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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Original Star Trek Pilot considered on its own terms, 22 Jul 2004
Admittedly it is hard to think about "The Cage" independently of the rest of the original Star Trek series. After all, there is Leonard Nimoy as Spock running around "as he was then" with his future Vulcan stoicism plastered on Majel Barrett's Number One. But for the sake of argument this time around, instead of comparing "The Cage" to the rest of the series, I want to try and deal with it on its own terms given the state of Science Fiction in the 1960's and as a Pilot episode. From that perspective "The Cage" has several compelling elements.First, there is a sense that the Star Trek universe exists out there. As the Thalosians steal Pike's memories to use against him we are introduced to bits and pieces of what has already been encountered. Second, there is an attempt to violate traditional stereotypes. After all, Captain Pike is less than enthusiastic about his career and his First Officer is a woman, even if she apparently had to be devoid of emotion to get the post. Third, this is a pretty cerebral storyline and not just because it has to do with mind control and illusions. Usually science fiction tales end with a big battle involving giant explosions and dead bug-eyed monsters all over the place. This story actual ends with, well, not a happy ending, but one that makes the best of a bad situation. Fourth, Number One might be pretty boring, but Susan Oliver's Vina is one of the more developed female characters you find in science fiction at that time (compare her to, say, Anne Francis in "Forbidden Planet"). Furthermore, the mystery behind Vina's character certainly has a solid payoff. This is not to say that there is not a downside to the episode. The crew is not only lily-white but pretty boring; try to remember any of them besides Nimoy and Barrett. Then again, Pike carries most of this episode along with Vina, leaving little for the rest of the crew to but try to catch up with what is going on. I do not have a problem with Jeffrey Hunter's performance, mainly because it is a lot better than his biggest screen role in "King of Kings." Ultimately, there are more problems with this as a pilot episode than as a science fiction movie. It stands better on its own terms, because as a television series things would have had to change significantly for this to be more than Captain Pike saves the universe week after week. Of course, come to think about it, it did change significantly. But as a Sixties Science Fiction Film "The Cage" proves you do not need big time special effects to get the job done.
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