Rediscovery of Lost Doctor Who Episodes: A Milestone for Fans

Two long-lost episodes of the iconic British sci-fi series *Doctor Who*, titled "The Nightmare Begins" and "Devil's Planet," have been recovered after more than 60 years. These episodes, which originally aired in November 1965, are part of the 12-part serial known as *The Daleks' Master Plan*. The recovery was made possible by Film is Fabulous! (FIF), a charitable trust dedicated to preserving historic film collections, which found the episodes in a private collection donated by a deceased film enthusiast.

Two of the Most Sought After Missing Doctor Who Episodes Found at Last

The episodes feature William Hartnell as the First Doctor and Peter Purves as his companion, Steven Taylor. They revolve around a Dalek plot to conquer Earth, the solar system, and beyond, showcasing a darker tone than many earlier *Doctor Who* adventures. The serial was not sold internationally due to its violent content, leading to its erasure by the BBC during a period when many older programs were discarded to save storage space.

Lost Doctor Who Episodes Uncovered After 60 Years

The intervening episode, "Day of Armageddon," was previously rediscovered in 2004, meaning that now the first three installments of this once-lost storyline are available to viewers.

Whovian Delight: Two Missing Doctor Who Episodes From the 1960s Have Been Rediscovered

Peter Purves, who was invited to a special screening of the recovered episodes under false pretenses, expressed his astonishment at the discovery, stating, "My flabber has never been so gasted." He reflected on the emotional significance of the find, noting, "I'm speechless, knocked out." Purves also humorously lamented the BBC's past decision to erase these episodes, wishing for royalties from their rediscovery.

Radio Times

The episodes will be available for streaming on BBC iPlayer starting Easter weekend, with a special screening event scheduled for April 4 in London, where Purves will be the guest of honor.

Doctor Who Lost Eps "The Nightmare Begins," "Devil's Planet" Previewed

Noreen Adams, Director of BBC Archives, expressed her excitement about the restoration and release of the episodes, stating, "We're thrilled to have worked with the team at Film is Fabulous! to bring these lost Doctor Who episodes to viewers on BBC iPlayer this Easter." Justin Smith, a professor of cinema and television history and chair of trustees at FIF, emphasized the importance of the collector's contribution, saying, "A debt of gratitude is owed to the anonymous late collector."

LOST DOCTOR WHO EPISODES STARRING WILLIAM HARTNELL FOUND, TO LAND ON BBC iPLAYER THIS APRIL

Despite the excitement surrounding the discovery, some critics have pointed out the ongoing issue of missing episodes, with 95 episodes still unaccounted for from the show's early years. This situation stems from the BBC's historical practices of erasing tapes to save costs, a practice that has left many fans frustrated.

Whovian Delight: Two Missing Doctor Who Episodes From the 1960s Have Been Rediscovered

The recovery of "The Nightmare Begins" and "Devil's Planet" marks a significant moment in *Doctor Who* history, reigniting interest in the show's early seasons and providing fans with a rare glimpse into its past. As the search for more lost episodes continues, this discovery serves as a hopeful reminder of the potential for further recoveries in the future.

Doctor Who Lost Eps "The Nightmare Begins," "Devil's Planet" Previewed