Rating: 
Summary: Jim Kirk's Voice: The ORIGINAL Computer Virus!
Review: REVIEWED ITEM: Star Trek® Original Series DVD Volume 27: The Ultimate Computer © / The Omega Glory ©THE ULTIMATE COMPUTER © PRELIMINARY BRIEFS: Moral, Ethical, and/or Philosophical Subject(s) Driven Into The Ground: The Series' Umpteenth "Man-Versus-Machine" Scenario Historical Milestone: The first and only time the term 'Captain Dunsel' (defined as 'a component that serves no useful purpose') is brought up on the show. Expendable Enterprise Crewmember ('Red Shirt') Confirmed Casualty List: One dead REVIEW/COMMENTARY:
If you're familiar with the episodes 'Nomad' and 'Return of the Archons', you'll probably feel a sense of déjà vu while watching 'The Ultimate Computer'. Once again, a computer goes haywire (in this case, one that's been installed & patched into the Enterprise's systems, in preparation for ship-to-ship battle simulations), and it's up to the resourcefulness of our gallant crew to save the day once again. As expected, Kirk manages to talk the computer 'to death', but not before he shares his feelings of self-doubt, fear of losing his job to a machine, and a stiff drink with the always-sympathetic Doctor McCoy. Nothin' like a nip of the hooch with your chief medical officer to get yourself back on track, I always say... THE OMEGA GLORY © PRELIMINARY BRIEFS: Moral, Ethical, and/or Philosophical Subject(s) Driven Into The Ground: Allegory of the Cold War; The true meaning of freedom and liberty Expendable Enterprise Crewmember ('Red Shirt') Confirmed Casualty List: One dead REVIEW/COMMENTARY:
This particular show features the return of Morgan Woodward, one of my all-time fave Star Trek guest stars. As the mentally-tormented Dr. Simon Van Gelder in 'Dagger of the Mind', Woodward's unbelievably overdone facial expressions of pain and anguish were really fun to watch. His mush undergoes further manipulation-- this time showing off his 'angry' faces-- in his second Star Trek go-round as he fills the role of rogue Starfleet Captain Ronald Tracey. But if that ain't enough of a laugh, there's Jimmers' "lesson-of-the-day" that manages to milk a few more yuks outta me. His "we the people" spiel where he discusses the spirit of the United States Constitution to the planet's natives, while heartwarming to the average patriotic American Trekkie, is also quite cheesy when it's done in that unique Shatnerian delivery that has become a component of every modern two-bit standup comic's repertoire of backup gags. Throw in the unintentionally ironic fact that William Shatner is Canadian, and the guffaws don't die down 'til the closing credits roll! 'Late
Rating: 
Summary: Two interesting variations on standard Star Trek plotlines
Review: Some interesting variations on a couple of standard Star Trek plotlines are offered up on Volume 27 of the DVD series. "The Ultimate Computer" finds Kirk confronting another dangerous super computer, albeit one actually created by an Earthling rather than an alien. Dr. Richard Daystrom is not only the inventor fo the M5, but the "father" of all the computer designs on the Enterprise. Daystrom hope is that the computer can run an entire starship, saving humans from the dangers of exploring deep space. Kirk is not happy with this idea, especially when Starfleet decides the Enterprise should be the vessel for this test. Of course things go nicely at first and then M5 destroys a freighter and then wipes out four ships that were supposed to engage in a simulated battle. However, the ending is the same as with most of these episodes (e.g., "The Changeling") as Kirk uses logic to stop the crazy machine, while Spock watches from the sidelines. You would think just once Spock would be the logical one to employ such a weapon, but you should not hold your breath. "The Omega Glory" is far and away my favorite Star Trek episode involving a parallel Earth, mainly because the similarity is saved until the thrilling conclusion of the episode (cf. "Miri," where the planet looks just like Earth in the teaser). The Enterprise discovers the USS Exeter in orbit around Omega IV with everyone dead on board. On the surface Kirk, Spock and McCoy find Captain Tracey, who explains that some biological agent on the planet killed his crew, except for those few who stayed on the surface. However, it becomes clear Tracey has violated the sacred Prime Directive, uisng his phaser to aide the Kohms against their ancient enemies, the Yangs. However, the Yangs overwhelm the Kohms in a final battle and the Starfleet officers are all stunned to learn that the Yangs worship the flag of the United States of America. I have to admit, the first time around this one had me completely fooled. Realizing that Kohms and Yangs are corruptions of Communists and Yankees, Kirk is able to recognize the garbled words of the Pledge of Allegiance. But then the Yangs bring out their most sacred Holy Words, which also sound so familiar to Kirk. But before he can supply the answer Kirk has to fight Tracey, thereby proving the ancient dictum that good will always triumph over evil. "The Omega Glory" is one of my personal favorites. I think it has something to do with all that time spent in college studying "ideographs," what Cloud William and Kirk would call "worship words." Certainly it is the most pro-American episode from the Star Trek universe.
Rating:
Summary: Two interesting variations on standard Star Trek plotlines
Review: Some interesting variations on a couple of standard Star Trek plotlines are offered up on Volume 27 of the DVD series. "The Ultimate Computer" finds Kirk confronting another dangerous super computer, albeit one actually created by an Earthling rather than an alien. Dr. Richard Daystrom is not only the inventor fo the M5, but the "father" of all the computer designs on the Enterprise. Daystrom hope is that the computer can run an entire starship, saving humans from the dangers of exploring deep space. Kirk is not happy with this idea, especially when Starfleet decides the Enterprise should be the vessel for this test. Of course things go nicely at first and then M5 destroys a freighter and then wipes out four ships that were supposed to engage in a simulated battle. However, the ending is the same as with most of these episodes (e.g., "The Changeling") as Kirk uses logic to stop the crazy machine, while Spock watches from the sidelines. You would think just once Spock would be the logical one to employ such a weapon, but you should not hold your breath. "The Omega Glory" is far and away my favorite Star Trek episode involving a parallel Earth, mainly because the similarity is saved until the thrilling conclusion of the episode (cf. "Miri," where the planet looks just like Earth in the teaser). The Enterprise discovers the USS Exeter in orbit around Omega IV with everyone dead on board. On the surface Kirk, Spock and McCoy find Captain Tracey, who explains that some biological agent on the planet killed his crew, except for those few who stayed on the surface. However, it becomes clear Tracey has violated the sacred Prime Directive, uisng his phaser to aide the Kohms against their ancient enemies, the Yangs. However, the Yangs overwhelm the Kohms in a final battle and the Starfleet officers are all stunned to learn that the Yangs worship the flag of the United States of America. I have to admit, the first time around this one had me completely fooled. Realizing that Kohms and Yangs are corruptions of Communists and Yankees, Kirk is able to recognize the garbled words of the Pledge of Allegiance. But then the Yangs bring out their most sacred Holy Words, which also sound so familiar to Kirk. But before he can supply the answer Kirk has to fight Tracey, thereby proving the ancient dictum that good will always triumph over evil. "The Omega Glory" is one of my personal favorites. I think it has something to do with all that time spent in college studying "ideographs," what Cloud William and Kirk would call "worship words." Certainly it is the most pro-American episode from the Star Trek universe.
Rating:
Summary: Two interesting variations on standard Star Trek plotlines
Review: Some interesting variations on a couple of standard Star Trek plotlines are offered up on Volume 27 of the DVD series. "The Ultimate Computer" finds Kirk confronting another dangerous super computer, albeit one actually created by an Earthling rather than an alien. Dr. Richard Daystrom is not only the inventor fo the M5, but the "father" of all the computer designs on the Enterprise. Daystrom hope is that the computer can run an entire starship, saving humans from the dangers of exploring deep space. Kirk is not happy with this idea, especially when Starfleet decides the Enterprise should be the vessel for this test. Of course things go nicely at first and then M5 destroys a freighter and then wipes out four ships that were supposed to engage in a simulated battle. However, the ending is the same as with most of these episodes (e.g., "The Changeling") as Kirk uses logic to stop the crazy machine, while Spock watches from the sidelines. You would think just once Spock would be the logical one to employ such a weapon, but you should not hold your breath. "The Omega Glory" is far and away my favorite Star Trek episode involving a parallel Earth, mainly because the similarity is saved until the thrilling conclusion of the episode (cf. "Miri," where the planet looks just like Earth in the teaser). The Enterprise discovers the USS Exeter in orbit around Omega IV with everyone dead on board. On the surface Kirk, Spock and McCoy find Captain Tracey, who explains that some biological agent on the planet killed his crew, except for those few who stayed on the surface. However, it becomes clear Tracey has violated the sacred Prime Directive, uisng his phaser to aide the Kohms against their ancient enemies, the Yangs. However, the Yangs overwhelm the Kohms in a final battle and the Starfleet officers are all stunned to learn that the Yangs worship the flag of the United States of America. I have to admit, the first time around this one had me completely fooled. Realizing that Kohms and Yangs are corruptions of Communists and Yankees, Kirk is able to recognize the garbled words of the Pledge of Allegiance. But then the Yangs bring out their most sacred Holy Words, which also sound so familiar to Kirk. But before he can supply the answer Kirk has to fight Tracey, thereby proving the ancient dictum that good will always triumph over evil. "The Omega Glory" is one of my personal favorites. I think it has something to do with all that time spent in college studying "ideographs," what Cloud William and Kirk would call "worship words." Certainly it is the most pro-American episode from the Star Trek universe.
Rating:
Summary: One Good and One Bad episodes on this DVD.
Review: The Omega Glory was one of the last Star Trek shows that explored the parrell worlds theory (invented so that they would not have to transform a lot of actors into aliens) and thus it's a rather poorly written show. By contrast, The Ultimate Computer is one of the best written/best acted Star Trek shows from the second season. The best Kirk vs the Computer story even filmed, and contains one of Spock's most memorable lines on how he's loyal to his captain, but will never serve on a starship where all the orders are given by a computer.
Rating:
Summary: Two episodes suffering from the late 2nd season doldrums
Review: The Ultimate Computer-This war games episode, in which command of the Enterprise is handed over to a computer (with predictable results) is a solid offering. The episode has it's share of action, and touches on important issues such as human obsolescence, pratfalls (to put it mildly) of technology, and the risks inherent in putting too much into your work. But the episode ultimately suffers from being both two predictable (you'll never guess who outwits a computer!) and too talky. It should be noted that this is one of the most prominent roles played by an African-American on Star Trek TOS. While one is initially frustrated by the character's fate, further reflection suggests a lack of prejudice in this episode. Rather than walk on eggshells, the brain trust gave him the same fate (collapse of some sort) that (almost) always befell all Federation elite. (3 stars) The Omega Glory-This patriotic episode, in which the Yangs (American whites) are oppressed by the Colms (Communist Asians), is a real stinker, no matter what your political philosophy. The Roddenberry-written episode starts strongly enough with an intriguing and disquieting teaser, but despite plenty of action it's a downhill ride once we reach the planet's surface. I can see the appeal of the `what-if' stories; they allow us to imagine other possible historical trajectories on earth, and they are cheap to make. But the second season really overloaded us with them. Worse, this episode is in my opinion totally biased, presenting Asians as savages and Americans as heroic. A more measured approach with some heterogeneity would have been nice; on the other hand it wouldn't have made for as viscerally-gripping an episode. I guess what I'm saying is, I don't mind simplistic, but this goes too far, and it's too offensive along the way. By the time we get to Old Glory, we feel almost embarrassed for Shatner. I give him credit though for being professional enough to play the scene seriously. Tidbit: Morgan Woodward, who plays Tracey here, was also Dr. Van Gelder in Dagger of the Mind. (2 stars)
Rating:
Summary: Two episodes suffering from the late 2nd season doldrums
Review: The Ultimate Computer-This war games episode, in which command of the Enterprise is handed over to a computer (with predictable results) is a solid offering. The episode has it's share of action, and touches on important issues such as human obsolescence, pratfalls (to put it mildly) of technology, and the risks inherent in putting too much into your work. But the episode ultimately suffers from being both two predictable (you'll never guess who outwits a computer!) and too talky. It should be noted that this is one of the most prominent roles played by an African-American on Star Trek TOS. While one is initially frustrated by the character's fate, further reflection suggests a lack of prejudice in this episode. Rather than walk on eggshells, the brain trust gave him the same fate (collapse of some sort) that (almost) always befell all Federation elite. (3 stars) The Omega Glory-This patriotic episode, in which the Yangs (American whites) are oppressed by the Colms (Communist Asians), is a real stinker, no matter what your political philosophy. The Roddenberry-written episode starts strongly enough with an intriguing and disquieting teaser, but despite plenty of action it's a downhill ride once we reach the planet's surface. I can see the appeal of the 'what-if' stories; they allow us to imagine other possible historical trajectories on earth, and they are cheap to make. But the second season really overloaded us with them. Worse, this episode is in my opinion totally biased, presenting Asians as savages and Americans as heroic. A more measured approach with some heterogeneity would have been nice; on the other hand it wouldn't have made for as viscerally-gripping an episode. I guess what I'm saying is, I don't mind simplistic, but this goes too far, and it's too offensive along the way. By the time we get to Old Glory, we feel almost embarrassed for Shatner. I give him credit though for being professional enough to play the scene seriously. Tidbit: Morgan Woodward, who plays Tracey here, was also Dr. Van Gelder in Dagger of the Mind. (2 stars)
Rating:
Summary: Pretty good TREK
Review: These are two OK episodes. To me they are notable for the following:
Ultimate Computer -- Kirk's "all I ask is a tall ship" speech gives me goosebumps every time.
Omega Glory -- Kirk and Tracey beat the tar out of each other in several fights throughout the course of this episode. As far as I can tell, William Shatner and Morgan Woodward do all their own stunts, which is pretty impressive as they're throwing each other around A LOT.
Add to that the fact that Kirk gets roughed up by the Yang leader in that sequence in the prison cell and you have a pretty tough week of work for ol' Mr. Shatner!
Rating:
Summary: Good/Bad
Review: This latest TOS DVD features one of the better TOS episodes, "The Ultimate Computer", and one of the worst, "The Omega Glory". "Ultimate Computer" is probably the last great TOS episode, focusing on the age-old conflict between man and machine--can a computer run the Enterprise as well as man? On the other hand, "Omega Glory" is an annoying, thinly-disguised (and dated) commentary on the Viet Nam War. The new DVD release features superb video quality, although the audio had a few flaws ("hiccups" in the dialog, picture and sound out of synch at times).
Rating:
Summary: WE'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE!!!
Review: Volume 27 of The Star Trek DVD series contains two of the second season's typical plots. Both episodes are watchable and entertaining However neither of these episodes are not the most successful variations of these blueprint plots. THE ULTIMATE COMPUTER is one of those man v.s. machine episodes of Star Trek. Only this time Kirk must sit and watch the Enterprise be contolled by a computer called the M-5 rather than his crew. At first the M-5 seems as flawless as it's creator Daystrom says. Of course the computer goes haywire and begins destroying Starfleet ships. Sure this episode is written ok and all but we've seen this a thousand times before and it's been done better. Still this episode's story is entertaining and worth at least one watch but it is at best a standard Star Trek episode. THE OMEGA GLORY follows a similar pattern as THE ULTIMATE COMPUTER. This is a typical second season Star Trek episode but it is by far one of the worst varaitions of the whole "journey to an unknown planet run by a cruel race or empire" plots. In a somewhat patriotic episode where the planet is run by Comms (chinese communists) led by a insane Starfleet Captain (Morgan Woodward from DAGGER OF THE MIND). When the Comms are excuting violent slaves called Yanks (as in Yankee) this episode gets a little far fetched. A few suprises here and there, but other than that THE OMEGA GLORY is a below average episode of Star Trek in my opinion. Partly because it's story is pretty far fetched and disappointing in the end. Also because this plot has been done to death in Star Trek and far better other times. Overall a decent collection of standard Star Trek shows. There is really nothing super special here but if you love classic Trek then you probably will want to get this DVD. Mildly recommended.
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