Television often uses actresses that are older or even younger than their age. The average teenager in a television show is most likely played by someone in their 20’s. However in this show, the girl you are so convinced is only 16 is played by an actress whos name is Jessy Schram, she was born Jan 15 1986, which puts her about 21 almost 22 when this episode aired.As for all those other point you made, keep in mind this is tv. Its fiction. If you want shows with nothing but cold hard facts stick to documentaries and educational television. (To be honest that wont even work because most of those shows are wrong about things as well.) Tv would be boring as hell if everything was like reality.