Rating: 
Summary: Best episode...ever!
Review: The Doomsday Machine is my all-time favorite. The picture quality is superb. However, there's something about these DVD's that bothers me. It's the alterations in the sound effects. In the first season, the Enterprise made a rumbling sound. This was not done in season 2. The DVD's added that sound and a humming to the Consetllation. I assume this is to help make it "in stereo", but I'd rather seen the episodes as originally shot, not tricked up in an effort to "improve" them. Way back in Balence Of Terror, the photon torpedos made no sound. You guys added some! Why screw with it? Just remaster it and leave your "improvements" out of it! Didn't you learn anything from George Lucas' Special Editions? Geez, Star Wars is unwatchable now...Otherwise, well done (the 5 stars are for the episode, not the "improvements").
Rating:
Summary: Classic Trek
Review: The Doomsday machine is one of the greatest episodes of classic Star Trek and Wolf in the Fold is pretty good in its own right. Even though there are a few glitches in the sound track this disc is a perfect addition to the collection for any and all trekkies.
Rating: 
Summary: Establishing year two as the 'action' season
Review: The Doomsday Machine-I've always felt this good episode, in which a(nother) deranged captain pursues a Doomsday Machine (flying doobie?), was a bit overrated. The episode certainly has its share of action, and thought provoking themes. The latter include the dangers of 1) technology and 2) hubris and obsession in the wake of a loss. One problem is that William Windom is no Gregory Peck; his Ahab is over the top. The episode is also somewhat sterile, with too much of the Doomsday Machine and the music that follows it everywhere. Yet even this monotony somehow adds tension as the show builds to its climax. A good episode, but somehow not quite as dramatic and momentous as it aims to be. (3.5 stars) Wolf In The Fold-The `Jack the Ripper' episode is another action episode from the second season. The conclusion to the teaser is quite chilling, although the episode never quite reaches that pitch thereafter. The exotic pleasure palace and seance keep things going for a while, but much of the show is ultimately taken up by the `baton-passing' of Rejack. Once we know the episode's fairly compelling hook, there isn't much novelty even in Rejack's penultimate resting place. This episode also was not the highpoint of gender sensitivity. `The Boys' are pretty glib in their loose talk at the beginning of the episode, and the violence towards women isn't treated as anything more than a plot device to get Scotty into trouble. On the other hand, the same could be said of most Star Trek violence towards MEN. There's no denying though that death was treated more lightly after the first season. Some second season episodes (Patterns of Force was the worst offender) stepped way over the line; the producers seemed to feel that as long as they didn't side with the bad guys (and they didn't) any subject could be treated, and in some cases treated lightly.) (3.5 stars)
Rating:
Summary: Establishing year two as the 'action' season
Review: The Doomsday Machine-I've always felt this good episode, in which a(nother) deranged captain pursues a Doomsday Machine (flying doobie?), was a bit overrated. The episode certainly has its share of action, and thought provoking themes. The latter include the dangers of 1) technology and 2) hubris and obsession in the wake of a loss. One problem is that William Windom is no Gregory Peck; his Ahab is over the top. The episode is also somewhat sterile, with too much of the Doomsday Machine and the music that follows it everywhere. Yet even this monotony somehow adds tension as the show builds to its climax. A good episode, but somehow not quite as dramatic and momentous as it aims to be. (3.5 stars) Wolf In The Fold-The 'Jack the Ripper' episode is another action episode from the second season. The conclusion to the teaser is quite chilling, although the episode never quite reaches that pitch thereafter. The exotic pleasure palace and seance keep things going for a while, but much of the show is ultimately taken up by the 'baton-passing' of Rejack. Once we know the episode's fairly compelling hook, there isn't much novelty even in Rejack's penultimate resting place. This episode also was not the highpoint of gender sensitivity. 'The Boys' are pretty glib in their loose talk at the beginning of the episode, and the violence towards women isn't treated as anything more than a plot device to get Scotty into trouble. On the other hand, the same could be said of most Star Trek violence towards MEN. There's no denying though that death was treated more lightly after the first season. Some second season episodes (Patterns of Force was the worst offender) stepped way over the line; the producers seemed to feel that as long as they didn't side with the bad guys (and they didn't) any subject could be treated, and in some cases treated lightly.) (3.5 stars)
Rating:
Summary: Star Trek!
Review: These DVDs are great. I've been getting every one of them. Can't wait for the rest!
Rating:
Summary: Tom Keough, What Are You Thinking?
Review: Tom Keough certainly doesn't know what he's talking about. His review makes The Doomsday Machine, an episode almost universally admired by Star Trek fans, sound like a dud. I agree with Keough that Robert Ryan would have made a terrific Matt Decker, but I think that William Windom fills the role extremely well. A lesser actor would have merely inspired dislike from the audience when he wrests control of the Enterprise from Mr. Spock. However, Windom does such a good job of establishing Commodore Decker's pain and guilt over the loss of his crew in the early part of the episode, he creates a sympathetic character that still holds the audience's sympathy even when he is making a suicidal Ahab-like attack on the Doomsday Machine. William Windom, in my opinion, does just as good a job as Robert Ryan would have. His presence helps, rather than hurts, the story. As far as Keough's claim that the Doomsday Machine looks like "moldy cannoli," all I can say is that moldy cannoli must look pretty scary. Well, at least Keough does seem to like Wolf in the Fold. This is a far-fetched, but entertaining whodunit. Like Keough, I liked the performance by John Feidler. Like William Windom, he is a veteran character actor who always manages to add a great deal to any film/TV episode in which he appears. In fact, my own (minor) complaint is with the cover. Nichelle Nichols is pictured on the front, but does not appear in either episode on the DVD!
Rating:
Summary: Trek at its Most Compelling...
Review: Volume 18 of Paramount's complete Classic Trek reissue offers two compelling stories that Spock would probably have referred to as "Fascinating..." The Doomsday Machine needs no introduction. Even the most casual Trekker is familiar with this episode about a giant unmanned device which consumes planets--and starships--for fuel. The right combination of elements makes this story work stunningly well: a seemingly insurmountable enemy; conflict between the characters; superb, high-tension performances from Shatner, Nimoy, and guest William Windom; "Miracle Worker" Scotty saving the day once more; and a score by Sol Kaplan so riveting that it was used for many episodes thereafter. For the most part, the visual effects hold up well. One exception is the U. S. S. Constellation, which is obviously an off the shelf Enterprise model which has had parts melted away by a cigarette lighter. (Trekker Trivia note: A Next Generation novel, Vendetta, refers to the events in this episode, and contends that the Machine was created by an ancient civilization to defeat the Borg!) Wolf in the Fold is equally compelling, but on a smaller scale. Montgomery Scott is the focus of this episode, and James Doohan really shines here, proving that he can do much more than merely rattle off accents. This story has contemporary significance in that Scotty is falsely accused of murder, and there seems to be no evidence to prove his innocence. Proving a negative seems to be as difficult in the 23rd Century as it is in the 21st. (Trekker Trivia note: The late Pilar Seurat, appearing as the psychic Sybo, was also the real-life mother of Hollywood producer Dean Devlin.) Paramount has once again done an excellent job of restoring the film elements. There is a small audio problem in The Doomsday Machine, where a brief portion of the score was omitted (stock music from an earlier episode, not Sol Kaplan's Doomsday Machine score). Nevertheless, this DVD is a must for even the most casual Trekker.
Rating:
Summary: Trek at its Most Compelling...
Review: Volume 18 of Paramount's complete Classic Trek reissue offers two compelling stories that Spock would probably have referred to as "Fascinating..." The Doomsday Machine needs no introduction. Even the most casual Trekker is familiar with this episode about a giant unmanned device which consumes planets--and starships--for fuel. The right combination of elements makes this story work stunningly well: a seemingly insurmountable enemy; conflict between the characters; superb, high-tension performances from Shatner, Nimoy, and guest William Windom; "Miracle Worker" Scotty saving the day once more; and a score by Sol Kaplan so riveting that it was used for many episodes thereafter. For the most part, the visual effects hold up well. One exception is the U. S. S. Constellation, which is obviously an off the shelf Enterprise model which has had parts melted away by a cigarette lighter. (Trekker Trivia note: A Next Generation novel, Vendetta, refers to the events in this episode, and contends that the Machine was created by an ancient civilization to defeat the Borg!) Wolf in the Fold is equally compelling, but on a smaller scale. Montgomery Scott is the focus of this episode, and James Doohan really shines here, proving that he can do much more than merely rattle off accents. This story has contemporary significance in that Scotty is falsely accused of murder, and there seems to be no evidence to prove his innocence. Proving a negative seems to be as difficult in the 23rd Century as it is in the 21st. (Trekker Trivia note: The late Pilar Seurat, appearing as the psychic Sybo, was also the real-life mother of Hollywood producer Dean Devlin.) Paramount has once again done an excellent job of restoring the film elements. There is a small audio problem in The Doomsday Machine, where a brief portion of the score was omitted (stock music from an earlier episode, not Sol Kaplan's Doomsday Machine score). Nevertheless, this DVD is a must for even the most casual Trekker.
Rating:
Summary: Exception with Keough's "Doomsday"
Review: When I found out that Paramount was producing Star Trek "TOS" (The Original Series) DVDs, "The Doomsday Machine" as #1 on my list. It highlights the best aspects of Trek: a seemingly invincible enemy, a confident Shatner turn, and a riviting Federation subplot.............. reviewer Tom Keough seems to be intent on lambasting this great ep at every turn. William Windom's performance is unmatched for a weekly tv series of this time period. Sure the effects are cheesy, (like the AMT model Consellation with battered warp nacelles!) but that's why we love ST-TOS. And best of all, Kirk keeps his shirt on and and his mind on his ship, instead of the "star babe of the week." This ep is a MUST.
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