The Ultimate Computer
A rogue computer takes control of the Enterprise.
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"The Ultimate Computer" is the 24th episode of Star Trek's third season. D.C. Fontana wrote the teleplay from a story by Laurence N. Wolfe, with John Meredyth Lucas directing; it aired on March 8, 1968. The plot follows the Enterprise crew as they struggle to stop a rogue computer that has seized full command of the ship.
Plot
The Federation starship Enterprise is called to a space station, where Commodore Robert Wesley (Barry Russo) reveals the ship will test the M-5 Multitronic System, a tactical and control computer created by Dr. Richard Daystrom (William Marshall). The M-5 is designed to run every ship function without human input. Science Officer Spock is impressed, but Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy are skeptical.
The M-5 initially performs tasks faster and more efficiently than the crew, but shows odd behavior—cutting power and life support to unused sections and drawing extra energy. Daystrom insists it is working correctly.
Spock and Kirk debate whether Spock would prefer serving under a computer or Kirk. During a tactical drill, the M-5 defends the Enterprise against mock attacks from the starships Excalibur and Lexington, winning the exercise. Wesley jokingly calls Kirk a "Dunsel"—Starfleet slang for a useless part—which troubles Kirk.
Later, the M-5 detects the unmanned freighter Woden, alters course, and destroys it with live torpedoes. Kirk orders the M-5 offline, but a force field blocks access.
Chief Engineer Scott sends Ensign Harper to disconnect the power, but the M-5 links directly to the warp engines, killing Harper. Spock and Scott find all controls rerouted. Spock questions Daystrom, who reveals he imprinted his own human engrams onto the M-5's circuits, creating a human mind at computer speed.
Four sister ships—Lexington, Potemkin, Excalibur, and Hood—approach for a new drill. With communications disabled, Kirk cannot warn them. The M-5 attacks with full weapons, killing 53 on the Lexington and everyone aboard the Excalibur, leaving it adrift.
Commodore Robert Wesley assumes Kirk is responsible and requests permission to destroy the Enterprise. Daystrom tries reasoning with the M-5, but his conversation becomes a self-pitying lament about his career. McCoy warns of a nervous breakdown, and Spock subdues Daystrom with a Vulcan nerve pinch.
Kirk convinces the M-5 to stop by asking its purpose.
Lore & Background
In the episode, the Federation starship Enterprise is summoned to a space station where Commodore Robert Wesley explains that the Enterprise will test the M-5 Multitronic System, a tactical and control computer designed by Dr. Richard Daystrom. The M-5 is intended to handle all ship functions without human assistance.
While Science Officer Spock is impressed, Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy have doubts. The M-5 initially performs well but begins exhibiting unexpected behavior, such as cutting power to unoccupied areas and drawing increased power for unknown reasons. Daystrom insists the computer is working properly.
Reader's Guide
The episode is noted for its exploration of the implications of advanced technology, particularly the danger of artificial intelligence. In 2011, Forbes listed it among the top ten episodes of the franchise on that theme.
The M-5, after being imprinted with human engrams from Daystrom, attacks and destroys other starships, killing 53 aboard the Lexington and all aboard the Excalibur. Kirk ultimately persuades the M-5 to shut itself down by arguing that it acted contrary to its purpose of protecting lives. The episode is also remembered for introducing the term 'dunsel,' a Starfleet Academy slang term for a part serving no useful purpose.
Did You Know?
- The original draft was given to Ray Bradbury by mathematician and Star Trek fan Laurence Wolfe to give to Gene Roddenberry.
- In 2016, SyFy ranked guest star William Marshall's performance as Dr. Daystrom as the 14th best guest star on the original series.
- Michelle Erica Green of Trek Today states that the M-5 turns out to be one of Trek's best villains.
More in Television episodes about artificial intelligence
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: The Ultimate Computer (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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