1. The Power Of The Daleks (1966, 6 Out Of 6 Missing)
When you read that The Tenth Planet wouldnt be included in this list, you already knew that this would be number one, didnt you? Well, sorry for being predictable, but no lost episode can beat The Power of the Daleks in terms of historical importance and quality. The BBC must be pouring ashes over their heads for wiping out this one. Most importantly, its the very first episode of Patrick Troughton as the Doctor. This is the beginning of the long test of which he passed with an A+. William Hartnell alone couldnt have made Doctor Who the longest running sci-fi show in history so it was this adventure that ultimately made the concept of regeneration work. Starting what would become a tradition for most Doctors, Troughtons first performance is a bit more over the top than his later interpretations. However, just reading or hearing narrations about how the Doctor walks impassively around pools of mercury without getting damaged (much like an overconfident Buster Keaton) makes fans want to call Phillip Morris (not the tobacco company) and tell him to sign them up for the missing episode hunt. The regeneration, called renewal here, is observed by the characters with the same confusion of the audience and Troughton does nothing to lessen the transition. As confused as they were back then, though, people just couldnt keep their eyes off the TV screens. The Daleks were already established as the main baddies of the show so bringing them back here was a smart way to remind everyone that they were still watching the same show. And it was a show they got! For the first time, fans find the Daleks weak and overpowered so they have to resort to being cunning instead. Instead of the usual "Exterminate!" cries, viewers find themselves chuckling as they obsessively utter "I am your servant!" This actually comes off as funny and not as a failed attempt at Dalek humour, like Pertwees Death to the Daleks or Smiths more recent Victory of the Daleks. This is also the first time fans can clearly see the little mutants while inside their mobile armour. It must have been a scary sight back then, but a sight that would go on to define one of the most notorious villains in science fiction history. So, Mr Philip Morris, you can consider this a Christmas list. For the rest of you reading, if watching episode reconstructions seems like a drag, you can always come back here and pick the really important ones. Heres hoping fans see the day when this list and others as such become obsolete, when the number of 97 missing episode parts is reduced to a mere figure. Fans can dream, right? What do you think of this list? Leave your comments below.
Adrian Serban lives in Bucharest, Romania where he has studied screenwriting and film criticism. But it's not all about artsy European dramas for him, as he's also a fan of horrors, kung-fu flicks and sci-fi films of all eras. Monty Python and Doctor Who are two British institutions that changed his life for the better. Or so he thinks.
