# Star Trek pilot episode "The Cage" remastered on TV this weekend! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 26, 2008, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993 "2008-04-26T20:57:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2008, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993/1 "2008-04-26T20:57:47Z")
I was checking the interactive guide in my cable listings and noticed that the remastered Star Trek pilot episode “The Cage” will be on TV tonight. This is the one starring Jeffrey Hunter as Captain Christopher Pike. It also features Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock and Majel Barret as Number One. A variation of this episode was broadcast as the two-part episode “The Menagerie” with a wraparound story that has Mr. Spock committing mutiny and transporting an injured Captain Pike to the planet Talos IV against Starfleet orders. However tonight’s episode is the full original pilot episode without the wraparound scenes. The remastered Star Trek episodes are broadcast over the air individually on a station-by-station basis, so you need to check your local listings. Or you can look [here](http://trekmovie.com/tos-in-hd/hdtv-star-trek-tos-channel-list/) to find the station in your area broadcasting the remastered ST. Although they are remastered, the episodes are typically edited to fit in a 60 minute timeslot with commercials. These episodes will be uncut on DVD, but not necessarily uncut for broadcast. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993/2 "2008-04-27T05:24:09Z")
Well, no “Cage.” Instead we got “Mudd’s Women.” It seems Paramount pulled “The Cage” from this week’s schedule for some unspecified reason. According to [Wikipedia,](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cage_%28TOS_episode%29#40th_Anniversary_remastering) it’s unknown when it will eventually air. Even [Star Trek.com,](http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/2305413.html) CBS/Paramount’s official Star Trek site, had this episode scheduled to air this week. So if a mod could please close this thread, I’d appreciate it. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993/3 "2008-04-27T05:41:04Z")
BTW, why did ST have **two** pilots – “The Cage” and “Where No Man Has Gone Before” – with an almost total (saving only Spock) change of cast & characters from the first to the second? Does anybody know? ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993/4 "2008-04-27T06:25:48Z")
To condense the story: NBC rejected “The Cage” as being “too cerebral” and for not having enough action. They saw potential in Roddenberry’s concept, however, and in an unprecedented step for that time, commissioned a new pilot, which was [“Where No Man Has Gone Before.”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_No_Man_Has_Gone_Before) Rather than waste the footage shot for “The Cage,” the Star Trek producers utilized it in “The Menagerie” and tied “The Cage” into ST continuity through the character of Spock, who was established as being on the Enterprise in the pilot. Interestingly, when “The Cage” was respliced into “The Menagerie,” the original color negative was destroyed and considered lost. Roddenberry’s black and white reference copy of the episode was thought to be the only intact print to exist. The color scenes used in “The Menagerie” were intercut with scenes from the black and white reel for early home video release. In 1987, a film archivist found an unmarked reel in a Hollywood laboratory which contained the unused scenes trimmed in making “The Menagerie.” Realizing what he had, he arranged for the footage to be returned to Roddenberry. The episode was put back together and shown on television for the first time in 1988. [The Cage](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cage_%28TOS_episode%29) [The Menagerie](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Menagerie_%28Star_Trek%29) ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993/5 "2008-04-27T11:27:44Z")
Additionally, the first episode of _Star Trek_ actually broadcast (on September 8, 1966) was “The Man Trap”, supposedly chosen by network execs because it had a recognizable sci-fi monster, while other episodes Roddenberry had filmed (including _Where No Man Has Gone Before_) did not. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993/6 "2008-04-27T15:21:20Z")
[QUOTE=cochrane] To condense the story: NBC rejected “The Cage” as being “too cerebral” and for not having enough action. They saw potential in Roddenberry’s concept, however, and in an unprecedented step for that time, commissioned a new pilot, which was [“Where No Man Has Gone Before.”](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_No_Man_Has_Gone_Before) [/QUOTE] 😕 I really don’t see how the one episode is any less cerebral or any more action-packed than the other. And why the change of cast? ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Rhosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sir\_Rhosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Rhosis)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993/7 "2008-04-27T16:12:47Z")
Well, Trek’s eventual co-producer (assistant director on “The Cage”) Robert Justman and Desilu executive Herb Solow, in their behind the scenes book “Inside Star Trek,” both say that the “too cerebral” tag was network speak for “boring” and “not enough action.” In addition, they say that most of the the execs knew that Majel Barrett (who played Number One in “The Cage”) was GR’s girlfriend, and pretty much denigrated her acting abilities as they watched the pilot. IIRC, they simply didn’t care for the rest of the cast for whatever reason, other than Hunter. Their later airbrushing of Spock’s ears in promo booklets is now legendary. Really, “The Cage” doesn’t have a knock-down Kirkian brawl like we are used to, and like we got in WNMHGB between Kirk and demi-god Gary Mitchell (Gary Lockwood). Sir Rhosis ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993/8 "2008-04-27T16:15:46Z")
[QUOTE=Sir Rhosis] Really, “The Cage” doesn’t have a knock-down Kirkian brawl like we are used to, and like we got in WNMHGB between Kirk and demi-god Gary Mitchell (Gary Lockwood). [/QUOTE] Yeh, but WNMHGB doesn’t have a green-skinned dancing slave girl or the captain screaming in Hell or any implied sexual tension between him and one of his officers. It’s a wash, really. And why did they decide to make the bridge dome **opaque?** That opening shot in “The Cage” looking down at the bridge crew from above the ship was uberkewl! ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Rhosis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@Sir\_Rhosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Rhosis)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2008, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993/9 "2008-04-27T16:20:44Z")
Well, I think the clear bridge dome was just a story telling device myself – I don’t think we were supposed to believe it was really see-through. I think it was just a quick way to show where the bridge was located. Just mho. And I agree with you, really. I’m one of the ones who prefers “The Cage” over WNMHGB, even though I do agree that Barrett’s acting is a bit shaky in some scenes, but no worse that Peter Duryea’s or Laurel Goodwin’s. Sir Rhosis ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993/10 "2008-04-28T17:01:44Z")
[QUOTE=Sir Rhosis] I think it was just a quick way to show where the bridge was located. [/QUOTE] I agree. Still a cool shot, though. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993/11 "2008-04-28T17:27:56Z")
As for the inevitable “why did Shatner replace Hunter” question, there are three possible answers - take your pick. a) After the first pilot was rejected, Hunter decided he’d focus on movies. b) Hunter would have taken the role, but he was shooting a movie and was unavailable for the second pilot c) For whatever reason (money/clash of egos/trouble on the set) Roddenberry or Desilu or NBC didn’t want Hunter back. Since most of the cast was being replaced anyway, replacing the Captain was no big deal. As for making the dome opaque, it was a production decision. Star Trek was already a hellishly expensive show for its era, and a scene looking through the dome would have required yet another special effect (an optical insert to be exact.) Eliminating the effect saved a few bucks and some production time. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993/12 "2008-04-28T19:11:37Z")
[QUOTE=Sir Rhosis] Well, I think the clear bridge dome was just a story telling device myself – I don’t think we were supposed to believe it was really see-through. I think it was just a quick way to show where the bridge was located. Just mho. [/QUOTE] _Requiem for Methuselah_ showed the bridge has a transparent viewscreen, though, in a moment where the semi-immortal Flint uses advanced tech to teleport and shrink the _Enterprise_ into a two-foot model resting on a desk. Kirk closely examines it and his (relatively giant) face can be seen through the viewscreen. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993/13 "2008-04-28T19:15:15Z")
[QUOTE=Bryan Ekers] _Requiem for Methuselah_ showed the bridge has a transparent viewscreen, though, in a moment where the semi-immortal Flint uses advanced tech to teleport and shrink the _Enterprise_ into a two-foot model resting on a desk. Kirk closely examines it and his (relatively giant) face can be seen through the viewscreen. [/QUOTE] That’s the **viewscreen,** not the dome; it works, presumably, through TV cameras mounted on the hull. It can also be used for videoconferencing with other ships. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993/14 "2008-04-28T19:28:48Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] That’s the **viewscreen,** not the dome; it works, presumably, through TV cameras mounted on the hull. It can also be used for videoconferencing with other ships. [/QUOTE] Well, set phasers to “duh”. I know the difference between the viewscreen and the dome, I only mention _RfM_ to illustrate that the bridge had (rather impractical) windows of some kind. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993/15 "2008-04-28T19:35:06Z")
[QUOTE=Bryan Ekers] Well, set phasers to “duh”. I know the difference between the viewscreen and the dome, I only mention _RfM_ to illustrate that the bridge had (rather impractical) windows of some kind. [/QUOTE] No, if it did, Kirk would have been able to see into the bridge from outside. The viewscreen is not a window. The Enterprise **has** windows/portholes, but not on the bridge. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993/16 "2008-04-28T19:38:35Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] No, if it did, Kirk would have been able to see into the bridge from outside. The viewscreen is not a window. The Enterprise **has** windows, but not on the bridge. [/QUOTE] Then I suggest you review that episode at first opportunity, because Kirk seeing into the bridge from outside is exactly what happens in that brief scene. ---
**Author:** ![mlees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@mlees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mlees)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993/17 "2008-04-28T21:49:19Z")
It was my understanding (assumption) that the viewscreen just showed a composite of what several different sensor systems were reading, filtered through the ships computer. But yes, that scene does seem to indicate that Kirk thought he could pick up the ship and peer inside to see if his crew was ok… ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2008, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993/18 "2008-04-28T23:04:00Z")
[QUOTE=mlees] But yes, that scene does seem to indicate that Kirk thought he could pick up the ship and peer inside to see if his crew was ok… [/QUOTE] I thought he was examining Enterprise to see if it were real. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993/19 "2008-04-29T02:44:48Z")
Are we nerds or **what?!** 😃 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2008, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993/20 "2008-04-29T02:56:41Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Are we nerds or **what?!** 😃 [/QUOTE] Perhaps Metal Siding Salesmen with a special on windows. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/star-trek-pilot-episode-the-cage-remastered-on-tv-this-weekend/446993.md?page=2)