Real world article
(written from a production point of view)
For the undeveloped episode, please see The Joy Machine (outline).
Kirk and crew must save a planet from its population's ultimate desire.
The Joy Machine is a Pocket TOS novel – #80 in the numbered series – written by James Gunn, based on a story by Theodore Sturgeon. Published by Pocket Books, it was first released in September 1996.
Summary[]
- From the book jacket
- Timshel was once the vacation spot of the galaxy, full of culture, natural beauty, and friendly, hospitable inhabitants. But now Timshel has cut itself off from the universe. No one is allowed to enter or leave. Concerned, the Federation has sent agents to investigate, but none have returned.
- Captain Kirk and the crew of the Starship Enterprise are shocked to discover the truth: the people of Timshel have succumbed to an insidious new technology that guarantees every citizen total pleasure, a soul-destroying ecstasy that has enslaved their entire civilization. Kirk and Spock have faced many threats before, but now they face the most seductive menace of all: perfect happiness.
- And the rest of the Federation may soon fall under the irresistible control of the Joy Machine.
- Excerpts of copyrighted sources are included for review purposes only, without any intention of infringement.
Background information[]
- Originally pitched as a Star Trek: The Original Series episode by Theodore Sturgeon, it was not purchased. Author James Gunn expanded Sturgeon's outline for this novel, at the request of Pocket editor John Ordover. (Voyages of Imagination, p. 110)
- The novel closes with an essay by Gunn, "Ted and Me".
Characters[]
References[]
Enterprise, USS; Timshel
External links[]
- The Joy Machine at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
| Previous novel: | Series | Next novel: |
| #79: Invasion!: First Strike | Pocket TOS Numbered novels |
#81: Mudd in Your Eye |