Two Lost Doctor Who Episodes Found

First time accepted submitter crow writes "Two episodes of Doctor Who from the 1960s, thought to have been destroyed in the 1970s, have been found. Both were in the hands of a private collector who didn't know what he had. Like most episodes of the time, these were half-hour shows, part of a four-part story, and portions of both stories are still missing."

Comments

Ironically,

[newsman220]

We're still going to need a TARDIS to put the whole series together.

Re:Ironically,

[ackthpt]

That might still be difficult, there's a metric ton of retconning in that series.

To survive Dr. Who fandom, one must not only successfully disconnect from reality, but from time itself.

Re:Ironically,

[icannotthinkofaname]

You know, if the FTL neutrinos are real, then there is every possibility that the episodes are on their way to a rescue point in the future right now. There could be a time machine in transit at this very moment, recovering this lost cultural icon for our enjoyment, as soon as they land in the recovery era.

If I were a time-traveller, you can bet that my first stop would be the 1960s, to rescue the lost episodes.

My second stop, of course, would be the mid-to-late 1930s, to have a drink with Hitler and get to know him and then decide whether I have a moral duty or even moral right to kill him.

Re:Ironically,

[ubrgeek]

> Of course, the signal's probably degraded too far for it to be recognizable.

Yeah, 'cause that's the only problem with the plan ... ;)

Re:Ironically,

[RyuuzakiTetsuya]

People assume that fandoms are a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint - it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly... time-y wimey... stuff.

Duh.

Re:Ironically,

[pwileyii]

Actually, what we need is an alien from the planet Omicron Persei 8 (they'd actually have to be closer because that is 1000 light years away) to have recorded all of Earth broadcasts and be willing to give us a copy of them.

Re:Ironically,

[Dogtanian]

Of course, the signal's probably degraded too far for it to be recognizable.

Yeah, 'cause that's the only problem with the [FTL travel] plan ... ;)

You don't need FTL at all. You simply locate a planet around a distant star system- or some other extrasolar object- at a distance of 24 or slightly more light years, then detect the (admittedly quite small) proportion of the original TV transmission that travelled out there, bounced off that object, and is now heading back in our direction, due to reach us 45 to 50 years after it first went out.

You may need one of those mains-powered antenna/aerial amplifiers for this to work properly ;-)

Re:Ironically,

[The Rizz]

You prevent 9/11 but you cause the A-bomb to be dropped on New York, and that's like 9/11 times 1000. Yes, that's 91,100.

Actually, that would be 818 and change.

Not Really Lost...

[kiehlster]

just time-shifted. Get your facts straight, DW fans!

Re:Not Really Lost...

[Hillgiant]

People assume that Doctor Who chronology is a strict progression of one episode to the next, but actually, from a nonlinear, non-subjective viewpoint, it's more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey... stuff.

Other missing material

[Anonymous Coward]

Theres a list of missing episodes on this website but it hasn't yet been updated to include the new discoveries. With the finding of "The Underwater Menace" part 2, we now have a new "earliest surviving episode to feature Patrick Troughton." Hopefully the BBC can do their usual magic to restore these episode...there are apparently bits missing.

collecting

[Anonymous Coward]

Man, that doctor who series is so damn expensive. I have a complete known collection of stargate, sanctuary, star wars, and others I can't think at the moment, but when I walk past the movie isle at frys, and I see the price and size of DR WHO, I just keep walking every time. That's the fucking truth.

Re:collecting

[Anonymous Coward]

You're not supposed to buy the whole thing! You pick a favorite doctor, buy that doctor's seasons, and simply pretend the rest don't exist!

Re:Don't forget the ones being recovered from Spac

[The Raven]

Burning mod points here, but I apologize... that was a hoax. I suspected when I saw the original note and it was dated April 1st.

Re:Glad some found

[ackthpt]

Across the pond, the American film industry routinely destroyed films after they had been run through theatres in the 1930's, 40's and 50's. Storing film required space and controlled atmosphere so many originals were burned in backlots rather than keep them. Most studios had no plan to redistribute or broadcast on television. Such was their vision. Makes the whole MPAA issue over copying sound laughable, doesn't it?

If you think DRM is bad...

[itsdapead]

You know, if the FTL neutrinos are real, then there is every possibility that the episodes are on their way to a rescue point in the future right now.

Look, you might think the copy protection on Blu Ray is a pain, but wait until you get a load of the confusingly-named Hyperspatial Digital Causality Protection that the unelected cartel of the Time Lords require on any temporally displaced media. I mean, one can downgrade your nice 1080p to standard def, but that's not as bad as the headache you get when the real HDCP cuts in and makes you never have been going to see the video you just watched.

"You're good friends with the Hitlers?!"

[Dogtanian]

My second stop, of course, would be the mid-to-late 1930s, to have a drink with Hitler and get to know him and then decide whether I have a moral duty or even moral right to kill him.

Future Kryten: Kryten, we're epicures now. We travel through history enjoying the very best time has to offer.
Future Rimmer: Dolphin sweetmeats, roast suckling elephants, baby seal hearts stuffed with dove pate. Food fit for emperors!
Future Lister: We socialize with all of the greatest figures in history -- the Hapsburgs, the Borgias ...
Future Kryten: Why, only last week, Louis the Sixteenth threw a banquet especially in our honour.
Future Rimmer: The man is a complete delight -- urbane, witty, charming ...
Kryten: He was an idiotic despot who lived in the most obscene luxury while the working classes starved in abject poverty.
Future Rimmer: Well, we certainly didn't see any of that while we were there!
Future Kryten: And his wife's an absolute cutie.
Future Cat: I think they're our favourite hosts. If you don't count the Hitlers.
Kryten: The who?!
Future Rimmer: Providing you avoid talking politics, they're an absolute hoot.
Kryten: You're good friends with the Hitlers?!
Future Kryten: It's just a social thing. We don't talk about his work. We just have a few laughs, play canasta, and enjoy the odd game of mixed doubles with the Goerings.
Kryten: I don't believe what I'm hearing!
Future Rimmer: Look, you have to understand -- we travel back and forth throughout the whole of history, and naturally we want to sample the best of everything. It's just a bit unfortunate that the finest things tend to be in the possession of people who are judged to be a bit dodgy.
Kryten: Herman Goering is a "bit dodgy"! What has become of you all? You've all abandoned your morals, been seduced by power and wealth. All you're interested in now is indulging your carnal desires.
Future Rimmer: And could we tell you some stories about _that_!
Kryten: I don't recognize any of you! You're just amoral self- serving _scum_, freeloading your way through history!
Future Kryten: Good grief! I can't believe I used to be such a stuck-up pompous prig.