10 Doctor Who Episodes That Accidentally Changed The Show Forever

The early 1980s was a time of great change for Doctor Who. A new Doctor for the first time in seven years, a new theme tune for the first time in over decade, a new production team, and (perhaps the least remembered) a new transmission schedule.

At the beginning of Season 19, the show was moved from the coveted Saturday evening timeslot, and would instead air twice a week on consecutive weekdays.

This all worked well and good until it ran into a scheduling conflict – the 1984 Winter Olympics.

Unable to be aired at its usual time due to the BBC’s daily coverage, and unwilling to leave a break in the middle of the season, John Nathan-Turner had Resurrection of the Daleks re-edited. It was changed from its original format of four 25-minute episodes, and became two 45-minute episodes to be aired on consecutive Wednesdays.

Though this was a last-minute change forced by necessity, the 45-minute format was adopted for the entirety of the following year’s Season 22, and would eventually become Doctor Who’s default episode length from 2005 onwards.

So… thank you, International Olympic Committee?