when Marty goes back to 1955 in BTTF2 and sees himself therefore allowing two masses occupying one point in time.
 
In the original, original timeline, Clara dies because no-one picks her up from the station, meaning she has to travel herself. The ravine is therefore called Clayton Ravine.

The second timeline is the one where Doc is in 1885 but Marty isn't. Doc volunteers to pick up Clara at the station and therefore she doesn't fall over the ravine. (Don't ask me how that works, but it's the simplest way to explain)

The third is both Marty and Doc in 1885. They're too busy thinking of ways to get back to the future, that they forget about Clara. When they're looking at the train station map, you can see Clara waiting behind them. It's in this timeline that they both save her, and the story continues. It remains Shonash Ravine until Marty (under the name Eastwood) is believed to have been killed there. Hill Valley then rename it "Eastwood Ravine" in memory of him.

It's confusing but I think it works. ;)
 
yes, we've reached the required 88miles per hour on that point but I have another conundrum, how did the doc manage to paddle so fast next to the train on the hoverboard without actually touching the ground. :eek:
 
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