54) The Ultimate Computer

The Enterprise is chosen to test a groundbreaking new computer system called the M-5 Multitronic Unit, which was programed by Dr. Richard Daystrom to think on its own and run a starship without human interference. Captain Kirk has no choice but to go along with a series of war games that, if successful, could render his own position as a starship captain obsolete. The first test goes off without a hitch, but when further testing pushes the M-5 to the brink of self-preservation, Kirk and Spock must figure out a way to disconnect the computer and pull the plug completely before thousands of lives are lost. Once again on "Star Trek," it's man vs. machine, but as written by Dorothy "D.C." Fontana, it's more like man vs. himself, which makes it a far more compelling and provocative episode from the second season. In addition to being faced with an existential crisis, Captain Kirk must also engage in a battle of wits with Dr. Daystrom (brilliantly played by William Marshall), who is facing a psychological crisis of his own. And as for the concept of a computer-run spaceship that turns to murder to preserve itself, that should sound familiar, since it was the basis for Stanley Kubrick's cinematic masterpiece "2001: A Space Odyssey," which opened in theaters on April 3, 1968. But for those keeping track, "The Ultimate Computer" aired for the first time on March 8, 1968, beating "2001" to the punch by almost a month.

Special Guest: Dave Rossi (Associate Producer: "Star Trek: Enterprise"; Visual Effects Producer: "Star Trek: The Original Series" Remastered)

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