The Doomsday Machine
A giant machine that derives its power from digesting planets is rapidly approaching Earth, and the only weapons Kirk has to fight with are a crippled ship and a crazed commodore.
Here's an episode that could really benefit from a CGI makeover. In almost every other case we would say, leave it be, but this would truly improve if the Doomsday Machine looked at all threatening. As is it most resembles a bad Thanksgiving craft, and the battles between it and the two starships are unbelievable in consequence. Actually, the Constellation is an Enterprise model kit burned with a lighter, so there's room for improvement there too. Effects aside, the story is solid, and William Windom does a great job making a typically nutty commodore into someone sympathetic, if not heroic. The regular characters all the get stand-out moments: Kirk cheats his way out of a "noble" death, Spock keeps Decker in check while following regulations to the letter, McCoy bickers, and Scotty gets to rig a ship to blow. Of course, the most memorable aspect of this show is the oft-recycled music, second only to the "fight music" in terms of pop culture impact. It's very exciting.
Spock Saves the Day: Spock assumes command, but when he is relieved he still prevents Commodore Decker from destroying the Enterprise. He then acts on Kirk's order to retake the captain's chair.
Oops: " The deflector screens are at full power. They can't take much more of this!" Um, what do you mean there, Spock?
Developments: Spock seems to have no "issues" with command this time, and remains cool even when his superiors seem to have gone off the deep end. For someone who has bent regulations to suit his goals, he's rather a stickler in this case. A nerve pinch would have solved many problems, but broken the dramatic tension. Spock's scenes with McCoy are wonderful, the doctor expressing the all the frustration the Vulcan can't. It is no surprise he takes Kirk's orders over Decker's, but his captain's are - well - more logical.