The Doomsday Machine (20 Oct. 1967)

The USS Enterprise encounters the wrecked USS Constellation and its distraught captain who's determined to stop the giant planet-destroying robot ship that killed his crew.

Director:

Marc Daniels

Writers:

Gene Roddenberry (creator), Norman Spinrad

Stars:

William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
William Shatner	...	Captain James T. Kirk
Leonard Nimoy	...	Mr. Spock
DeForest Kelley	...	Dr. McCoy
William Windom	...	Commodore Decker
James Doohan	...	Scott
George Takei	...	Sulu
Elizabeth Rogers	...	Lt. Palmer
John Winston	...	Lt. Kyle
Richard Compton	...	Lt. Washburn
John Copage	...	Elliott
Tim Burns	...	Russ
Jerry Catron	...	Montgomery

Storyline

The U.S.S. Constellation and its crew were destroyed by a giant robot ship which consumes planets for fuel, leaving only a guilt-ridden Commodore Decker aboard the crippled ship. Kirk beams over to begin repairs while Decker beams aboard the Enterprise. After Kirk loses radio contact with the Enterprise, the obsessed Commodore seizes command of the starship, determined to destroy the planet-killer, even at the cost of Kirk's ship and the entire crew.

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Plot Keywords:

doomsday machine | damage repair | unshaved | rubble | 23rd century | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Details

Official Sites:

Startrek.com

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 October 1967 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Desilu Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Desilu Productions, Norway Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the "Star Trek" novel "Vendetta", author Peter David related that the planet-killer was actually a prototype for a much larger version. The weapon had been built by a race called The Preservers, who were fighting (and losing) a war with the Borg.

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Goofs

When Commodore Decker's shuttle leaves the bay, the star field in the background changes mid scene.

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Quotes

Capt. Kirk: Bones, you ever hear of a doomsday machine?
Dr. McCoy: No, I'm a doctor, not a mechanic.

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Connections

Referenced in Star Trek New Voyages: Phase II: In Harms Way (2004)

User Reviews

My First Trek!

I was in Army boot camp the summer and fall of '67, and my buddy back home kept telling me about this great new show on TV callled "Star TreK', he said "You gotta see this one, it's the coolest!" I told him, "Nahh, I've seen Lost in Space, it's stupid, i don't care to see another one like that". But when I came home on leave, DOOMSDAY MACHINE was the first Trek episode I saw, I fell on the floor screaming "OH YEAH!! THIS IS IT FOREVER!!" I could'NT believe the magnitude of its coolness and greatness, I was an instant Trekkie, and I've stayed that way for 40 years!! Made all the early cons, even had a silver & red car painted to look like the USS Enterprise,with "NCC-1701" painted across the hood! All it took was one episode to get me hooked for life, and DOOMSDAY MACHINE was the one that did it! Live Long and Prosper!!