'The Ultimate Computer' Story by Laurence N. Wolfe Teleplay by D. C. Fontana

The Federation appoints the U.S.S. Enterprise as test ship for the M-5 multitronic computer, a revolutionary new system that is capable of single-handedly running a starship without the use of a crew. Captain Kirk and a select few remain on board the ship to oversee the performance of the M-5, including its inventor, the obsessive and erratic Doctor Richard Daystrom. The tests commence and the M-5 appears to perform exceedingly well; however, when the computer then decides to destroy a robot freighter, Kirk orders the cancellation of the test. Unfortunately the M-5 ignores the order, using its defenses to protect itself and prevent its disconnection. As the computer's actions become increasingly unstable, Doctor Daystrom reveals that he impressed his own brain-engram onto the computer as part of its programming. When all attempts to stop the machine are ineffective, Kirk and the others can only look on helplessly as the M-5 starts a scheduled war games drill, uses all of the Enterprise's weaponry to attack four other Federation starships...

William Shatner (Captain James Tiberius Kirk), Leonard Nimoy (First Officer Lieutenant Commander Spock), DeForest Kelley (Doctor Leonard H. ‘Bones’ McCoy), James Doohan (Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott / Voice of M-5 Computer), Nichelle Nichols (Lieutenant Nyota Uhura), George Takei (Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu), Walter Koenig (Ensign Pavel Andreivich Chekov), William Marshall (Doctor Richard Daystrom), Barry Russo (Wesley, Commodore Robert), Sean Morgan (Ensign Harper)

Directed by John Meredyth Lucas

TX:
8th March, 1968

Notes:
*Featuring Captain James Tiberius Kirk, First Officer Lieutenant Commander Spock, Doctor Leonard H. ‘Bones’ McCoy, Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott, Lieutenant Nyota Uhura, Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu and Ensign Pavel Andreivich Chekov