Doctor Who Missing Episode News - Web of Fear Part 3 WAS found but lost again...

By Ken Parker

Some reports out of the Doctor Who convention Pandorica have stated that Missing Episode finder Phil Morris disclosed some interesting information about " Web of Fear."  Back in 2013 Morris returned to previously missing stories - "The Enemy of the World" and "The Web of Fear" but episode 3 of 'Web of Fear" was not included.  It now appears that Morris had found it but in the process of recovering the material, it went missing.  Morris thinks that leaked information that the films were valuable provoked a Nigerian rely station manager to take the film can.  Morris believes that the can was then sold to a private collector.

These films would have been found in 2011 and negotiations took six months before the films were handed over, but once they were, episode 3 was not part of it. Morris wanted to keep all other finds a secret in order not to endanger any new recoveries.  Morris even has a photo of the film cans before episode 3 was stolen.

The eventual announcement was held back a while in hopes of recovering that particular film can but they gave up and went ahead with the announcement in 2013.

When asked if more were found Morris stated that he would not answer that question as it could endanger any future finds.  Morris also stated that now that the word is out that perhaps the person in question would return the film can.

Lots of speculation off of this revelation.  The original announcement of "Web of Fear", nothing was said about this for the missing episode.  Could "Marco Polo" be involved in this somehow.  That story was also attached to the rumor of the finds and that too came off the rumor list before the announcement.

This might have been the reason there was a delay for "The Web of Fear" being released on DVD, hoping that the release on ITunes might prompt the collector in giving up the film can. Anyway, it gives hope that the episode (which features the first appearance by Lethbridge Stewart) might still be out there and will find its way back someday.

The Doctor Who Missing Episodes Menace - Parts 1 and 4 Only

The Release of The Underwater Menace

Is this the wind blowing in the right direction?

By Ken Parker

It has been a long time since we have looked at the Doctor Who missing episode situation and for good reason.  Nothing has changed. Since the big reveal in 2013 there has been nothing officially reported. The final DVDs were released and "The Underwater Menace" cancelled, but that has changed.

A quick recap (okay not that quick)–

Top 10 things NOT to do while waiting for the missing Doctor Who episodes to return

By Ken Parker

philip morris @archives1963

10 - Don’t lose faith – I know that over the past year I have ridden the roller coaster ride of this rumor with some dark times where I almost gave up on the idea.  Most people on the forums seem to have gotten sick of waiting and talking about it as I have but there has to be something to Morris’s tweets, Robert’s comments about "Marco Polo" and the ever evolving rumor reports.  Just because one part of the rumor (an Easter announcement for example) didn’t happen doesn’t mean the whole thing is bogus. Until Morris comes out and says that his search yielded no more finds other than what was released in October of 2013, there is hope for more.

Philip Morris and the Last Omnirumor - We Hope

by Ken Parker

Philip Morris, Missing Episode Hunter examines more film cans while his nemesis, Ian Levine, waits patiently

The Omnirumor saga is getting weirder, uglier, more frustrating and exciting all at once.  A statement by the TIEA Executive Director seems promising - 

T.I.E.A understands the passion felt by Doctor Who fans and that looking for missing episodes of Doctor who plus many other shows is an important but tiny part of the work that T.I.E.A does.The main aim of this organisation is to assist those archives whose own cultural heritage is under threat.If any programmes do still exist T.I.E.A will endeavor to recover them safely as with web of fear and enemy of the world.T.I.E.A are not sponsored by any organisation we are a completely independent body we work alongside many organisations such as the B.F.I .

However as much as people want specific programmes found wishing them into existence or starting rumors will not magically return them .Individuals trying to extract information which does not exist or is commercially confidential will be deleted unread any legitimate inquires for T.I.E.A LTD services are welcome.

Stay Tuned..
Executive Director Philip Morris.

Doctor Who - Missing Episode Hunter Philip Morris "Expect The Unexpected"

The Radio Times has an interesting interview with Doctor Who Missing Episode Hunter Philip Morris.  It goes into detail about his search for The Enemy of the World and The Web of Fear. The Web of Fear is out on DVD this week and the article is heavy discussing that story but what I find interesting is his finally quote " Expect the unexpected".  Now does this lead us to believe that there is more missing Doctor Who episodes to come from Philip Morris and that he has indeed found more. I for one hope so and hope something is announced soon.  You can make your own mind up for yourselves after reading the quote below and following the link to the Radio Times story but something is telling me there is something more to come.

“To the fans, never give up hope. Be patient. People are working very hard in lots of very volatile and dangerous corners of the globe, sometimes paying with their nervous systems, which is a hard thing to give. As always, TIEA are out there. Expect the unexpected.”

 http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-02-26/doctor-who-episode-hunter-philip-morris-on-the-search-for-lost-tapes-expect-the-unexpected