re: Star Trek: TOS Watchers - S2 - Return to Tomorrow *Page 14*

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I also liked the mystery surrounding the "Doomsday Machine.".

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Another "necessity is the mother of invention" thing - the original idea was that of a alien device bristling with all sorts of evil looking weapons.

Budgetary constraints ended up making it a windsock dipped in cement. However, I think that made it a more impressive foe - it was impervious to a direct attack and forced them to come up with a creative solution (just as the prop-makers had to) - this also added to the mystery.

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Decker is a very tragic figure, sympathetic even after taking control of the Enterprise.

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Obviously, Moby Dick is powerful source material for Star Trek - on several occasions, (Obsession, most notably) Kirk displays Ahab-like tendencies - in this episode, Decker does - Windom stated he realized this, but only years after he played the part. At the time, he felt as though he was acting in a cartoon, but, upon reflection, realized he was Captain Ahab in this episode.