So by now you have probably heard that Doctor Who Worldwide and its accompanying forum The Panoptican should be returning sometime in April. I’ve already told you about my plans for TIMD, but what of the facebook page that started up in its absence?

I caught up with Pascal Salzmann, the man behind the page, and asked him that tough question.

“I’m proud that the Missing Episodes Discussion group garnered so much interest that we are now at almost 500 members in only four days. When I created the group it was my intention to fill in the void that fan-favourite Doctor Who Worldwide and its forum, the Panopticon, left behind. At the time nobody was sure about the future of the now offline Panopticon, so missing episode fans who enjoyed the relaxed and familiar atmosphere lost a valuable platform for exchanging rumours and discussing theories. Now that the Panopticon will be back in April, the Facebook group will also continue, maybe even interacting with DWW in some way.”

On the difference between the page and a forum, he also had this to say. “The format of a Facebook group is very different. But in gathering familiar faces we form a new community in the spirit of its predecessor.” The most notable difference between a forum and the facebook group is the inability to hide behind a fake name and avatar. Tempers don’t flare and things are way less tense when everyone knows your real name.

Posters and lurkers are still flocking to the facebook page, searching out fresh and exciting news and viewpoints on missing episodes. Interested? Why not join the 465 who are already members.