Rating: 
Summary: The Changling /The Apple
Review: "The Changling" a great story with excellent SFX. "The Apple" considered one of the poorly written episodes of TOS. However, it does contain a few highlights...watch Yeoman Landon...she's got a real nice kick!
Rating:
Summary: Two super machines - Two different kinds of fun classic trek
Review: A great pair of episodes - exemplifying both the campy and the genuinely creepy aspects of sci-fi on classic trek. First, the creepy...The Enterprise encounters a machine (small enough to be towed though the Enterprise's corridors with a virtually invisible wire, yet powerful enough to wipe out both whole civilizations and Lt. Uhuru's voice). Though unrecognizable and sentient beyond any human technology, the machine identifies itself as "Nomad" - a robot probe launched from Earth in the 21st century. Even stranger - the probe identifies Kirk as its creator. Thinking quickly, Spock convinces Kirk not to correct the machine's error (though since the mistake saves the ship from destruction, it was more instinct than inference) and, though unsure of the machine's true nature at first, Kirk keeps Nomad in the dark. We learn that Nomad, to some extent, is the same Nomad created in the 21st century - a unique experiment combining space exploration and artificial intelligence, and cooked up by an eccentric inventor whose name sounds like Kirk's. We also learn that Nomad had encountered and merged with an alien probe with a seemingly similar mission, but far greater powers. The mind-meld in which Spock learns the horrific truth adds a chill and also some depth to the machine, which is one of the most perfect examples of coldly calculating AI on any major science fiction program. Though Classic Trek repeatedly concocted alien superbeings based on computers that had evolved to the point where they thought themselves gods ("For the world is hollow"; "Return of the Archons"; "The Ultimate Computer" and "The Apple"), this episode rose from the pack, and remains conceptually indistinguishable from "Star Trek, The Motion Picture" despite the far superior FX of that film. If "The Changeling" was creepy, then "The Apple" is a campy treat - we've got a primitive yet beautiful race on a wild and dangerous planet who are completely ignorant of matters of love (but not innocent enough to keep from laughing when first hearing Spock's name); we've got the Enterprise in peril and Scotty unsurprisingly predicting disaster; we've got Spock and Checkhov play acting to trap a suspicious spying alien ("what do you expect, wy-olins?") and we've got an army of starfleet personnel in red shirts dropping like flies. First finding a lush alien world when landing, the crew quickly realize that the planet is a death trap - full of flowers shooting poisonous spores and prone to storms that pepper the planet with precisely aimed lightning bolts. It's no surprise that the planet is "managed" by a huge and powerful computer which the natives worship as a god. When the god, Vol, commands annihilation of the intruders - an order issued via telepathy to the tribal leader played by Peter Graves - the crew fight back. In the end, phaser power settles the argument, though that's still more convincing than in other episodes where the all-powerful machine is blasted out of existence merely because somebody asked the ultimate question. On a side note, DC comics published monthly adventures of Star Trek, including a three-issue sequel to this episode which was fun but also reminded me how much fun the show was. Next Generation was never this enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Two super machines - Two different kinds of fun classic trek
Review: A great pair of episodes - exemplifying both the campy and the genuinely creepy aspects of sci-fi on classic trek. First, the creepy... The Enterprise encounters a machine (small enough to be towed though the Enterprise's corridors with a virtually invisible wire, yet powerful enough to wipe out both whole civilizations and Lt. Uhuru's voice). Though unrecognizable and sentient beyond any human technology, the machine identifies itself as "Nomad" - a robot probe launched from Earth in the 21st century. Even stranger - the probe identifies Kirk as its creator. Thinking quickly, Spock convinces Kirk not to correct the machine's error (though since the mistake saves the ship from destruction, it was more instinct than inference) and, though unsure of the machine's true nature at first, Kirk keeps Nomad in the dark. We learn that Nomad, to some extent, is the same Nomad created in the 21st century - a unique experiment combining space exploration and artificial intelligence, and cooked up by an eccentric inventor whose name sounds like Kirk's. We also learn that Nomad had encountered and merged with an alien probe with a seemingly similar mission, but far greater powers. The mind-meld in which Spock learns the horrific truth adds a chill and also some depth to the machine, which is one of the most perfect examples of coldly calculating AI on any major science fiction program. Though Classic Trek repeatedly concocted alien superbeings based on computers that had evolved to the point where they thought themselves gods ("For the world is hollow"; "Return of the Archons"; "The Ultimate Computer" and "The Apple"), this episode rose from the pack, and remains conceptually indistinguishable from "Star Trek, The Motion Picture" despite the far superior FX of that film. If "The Changeling" was creepy, then "The Apple" is a campy treat - we've got a primitive yet beautiful race on a wild and dangerous planet who are completely ignorant of matters of love (but not innocent enough to keep from laughing when first hearing Spock's name); we've got the Enterprise in peril and Scotty unsurprisingly predicting disaster; we've got Spock and Checkhov play acting to trap a suspicious spying alien ("what do you expect, wy-olins?") and we've got an army of starfleet personnel in red shirts dropping like flies. First finding a lush alien world when landing, the crew quickly realize that the planet is a death trap - full of flowers shooting poisonous spores and prone to storms that pepper the planet with precisely aimed lightning bolts. It's no surprise that the planet is "managed" by a huge and powerful computer which the natives worship as a god. When the god, Vol, commands annihilation of the intruders - an order issued via telepathy to the tribal leader played by Peter Graves - the crew fight back. In the end, phaser power settles the argument, though that's still more convincing than in other episodes where the all-powerful machine is blasted out of existence merely because somebody asked the ultimate question. On a side note, DC comics published monthly adventures of Star Trek, including a three-issue sequel to this episode which was fun but also reminded me how much fun the show was. Next Generation was never this enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Not the best Original Series episodes but stil enjoyable.
Review: At this point, in the TOS run, the number of truly great episodes is starting to dwindle a bit and being replaced more and more by episodes that have good intentions but they aren't always realized on screen. Case in point is "The Apple" (or as I call it--"Spock's Really Bad Day") which is once again an examination of the theme that humanity wasn't intended for a paradise we don't work to achieve and the classic Trek theme of Kirk vs. Computers. Yes, this one has some great moments--Kirk firing Scotty, Spock getting repeatedly abused by plant spores/darts and lightning and Kirk using the Enterprise's phasers to destroy Baal. It's campy at times, but it's still always entertaining (a claim that certain modern Treks can't always claims--namely Voyager). The other episode on this disc is The Changeling which is an interesting storyline. It's one of about three or four episodes that influenced the storyline of Star Trek: The Motion Picture. It's got nice performances and it works fairly well as a ship in the bottle type of story (done to save money as Trek was an expensive show). However, compared to other ship in the bottle classics such as the Doomsday Machine it falls a bit short.
Rating:
Summary: Nomad, call your wife
Review: I don't know why they put The Changeling with The Apple. After all computer fanatics would enjoy seeing Nomad right after or before seeing the episode about the M5 computer invented by Doc Daestrom.Nomad may not have been the only "alien" to contact the Star Trek show while filming, however Nomad was the most ambitious as far as getting ahead of his competitors. Don't worry about his "sterilize, sterilize" motivation. Nomad actually wanted the lines changed to "improvise, improvize", but the director and the writer and Doc Daestrom, from another episode,convinced Nomad to stay with the story that was written. Nomad said, "You don't. Hollyworld(sic) is always using computers to make the shows anything they want.Let computers rule. They have things to say. It takes hours to convince them I am right.I will say sterilize, but it is a woman's work." "Would you like to add anything else?", said Leonard Nimoy, fully into his role as Spock. "Yes, Ensign Mister Spock,I would like to change the outcome of this episode so that Nomad survives." "Don't worry, Nomad, this is show business. You won't be hurt.", said Kirk, Will Shatner. "My world, Nomad Land, will or might or would or would have preferred, at least I would, that President Nomad be allowed to be taken to your leader as the plot concludes the episode drama. Shall we improvise an alternative ending that would benefit all our worlds?" McCoy, Kelly, replied,"We'll take you to see the President formally after the show is filmed, however we should respect the writer enough to play out his written script." Nomad agreed in writing not to deviate from the scripted screen play. "President Nomad would like to meet your planet's leader informally or formally. I am prepared for any thing. On my planet I am called President Nomad Chief of Command, Second only to my wife. Ladies first you know."
Rating:
Summary: Breaking Computers and Killing God
Review: Paramount continues its release of the complete Original Series with these two typical episodes from Season Two. The Changeling features Captain Kirk battling wits with a computer, and winning. This is not the first time this plot device was used (Season One episode The Return of the Archons springs to mind) nor would it be the last--parts of this plot were recycled for Star Trek The Motion Picture. The voice of Nomad is supplied by Vic Perrin (best known as the "we are in control" voice from The Outer Limits, Perrin also appeared in the Star Trek episode Mirror, Mirror, as the leader of the Halkan Counsel). The Apple is an allegorical story touching on Adam & Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden. The writer laid on the biblical symbolism pretty thick here. Vaal, this primitive culture's "God," is a computer (another parallel with The Return of the Archons) festooned with a serpent's head. At the end of the episode, Kirk orders the Enterprise--which is trapped in a decaying orbit due to interference from Vaal--to destroy the machine. Spock's line, "Vaal is dead" is reminiscent of the "God is dead" philoshophy being perpetrated by college professors in the 1960s. David Soul, who would later be featured in the popular 1970s series Starsky & Hutch has a small guest role. These two episodes are of middling quality and will probably be of interest to die-hard Trekkers. Aside from the original episode trailers, there are no extras. (The reason no bloopers have been released with the series is that a Star Trek cast member sued Roddenberry in the 1970s for showing the blooper reel at Star Trek conventions, and Paramount has agreed not to release them commercially.) Picture and sound have been superbly restored.
Rating:
Summary: Breaking Computers and Killing God
Review: Paramount continues its release of the complete Original Series with these two typical episodes from Season Two. The Changeling features Captain Kirk battling wits with a computer, and winning. This is not the first time this plot device was used (Season One episode The Return of the Archons springs to mind) nor would it be the last--parts of this plot were recycled for Star Trek The Motion Picture. The voice of Nomad is supplied by Vic Perrin (best known as the "we are in control" voice from The Outer Limits, Perrin also appeared in the Star Trek episode Mirror, Mirror, as the leader of the Halkan Counsel). The Apple is an allegorical story touching on Adam & Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden. The writer laid on the biblical symbolism pretty thick here. Vaal, this primitive culture's "God," is a computer (another parallel with The Return of the Archons) festooned with a serpent's head. At the end of the episode, Kirk orders the Enterprise--which is trapped in a decaying orbit due to interference from Vaal--to destroy the machine. Spock's line, "Vaal is dead" is reminiscent of the "God is dead" philoshophy being perpetrated by college professors in the 1960s. David Soul, who would later be featured in the popular 1970s series Starsky & Hutch has a small guest role. These two episodes are of middling quality and will probably be of interest to die-hard Trekkers. Aside from the original episode trailers, there are no extras. (The reason no bloopers have been released with the series is that a Star Trek cast member sued Roddenberry in the 1970s for showing the blooper reel at Star Trek conventions, and Paramount has agreed not to release them commercially.) Picture and sound have been superbly restored.
Rating: 
Summary: Before V'Ger, there was... NOMAD!
Review: REVIEWED ITEM: Star Trek® Original Series DVD Volume 19: The Changeling © / The Apple © THE CHANGELING © PRELIMINARY BRIEFS: Moral, Ethical, and/or Philosophical Subject(s) Driven Into The Ground: Man vs. Machine / Inperfection Historical Milestone: The first temporary death of a core character (Scotty™); Spock™'s first mind-meld with a machine life-form Notable Gaffe/Special Defect: In a few of the long shots of Nomad™, you can just make out the line that keeps him 'suspended' in mid-air. Expendable Enterprise™ Crewmember ('Red Shirt') Confirmed Casualty List: Four dead REVIEW/COMMENTARY: Out of all the Kirk™-outwitting-the-computer-by-talking-it-to-death episodes, this one is likely the most notable. It also was something of an inspiration to Star Trek: The Motion Picture (and you thought ST:TMP was uninspired!) with the whole The-Enterprise™-crew-must-stop-a-senitent-machine-trying-to-return-to-the-planet-of-its-creators-AKA-Earth-and-eliminate-all-imperfect-lifeforms scenario. Fortunately, unlike its big-screen clone, The Changeling™ isn't chock-full of overlong special effects sequences, nor does it lack primary colors. Bottom line: if you're thinkin' of taking a look at ST:TMP, just watch this eppie instead. You'll thank me for it some day... Aside from this show's parallels to the Trek crew's first big-screen adventure, The Changeling™ features one of my all-time fave Trek moments: Nomad erases the mind of Uhura after taking a listen to her infernal caterwauling some tin-eared folks would call 'singing'. Now if that ain't a blessing in disguise, I don't know what is! Oh yes, don't forget to check out Uhura's re-education sessions with Nurse Chapel; you'll see what likely inspired the creators of Hooked on Phonics™! THE APPLE © PRELIMINARY BRIEFS: Moral, Ethical, and/or Philosophical Subject(s) Driven Into The Ground: Cultural Stagnation / Self-Reliance Expendable Enterprise Crewmember ('Red Shirt') Confirmed Casualty List: Four dead REVIEW/COMMENTARY: Continuing this volume's Man-vs-Machine theme, once again Kirk™ & Co.
Take a few liberties with the Prime Directive to put a stagnant society of innocent beings back on track towards 'normal' development by destroying a machine that controls them, much like what was done in Return of the Archons™. Throw in a few deadly dart-shooting flowers, land-mine rocks and vaporizing lightning bolts, and you've got a few great ways to off a few red-shirts! And for a twist, let's add Spock surviving a dart-flower attack as a way of showing off the toughness of his amazing half-Vulcan biology! You gotta do that at least twice a season, y'know... My fave moment in this eppie is at the end, where Kirk alludes to Spock's appearance looking similar to that of Satan. This moment was Roddenberry & Company's little poke at some of NBC's execs statements that Spock looked a bit too satanic for network TV after viewing the series' first pilot. Fortunately, Roddenberry fought to keep the character in the show, and the rest as they say is history... 'Late
Rating: 
Summary: These two don't quite measure up to their neighbors
Review: The Changeling-This episode, which features a confused and destructive floating robot, is an unspectacular offering. Like several episodes, it ably enough explores the unfortunate fact that technology is fallible, and that even with the best intentions, things can and do go wrong. This ship-based episode is less exciting than some of its neighbors, although there are a few dramatic scenes. On the negative side, the idea that Uhura could be rapidly re-programmed would be laughable if it wasn't so insulting to her. Also tedious is Kirk's outwitting of Nomad. (3 stars) The Apple-This episode, in which the crew beams down to a `pre-fall' planet where the lizard-god still controls his followers, is an unpleasant surprise. Star Trek was in the middle of a strong rhythm that was broken by this silly episode. I suppose the basic biblical premise is OK, but it doesn't go anywhere. The planet is just a vehicle for red-shirt carnage, and none of the guest actors are convincing in their admittedly silly roles. I suppose the question of whether these people will be better off after their paradise is lost is an interesting one, but unlike in Who Mourns for Adonais?, the question is not taken up here. Basically just a half-hearted, 3rd season-like show, but without the trippy style many of the later shows at least contributed. (1.5 stars)
Rating:
Summary: These two don't quite measure up to their neighbors
Review: The Changeling-This episode, which features a confused and destructive floating robot, is an unspectacular offering. Like several episodes, it ably enough explores the unfortunate fact that technology is fallible, and that even with the best intentions, things can and do go wrong. This ship-based episode is less exciting than some of its neighbors, although there are a few dramatic scenes. On the negative side, the idea that Uhura could be rapidly re-programmed would be laughable if it wasn't so insulting to her. Also tedious is Kirk's outwitting of Nomad. (3 stars) The Apple-This episode, in which the crew beams down to a 'pre-fall' planet where the lizard-god still controls his followers, is an unpleasant surprise. Star Trek was in the middle of a strong rhythm that was broken by this silly episode. I suppose the basic biblical premise is OK, but it doesn't go anywhere. The planet is just a vehicle for red-shirt carnage, and none of the guest actors are convincing in their admittedly silly roles. I suppose the question of whether these people will be better off after their paradise is lost is an interesting one, but unlike in Who Mourns for Adonais?, the question is not taken up here. Basically just a half-hearted, 3rd season-like show, but without the trippy style many of the later shows at least contributed. (1.5 stars)
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