I’m commemorating the 50th anniversary of Star Trek by celebrating my top five episodes from the original series. My top three episodes are The Doomsday Machine, The Corbomite Maneuver, and Balance of Terror. #4 on my list of favorite episodes is The Ultimate Computer.
First, I need to say a word about how prescient this series was in the way that they anticipated a plethora of technological breakthroughs that were scarcely dreamt of back in 1966. One of the most important examples of this is also one that is easy to take for granted- namely, the way in which computers are a central presence (and force) in the Star Trek universe. You have to remember that this was a time when an ordinary person not only would not own a computer or ever interact with one- but would never even imagine doing so. Computers just weren’t a normal part of anybody’s life unless you were a computer scientist or perhaps a part of certain aspects of the military. So how did Gene Rodenberry and his most important lieutenants manage to conceive of a world with sophisticated computers that could respond to verbal inquiries and requests- and could vocally reply? (This is decades before SIRI made this a reality in everyday life.) Their inventiveness and imagination is one hallmark of this show’s greatness.
“The Ultimate Computer” (story by Lawrence Wolfe, teleplay by D.C. Fontana) takes this one dramatic step further by imagining a new super-computer that is actually capable of operating all of the complex functions of a starship like the U.S.S. Enterprise. This extraordinary computer – known as M-5 – is brought aboard along with its inventor, Dr. Richard Daystrom, for a trial run. Captain Kirk is unhappy and skeptical, but reluctantly obeys his orders – and the computer performs quite well at first. But then it begins to assert itself in disconcerting ways and seems to grow increasingly inclined towards destructive acts in order to protect the Enterprise and her crew at all costs. When M-5 destroys a freight vessel (fortunately there was no one aboard) it becomes clear that something is wrong with the M-5 unit and they move to disengage it from its control of the ship – but M-5 does not allow the disengagement to occur. Frighteningly, the Enterprise is about to engage in war games with four other Federation starships which have no idea (thanks to M-5’s disablement of the Enterprise’s communications system) that M-5 will perceive their “attacks” as a genuine threat and will respond with full force. And indeed, the unexpectedly ferocious attack of the Enterprise inflicts catastrophic damage on the U.S.S. Excalibur, killing everyone aboard. Kirk must find a way to prevent still more destruction and killing- and finally does so by convincing M-5 that it has committed the act of murder, which is completely contrary to its purpose for existence- and to atone for its murderous deed, M-5 permanently shuts itself down …. in effect committing suicide.
This is a tense and unsettling episode and right at the heart of it is the angst of the Enterprise crew that finds itself ‘replaced’ – made seemingly obsolete by this latest breakthrough in computer technology. It is painful enough for officers like Chekov and Sulu, who are essentially left with nothing to do – but it seems to be most painful for Kirk. The single most painful moment for him is when Commodore Wesley, after observing how brilliantly the M-5 unit performed in one of the preliminary games, sends a message in which he congratulates Dr. Daystrom and his invention- and sends his regards to ‘Captain Dunsel.’ Kirk stiffens at the word and leaves the bridge in silence, obviously wounded by the comment- which Dr. McCoy does not understand. After Kirk leaves, Mr. Spock explains to him that ‘Dunsel’ is a derogatory term used by students at Star Fleet Academy to refer to something or someone who no longer serves a useful purpose. The pain of being replaced by a computer was not yet a serious reality back in the mid 1960’s, but it obviously is now- which is what gives this episode a very rich if painful resonance and relevance.
Another remarkable aspect of this episode that might not being properly appreciated by modern day viewers is the fact that the brilliant Dr. Daystrom happens to be black. Thankfully, this kind of casting isn’t quite so rare nowadays, but back in 1967 one rather rarely saw blacks on screen portrayed as capable professionals, let alone as brilliant geniuses. William Marshall, a classically-trained actor, suffered plenty of indignities during his career in terms of the roles he was given – including the title role in the infamous 1973 film Blacula. But in this all-too rare instance, he was blessed to portray a truly formidable and impressive character and did so with an almost majestic assurance. Of the many significant guest star performances in the series, this was one of the very best.
