The Ultimate Computer (TOS S2 E24)

The Ultimate Computer (Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS), S2 E24) was recommended by Tana he/they, who said: Tana here again. In my quest to submit one recommendation from each of my formative Trek series (TNG, Voy, DS9, and TOS) the original series one has eluded me the most.

For me TOS was a show I mostly watched after knowing the other ones. It wasn't being re run on TV much if at all where I was, while I eagerly recorded TNG, Voyager, and DS9 on the vcr and could watch and rewatch them endlessly.

I did, however, buy a few individual episodes of TOS on VHS at my local big box electronics store. I only got four, because they were expensive for me as a teen, but they definitely wetted my appetite for the show that started it all.

Of them, The Ultimate Computer stuck with me the most, and I don't hear It brought up a ton. It has a bit of everything that I love about classic Trek.

You have Kirk and the others struggling with their love of technological progress running into the possibility of their lives being upended by such an advance.

You have diversity in super genius scientist played by a black man in the 1960's.

Kirk using his brains over brawn approach to talk a computer to death.

You even get some space combat!

The entire main cast does a fantastic job in this one as well. I'll give a special nod to Shatner, Kelley, and Marshall.

All around it's a fantastically well balanced example of Original Star Trek. It has great interpersonal drama woven around an age old tale of man vs machine.

As for the specifics of the plot, I leave that for you to discuss and enjoy.

The Ultimate Computer first aired on March 8, 1968, written by story by Laurence N. Wolfe, teleplay by D. C. Fontana, and directed by John Meredyth Lucas