Unraveling the Tapestry of the Tommy Westphall Universe: Exploring the Conspiracy Theory of Television Continuity
What makes the Tommy Westphall Universe so intriguing is its bicameral nature—a blend of imagination, illusion, and peering into an alternate reality. In this universe, there is no denying the complex web of interconnected television shows, each contributing to a rich tapestry of storytelling.
Introduction
The Newhart series provides a starting point to visualize the expansive nature of a single person's dream. In the finale, Bob Newhart's character wakes up from a vivid dream, only to discover that his life with his wife Emily, whom he had created during the show, was a prolonged daydream with a finite end.
The Tommy Westphall Universe: A Daydream Perpetuated in Reality
However, it's the Tommy Westphall Universe that truly expands the boundaries of the fictional universe created through someone's imagination. In the final episode of St. Elsewhere, we discover that everything the show portrays—six seasons and eleven Emmys—is nothing more than a child's daydream while looking at a snow globe.
Expanding the Belief
Unraveling the threads, Tommy Westphall's dream reaches far beyond the confines of St. Elsewhere. Dr. Roxanne Turner, a character in St. Elsewhere, appears in an episode of Homicide: Life on the Street. This raises the question: if Roxanne is a figment of Tommy's imagination, how can she be on another show? This is where the Tommy Westphall Universe theory comes into play.
Interconnected Continuity
The interconnectedness of the Tommy Westphall Universe is apparent through its influence. Cheers, Frasier, and their spin-off spin-offs, Caroline in the City, Friends, and Mad About You, all find their roots in Tommy Westphall's imagination. Even shows like Seinfeld and Buffy the Vampire Slayer become part of this intricate web of dreams.
Continuity and Rhetoric
The theory proposed by legendary writer Dwayne McDuffie challenges the notion of rigid continuity in television. In a blog post, McDuffie highlighted the absurdity of trying to fit vast and mutually contradictory works into a singular continuity. This theory is not just a conspiracy theory, but a deeper reflection on the nature of storytelling and imagination.
The Collector: A Universe-Constraining Factor
And if all this wasn't enough, the Guardians of the Galaxy series adds another layer of complexity to the Tommy Westphall Universe. The Collector, a cosmic entity, has Tobias Fünke, an element of the MCU, on his ship. This means that even the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a part of Tommy Westphall's imagination.
Conclusion
The Tommy Westphall Universe is a testament to the power of imagination and its infinite possibilities. It challenges our perception of reality, continuity, and the interconnectedness of stories. Whether viewed as a conspiracy theory or a deep dive into the nature of storytelling, the Tommy Westphall Universe is a fascinating concept that continues to intrigue and mystify fans and creators alike.