Star Trek (TV Series) The Menagerie: Part II (1966) User Reviews

Kirk Observes his Predecessor in Action - part two

[Bogmeister · 8/10 · 28 June 2006]

This continues the plot of part one, with most of the episode consisting of Spock, Kirk, commodore Mendez and the crippled Pike (played by another actor, not Jeff Hunter) seated in a conference room watching movies of one of Pike's past missions. This may sound quite boring, but viewers had the opportunity to see how two separate suspenseful plots would conclude - the one with Pike in the past and the one with Kirk and Spock. This doubled impact was especially true if a viewer had never seen the original pilot "The Cage." Footage from "The Cage" dominated this second part, consisting of about 70% of this episode (whereas this was the case for the wraparound portion in the first part).

There was at least one unexplained delay during the showing of these space home movies as the 3rd act ended, as the images stopped being transmitted. This allowed the script to throw in some more jeopardy as Spock was found officially guilty by the 3 ranking officers as they waited for the show to continue. Yep, things still looked pretty grim at this point: Spock still seemed to have betrayed his current captain - Kirk - and faced a death penalty (I do wonder how it was done in the 23rd century - death by phasers? That would probably be painless). But, to Roddenberry's credit, he managed to throw in a little whammy towards the end of his wraparound tale which probably surprised the audience and made complete sense in view of what kind of aliens Pike had faced during his past mission. I think Kirk forgave Spock a bit too quickly as the episode ended and all the 'death penalty' threats evaporated too easily, but Pike's final scene and final fate here is about as good as science fiction gets.

The reason Spock risked everything to go to Talos IV

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 11 September 2015]

This, the second of a two part story, concentrates on what happened to Captain Pike after he had been captured by the Talosians. In scenes that will be familiar to anybody who has seen the original pilot episode, The Cage, we see Pike subjected to various mental tests. He is joined by beautiful blonde Vina who he assumes is another of the Talosian illusions. They put him in various situations where he is tested in various ways. Eventually it emerges that Vina is real; the sole survivor of a crash that took place eighteen years previously and the Talosians have lured Pike there hoping that he will breed with Vina. Of course her appearance is one of the illusions they created; in reality she is old and disfigured… it is this that Spock wanted to show; if the Talosians can make her young, healthy and beautiful they can make Pike believe he is young, fit and able-bodied again.

Having decided against going ahead with the version of 'Star Trek' featuring Captain Pike this story, and particularly this episode, does a fine job of ensuring the filmed material didn't go to waste. The idea of having a crippled Pike taken back to the one world where he could live like a fully able bodied person provided a good excuse to show us the story from 'The Cage' and the Talosian's ability to create illusions nicely explained why we can see 'footage' from places their wouldn't naturally be cameras. Whether one likes this episode does of course depend on what you think of 'The Cage' and whether you mind the main cast, with the exception of Spock, taking a back seat or not appearing at all. Overall I thought this was a really good episode that nicely used the old footage from 'The Cage'.

We'll Not Meet Again...

[Xstal · 7/10 · 15 February 2022]

Past events are recalled and replayed, from Talos IV images relayed, showing Pike being captured, not particularly enraptured, can they help attitudes to be swayed?

As the Enterprise approaches the forbidden planet Mr. Spock's intentions become clear, but will he get a sympathetic ear?

The original pilot revisited - Part Two

[MaxBorg89 · 10/10 · 25 April 2009]

When NBC turned down the original Star Trek pilot The Cage, which still had Leonard Nimoy but starred Jeffrey Hunter instead of William Shatner, many people assumed that episode was gone forever. They were wrong: not only can it be seen on the Season 3 DVD, it was actually incorporated into two other episodes of the series, as part of Gene Roddenberry's attempt to acknowledge the episode's existence on-screen. The merger comes to a head in the second part of The Menagerie, arguably one of the best Star Trek episodes, or at least as far as the first season is concerned.

Picking up from the end of Part One, Spock's court-martial continues, and the officers judging him (including Kirk) are offered a visual testimony of what happened 13 years earlier, when Pike was imprisoned on Talos IV, the now forbidden planet Spock is trying to bring him back to. As the images, which are revealed to be mental projections coming from the Talosians themselves, progress and the truth about Pike's harrowing experience is revealed, Spock's motive becomes clearer and the mystery gets closer to its rather surprising conclusion.

The main interest of the episode lies in the fact that it features very little of the regular cast: about 70% of the footage is archive material from The Cage, featuring Jeffrey Hunter as Pike and Leonard Nimoy as a more "human" Spock (yes, you read that correctly). This extended flashback is a clever trick used by Gene Roddenberry to tie his two visions of Star Trek together, uniting what could have been with what actually came to be. Remarkably, from what can be seen here, the "first draft" turned out to be every bit as riveting as the final version, except for the absence of one James T. Kirk.

As a standalone mystery story, The Menagerie holds up beautifully. It's the heartfelt inclusion of the previously unaired footage, however, that lends it that extra emotional punch. In fact, it's a bit of a shame Captain Pike wasn't brought back in some other form when Roddenberry rewrote the pilot script: it would have been fun to see the character interact properly with Kirk.

A spectacular conclusion to an award winning episode

[russem31 · 5 April 2006]

ST:TOS:16b - "The Menagerie Part II" (Stardate: 3013.2), continues where The Megagerie Part I left off (the 16th episode to be produced but the 12th episode to be shown on TV) - this continues the adventures of former Enterprise captain Christopher Pike and his science officer Mr. Spock (events that are 13 years prior to the present day - as seen in this episode), about how they came upon Talos IV and the forbidden secrets that it holds, and as to why Mr. Spock would seemingly betray his current captain James Kirk's trust and that of the current Enterprise to bring a crippled Pike back to Talos IV. Watch out also for Majel Barret as Number One (she would later play Nurse Chapel and the Enterprise Computer, whereas the title would be adopted by William Riker in Star Trek: The Next Generation). All in all, a brilliant two part episode, which was honored with a Hugo Award for Best Television Sci-Fi Program.

Part Two of the Original Pilot (Re-edited)

[mike48128 · 10/10 · 16 July 2014]

Better than Part One, as about 70% of the episode is re-edited stock footage from the Star Trek Jeffrey Hunter pilot known as "The Cage." Wisely spit into two parts, because it all couldn't possibly fit into only 50 minutes. The story-within-a story fake court martial continues, finishing the story of Capt. Christopher Pike and "Vina" (Susan Oliver) the only survivor of a previous crash landing, several decade before, by a Federation ship. Commodore Mendez is an illusion and the visual record has such detail that "it surpasses normal Federation records" of such events. Both are being "streamed" from Talos IV. It turns out that Vina's appearance is also an illusion, as the Talos IV aliens "put her together" wrong, having never seen a human before. In reality, she is lop-sided, hunch-backed, and extremely old. Poor paralyzed Captain Pike and Vina have their illusion of perfect bodies, health and youth, and scamper off into the sunset (or into the underground compound, in this case.) "Capt. Pike has his illusion and you have reality. May you find your way as pleasant". (The Keeper's kind statement) The fairy tale ending is what makes this two-parter really work. It is a standout in a three-season series that truly has both great and terrible episodes!

It's a clip-show Jim, but not as we know it

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 7 March 2021]

Kirk learns what happened to Pike on Talos IV.

This is a pretty strong conclusion to the two-parter, that doesn't offer quite as much as Part One outside of 'The Cage' footage.

The story continues to present the best moments of the original pilot episode and a satisfying conclusion to the overarching narrative of Spock's plan.

If you like the The Cage, you should like this as it focuses on all the great psychological sequences from that episode.

William Shatner is solid in the few moments he has the stage, whilst Leonard Nimoy is also on good form.

For me this one is a 7.5/10, but I like to round upwards.

A Worthy Conclusion

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 26 April 2014]

As the first half ended, Spock asked to have the second tape played. He doesn't care if he is vindicated, only that his former Captain be given piece. We now focus on Jeffrey Hunter who was Kirk's counterpart in "The Cage." We are let in on the secret of his adventures on Talos IV. It is about an effort of a dying race of superbrains who need to repopulate the planet. They are able to create incredible illusions, offering Pike anything to mate and be the new Adam. Unfortunately, Starship Captains don't always go along with someone else's agenda. Beautiful women (illusions) are offered up but Pike wants to understand what is going on. The joy of this is that he thoughtfully unravels things. Not to spoil this, it really works. The conclusion is quite satisfying. This also is Leonard Nimoy's opportunity to get beyond the "weird looking guy with the pointy ears." I recommend this.

Pike's incredible odyssey

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 6 December 2014]

A bit more of the Jeffrey Hunter pilot is used in this second part of Menagerie. With William Shatner, Malachi Throne, and Sean Kenney as the crippled and broken Captain Pike sit in judgment of Leonard Nimoy the viewing screen on the Enterprise is telling more of Jeffrey Hunter's incredible odyssey.

It turns out that Susan Oliver is the only survivor of that spaceship wreck that was not an illusion. In fact illusion is the Talosian stock in trade. They can make you see and feel just about any experience they care to give you. It's how they can hold prisoners.

What they want is for Hunter to find Oliver really attractive and get down to the business of mating. Even with creating things out of pure thought there is certainly physical work to do that the Talosians have just forgotten how.

How Hunter overcomes this is for you to watch the episode for. But it's quite the story and we certainly know why Captain Pike wants to get back to Talos IV and why the ever loyal Leonard Nimoy risks his career in Starfleet to help him.

It certainly is one incredible odyssey for Jeffrey Hunter.

The best of the best!

[marthahunter · 10/10 · 22 August 2013]

Although there have already been some excellent positive reviews posted on this incredible episode, I wanted to express some of the profound impressions that it had made on me when I first viewed it on its mid- 70's syndicated run. Rather than a point for point review, I wanted to share some rather random, subliminal, and long lasting impressions that I had of this incredible show. First of all, I had never been so thrilled by a TV program before. After Menagerie Part 1 ended with "to be continued" caption, I could scarcely wait until the conclusion that would be offered in Part 2.

Many of the mysterious events introduced in part one were beyond thrilling to my young mind. The Enterprise had been locked on course to the only "forbidden planet" in the galaxy; strange transmissions from Talos IV were creating images from 13 years ago of the Enterprise's first voyage to this strange world; Spock was on trial for mutiny; and what "chance for life" could the injured Capt. Pike possibly have on Talos?

The look and feel of the ship and crew was familiar, but strikingly different. Pike's crew wore old style uniforms, had lasers in instead of phasers, the communicators were transparent, the landing party wore blue jackets, some approaching views of the Talos IV were shadowy like a waning moon, musical plants created the exterior planet sound heard in this and many subsequent episodes, the transporter sequence to beam down took much longer and flickered in and out quite a bit. The sound effects on the bridge and for the transporter were quite different too.

Alexander Courage created a magnificent underscore for this episode. From the dreamlike "Rigel 7" musical queue to the very cool electronic music for the Talosians, this underscore was quite evocative. I'm assuming that the eerie electronic sound effect/music queue for when the Keeper's conversation (via the monitor screen) with Kirk ended was the creation of Courage too.

I was impressed by the transitional effect for the illusion sequences and the appearance of the laser-holed transparency (both sight and sound) as well. The phlegmatic voice and the pulsing head veins of the Keeper were unforgettable too.

After Vina's revelation toward the end, there is a very strong feeling of having seen a Greek tragedy on screen. As the briefing room darkens one last time, on the monitor screen, Kirk views Capt. Pike and Vina hand-in-hand back on Talos. The Keeper intones "Captain Pike has an illusion and you have reality, may you find your way as pleasant". The dreamlike music is achingly moving, and the marvelous story concludes with romantic, yet bittersweet feeling, and a sense of awe.

Good story, but a bit unexplained

[intp · 7/10 · 25 May 2014]

"The Cage", the original and unaired pilot for this series, was a great episode. The episode didn't go to waste, as the producers found a way to 'splice' most of that episode into a two-part story, "The Menagerie". This story has one of the best and most uplifting endings of any Star Trek episode-- a way is found to help a crippled officer live a (relatively) normal life.

Having seen "The Cage", I learned there are some parts that were deleted for this version, including the memorable line that "Number One" (Majel Barrett) has secret fantasies about Captain Pike! That was one of my favorite lines that didn't make it to this version.

There's a fair amount of padding in these two episodes to make them "fit" into a two-episode slot, but that was reasonably well done. The fiction of the court-martial doesn't quite make sense, but it served its dramatic purpose of creating tension and consuming time.

Unfortunately, I felt like I had to downgrade the episode somewhat due to one major problem with the story: the total failure to explain just WHY the Talosians would want to help Pike. In the original "Cage" script, of course, Pike never got crippled and never returned to Talos, so there was no need for any such explanation. And it's pretty hard to come up with a reason that they would help him.

What did they get out of it? Why would they suddenly be benevolent and helpful to a man who was now totally incapable of producing any children? Not to mention the fact that Vina was probably in her 50's by that point and past childbearing age (an "adult" when she crash landed, as stated by Number One; 18 years before Pike first met her, which was 13 years prior to the events of "The Menagerie"). And the Talosians didn't seem particularly "altruistic" nor did they owe any debt to Pike; just the opposite. It is rather difficult to think of a rationale for the Talosians to act in that way, which is probably why the writers didn't even try to fashion some excuse.

Best episode I've seen yet, but...

[SusanJL · 9/10 · 20 February 2019]

Thought this was a well written episode, however... why was Capt. Pike agreeing to go live with the Talosians even though he was completely disabled, when he had said before he's rather die than be enslaved?? Would the Talosians still practice mind control and torture?? These concerns needed to be addressed!!. Boy, I wish they still had message boards on IMDB, so I could get some answers!!!!

Pike's Return to Talos IV

[Samuel-Shovel · 7/10 · 5 April 2018]

Part two of "The Menagerie" picks up where the last episode left off, with Spock relaying the original interaction with the Talosians and Pike's captivity. Kirk, Pike, and Mendez must decide whether Spock is guilty of treason as the Enterprise continues towards Talos IV and more of the story becomes clearer to the tribunal.

Having Pike in his current state really is genius. It gives the Enterprise a reason to go to Talos IV and it explains why Pike is unable to explain the situation in any capacity.

This episode has a lot of recycled footage, even reusing the Pike shot when the Talosians create a fake mate for Vina. Now of course, this is Pike in the flesh and the two human outcast can live out the rest of their lived together, enjoying each other's company and beauty.

The ending of this is a bit clunky. Everything gets wrapped up in about 20 seconds and no new footage of the Talosians or the planet's surface is seen. I know it wasn't feasible since Jeffrey Hunter was unable to shoot more scenes but I would have enjoyed something new besides a voiceover directed at Kirk from the Keeper.

I was a bit less impressed by part 2 than by part 1. The setup was very strong but the finale felt a bit forced and truncated. I still enjoyed the overall story arc and the (happy?) ending that Pike gets living within his dreams.

Spock in the dock Pt 2.

[BA_Harrison · 5/10 · 14 May 2022]

Star Trek two-parter The Menagerie gave the show's creator, Gene Roddenberry, an opportunity to make use of The Cage, his expensive unaired pilot for season one. Having set the scene in part one, with Spock charged with mutiny, part two largely comprises of footage from The Cage, as Kirk's loyal second-in-command uses images broadcast by the inhabitants of Talos IV to explain his uncharacteristic behaviour.

Having recently watched The Cage, I can't say that The Menagerie Pt 2 did much for me, the episode primarily a rehash of events from the pilot. The plot gives no adequate explanation for how Spock came to be in contact the Talosians, whose planet is a no-go zone, or how he was able to orchestrate and carry out his mutinous plan with such precision; in short, there are plot holes big enough to fly The Enterprise thorough. The uplifting ending - in which Pike goes to spend his remaining life in an illusory world created by the Talosians - makes little sense: why do the aliens feel so obliged to help Pike, who is no longer a prime specimen of humanity? Altruism certainly never seemed to be a Talosian trait.

Spock's Strange Behavior Explained

[Rainey-Dawn · 8/10 · 22 December 2016]

Season 1, episode 12. A 2-part episode. We pick up where part 1 left off. Spock is at his court martial hearing with Kirk, Mendez and Pike. We are still watching parts of The Cage episode on the screen at the hearing. We learn what the Talosians were really wanting and why they captured Pike. In the end, all is explained including the strange behavior of Mr. Spock.

The second part of this episode is good... but not quite as good as the first part to me - but almost. The ending might come as a surprise to first time viewers - a very pleasant one.

8.5/10

Trek's First "Facepalm"

[XweAponX · 10/10 · 21 October 2013]

Normally, it's Picard with the Facepalms. But in this episode, it was done by the beautiful Susan Oliver.

How beautiful is she, is she really, pound for pound, more beautiful than any other woman Captain Pike had seen? Or are The Talosians reading his mind and giving Pike what Pike wants to see?

How much do The Talosians want Pike back? What will they do, what will his friends do for him? What CAN be done for him? Starfleet Medical if it existed back then, can't do a damn thing.

This is a man with only his thoughts to keep him company, he is just as alive as anyone else, he just doesn't have arms, legs, or a mouth. He can't even SPEAK to anybody to tell them what he wants.

This is the Christopher Pike that we met in the first part of this, Kirk's Predecessor and Spocks' previous Boss. But this Video we are viewing, which Spock is using to explain "Why" he Kidnapped Pike and stole The Enterprise, shows a Different Pike than the one who looks like Professor X in a Mechanized Wheelchair. We see a Vital Pike, even though he has come to a precipice of his own and is questioning his own Command abilities, as we see when the earlier Pike has a discussion with his "bartender", John Hoyt. In fact that discussion mirrors one Bones had with Kirk in Star Trek II, and it is also most probably the basis of bringing Woopi Goldberg in to The Next Generation to be a Bartender and "A Listener".

But to visit Talos IV is the only Death Penalty on Starfleet's Books, Spock not only jeopardizes himself but Kirk as well.

They have the ability to create Illusions for anyone they come in contact with, and this is why their planet is off limits. At least Starfleet thought this was the only solution 13 years prior to when this happened.

But now we see evidence that Galactic Distances are not a deterrent for their power. In fact the whole second part of this is a trick, a trick for Captain Kirk's benefit, for Spock's benefit, and mostly for Pike's.

They had their eyes on Pike 13 years ago, and that focus never wavered- They still want him, it seems that The Talosians did not need any Human, they needed Pike, Pike was the only one that could do what they needed him to do. Because he was the kind of man Vina wanted, the only man in the galaxy for her, despite the ruin of her body.

And Vina is apparently still there. It really doesn't matter what a person looks like, or even what they can or can't do. What is most important is what's in their Heart, and The Talosians are the only ones who can do anything for Pike- And for Vina.

But the Vital Pike was not ready to do this in the 13 year old Video The Talosians are transmitting, he fights them, tries to keep them out of his mind by keeping violent thoughts. And he fails, this is where Vina gives the Facepalm.

Now that I have seen The Cage several times on its own, and The Menagerie a few times, what makes it is not just The Cage on its own, it is The Cage being Inserted into the Framing Story of The Menagerie that makes it a much better story.

And the Style of The Cage is Early 60's while The Menagerie is late 60's, actually The Cage was filmed in 50's Cinematic Style, this is what made it look like one was 13 years earlier than the other.

Watching these today is almost like watching Tom Paris from Voyager's "Captain Proton" serials- This is how The Future was envisioned in the 60's- You'll see that Spocks' Library Computer Station was controlled by Hand Gestures.

In 2013, there are now hand devices that can be operated with hand movements, computers that have Touch Screens, even "Communicators" that are not much larger than those on this show, some of them even flip open. And today, four years later... We have iPhones that are face- unlocked and gesture operated, powerful hand-computers and communicators. And the Wand Company even made WORKING Communicators.

Would we have thought of these things without Trek?

In 3 episodes Captain Pike is a legend !

[nicofreezer · 8/10 · 18 April 2021]

A happy end for Captain Pike thanks for the Amazing plan from Mr Spock. That episode is not as good as The first part and not as good as The Cage but deliver.

Looking forward for the next.

"You can have whatever dream you want".

[classicsoncall · 9/10 · 10 October 2010]

Getting up to speed on the early history of the series, I find it interesting that the network powers that be at the time rejected the early pilot for 'Star Trek' because it was too cerebral. It calls to mind the same thinking on the part of the liberal and media elite today that believes the average citizen is just too dumb to understand what's best for us, and find it their obligation to promote social programs and policies against the will of the people. I generally don't like to bring politics into my film reviews, but Part II of 'The Menagerie' is just loaded with this type of symbolism, perhaps Gene Roddebberry's best shot at those who stood in the way of his vision and creativity. I was particularly taken with the method of the (elitist) Talosians, paraphrasing here - 'Wrong thinking is punishable, right thinking will be as quickly rewarded'.

Considering the era, and also considering the fact that this was TV, Part II of 'The Menagerie' is a triumph of sci-fi entertainment. The idea that Commodore Mendez' (Malachi Throne) presence on the shuttlecraft and The Enterprise was all an illusion was a brilliant stroke. Done as a tactic to counter Captain Kirk's force of will went to further establish Kirk's character as a strong and forceful leader, immune to appeasement when confronted by a challenge. The same was true of Captain Pike's (Jeffrey Hunter) leadership; by inviting death instead of giving up his personal freedom and liberty, he threw a cosmic curve ball at the Talosians who didn't know how to deal with this dilemma.

Then you have Spock, who's closing exchange with Kirk is a thoughtful dialog on the the topic of emotionalism versus logic. It would set the stage for future episodes, many of which would have to be dealt with on the basis of sound reasoning instead of irrational fear or succumbing to the unknown. Quite a remarkable accomplishment for a show almost a half century old now, the stories growing richer and more vibrant with the passage of time.

Too much reliance on The Cage

[gjenevieve · 7/10 · 28 November 2015]

I think that they really missed an opportunity here. I think that they could have easily aired The Cage as it was originally with a short explanation that it was going to give a bit of information about Spock's past. They could have done a couple of show with that premise, the first being The Cage and the second one a continuation showing how Spock got to be aboard the Enterprise with Kirk.

Then, they could have done The Menagerie (although I still do not really understand the title) parts 1 and 2 but using a lot less of The Cage and more new content. I realize that they were trying to find a way to use that original pilot which never actually got to be used as a pilot, but had they done it as I suggested, it would have worked fine plus they would have had more episodes altogether.

It would have been nice if a bit more had been explained as to how the Talosians knew that Captain Pike had been injured, how they were able to make contact with Spock, and why they even wanted to have Pike back.

Aside from the fact that they used too much The Cage footage and not enough new content, it was still a good episode. The acting was done well and the little twists were nice. It also ended on a very happy note.

"You overlook the unpleasant alternative of punishment."

[Hey_Sweden · 8/10 · 1 August 2021]

The images from the saga of previous Enterprise captain Christopher Pike continue to be beamed to the ship during Spocks' court-martial. In fact, archive footage pretty much rules the day in this excellent conclusion to a two-part episode. Regular cast members don't get that much to do. As we find out, Pike had been taken prisoner by the Talosian people, a species that have mastered the art of illusion. It's how they continue to survive. And they have a plan in store for Pike, as well as for the lovely Vina (Susan Oliver), sole survivor of a previous expedition.

At least Gene Roddenberry's original pilot 'The Cage' was able to live on in a way in this typically solid 'Star Trek' script (by Roddenberry himself) that explores the idea of fantasy vs. Reality. In regards to the Talosians, fantasy can be preferable, and is likened in the script to a narcotic. It allows Jeffrey Hunter (as Pike) to experience a gamut of emotions as he tries various ways of dealing with his situation. Interestingly, when he gives in to anger and thoughts of violence, the Talosians CANNOT control him so well, since they cannot respond to such primitive emotions.

'The Menagerie: Part II' ends on a rather pleasant note as we feel that Pike will be able to live out the rest of his days in a comfortable manner. And it delivers one very nifty twist that the viewer may not see coming (Kirk certainly doesn't see it coming); it just happens to be indicative of how well Talosians can convince people that they're seeing something that isn't there. We now are able to understand Spocks' actions, not that there was any real doubt as to the outcome.

One very important point that the script makes is that the Talosians fail to realize at first that human beings have very instinctive negative reactions to the thought of captivity, or slavery. So, as was often the case, the story lines are dealing with universal concepts.

Eight out of 10.

Spock, the Liar

[Aaronb00 · 5/10 · 11 February 2022]

Stardate. 3013.1 Approximately 2266 AD

Part 2 of "The Menagerie" picks up right where part 1 left off. Spock is being court martialed aboard The Enterprise after having kidnapped Christopher Pike and programmed the ship's computer to fly to Talos IV against the crew's will. Spock show's clips from the series' pilot "the Cage" in order to show his reasoning behind his actions.

I'm not sure why the footage that Spock show's in the court martial is actually necessary to begin with. Why couldn't Spock just explain the circumstances in half the time when asked directly what he's getting at? After all, not only do we know Vulcans cannot lie but there is also a computer that can tell if he is lying or not (see "Mudd's Women"). The whole episode just feels very manufactured to me, Spock felt that he couldn't explain the circumstances to Captain Kirk in order to protect Kirk from a potential death penalty by going to Talos IV (Kirk goes anyway). At no other point in the series does Spock feel he can't tell Kirk the complete picture and it's completely out of Character for Spock.

Another departure from Character is Pike agreeing to live with the Talosians. In "The Cage," Pike makes it very clear that he has no desire to live a false reality as a kind of pet to the Talosians. It doesn't seem fitting that a strong willed starship commander would desire the illusion of health as opposed to his reality.

So between the foggy motivations and significant departures from character "The Menagerie" Parts 1 and 2 are far from my favorite Star Trek episodes.

A Senior Trekker writes...................

[celineduchain · 5/10 · 3 April 2022]

Part 2 of the Menagerie contains a much higher proportion of material from The Cage followed by a less than satisfactory explanation as to how Mr Spock was able to present such detailed evidence to a tribunal. The resolution of the Pike/Vina storyline is one of the most romantic in all of Star Trek but also leaves open the question of why other similarly afflicted people cannot be afforded the same level of support.

More than one wheelchair user has turned up at a convention dressed as the post-accident Pike over the years, which suggests that the idea of this idyllic world of the imagination has a powerful draw. As with the mysterious longevity afforded by the Briar Patch in the Star Trek film Insurrection, we wonder who gets to decide who benefits and whether the rest of us would sit by and tamely accept those decisions. If Mr Spock was prepared to face the death penalty in order to benefit his former Captain then what might some poor parent be prepared to do for their child?

It's fiction, I know - but Star Trek can really make you think.

Commodore Mendez is played by Sci-Fi regular Malachi Throne, whose distinctive deep voice and classical theatrical training meant that he was always in demand. Sean Kenney, who played the silent, chair-bound Pike because Jeffrey Hunter was unavailable to reprise his role, was a regular stand-in an has recently taken part in a couple of re-union functions.

It is good to see the original Cage cast again despite the fact that few of them went on to re-appear in the Original Series. The fact that so many writers and fans have re-visited their characters over the years is a testimony to the quality of the 1964 production. I'm sure that, at the time, no one would have believed that 55 years later, a new series based upon their adventures would be set to break a whole new set of records. If Strange New Worlds is equally memorable then who knows where Star Trek may head off into the future.

Senior Trekker scores every episode with a 5.