Why Old Biff Did Not Keep the Time Machine in Back to the Future Part II

In Back to the Future Part II, Old Biff Tannen chooses not to keep the time machine for a few key reasons:

Risk of Altering the Timeline

Biff understands that possessing the DeLorean could lead to further complications in the timeline. After using it to change his past, he likely realizes the potential dangers of having the time machine in his possession. This could attract unwanted attention or create additional timelines, leading to unpredictable outcomes that could be harmful to him or the overall continuity of history.

Self-Serving Motivation

Old Biff's motivation is primarily selfish. He uses the time machine to benefit himself by obtaining the sports almanac, which allows him to make a fortune in the stock market. Once he achieves his goal, he has no need for the time machine anymore. His desire for self-advancement drives his decision to return the time machine to 1955 and never engage in further time travel activities.

Desire to Avoid Consequences

By returning the time machine to 1955, Biff avoids the risk of being caught with it in the future. Keeping it could lead to complications with the authorities or other characters who might seek to use it for their own purposes. Biff likely recognizes that the time machine represents a significant threat to his current situation and wants to eliminate it as a potential source of instability or unwanted scrutiny.

Furthermore, Old Biff's decision reflects his self-interest and a desire to avoid the complexities that come with time travel. Instead of risking everything by continuing to use the time machine, he chooses a simpler path that ensures his safety and allows him to move forward without the added complications.

He Wasn’t Going to Do Anymore Time Traveling

Biff may have realized that time travel was too risky, especially after the complications he faced in the 1985 story arc. He might have felt that it was safer for him to go back to his original 1955 timeline and avoid the complexities and dangers of further time travel. This also aligns with his character as someone who prioritizes short-term gains over long-term stability.

Physical Implications

Another important factor to consider is Biff's physical condition. The scene where he is seen stumbling out of the DeLorean and then collapsing and disappearing is a strong indication of the physical toll that time travel takes on him. Biff was walking with a cane and would not have been able to walk far from the car. This collapse and subsequent disappearance is consistent with the idea that Biff was paying the price for his actions in the past and was simply not in a condition to engage in further time travel.

Cut Scene and Commentary

Recall that in the cut scenes and commentary from the film, Biff is seen staggering as he gets out of the time machine. The following scene shows him collapsing and disappearing. This scene is explained in the deleted scenes and commentary, where it states that Lorraine killed him in the "Hell Valley" past. This event was set in motion by the changes Biff made to the past, creating a closed timelike curve that erased his existence, much like the events in the first movie did for Marty McFly.

The pain Biff experiences when getting out of the time machine is the same as the pain Marty felt when playing "Earth Angel" at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance. This pain serves as a reminder of the consequences of altering the timeline and the dangers that come with time travel. The deleted scenes and commentary further elaborate on this, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the events that unfold.

In conclusion, Old Biff's decision not to keep the time machine is a combination of risk aversion, self-interest, and physical exhaustion. The events of Back to the Future Part II demonstrate the unpredictable and potentially catastrophic consequences of time travel, highlighting the importance of understanding these risks and the infeasibility of repeating past mistakes.

Keywords: Back to the Future Part II, Time Machine, Biff Tannen