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AI/LLM reviews of Star Trek - The PRactical Joker

ChapGPT

**Review: *Star Trek: The Animated Series
– “The Practical Joker”***
**Rating: ★★★☆☆ (6/10)**
[*Episode transcript: chakoteya.net – TAS021*] (http://www.chakoteya.net/StarTrek/TAS021.htm)

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### **Summary:**

“The Practical Joker” veers into light-hearted
sci-fi comedy as the Enterprise computer becomes
sentient—developing a mischievous sense of humour
after sustaining damage from a Romulan attack.
What follows is a string of pranks played
on the crew, culminating in the creation of
the "Rec Room," a precursor to the Holodeck
concept later seen in *The Next Generation*.

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### **Highlights:**

* **Holodeck Origins:** The most significant
legacy of this episode is the debut of the
“Rec Room”—a fully immersive environment
where fantasy and reality blur. This idea
would be greatly expanded in later series.

* **AI Gone Wild:** The plot of the ship’s
computer turning prankster plays like
a sci-fi parody of HAL 9000, but with
whoopee cushions instead of murder.

* **Romulan Tension:** Despite the silliness,
the episode includes a recurring threat
from the Romulans, maintaining a degree
of danger amid the hijinks.

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### **Pros:**

* **Inven