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21 Best Random Things About The Cage

September 23, 2018 1 Comment

A couple weeks ago I rewatched the very first Star Trek pilot, The Cage, in celebration of Star Trek‘s 52nd anniversary. It’s been over a decade, maybe two since I last saw it in its entirety, so it was almost like watching it for the first time.

1. Ship to Bridge

Bridge transition - model to set
I love, and have always loved this transition shot of the bridge dome on the Enterprise model becoming the actual bridge set.

2. Sound Effects

Tyler looking at screen
We get a cacophony of familiar Star Trek sounds in this scene but used for different things! It’s so weird and off-putting (but not in a bad way).

3. Spock Hand Wave

Spock waving his hand
Spock waves his hand to change the display on his screen. This is some prescient technology here that wouldn’t be out of place on Discovery.

4. Cheerleader Outfit

Couple walking in corridor
Pike passes by this lady wearing a weird cheerleader-looking outfit. Is this 23rd century leisure wear?

5. Translucent Communicator

Pike opening communicator
Remember when translucent things were a thing? Like those iMacs in the late ’90s/early ’00s?

6. Theme Music

Warp scene
The Star Trek theme plays when the Enterprise goes to warp (and we get a starfield overlay). I wonder if the TNG theme playing over the saucer separation in Farpoint is an homage to this.

7. Transporter Room

Group in Transporter Room
I love that using the transporter seems like more of a big deal here. The room has a loud hum and feels busier, and you’ve got these technicians writing shit down to make sure they don’t screw up.

8. Spock Smile

Spock and Pike holding plant
Humming plastic plants make Spock smile. Deal with it.

9. Bird Person

Bird person
If I remember correctly, this shot is the ONLY thing from The Cage that wasn’t recycled for The Menagerie. This bird guy’s great and they shouldn’t’ve cut him.

10. Butt-Heads

Talosians speaking to Pike
(giggle)

11. Rigel VII

Rigel VII castle painting
A beautiful matte painting! It was on the cover of the VHS release.

12. Vina Face

Vina making face
She makes this ridiculous face when Pike refuses to follow her into the castle.

13. Kalar

Kalar
I like this guy’s teeth; if The Cage ever got a modern remake, he would probably be a Klingon.

14. Laser Cannon

Laser Cannon firing
This is one big-ass prop. I don’t think it ever showed up again in the actual show, did it?

15. The Keeper’s Vein

The Keeper
I just love how it throbs when he communicates telepathically.

16. Pike’s Jacket

Pike wearing jacket
There are a lot of nice jackets in this episode, but I like Pike’s in the picnic illusion the best.

17. “The women!”

Spock yelling in Transporter Room
Spock’s scream when Number One and Yeoman Colt are abducted by the Talosians.

18. “Is your blood red like ours? I’m going to find out”

Pike with group speaking to Talosian
Pike spends the entirety of his tenure as Talosian captive all analytical-like in detective mode (and this line is badass).

19. Vina’s Make-Up

Real Vina
For her true form.

20. Tyler’s Bandage (and Spock’s Limp)

Tyler, Number One, and Spock
I like this small detail showing that the adventure on Rigel VII happened all-too recently and that members of the crew are still recovering from it.

21. Colt’s Clipboard

Colt gives Pike a paper to sign
Before there were PADDs and electronic clipboards, there were…regular clipboards with paper!

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Filed Under: Film and Television Tagged: lists

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Comments

  1. Steve says

    September 26, 2018 at 2:01 pm

    My favorite moment is Majel Barrett as a long-haired brunette Number One saying (with a very marked trochaic rhythm) to whoever is supplying energy to the laser cannon: “CAN you GIVE us ANy MORE?”

    Reply

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