SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 50:00 Min.
First airing on NBC-TV on March 8, 1968, second season writer/producer John Meredyth Lucas directed this episode off a script devised by Laurence N. Wolfe & D.C. Fontana. The U.S.S. Enterprise is mysteriously summoned off its current assignment by Starfleet to be fitted with the experimental M-5 computer.
Designed by Dr. Richard Daystrom, this revolutionary A.I. computer system is the first step towards Starfleet potentially utilizing mostly automated starships for future galactic exploration. For initial testing, the Enterprise‘s crew is reduced to a mere handful, leaving Captain Kirk, Spock, and Dr. McCoy aboard as glorified on-hand observers.
First up is a round of simulated ‘war games’ pitting the M-5-automated Enterprise against a trio of fellow Federation starships without live firepower. Under Daystrom’s gloating supervision, the M-5 achieves easy victory until the elite computer’s self-defined superiority then accelerates with deadly results. A stunned Daystrom is reduced to a nervous breakdown having lost an emotional battle to salvage what should have been his greatest career achievement.
Meanwhile, without Daystrom’s help, Captain Kirk & Spock try to improvise a means of regaining control of an Enterprise gone amok once Starfleet determines the M-5 system must be immediately destroyed – even if that means the Enterprise goes with it.
Captain James T. Kirk: William Shatner
Commander Spock: Leonard Nimoy
Dr. Leonard H. McCoy: DeForest Kelley
Lt. Commander Montgomery “Scotty” Scott: James Doohan
Lt. Uhura: Nichelle Nichols
Lt. Sulu: George Takei
Ensign Chekov: Walter Koenig
Dr. Richard Daystrom: William Marshall
Commodore Bob Wesley: Barry Russo
Lt. Leslie: Eddie Paskey
Lt. Brent: Frank da Vinci
Lt. Lemli: Roger Holloway
Harper: Sean Morgan
REVIEW:
No matter how predictable this episode’s plotting really is, “The Ultimate Computer” remains very watchable. The reliable chemistry between Shatner, Nimoy, and Kelley, is a treat, as is their well-played teamwork with guest William Marshall. The story itself is heavy-handed, in spite of its good intentions spelling out the fallacy why technology shouldn’t supersede humanity.
In the end, though, “The Ultimate Computer” is a kid-friendly Trek that merits a chance to be seen by younger generations.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
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