The Ultimate Unveiling: Solving the Mystery Behind the Missing Doctor Who Episodes

Summary

Due to the BBC's policy of 'junking' archival programs, there are 97 missing episodes of Doctor Who from the Hartnell and Troughton eras.

Tele-snap reconstructions and narrated audio versions have been developed to safeguard and bridge the voids of these absent episodes. Attempts have been undertaken to retrieve the lost episodes, yet enthusiasts anticipate an update on the remaining 97 episodes.

Due to a combination of undisclosed factors, a total of 97 episodes of Doctor Who are currently missing from the William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton eras. During the late 1960s and 1970s, the British Broadcasting Corporation implemented a policy of disposing of archival programs, including Doctor Who. This decision was influenced by various circumstances such as limited storage capacity and scarcity of materials, resulting in the removal of numerous episodes featuring the First and Second Doctors from the archives. Several Jon Pertwee serials also met the same fate, although some of the Third Doctor's stories were salvaged through international sales, preventing their complete loss.

Fortunately, not all hope is lost for the Hartnell and Troughton serials thanks to the efforts of individuals like John Cura, who employed a "tele-snap" process to capture frames from TV shows, and early fans such as Graham Strong, who made off-air recordings. By combining these "tele-snaps" with off-air sound recordings of the missing episodes, reconstructions of Doctor Who episodes have been created and are now available on DVD and Blu-ray. Additionally, narrated audio versions of the lost stories can be obtained commercially on CD and via mp3 downloads. Thanks to the contributions of individuals like Ian Levine and Phillip Morris, the number of missing episodes has drastically decreased over time. However, the most recent significant recovery occurred in 2013, leaving fans eagerly awaiting updates on the whereabouts of the remaining 97 Doctor Who episodes.

26 Marco Polo (All 7 Episodes)

25 The Reign of Terror (Episodes 4 and 5)

The BBC has unfortunately discarded all seven episodes of "The Roof of the World" to "Assassin at Peking" from the archives, making Marco Polo the earliest missing Doctor Who serial. In this serial, the First Doctor (William Hartnell) and his companions embark on a journey alongside iconic explorer Marco Polo (Mark Eden), spanning from the Pamir Plateau to Peking. Among the numerous lost Doctor Who episodes, Marco Polo stands out as a fan-favorite, primarily due to its remarkable production design depicted in on-set photographs. Despite rumors circulating in 2013 regarding its potential return to the archives, regrettably, they proved to be erroneous.

The Reign of Terror, Doctor Who's inaugural season finale, takes place in post-revolutionary France. The First Doctor and his companions find themselves immersed in political turmoil as they aid potential victims of the guillotine. Their involvement becomes intertwined with the schemes of an English spy. The majority of this story is available for fans to enjoy, including the Doctor's impersonation of Maximilien Robespierre and Ian Chesterton's unexpected encounter with Napoleon Bonaparte. In 2012, the BBC animated the missing episodes "The Tyrant of France" and "A Bargain of Necessity" for a DVD release during the show's 50th anniversary year.

24 The Crusade (Episodes 2 and 4)

23 Galaxy 4 (Episodes 1, 2 and 4)

In the 12th century, during the Christians' holy war in Palestine, the First Doctor and his TARDIS team embark on a thrilling adventure where they come face to face with King Richard the Lionheart. The rediscovery of "The Lion," the opening episode of The Crusade, made sensational headlines in 1998 in the UK. Bruce Grenville, stumbling upon it at a film collectors convention, unintentionally unearthed this missing Doctor Who episode, causing a massive stir in the press. Recognizing its significance, Grenville dutifully returned it to the archives. Recently, "The Lion" and the other surviving episode, "The Wheel of Fortune," were remastered to utmost perfection and included in the Doctor Who Season 2 Blu-ray set, captivating viewers with their breathtaking quality.

Galaxy 4 presents a refreshingly simplistic narrative of good versus evil, breaking away from the typical Doctor Who clichés. In an intriguing twist, the story portrays the beautiful Drahvins as the antagonists and the alien Rills as their oppressed victims. Titled "Airlock", the third episode of Galaxy 4 had been retrieved and preserved in the BBC archives in 2011. To the delight of fans, a complete animated version of the entire serial was unveiled by the BBC in 2021. This rendition meticulously combines off-air recordings and a captivating animation style reminiscent of the 1960s cartoons. Serving as the mostly absent opening serial of Doctor Who season 3, Galaxy 4 delivers a foreboding glimpse into the downtrodden nature permeating the final full series of the First Doctor era.

22 Mission To The Unknown

"Mission to the Unknown" is a captivating Doctor Who episode that has unfortunately been lost. It was intended to serve as a teaser for the highly anticipated series The Daleks' Masterplan. What makes this episode unique is that it features neither the Doctor nor his companions, and instead acts as a pilot for Terry Nation's Dalek spinoff. The story revolves around Space Security Agent Marc Corey, played by Edward de Souza, as he unravels a conspiracy against the Solar System. This gripping espionage thriller showcases a diverse range of alien species. While an unofficial animated reconstruction by Ian Levine exists, the University of Central Lancashire took on the challenge of creating a faithful and authentic remounting of "Mission to the Unknown." Led by Dr. Andrew Ireland, the reconstruction utilized the original script and production photos to meticulously recreate the episode. This remarkable undertaking involved the collaboration of faculty, students, and alumni from various university departments, resulting in 25 minutes of brand-new old television. The BBC fully supported this recreation, which featured Nicholas Briggs providing the Daleks' voices and a special introduction by the original Marc Corey, Edward de Souza, to enhance the authenticity.

21 The Myth Makers (All 4 Episodes)

The Doctor's role in the fall of Troy is depicted in The Myth Makers, making it quite unfortunate that the entirety of the serial is missing. There is not even a trace of tele-snaps to rely on, leaving the Loose Cannon reconstruction with no choice but to employ considerable creativity using the limited number of production photos that remain. This historical comedy, written by Donald Cotton, follows a similar tone to writer Dennis Spooner's renowned serial The Romans but takes a drastic tonal shift in its final episode. As Troy crumbles, the Doctor and a wounded Steven find themselves engulfed in chaos, while Vicki decides to remain behind with her love interest, Trolius. Alongside the Doctor and Steven, historical companion Katarina (played by Adrienne Hill) joins the journey, only to meet a desolate fate a few weeks later.

20 The Daleks' Masterplan (Episodes 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12)

The Daleks' Masterplan, a 12-part Doctor Who epic, unfortunately only has three surviving episodes. It revolves around the First Doctor and his companions' mission to prevent the Daleks from constructing a deadly weapon known as the Time Destructor. Episode 7, titled "The Feast of Steven," was meant as a standalone Christmas episode which aired in 1965. Given its disposable nature and the unlikelihood of being recorded on the standard 16mm format and shipped abroad, it is unlikely that this episode will ever be recovered. Officially animating this episode is a colossal task, which is why it is at the top of the list for Doctor Who stories that fans desperately hope to be returned.

19 The Massacre (All 4 Episodes)

18 The Celestial Toymaker (Episodes 1, 2, and 3)

The Massacre stands out as an intriguing installment of Doctor Who due to its consistently somber tone, a departure from the show's usual approach. Portraying the brutal religious conflicts inflicted upon the Huguenot community in 1572 Paris, the accompanying soundtrack creates an unsettling auditory experience. Since there are no surviving tele-snaps of the episode, it is challenging to determine how this violence would have been presented to a family audience on Saturday evenings. However, script directions hint at the use of historical paintings. Furthermore, The Massacre is noteworthy for a poignant monologue delivered by William Hartnell, in which the First Doctor contemplates his responsibilities as a time traveler and mourns the loss of his companions. This speech, when heard on audio, possesses a captivating quality that makes it highly desirable for inclusion in the BBC archives.

The interest in The Celestial Toymaker could potentially skyrocket if Neil Patrick Harris appears as a new version of the iconic villain in Doctor Who. In this story, the Doctor and his companions find themselves trapped inside the Toymaker's toy room, where they must engage in a series of games to secure their freedom. While it would be fascinating to witness the revival of this storyline, the existing audio and the final episode, "The Final Test," suggest that many of the games, rhymes, and even the Toymaker himself may not have aged well in the eyes of a modern audience. It is for this reason that Neil Patrick Harris' potential portrayal of the Toymaker has moved away from the original Mandarin robe costume.

17 The Savages (All 4 Episodes)

16 The Smugglers (All 4 Episodes)

The Savages presents an intriguing sci-fi concept in which a group of privileged Elders transfer their consciousness into the bodies of unwilling and uncivilized individuals referred to as "savages." Regrettably, all four episodes of this enthralling series are missing from the archive, which is particularly disappointing considering it marks the departure of Peter Purves' character, Steven Taylor. The declining health of William Hartnell, who portrayed the Doctor, necessitated the use of The Savages' sci-fi premise to transfer the Doctor's consciousness into the body of the ruthless leader Jano, portrayed by Frederick Jaeger. This unexpected turn led to Jano inheriting the Doctor's ethical values, resulting in the eventual overthrow of the oppressive regime. Despite being among the Doctor Who serials that have been lost, The Savages appears to receive relatively less recognition in fan discussions. This limited acclaim hints at the possibility of a reassessment if the missing episodes are ever recovered.

The Smugglers, a thrilling tale of pirates, hidden treasure, and deceit, has left behind remnants of its more violent scenes. Recently, colorized footage of these Doctor Who clips has breathed new life into the narrative. Set in 17th-century Cornwall, the serial follows the escapades of the First Doctor and his companions as they become embroiled in the search for buried riches. This Earthy Doctor Who serial not only showcases Hartnell's refined portrayal of the Doctor but also introduces a cast of dubious characters. Should it resurface, the rediscovered home video illuminates the potential beauty of The Smugglers as a visually captivating production.

15 The Tenth Planet (Episode 4)

14 The Power of the Daleks (All 6 Episodes)

The archives contain the first-ever regeneration scene of Doctor Who, but the remainder of The Tenth Planet episode 4 is unfortunately missing. Due to its significant role in the series, there are speculations that a careful collector may have acquired The Tenth Planet episode 4. To compensate for its absence, an animated reconstruction of the lost episode was added to the DVD release of The Tenth Planet. Additionally, Peter Capaldi's final Doctor Who story "Twice Upon A Time" incorporated certain scenes from the serial to depict the pre-regeneration First Doctor (played by David Bradley).

The BBC archives tragically do not have the debut Doctor Who serial of Patrick Troughton, causing much sorrow. Fortunately, in 2016 and 2020, two fully animated reconstructions of "Power of the Daleks" were released, bringing some solace. This remarkable Dalek tale showcases the newly-regenerated Second Doctor, as he lands on the planet Vulcan where the Daleks pose as obedient servants. Notably, this narrative greatly influenced "The Power of the Daleks", the first Dalek story of Matt Smith's era, where the Doctor's archenemies attempt a similar scheme in Churchill's bunker.

13 The Highlanders (All 4 Episodes)

The Highlanders introduced Doctor Who companion Jamie McCrimmon (Frazer Hines) as the Doctor arrived in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden. It would be Doctor Who's final purely historical serial until the 1980s, but sadly no episodes are known to exist in the BBC archives. From what can be surmised from the existing audio and images, Patrick Troughton is still working out how to play the Second Doctor, adopting some fascinating affectations and disguises that would be great to see properly realized on screen.

12 The Underwater Menace (Episodes 1 and 4)

Rewritten content:

Introduced in The Highlanders, Jamie McCrimmon (Frazer Hines) became a companion of Doctor Who when the Doctor arrived after the Battle of Culloden. This marked the last purely historical serial for Doctor Who until the 1980s. Regrettably, no episodes from this period can be found in the BBC archives. Based on the available audio and images, it can be inferred that Patrick Troughton was still experimenting with his portrayal of the Second Doctor, incorporating intriguing mannerisms and disguises that would be captivating to witness on screen.

12 The Underwater Menace (Episodes 1 and 4)

Scheduled for a 2023 release, The Underwater Menace will receive an animated restoration, offering a more tangible experience of the events that transpired in the missing episodes 1 and 4. The narrative explores Doctor Who's numerous attempts at unraveling the mystery surrounding the lost city of Atlantis. Notably, the series showcases an extraordinary and unforgettable portrayal of villainy by Joseph Furst in the character of Professor Zaroff. While the storyline may sometimes falter in its ambition, the forthcoming animated reconstruction promises to add an intriguing dimension to the tale later this year.

11 The Moonbase (Episodes 1 and 3)

A sequel to The Tenth Planet, the initial encounter between the Second Doctor and the Cybermen is partially absent from the archives. It revolves around the Cybermen's second endeavor to invade Earth by infiltrating a colony on the Moon. In 2014, a DVD release of The Moonbase which featured animated recreations of the missing episodes was made available. The storyline bears resemblance to The Tenth Planet, while introducing the more practical Cybermen costumes that persisted throughout the majority of the Troughton era.

10 The Macra Terror (All 4 Episodes)

The Macra Terror received an animated reconstruction in 2019 and is widely considered the epitome of this format, both in its color and black and white versions. Regrettably, all four episodes of this serial are absent from the archives, which depict the arrival of the Second Doctor and his companions in a strangely tranquil colony. As is customary in Doctor Who, dissent within the colony is being suppressed through the use of brainwashing overseen by a species of colossal crabs known as the Macra. Subsequently, in the 2007 Doctor Who episode "Gridlock", David Tennant encounters the Macra once again, this time with a significant upgrade in CGI technology.

9 The Faceless Ones (Episodes 2, 4, 5, and 6)

The captivating narrative of The Faceless Ones, consisting of two existing episodes, showcases a remarkable Doctor Who adventure set in the vibrant backdrop of Gatwick Airport. Immersed in the theme of package holidays, the Doctor and his companions embark on a harrowing journey to expose the insidious plot engineered by alien Chameleons, who seek to replace unsuspecting young vacationers. This serial marks the poignant conclusion for Anneke Wills and Michael Craze in their roles as Polly and Ben, seamlessly leading into the subsequent missing serial. To the delight of fans, a comprehensive DVD and Blu-ray release in 2020 features a visually stunning animated reconstruction of The Faceless Ones, encompassing both the available episodes and the missing ones.

8 The Evil of the Daleks (Episodes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7)

There exists an alternate reality where The Evil of the Daleks marked the ultimate conclusion for Terry Nation's imaginative creations, as he endeavored to market them to the American audience. This pivotal moment potentially contributed to the preservation of this significant tale, yet Doctor Who enthusiasts shall forever remain unaware. This captivating escapade entails the Daleks' relentless pursuit of acquiring the "Human factor," taking the Doctor and Jamie on an incredible journey from Gatwick Airport to Victorian England and finally to Skaro. Despite its extensive absence from the archives, Evil of the Daleks has long been hailed as an undisputed masterpiece, a notion that has been upheld by its animated reconstruction released in 2021.

7 The Abominable Snowmen (Episodes 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6)

The Abominable Snowmen, a six-part epic, followed the Second Doctor, Jamie, and Victoria (played by Deborah Watling) as they journeyed from Wales to Tibet. The story introduced the Yeti and the Great Intelligence and is well-known for its stunning production photos and home video footage that highlight its captivating locations. However, the original episode primarily takes place inside the monastery, offering limited glimpses of these scenic settings. In 2022, an animated reconstruction of The Abominable Snowmen was released on DVD and Blu-ray, mistakenly assumed to be the BBC's concluding reconstruction project.