Where’s the Missing Episodes?

Ah, the age-old tragedy of Doctor Who’s history! It’s like a puzzle missing a few pieces, and buddy, we’re missing quite a few! Since its debut way back in 1963, the BBC has aired nearly 900 episodes of this iconic sci-fi series, but due to some questionable archival choices (looking at you, BBC), a significant chunk of those episodes has mysteriously vanished into thin air. Can you believe they actually erased, taped over, or tossed out old episodes just to save space? Talk about a bad breakup!

What’s Still Out There?

So, here’s the deal: a grand total of 97 episodes from the very first six years of Doctor Who are lost. Yup, that means 26 stories are incomplete! Classics like “The Underwater Menace,” “The Savages,” and “The Web of Fear” are like ghost stories in the Whovian universe—haunting us from the sidelines. Thankfully, some clever folks have animated these lost episodes using existing audio recordings, which is a neat workaround. But don’t count us out just yet! Rumor has it that these long-lost gems might still be hiding in private collections.

The Treasure Hunt Begins!

Film collector John Franklin, who’s part of the preservation squad known as Film is Fabulous!, has some thrilling news! He recently spilled the beans on a podcast dedicated to the missing Doctor Who episodes, revealing that they’ve got some juicy leads on finding these lost treasures. He stated, “We’re in the know about a few collectors who have several missing episodes stashed away.” Just imagine the excitement if they turn up something juicy!

Hopes and Hints

Franklin didn’t stop there—he teased a *large* collection of films, housed in a vault of cinematic wonder, that he’s recently stumbled upon. “We’re aware of thousands of films that could possibly include a missing Doctor Who episode,” he said. But here’s the twist: the original collector has kicked the bucket, and now things are a little messy legally regarding that collection. It’s like trying to find a TARDIS without a sonic screwdriver!

What’s Next?

Once the dust settles and the legal drama shakes out, Franklin promises exciting news for all Whovians. “Hold tight, folks! We’ve got some big announcements on the horizon, and trust me, you’ll love what’s coming,” he added optimistically. So, better grab that popcorn and start placing bets on what they might uncover! Cross your fingers and toes, everyone. Could it be the elusive “Marco Polo”? We can only hope!”