"The Ultimate Computer" presents perhaps the best Kirk versus Computer episode. More often this scenario sees the Enterprise threatened by the bucket of bolts in question but this time M5 comes directly after Kirk's job. That shoves events into an intense emotional position that viewers immediately and acutely share with Captain Dunsel. The "feel the wind at your back" speech is one of Shatner's most memorable monologues, exposing a deep personal side of Kirk that expresses the very core of Star Trek, namely that space must be explored by men, risk or no.

The other extreme, that space is ours neither to give nor to take, leads to the downfall of uber-genius Dr. Richard Daystrom. William Marshall dominates every scene with one of the strongest personalities shown by any guest star as well as his impressive physical presence. The stunning "laughing at the boy wonder" disintegration of his character examines the mad peril of his pride. Similarly deserving special mention is Barry Russo as Commodore Bob Wesley, a prime example of a starship captain made of the right stuff. The regulars get good screen time, particularly the bridge crew reacting to the situation at first with exasperation and finally horror.

Contrast the apprehension of McCoy with the love lights in Spock's eyes. The doctor is the only one asking "should we" almost right from the beginning. Despite being declared "nonessential personnel" he keeps an even keel throughout the detiorating circumstances, using his friendship with Kirk as ballast (as Kirk does with Wesley to save his ship, crew, and himself). The M5 unit itself (voiced by Jimmy Doohan) is obviously "not entirely successful" like its predecessors. The multitronics breakthrough is capable of expressing engrams yet also a severe and deadly paranoia. Spock doesn't anticipate this potential development though it's clear the technical details of Daystrom's "new approach" were strangely and stupidly kept secret from his A7 computer expert classification (rant here).

The acting here is spectacular, particularly that between Shatner and Marshall, spotlighting some of the best interpersonal conflict in Trek. The action is equally so, especially the combat between the M5-commanded Enterprise and the Lexington attack group, the largest mass killing experienced directly on screen in the series. Tampering with the original effects can be questioned but in this case it will be nice to see this fantastic firefight using better visualization techniques. (Heavens it would be nice just to see it going out of its way to destroy an ore freighter!) But even as is, this is ultimate Trek.