Star Trek (TV Series)

The Ultimate Computer (1968)

Leonard Nimoy: Mister Spock

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Quotes 

• Mr. Spock : [referring to Dr. Daystrom]  Most illogical. Of all people, he should have known how the computer would perform. Of course, the M-5 itself has not behaved logically.

  Dr. McCoy : Please, Spock, do me a favor, and don't say it's fascinating.

  Mr. Spock : No. But it is... interesting.

• Captain James T. Kirk : Evaluation of M-5 performance. It'll be necessary for the log.

  Mr. Spock : The ship reacted more rapidly than human control could have maneuvered her. Tactics, deployment of weapons, all indicate an immense sophistication in computer control.

  Captain James T. Kirk : Machine over man, Spock? It was impressive. Might even be practical.

  Mr. Spock : Practical, Captain? Perhaps. But not desirable. Computers make excellent and efficient servants; but I have no wish to serve under them. Captain, a starship also runs on loyalty to one man, and nothing can replace it, or him.

• Dr. McCoy : I don't like it, Jim. A vessel this size cannot be run by one computer.

  Mr. Spock : We're attempting to prove that it can run this ship more efficiently than man.

  Dr. McCoy : Maybe *you're* trying to prove that, Spock; but don't count me in on it.

  Mr. Spock : The most unfortunate lack in current computer programming is that there is nothing available to immediately replace the starship surgeon.

• Wesley : [after M-5's first successful battle drill]  Our compliments to the M-5 unit. And regards to Captain Dunsel. Wesley out.

  Dr. McCoy : "Dunsel"? Who the blazes is Captain Dunsel? What does it mean, Jim?

  [Kirk slowly leaves the bridge without another word or looking anyone in the eye] 

  Dr. McCoy : Spock. What does it mean?

  Mr. Spock : 'Dunsel', Doctor, is a term used by midshipmen at Starfleet Academy. It refers to a part which serves no useful purpose.

• Mr. Spock : Commodore Wesley is a dedicated commander. I should regret serving aboard the instrument of his death.

  Captain James T. Kirk : The instrument of his death will not be the Enterprise if I can help it.

• Dr. McCoy : Compassion. That's the one thing no machine ever had. Maybe it's the one thing that keeps men ahead of them. Care to debate that, Spock?

  Mr. Spock : No, Doctor. I simply maintain that computers are more efficient than human beings, not better.

  Dr. McCoy : But tell me - which do you prefer to have around?

  Mr. Spock : I presume your question is meant to offer me a choice between machines and human beings; and I believe I have already answered that question.

  Dr. McCoy : I was just trying to make conversation, Spock.

  Mr. Spock : It would be most interesting to impress your memory engrams on a computer, Doctor. The resulting torrential flood of illogic would be most entertaining.

• Mr. Spock : M-5 is leaving itself open to attack. The machine is committing suicide, to atone for the sin of murder.

• Mr. Spock : Of course, the M-5 itself has not behaved logically.

  Dr. McCoy : Please Spock do me a favor and don't say it's "fascinating".

  Mr. Spock : No, but it is... interesting.

• Wesley : Have you heard of the M-5 multitronic unit?

  Captain James T. Kirk : That's, uh... Dr. Richard Daystrom's device, isn't it? Tell me about that.

  Mr. Spock : The most ambitious computer complex ever created. Its purpose is to correlate all computer activity aboard a starship, to provide the ultimate in vessel operation and control.

  Wesley : How do you know so much about it, Commander?

  Mr. Spock : I hold an A-7 computer expert classification, Commodore. I'm well acquainted with Dr. Daystrom's theories and discoveries. The basic design of all our ship's computers are Dr. Daystrom's.

• Mr. Spock : Captain, the computer does not judge. It makes logical selections.

  [on Kirk's comment that the difference in recommendation from M-5 was only a matter of judgment] 

• Mr. Spock : It appears, Captain, we've been doing what used to be called 'pursuing a wild goose'.