Episode of the Week : The Doomsday Machine
- Thread starter Botany Bay
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It's a hard act to sell. You need to do not just a memorable Matt Decker, but also a relatable internal logic for space combat (something most war movies have much easier time doing for their styles of fighting, even when they get it all wrong reality-wise), a convincing and terrifying space menace, and an overarching ambience that leaves deep grip marks on the edge of the seat all on its own, plot twists and dialogue be damned.
The episode sort of three-quarters-succeeds on each item. Decker is a wonderfully engaging character, but not a plausible one, at least if we are to take him for his word. We never quite learn why a monster that can barely match the speed of a wrecked starship would be a threat to distant star systems, which weakens both of the middle issues. And while the music, the pacing, the acting and even details of set construction are top-notch, the visual effects are often so sub-par (if one defines the par in absolute terms, rather than just patting the folks on the back for doing a decent job in the context of the era, the budget, the schedule etc.) that you start to see wires that aren't really there.
But that's still only quarter-fail at most, rather than half-fail or worse. And memorable trumps everything else anyway. So that's an 8 right there.
Timo Saloniemi
The episode sort of three-quarters-succeeds on each item. Decker is a wonderfully engaging character, but not a plausible one, at least if we are to take him for his word. We never quite learn why a monster that can barely match the speed of a wrecked starship would be a threat to distant star systems, which weakens both of the middle issues. And while the music, the pacing, the acting and even details of set construction are top-notch, the visual effects are often so sub-par (if one defines the par in absolute terms, rather than just patting the folks on the back for doing a decent job in the context of the era, the budget, the schedule etc.) that you start to see wires that aren't really there.
But that's still only quarter-fail at most, rather than half-fail or worse. And memorable trumps everything else anyway. So that's an 8 right there.
Timo Saloniemi
William Windom was astounding. It was such a relief to see that Matt Decker did not die at the end of this episode as we thought for many years. Matt Decker lived a full life and died of old age in the late twentith century (See Star Trek New Voyages "In Harms Way" if you don't know what I am talking about.)
This episode was a 10 all the way.
As a Scotty fan I loved how he at first did not want to leave Kirk on the Constellation but at the same time the career military officer knew that there was no point in arguing and he followed his Captains orders.
This episode was a 10 all the way.
As a Scotty fan I loved how he at first did not want to leave Kirk on the Constellation but at the same time the career military officer knew that there was no point in arguing and he followed his Captains orders.
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Nah, he died. Fanwankery doesn't count.
My wee widdle quibble with this episode is how it weakens Spock to make Kirk look good. If everyone was willing to stand up to Decker the second that Kirk told them to, then Spock, as acting captain of the Enterprise in Kirk's absence, and clearly knowing that Decker's plan was suicidal, should have had the balls to relieve Decker without Kirk's order. Certainly the Spock who was willing to risk his career in "The Menagerie" would have.
Nevertheless, the scene in which Kirk does give that order is a great moment.
Nevertheless, the scene in which Kirk does give that order is a great moment.
Powerful episode and helped debunk the myth in some Trek circles that season 1 had all of the best episodes. The tragedy of Decker is that he was more than blinded by revenge; the entire time he's usurping Spock & attacking the DM, his mannerism and fevered delivery was all about his lost crew.
This is one of the few times in ST franchise history where you feel a person in that position actually lost real lives. That we did not see even one of those lives on screen, yet felt their impact is a tribute to the cast & crew seeking dramatic perfection (if such a thing exists).
This is one of the few times in ST franchise history where you feel a person in that position actually lost real lives. That we did not see even one of those lives on screen, yet felt their impact is a tribute to the cast & crew seeking dramatic perfection (if such a thing exists).
This was James Doohan's favorite episode, and also one of mine, 10 out of 10.
My favorite episode when I was growing up. Lots of action and suspense. My only compliant is about how McCoy couldn't relieve Decker of command without medical proof. What about finding him in a state of shock aboard the Constellation?
For me, this episode works better if it comes after "The Deadly Years." In that episode Spock is still very by-the-book and allows himself to be manipulated by Stocker even tho his loyalty lies with Kirk. I can imagine after that episode that Kirk had a talk with Spock and laid down the law by saying that if Kirk ever gives an order to Spock with the wording "on my personal authority as captain of the Enterprise" then he'd better darn well follow it and let Kirk deal with the consequences with upper echelons or find another ship to serve on.
That's why I love that moment in "Doomsday Machine" after Kirk orders Spock to take command and Spock says "Commodore Decker you are relieved of duty." You see Lt. Palmer's expression change like "He's really doing it!" It's a growing moment for Spock. One that he takes the initiative to do on his own when he disobeys orders in "Mark of Gideon."
For me, this episode works better if it comes after "The Deadly Years." In that episode Spock is still very by-the-book and allows himself to be manipulated by Stocker even tho his loyalty lies with Kirk. I can imagine after that episode that Kirk had a talk with Spock and laid down the law by saying that if Kirk ever gives an order to Spock with the wording "on my personal authority as captain of the Enterprise" then he'd better darn well follow it and let Kirk deal with the consequences with upper echelons or find another ship to serve on.
That's why I love that moment in "Doomsday Machine" after Kirk orders Spock to take command and Spock says "Commodore Decker you are relieved of duty." You see Lt. Palmer's expression change like "He's really doing it!" It's a growing moment for Spock. One that he takes the initiative to do on his own when he disobeys orders in "Mark of Gideon."
I was disappointed when I watched The Doomsday Machine on MeTV. Most of the scene where Kirk orders Spock to relieve Decker and take back command of the Enterprise was severely edited down, all the drama was gone.
With the original VFX, a ten.
With the TOS-R VFX, a one.
I prefer to remember it as a ten.
With the TOS-R VFX, a one.
I prefer to remember it as a ten.
Decker died in "The Doomsday Machine."
10 because there's no "gazillion" listed. My all time favorite episode of any incarnation of Star Trek ever. Period. Hand's down. Best pacing, acting, score, direction, all of it.
Sol Kaplan gives us his best work, a score so powerful, it defined the second season music for me. It's one of the few scores from the series I never ship tracks on when making playlists. Every actor gives their best and, even though the AMT model is a bit dodgy and the phasers are oddly cartoony, I love the original effects. I never tire of this episode and, as much as I don't love the TOS-R FX, they don't ruin the amazing story. performances and music.
100% outstanding. Star Trek's best.
Sol Kaplan gives us his best work, a score so powerful, it defined the second season music for me. It's one of the few scores from the series I never ship tracks on when making playlists. Every actor gives their best and, even though the AMT model is a bit dodgy and the phasers are oddly cartoony, I love the original effects. I never tire of this episode and, as much as I don't love the TOS-R FX, they don't ruin the amazing story. performances and music.
100% outstanding. Star Trek's best.
The best Trek episode ever. Of any Trek series. Period. Only Part 1 of "The Best of Both Worlds" comes close for me.
Great script. Excellent direction. Superb acting. Emmy-nominated editing. The best score of the whole original series. State of the art SFX for the late 60's.
This was the episode that forever changed my life by making me a Trekker. I'd give it a fifteen if I could. I guess I'll have to settle with giving it a ten.
Great script. Excellent direction. Superb acting. Emmy-nominated editing. The best score of the whole original series. State of the art SFX for the late 60's.
This was the episode that forever changed my life by making me a Trekker. I'd give it a fifteen if I could. I guess I'll have to settle with giving it a ten.
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