Consider this Inauguration Day as we embark on our journey with the series that started it all. I considered (briefly) starting with the show that takes place before TOS, but then my nostalgia took over and here we are. This is my first time doing something of this magnitude so you will need to indulge me a bit as I figure out how best to do these. Let’s begin…
Original air date: October 4, 1988
Before I start on this episode I need to make a confession: I have seen Strange New Worlds season one. And because I have seen all 10 episodes, what happens in The Cage has that much more meaning. If you haven’t seen Strange New Worlds yet, a brief note: It is a prequel to Star Trek: The Original Series, that follows the crew of the USS Enterprise under Captain Christopher Pike. Do you need to watch it to get more context around this episode? Certainly not. I’m sure at the time of this show back in 1966 they have no idea that 56 years later Strange New Worlds would exist to delve deeper into the life of Captain Christopher Pike.
SYNOPSIS
Capt. Pike is held prisoner and tested by aliens who have the power to project incredibly lifelike illusions.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
I did some research after I watched the episode as it struck me that James T. Kirk is the Captain of the USS Enterprise for The Original Series. I also noticed that on Wikipedia, this episode is classified as “0” ie a Pilot episode. While on IMDb it just lists it as episode “1.” I’m inclined to go with the former seeing as the episode length is longer and it turns out this episode was originally scrapped by NBC (the network that bought the rights to air show) and lost in the annals of time before it was uncovered by Gene many decades later and repurposed into the two-part Menagerie episodes (11 & 12) in this first season. I can’t wait to watch them as it also caused some controversy and contention and there is some history as to why it was done. But more on that later.
Some other history of note, besides Leonard Nimoy reprising his role as Mister Spock, Number One is in TOS as well, but the actress is changed to be Nurse Chapel. In an effort not to “get ahead of myself” with what I remember vs what I read about, I’m trying not to jump ahead beyond that which I’ve seen.
A RECAP
In this pilot episode, the crew on the USS Enterprise receive a distress signal from the fourth planet in the Talos star group. Being starfleet who can never leave one of their own if they are in need of support they decide to lend a hand. Except, it’s not a distress signal at all, but an illusion brought about by the Talosians.
They trick the crew in order to get their hands on Captain Pike to use him as an “Adam” to the young woman who crash landed there a long time ago, their “Eve.” The purpose is to start a human race that can eventually help their own bloodlines survive through illusion.
I must say I agree with NBC’s assessment of this pilot episode as they are quoted describing it as "too cerebral", "too intellectual", and "too slow" with "not enough action".
I usually enjoy watching the crew mess around the bridge with their controls, etc. But this was so old school that their communications were received by a fax machine? Seriously? I don’t blame the technology for filming (or lack thereof) back then but perhaps imagination on the part of the writers? This episode probably would’ve rendered any possibility of more episodes, let alone spin-off shows, dead in the water. I am glad, as I’m sure we all are, that NBC took a chance and allowed a “second pilot” episode, “Where No Man Has Gone Before,” to be filmed before making their decision. This episode, that probably also belongs in the HISTORICAL CONTEXT section, was made the third episode of the first season on TOS. How they “made it all work” in the end remains to be seen.
One thing I remember about TOS is how many of the episodes are “stand alone.” Meaning, if you wanted, you could watch them out of order? Though I never would.
Let me leave you with this cool movie poster I came across on IMDb for this episode:
DID THEY REALLY SAY THAT?
Just a few scenes that stuck with me from this episode:
Number One: She's replacing your former yeoman, sir.
Captain Christopher Pike: No, she does a good job, all right; it's just that I... can't get used to having a woman on the bridge.
[Number One gives him a look]
Captain Christopher Pike: No offense, Lieutenant, you're... different, of course.
[last lines]
Yeoman J.M. Colt: [to Pike] S-sir? I was wondering. Just curious. Who would've been Eve?
Number One: Yeoman! You've delivered your report.
Yeoman J.M. Colt: Yes, ma'am. Yes, sir.
Lieutenant Jose Tyler: [to Pike] Eve, sir?... Yes, sir.
Dr. Boyce: "Eve" as in "Adam"
Captain Christopher Pike: As in all ship's doctors are dirty old men. What are we running here, a cadet ship, Number One? Are we ready or not?
Number One: All decks show ready, sir.
Captain Christopher Pike: Engage!
Coming next, the official first episode, starring William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Spock in, The Man Trap.