It was my very first episode of star trek I watched at six yrs old, I'm now 57 yrs old an a devoted trek (classic-tng) fan..love the reboot films an strange new worlds, Picard season three...
I also have been a huge fan of Star Trek. I began watching it when I was 8 yrs old in 1968. And I already was loving the show, But when I saw The Doomsday Machine, I knew then that I was going to be a lifelong fan of Star Trek. And for me, today at 64, nothing has changed.
I've heard James Doohan say many times that this was his favorite episode to make. He had a great time. It's amazing that this episode was written to save the production money. Gene asked Spinrad for a script that took place on the ship sets. They were low on production money at the time. Spinrad's story described the DDM as a large machine with lots of moving parts. He said that when he saw the model for the first time, he said it was wind sock dipped in cement. The budget was too small to build a complicated model. Even the Constellation was a model kit they bought at the store. As a result, it is still one of the most highly popular episodes of the entire franchise.
The thing about Star Trek (original) is that it holds up really well even after all of these years. As a viewer, you're never distracted by the sets, they are convincing and exotic enough that you accept that they're on a starship. The SFX of Enterprise orbiting a planet or firing phasers looks like it's in outer space. Best of all is the chemistry between the actors, particularly the main characters. They deliver. I've always wondered who at the network decided to cancel Star Trek after 3 seasons, and why. It'd be really interesting to track down the decision making that killed the show. Would be an interesting research project....possibly meat for a cool podcast.
One of the reasons the set lighting made so much use of bright deluxe color, is that color TV was a new capability in many places. There were still many black and white TV sets out there, and some local stations were still broadcasting in B&W.
This episode is in EVERYONE'S top ten and for good reason. The franchise did, and still can, need to make this one of the movies. A rogue group reignites the DM and the Federation send FOUR starships to duke it out. AH! But there is a big surprise waiting.
How about Starfleet takes on a group of DDMs and sends an armada of starships to engage them,but,these DDMS are on a mission to take out several Borg cubes,but,Starfleet doesn't know this.
William Windom portrayed a similarly unhinged character when he guest starred on an early episode of BARNEY MILLER. The title of that episode was simply DOOMSDAY 🧨
A great character actor. It seemed Hollywood was saturated with talented actors during this period, many of whom were in Twilight Zone and Star Trek. William Windom was in all kinds of tv shows and movies, usually playing small but important parts.
In Harm's Way is a Fan made sequel to The Doomsday Machine , you have to find the original cut , like 4 episodes long , with some original cast guest stars and great special effects
There were many fantastic episodes of the original Star Trek series. Most were based on philosophical ideals, which prevailed over the lack of special effects, etc. that weren't available in those days. One of my favorites is Season 3, Episode 68, "Wink of An Eye". On planet Scalos, the Scalosians were evolved to maintain the heightened metabolic rates required for them to move as quickly as they did, faster than the speed of human perception. Humans however were not capable of this naturally, and could only be induced to reach that state through artificial means. I think that episode referred to how living beings can exist in different dimensions, "spiritual realms" as we know them today. It is said most people on Earth today are in the 3rd dimension and some might be elevated to the 5th dimension.
@@manuelwatts1864 For best comedy I agree but, requires watching "Mud's Women" first which is also good but most of those who were raised on Nex Gen will find it contradicts the Star Trek Universe they grew up with (miners working specifically to get rich, the clear division between Star Fleet and the UFP, running into citizens of the UFP who don't like it's rules and skirt or break them, women who want a meal ticket instead of personal fulfillment etc.)
"I'm a huge Trekkie" but he's never seen, I don't know, STAR TREK (Church Lady echo)? But seriously, no one is "a huge Trekkie" if they haven't seen the original.
This one is in my top 5 for sure. I put "Mirror, Mirror" as my number 1. Still there are so many great episodes that could make my top 5 it's a tribute to how great this episode is that it makes the cut.
A popular theory in some circles is that the Doomsday machine originated from the Star Wars galaxy. It was one of Palpatine's "wunderwaffen" pet projects.
The city on the edge of forever is also the greatest ever , because of what Kirk had to do to save the time line , and also what he said at the end. Let's get the hell out of here. Big taboo on 1960s t . V . , at the time on any show back then
When are you going to watch the original 10 movies??? BTW, you were watching the remastered version full of CGI. The fighting style has been dubbed Kirk Fu.
Wow... this child is not only young. He's snotty and arrogant. Even for a young person this is bad considering that he's supposed to be contributing something of value.
I'm pretty sure there were VCR's in 1987, when TNG appeared. You make it sound like there was no Star Trek in between TOS and TNG; there was the animated series and 4 movies up to that time, not to mention TOS in constant repeats.
First of all, yes, this was a great episode, but not the greatest of ANY of the original series episodes. Top 5, maybe. Secondly, you never oversell something to someone who's never seen it before, even if it is the greatest. This will only serve, to some degree, to disappoint the first time viewer.
Don't read too much into this being an anti-nuke message. This is just high adventure. The mention of the H bomb being the 20th century's doomsday device is more about foreshadowing about how this "devil straight out of hell" was going to be destroyed. Commenting on current social issues was largely reserved for season 3 (which is one reason why season 3 sucked compared to seasons 1 and 2)
The whole theme of the episode itself struck me as against nuclear weapons, simply because it's about a weapon that got out of control. 1967, when this show came out, was a time of war in Asia and Cold War tension. The line about about the "H-bomb being their ultimate weapon" is more coda than foreshadowing as it's practically the last line of the episode.
@@user-be2dt8eg2x Agree to disagree then. i was born in 1952 and as a boy I watched anti nuke fervor in the '64 Johnson vs Rockefeller presidential campaign (I did not see the controversial commercial LBJ made but it was talked about a lot). By '67 LBJ was clearly unpopular due to Vietnam and the anti-nuke fervor had largely waned (Law and order had broken down, cities burned every summer etc.). I never heard anyone mention an anti-nuke theme in this episode until the 90's. (might have been mentioned but I never ran across it) and in any case, when I recollect it I remember only one line that could be anti-nuke which is when Kirk says something like "The H bomb was their doomsday device and we used something like it to destroy this one. Probably the first time such a device has been used for constructive purposes." (or close to that quote). Not much of an anti-nuke message. i agree with TRGG the themes here are obsession and personal sacrifice.
@@vincentbrown4926 Agree with you. Mainly, It's about Decker's obsession -- the the thing is his white whale. The talk about how dangerous super weapons are is just icing on the cake. LLAP.
@@markporter2108 the thumbnail had the words "The Dumbsday Machine" which is a reference to the Star Trek parody channel Stalled Trek. In addition the version of the Enterprise in the thumbnail is clearly the version used in Stalled Trek. So they used a misleading thumbnail to get people familiar with Stalled Trek to click on the link which is the definition of click bait.
@@bentonmarcum8924 LOL YT wasn’t showing me any replies to your original comment until now but even with your “explanation” it’s still nonsense. Never seen either channel before today but from what I can see you are mistaken about the thumbnail. Just take the L.
Not enjoyable format. Elder, you generalize, conflate and oversimplify like a true fan with no worries their broad strokes are closer to their loosey goosey memory than the show proper. Youngin', you bring little to nothing to the conversation - surprise, not. You're both very nice. But, this video is a fail.
And you are pretty much wrong in every aspect. He's not operating from memory, they all watched it recently, his generalizations are spot on, and he hasn't conflated or oversimplified anything. It's like you didn't watch the video at all. Your comment is more of a "fail" than anything else going on here.
It was my very first episode of star trek I watched at six yrs old, I'm now 57 yrs old an a devoted trek (classic-tng) fan..love the reboot films an strange new worlds, Picard season three...
I also have been a huge fan of Star Trek. I began watching it when I was 8 yrs old in 1968. And I already was loving the show, But when I saw The Doomsday Machine, I knew then that I was going to be a lifelong fan of Star Trek. And for me, today at 64, nothing has changed.
I've heard James Doohan say many times that this was his favorite episode to make. He had a great time. It's amazing that this episode was written to save the production money. Gene asked Spinrad for a script that took place on the ship sets. They were low on production money at the time. Spinrad's story described the DDM as a large machine with lots of moving parts. He said that when he saw the model for the first time, he said it was wind sock dipped in cement. The budget was too small to build a complicated model. Even the Constellation was a model kit they bought at the store. As a result, it is still one of the most highly popular episodes of the entire franchise.
Amazing what you can do with a great story, great acting and directing. Throwing money at a crap story does not work.
The Doomsday Machine is my absolute favorite Star Trek episode.
Thank you, I really enjoyed this discussion. It's one of my favorites for sure
The thing about Star Trek (original) is that it holds up really well even after all of these years. As a viewer, you're never distracted by the sets, they are convincing and exotic enough that you accept that they're on a starship. The SFX of Enterprise orbiting a planet or firing phasers looks like it's in outer space. Best of all is the chemistry between the actors, particularly the main characters. They deliver. I've always wondered who at the network decided to cancel Star Trek after 3 seasons, and why. It'd be really interesting to track down the decision making that killed the show. Would be an interesting research project....possibly meat for a cool podcast.
One of the reasons the set lighting made so much use of bright deluxe color, is that color TV was a new capability in many places. There were still many black and white TV sets out there, and some local stations were still broadcasting in B&W.
This episode is in EVERYONE'S top ten and for good reason. The franchise did, and still can, need to make this one of the movies. A rogue group reignites the DM and the Federation send FOUR starships to duke it out. AH! But there is a big surprise waiting.
How about Starfleet takes on a group of DDMs and sends an armada of starships to engage them,but,these DDMS are on a mission to take out several Borg cubes,but,Starfleet doesn't know this.
@@kerry-j4m wonderful!
William Windom portrayed a similarly unhinged character when he guest starred on an early episode of BARNEY MILLER. The title of that episode was simply DOOMSDAY 🧨
Really? Talk about serendipity!!
@@rossydv he was really great in the BARNEY MILLER episode too. William Windom was such a spectacular actor.
A great character actor. It seemed Hollywood was saturated with talented actors during this period, many of whom were in Twilight Zone and Star Trek. William Windom was in all kinds of tv shows and movies, usually playing small but important parts.
@@trhansen3244 he was also in the first Columbo tv movie Prescription: Murder.
Fantastic discussion. As an adult I appreciate TOS for entirely different reasons.
🎶 Sulu, he 💫 star of the show…others guys just along for the ride 🎶
LOVED this episode!
In Harm's Way is a Fan made sequel to The Doomsday Machine , you have to find the original cut , like 4 episodes long , with some original cast guest stars and great special effects
There were many fantastic episodes of the original Star Trek series. Most were based on philosophical ideals, which prevailed over the lack of special effects, etc. that weren't available in those days. One of my favorites is Season 3, Episode 68, "Wink of An Eye". On planet Scalos, the Scalosians were evolved to maintain the heightened metabolic rates required for them to move as quickly as they did, faster than the speed of human perception. Humans however were not capable of this naturally, and could only be induced to reach that state through artificial means. I think that episode referred to how living beings can exist in different dimensions, "spiritual realms" as we know them today. It is said most people on Earth today are in the 3rd dimension and some might be elevated to the 5th dimension.
Nice chat, thanks... and, yes, Sol Kaplan's music score is indeed fantastic! Cheers.🙂
Thanks for mentioning Sol Kaplan's name. His work is immortal.
@@fredsottile528And without a doubt inspired John Williams Jaws theme.
B.J., You need to watch City on the Edge of Forever, The Trouble With Tribbles, and Balance of Terror ASAP. Also, Spock's Brain.
Don't forget "The gamesters of Triscillion."
Excellent list.
" I, Mudd "
@@manuelwatts1864 For best comedy I agree but, requires watching "Mud's Women" first which is also good but most of those who were raised on Nex Gen will find it contradicts the Star Trek Universe they grew up with (miners working specifically to get rich, the clear division between Star Fleet and the UFP, running into citizens of the UFP who don't like it's rules and skirt or break them, women who want a meal ticket instead of personal fulfillment etc.)
@@fredsottile528 I'd like to.
"I'm a huge Trekkie" but he's never seen, I don't know, STAR TREK (Church Lady echo)? But seriously, no one is "a huge Trekkie" if they haven't seen the original.
Short answer: Yes!
Long answer: Yeeeeeees!
This one is in my top 5 for sure. I put "Mirror, Mirror" as my number 1. Still there are so many great episodes that could make my top 5 it's a tribute to how great this episode is that it makes the cut.
Mirror,Mirror is my favorite also.Spock with a beard-COOL.
A popular theory in some circles is that the Doomsday machine originated from the Star Wars galaxy. It was one of Palpatine's "wunderwaffen" pet projects.
The city on the edge of forever is also the greatest ever , because of what Kirk had to do to save the time line , and also what he said at the end. Let's get the hell out of here. Big taboo on 1960s t . V . , at the time on any show back then
When are you going to watch the original 10 movies???
BTW, you were watching the remastered version full of CGI.
The fighting style has been dubbed Kirk Fu.
yes
While the original series had a lot of practical effects, any of those episodes you can see today have been remastered with CGI.
The Doomsday Machine is the best.epidode IMO.
11:35 There was little to no CGI on Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Yes.
21:32 I’ve tried to get into TNG. I just can’t.
How can someone like the Doomsday machine and think encounter at far point is good? Seriously question your judgement.
😄
Groppler Zorn disagrees
Fun!
Laughs In The Pale Moonlight.
Yes, it IS.
Wow... this child is not only young. He's snotty and arrogant. Even for a young person this is bad considering that he's supposed to be contributing something of value.
I'm pretty sure there were VCR's in 1987, when TNG appeared.
You make it sound like there was no Star Trek in between TOS and TNG; there was the animated series and 4 movies up to that time, not to mention TOS in constant repeats.
First of all, yes, this was a great episode, but not the greatest of ANY of the original series episodes. Top 5, maybe.
Secondly, you never oversell something to someone who's never seen it before, even if it is the greatest. This will only serve, to some degree, to disappoint the first time viewer.
In a word… yes. And much like Star Wars, the soundtrack really made it work.
No
This kid has NO idea what hes talking about....
He is entitled to his opinion. Unless Kamala Harris wins the White House. She will make sure all opinions are the same as her own.
Don't read too much into this being an anti-nuke message. This is just high adventure. The mention of the H bomb being the 20th century's doomsday device is more about foreshadowing about how this "devil straight out of hell" was going to be destroyed. Commenting on current social issues was largely reserved for season 3 (which is one reason why season 3 sucked compared to seasons 1 and 2)
The whole theme of the episode itself struck me as against nuclear weapons, simply because it's about a weapon that got out of control. 1967, when this show came out, was a time of war in Asia and Cold War tension. The line about about the "H-bomb being their ultimate weapon" is more coda than foreshadowing as it's practically the last line of the episode.
@@user-be2dt8eg2x Agree to disagree then. i was born in 1952 and as a boy I watched anti nuke fervor in the '64 Johnson vs Rockefeller presidential campaign (I did not see the controversial commercial LBJ made but it was talked about a lot). By '67 LBJ was clearly unpopular due to Vietnam and the anti-nuke fervor had largely waned (Law and order had broken down, cities burned every summer etc.). I never heard anyone mention an anti-nuke theme in this episode until the 90's. (might have been mentioned but I never ran across it) and in any case, when I recollect it I remember only one line that could be anti-nuke which is when Kirk says something like "The H bomb was their doomsday device and we used something like it to destroy this one. Probably the first time such a device has been used for constructive purposes." (or close to that quote). Not much of an anti-nuke message. i agree with TRGG the themes here are obsession and personal sacrifice.
@@vincentbrown4926 Agree with you. Mainly, It's about Decker's obsession -- the the thing is his white whale. The talk about how dangerous super weapons are is just icing on the cake. LLAP.
👎 click bait this is not stalled trek
Seven words in your comment, and you got three of them wrong. It's not click bait, and it's not stalled.
@@markporter2108 the thumbnail had the words "The Dumbsday Machine" which is a reference to the Star Trek parody channel Stalled Trek. In addition the version of the Enterprise in the thumbnail is clearly the version used in Stalled Trek. So they used a misleading thumbnail to get people familiar with Stalled Trek to click on the link which is the definition of click bait.
WTF are you talking about?
@@JLP802 are you illiterate.? Clearly explained it.
@@bentonmarcum8924 LOL YT wasn’t showing me any replies to your original comment until now but even with your “explanation” it’s still nonsense. Never seen either channel before today but from what I can see you are mistaken about the thumbnail. Just take the L.
Not enjoyable format. Elder, you generalize, conflate and oversimplify like a true fan with no worries their broad strokes are closer to their loosey goosey memory than the show proper. Youngin', you bring little to nothing to the conversation - surprise, not. You're both very nice. But, this video is a fail.
And you are pretty much wrong in every aspect. He's not operating from memory, they all watched it recently, his generalizations are spot on, and he hasn't conflated or oversimplified anything. It's like you didn't watch the video at all. Your comment is more of a "fail" than anything else going on here.
I wouldn't call it a fail, except maybe for you. And everyone has an opinion, which is fine. It looks like an honest discussion to me.