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Star Trek - The Original Series: The Cage (Pilot) |
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Star Trek - The Original Series: The Cage (Pilot)
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by Paramount
Sales Rank: 11353
Price: $14.95
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Watching "The Cage" is like visiting some parallel universe. That's the <I>Star Trek</I> theme song, and there's the <I>Enterprise</I>, and that's Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock but wait--he's smiling and firing weapons. And who are the rest of these duds manning the controls? If this were any other series pilot, it would probably be laughed out of the galaxy with its wooden acting, silly costumes, and cheesy special effects. But this was <I>Star Trek</I>'s dry run, and so it is a must-own collectible for every Trekker, as well as instructive viewing for anyone interested in the evolution of a TV show. Now, there are some who staunchly believe that Jeffrey Hunter's Christopher Pike was the <I>Enterprise</I>'s best captain. Pike doesn't exactly inspire confidence in his leadership abilities; reflecting on a recent devastating battle, he anguishes, "I should have smelled trouble when I saw the swords and the armor." He is also "tired of being responsible for 203 lives" and is considering resigning his Starfleet commission. But Pike is roused from his ennui after the <I>Enterprise</I> answers a distress call on the planet Talos IV, and he is imprisoned by super-intelligent aliens with the telepathic power to manipulate memories. Susan Oliver guest-stars as Vina, whom the aliens select as Eve to his Adam. The lackluster (and virtually all-white) crew includes Marjel Barrett as a somber Number One and John Hoyt as Dr. Boyce, who dispenses martinis as well as advice. This episode never aired, but some scenes were used in the two-part original series episode <I>The Menagerie</I>. <I>--Donald Liebenson</I>
Viewer Reviews
It's not often you get to own television history of what was to become a Star Trek phenom. Reading the back of the box "Airdate:Never shown on TV!" in red ink is something! Many people make comparisons between Pike and Kirk. Everyone says it's the acting of William Shatner vs. Jeffrey Hunter with Hunter's Pike seeming to think too much vs. Shatner's Kirk being more energetic. Shatner replaced Hunter so Kirk was written to be more energetic, have more fight scenes, being the womanizing captain in nearly every episode. Personally I think Jeffrey Hunter was cuter than Shatner was. There are two things prophetic about the Cage. Telosian illusion is comparable to Holodecks in Star Trek The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine which is interesting because no one could've predicted Star Trek would sell later until it did, and the scene where Captian Pike is forced to relive a battle and getting knocked down by that really tall warrior in bad need of an Orthodontist going after Vina, Jeff Hunter passed away because of a fall five years later. This tape is from someone's collection and I'm amazed how well it was taken care of with only it's bottom edges slightly worn. Sure could use some lessons from them on proper tape cover care even with a case. The late Gene Roddenberry does a little background information in the beginning to explain some things. He seemed so nice. What I've always found amusing about The Cage when I've seen it in the Menagerie is near the end when the Keeper's voice suddenly lowers and slows. Or...is it just a Telosian illusion.
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Star Trek - The Original Series: The Cage (Pilot)
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