I prefer plausible too, but one problem that I do see is that it's all based on personal perspective.
Probably the last time I ever got semi-disappointed with the science of a show was an episode of Above and Beyond where one of the pilots was in the classic 'The Cold Equations' situation, but manages to get out of it simply because (apparently) she wants badly enough for her plane to have fuel to make it back to base. No explanation, not even a flimsy rationalization etc.