Dear Johnny Fanboy,

OK, in Andromeda episode 1.10 [All Great Neptune's Ocean] Harper gives a lecture on the force lance, which he states can only be used by the person whose DNA is programmed into it. Hence Tyr gets shocked when he tries to use somebody else's.

But in a previous episode, 1.05 [Double Helix], Tyr is attacked with a force lance (presumably Dylan's) that he has given away to Guderian. How is this? Why doesn't Guderian get a shock when he uses the weapon?

keyboard kowboy

Johnny Fanboy replies:

Judge Dredd fans have had similar issues with the Lawgiver weapon's ability to detect the palm print of its user (even through gloves), which has led to several continuity problems over the years. My answer to viewers of Andromeda regarding the force lance is similar to the explanation I would offer to a Judge Dredd fan regarding the Lawgiver.

I assume it is possible to deactivate the weapon's "exclusivity" setting to allow another person to use it. Obviously the force lance would only accept such a deactivation command from the person whose DNA it was currently keyed to. This flexibility could provide certain advantages in a battle situation. Imagine if someone on your side had been left weaponless. So you throw them your force lance. It wouldn't be much use if your comrade's final words before being rendered unconscious were: "Thanks mate - (BZZZT!)"

Whether or not Dylan actually intended to leave his weapon's exclusivity setting inactive in Double Helix is open to discussion. I reckon he just forgot.

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