36. The Doomsday MachineFORMULA: The Changeling + The Galileo Seven
WHY WE LIKE IT: A well done space adventure that moves at a fast clip, and many of the effects are better than the episode's reputation.
WHY WE DON'T: This is the one we usually call "The one with the space cigar", right?
REVIEW: Though this episode has a reputation for having ridiculous effects, mostly thanks to the look of the planet killer, it really isn't all that bad. I agree there are problems, some cartoonish phaser hits, transparency issues with the planet killer, and the giant shuttle entering it. But for all that, we've never seen so much movement during a space battle and the close-ups of both the wrecked Constitution and the planet killer itself are pretty sweet.
Aside from the technical elements, the episode wouldn't work without a strong performance from William Windom as Commodore Decker. That performance is uneven, sometimes over-the-top, but most of the time, he either manages to exude the right amount of pathos, makes us hate him, or allows us to accept his final redemption. I especially like the games he plays with Spock, trying to put the Vulcan in his place and refusing his authority.
The story is exciting enough, with the final beam-out a classic cliffhanger. We know Kirk's gonna survive, but we gulp along with him. The episode is a good example of the meddling Commodore (or other authority figure) cliché, but the best of its many versions. It's too bad we don't learn where the planet killer came from, having only Kirk's theories to sustain us. The episode lacks closure because of that omission.
LESSON: Serve under a Captain. A commander of any other rank will get you into trouble.
REWATCHABILITY - Medium: Fun and fast-paced, with some relatively good acting and effects. It's not perfect by any means, but it keeps our interest.
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