Star Trek-RM: The Doomsday Machine… Grading/Discussion

[AstroSmurf]

This is the grading & discussion thread for Star Trek Remastered episode for the weekend of 11/17/07.

The Doomsday Machine

The Enterprise is sent to investigate the destruction of several planetary systems and discovers a crippled starship, the U.S.S. Constellation, with only her captain aboard. This lone survivor, Commodore Matthew Decker, informs the crew that a giant robot ship, a planet-eating machine made by a long-dead alien race, is responsible for the planetary obliteration and the death of his entire crew. Seeking to salvage the Commodore’s damaged ship Kirk and Scotty remain on board the Constellation to try and make repairs but quickly find themselves stranded by Decker on the crippled vessel. After taking command of the Enterprise, Decker begins a vengeful search for the murdering Planet Killer leaving the Captain in a desperate race to stop him before the Commodore destroys his ship and crew in the attempt.


Official Website for Star Trek
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[cbspock]

Did they recut the episode for syndication from the last time it was on? It looked different.


-Chris

 

[Forbin]

Thought it was a rerun, so I didn't watch.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

cbspock said:
Did they recut the episode for syndication from the last time it was on? It looked different.


-Chris

I TiVoed the episode and am going to watch it tonight, so if I notice anything different I'll post it here.

I have to say, CBS Digital's redesign of the planet killer has grown on me since the initial airing. I'm looking forward to rewatching this episode.

 

[cbspock]

I thought I saw some new shots compared to last time, unless they just included more and recut the episode. I guess I will know when I take the commericals out and see if it is longer than 43 minutes.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

I sincerely doubt that the episode is any longer than before... cuts for commercials are a permanent fact of life. I suppose it's possible that they rejiggered the edits, though. My biggest complaint about the original broadcast back in February was the poor choices the editors made--several "set pieces" in this episode (especially the Enterprise attacking the planet killer) were absolutely butchered.

 

[cbspock]

Once scene I didn't remember seeing the first time around was when Enterprise gets tractored by the DDM, and you tumbling toward the ddm close up and not on the constellation viewscreen.

Also, some of the approaching shots of Contellation to the DDM at the end I didn't remember seeing. I guess I should just put that copy in my laptop and watch it along with the aired version from last night.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

cbspock said:
Once scene I didn't remember seeing the first time around was when Enterprise gets tractored by the DDM, and you tumbling toward the ddm close up and not on the constellation viewscreen.

That was in the original syndicated broadcast.

cbspock said:
Also, some of the approaching shots of Contellation to the DDM at the end I didn't remember seeing. I guess I should just put that copy in my laptop and watch it along with the aired version from last night.

Nope, I rewatched the "remastered" episode last night, and all the redone F/X shots and the ill-timed editing cuts are exactly the same.

 

[shatastrophic]

I thought this episode was fantastic, I missed it the first time around a few months back and was so excited when i found out they were repeating it. I loved the new effects shots. I love how they kept the original sound effects. IMO it was great. It had all the classic components of trek; the transporter not working, McCoy challenging the system of command, Spock's logic, Scotty in the jeffries tube, Ships shaking, an opponent which can't be stopped with conventional weapons, another starship, Kirk stating my favorite question "What the devil?", phasers, another captain(in this case Commodore) losing it, a red shirt getting knocked out, theft of a shuttle, destruction of said shuttle, Kyle, destroyed planets, communicators on the fritz, kirks hair, kirks wrap around tunic, Scotty as always coming thru in a fix and "earning his pay for the week", and the galaxy being in trouble. I could go on but this is an episode that my friends who really aren't into Trek watched and loved. They had no idea it was remastered and thought it was this way originally back in the 60's. They thought it was great, I didn't break it to them until we were doing shots later at the bar. I really felt nostalgic during this episode. It made me appreciate that this show is still on regular TV.

PS: This episode made me realize one thing, I love everyone of you fuckin Trekkers!!! It is so great that I can express all of this to you guys. Thanks!!!

 

[Maurice]

While I generally liked what they did in this episode some of the effects are clumsy. The Enterprise moving off when then DM releases is rotten, because the ship starts off moving on a vector isn't the direction it's pointing, which somewhat destroys the illusion that it's got mass and inertia.

Also, there are some stupid decisions by the effects team, like the Enterprise is being pursued by the DM, Decker launches in a shuttle, but then he approaches it from an angle. If the thing is pursuing the ship, its mouth oughta be dead ahead (as in the original episode). And, I hate to say it, but the interior of the machine doesn't look anywhere near as hot as the original effect did.

 

[DumbDumb2007]

It was Moby Dick in outer space.

 

[Plum]

... and Spock was a terrific Queequeg.

 

[DumbDumb2007]

Caught DDM onTiVo last night. Imissed it the first 2 times the remastered version was on.
I noticed the scene of Decker going down the ladder on the Enterprise and running down the corridor to the Shuttle-Hangar Deck was excised. H did look awkward running down the hall in his Trek boots.
I had thought that the Constellation would have been seen with the engines crackling with random energy but it couldn't as the DDM Would have scanned it and destoyed it.
I still wonder why Decker didn't fire Photon Torpedoes at the thing ? Budget constraints ? Couldn't they have added Torpedoes in the remastering ? I guess they wanted to stay true as much as possible to the Original .

 

[Noname Given]

DumbDumb2007 said:
Caught DDM onTiVo last night. Imissed it the first 2 times the remastered version was on.
I noticed the scene of Decker going down the ladder on the Enterprise and running down the corridor to the Shuttle-Hangar Deck was excised. H did look awkward running down the hall in his Trek boots.
I had thought that the Constellation would have been seen with the engines crackling with random energy but it couldn't as the DDM Would have scanned it and destoyed it.
I still wonder why Decker didn't fire Photon Torpedoes at the thing ? Budget constraints ? Couldn't they have added Torpedoes in the remastering ? I guess they wanted to stay true as much as possible to the Original .

^^^
I used to ask myself why they never fired photon torpedoes either; but then when watching it on this last run there was lines about the anti-matter in the warp nacelles being 'deactivated', and comments about a damping field put out by the DDM.

/em [enter Trek geek mode]
So, given that phonton torpedoes are anti-matter weapons; because of the DDM damping field; the photon torpedoes were non-functioning and unavailable.
/em [exit Trek geek mode]