2x24 The Ultimate Computer - Star Trek: The Original Series Episode Guide

Star Trek: The Original Series

- Episode 02x24

Episode: 02x24
Title: The Ultimate Computer
Type: Regular Episode
Production Code: 60353
First Aired: Mar. 08, 1968

Season 2 » Episode #24 - The Ultimate Computer

Star Trek: The Original Series - 02x24 The Ultimate Computer

Summary: Kirk and the Enterprise are ordered to a space station and told to evacuate the crew on the station. Kirk is informed that the Enterprise will be the test vehicle for the M5 Multitronic System, a super computer designed to replace a crew. It is to be tested in battle simulations, but as the mission progresses it refuses to give up control.

Who appeared in this episode?

Mr. Spock

Guest Stars:

Captain James T. Kirk	played by William Shatner
Dr. McCoy	played by DeForest Kelley
Daystrom	played by William Marshall
Scott	voiced by James Doohan
M-5	voiced by James Doohan
Commodore Enwright	voiced by James Doohan
Sulu	played by George Takei
Uhura	played by Nichelle Nichols
Chekov	played by Walter Koenig

	Season 2 / Episode 24: - The Ultimate Computer Dr. McCoy: Did you see the lovelight in Spocks eyes? The right computer finally came along.
	Season 2 / Episode 24: - The Ultimate Computer Captain James T. Kirk: What is the penalty for murder? Voice of M-5 Computer: Death. Captain James T. Kirk: And how will you pay for your act of murder? Voice of M-5 Computer: This unit... must... die!

[More Quotes]

MISTAKES/GOOFS

PLOT: A key element in proving a Murder Charge, which neither Daystrom nor Kirk bring up in their discussions with M-5, is the fact that M-5 had acknowledged the message that the encounter was an attack exercise rather than an actual attack. The failure to point out this fact allows M-5 to maintain a claim of self-defense.
BOOM: On the bridge, in the scene when Kirk tells Daystrum that the M-5 must be disconnected/destroyed, the moving shadow of a boom mic can be seen on the wall behind them.
CONT: As M-5 is evaluating a planet for exploration, Scott remarks that M-5 is cutting off power on decks 4 and 5. In the following scene, Dr. Daystrom explains why power was cut off on decks 4 and 6.
FAKE: Kirk asks the M-5 computer what the penalty is for murder. "Death," replies the computer - an acknowledgment that ultimately leads to the story's resolution. But the computer is a piece of Federation equipment, and the first-season episode "The Menagerie" established the premise that the Federation has abolished the death penalty, except as a punishment for contacting the planet Talos IV. The series thus contradicts its own previously established parameters.
SYNC: As Kirk, Spock and McCoy ride the turbolift to engineering, Spock observes that it is unfortunate no computer can replace a starship surgeon. As they exit the turbolift, McCoy replies "Very funny" but his mouth is not moving.

TRIVIA

In addition to playing his regular role of Chief Engineer "Scotty" Scott, in this episode James Doohan also provides the voice of the computer M-5, as well as that of the briefly heard and unnamed starbase officer who gives Commodore Wesley and the other starship commanders permission to destroy the Enterprise.