Star Trek at 50: The Menagerie, Parts 1 and 2

Season 1

Episodes 15 and 16: The Menagerie, Parts 1 and 2

Filmed: October 1966 (The Cage filmed November -December 1964)

First Air Dates: November 17, 1966 (11th episode aired), November 24, 1966 (12th episode aired)

Karen: This two-part story is well-loved by most Star Trek fans - and why not? It surely gives us a deeper understanding of Spock, and expands our sense of wonder at the universe out there that the Enterprise crew is bravely exploring. It's also a huge 'what if' - what if the network had given the original pilot ('The Cage') the greenlight, and we had received a very different Star Trek?

Karen: Gene Roddenberry had the idea to incorporate footage from 'The Cage' as not only a cost-cutting measure, but to help fill out the production schedule, as the network had ordered more episodes of the show. However, rather than producing a crass product, the move created two fine episodes which invariably make top ten lists. 

Karen: Roddenberry put forth his proposal to NBC, and they agreed, stipulating that the new content be approximately 50% of the two episodes and feature current cast members. An 'envelope' story, to encompass the footage from 'The Cage,' was developed. John D.F. Black made a first pass at it, but Roddenberry wasn't satisfied and did his own version.  Black filed a complaint with the Writer's Guild for credit but lost, a result he was always bothered by. Roddenberry felt he had been the originator of the concepts. As noted in previous posts, these sort of disagreements would occur frequently with the show, particularly in the first season. Gene Coon would provide some additional script work before it was final.

Karen: According to Marc Cushman in These are the Voyages Volume One, NBC was gratified that the script highlighted Spock. In a memo from NBC rep Stan Robertson to the producers, it reads, "We are very pleased that you have written in Mr. Spock as the primary character since, as you know, he is emerging as one of the definite "pluses" in the series." It had become apparent that the viewing audience 'grokked' Spock. This story would be a nice vehicle for the Vulcan.

Karen: Malachi Throne was cast as Commodore Jose Mendez. Of note is that Throne originally did the voice of the head Keeper in 'The Cage' (which you can hear in the trailer below) but it was redubbed for 'The Menagerie. Sean Kenney had the unenviable role of the injured Captain Pike. They needed an actor who had at least a basic resemblance to Jeffrey Hunter, who had played Pike in the pilot. But poor Kenney was literally slathered in latex, stuck in a bizarre futuristic wheelchair, and had no lines! Luckily he was also cast on two other episodes ("Arena" and "A Taste of Armageddon") as Lt. DePaul -happily without any makeup.

Karen: 'The Menagerie Part One' is very much a mystery -why is Spock hijacking the Enterprise? Why is he kidnapping his former commanding officer, Captain Pike? Why go to Talos IV, a forbidden world? It's all very exciting. We know how incredibly loyal he is to Captain Kirk, as well as Starfleet, so his actions are shocking. Kirk is especially dismayed that his First Officer -his friend -would betray him. But as the story of the earlier Enterprise crew's mission on Talos IV unfolds, things become clear.

Karen: Ultimately, we discover the depths of Spock's loyalty and friendship towards Pike -and also Kirk, whom he keeps out of his plans, so he cannot be implicated. It reveals Spock not as a person devoid of emotions, but rather one who feels deeply, but keeps those emotions held rigidly in check.

Karen: It is intriguing to get this glimpse of a Star Trek that might have been. I think that the actors and characters we wound up with are much superior to the ones in the pilot. Kirk (and Shatner) is far more dynamic than Pike; and McCoy seems much more human and likable than Dr. Boyce. I have to admit that Number One was rather interesting, but it's been stated that many of her characteristics were transferred to Spock. Of course, Spock himself behaved quite differently at that point. In any case, having 'The Cage' as part of Star Trek lore provided some nice history and backstory. 

Karen: Pike's struggle with the Talosians was deemed 'too cerebral' by NBC at the time, but it seems like pretty good science fiction/adventure to me. Overwhelmed by illusion, the captain is unsure of what to believe - but pieces together a way to to overcome his captors. Susan Oliver as Vina, the only survivor of a spaceship crash, provides Pike with insights -and is well-remembered for her turn as a green-skinned Orion 'slave girl.'

Karen: The idea that the gravely handicapped Pike might prefer a life of fantasy to reality would certainly be controversial today. At the time however, it was a rather beautiful expression of Spock's desire to see his former commander live out his life peacefully. I'm curious what you all think of this ending.

Karen: On a lighter note, as a kid, the alien Keepers really freaked me out. They had those pulsating veins on their heads -ewww!! I remember I called them 'the buttheads.' Nuff said.

Star Trek at 50: The Galileo Seven

Season 1

Episode 13: The Galileo Seven

Filmed: September 1966

First Air Date: January 5,1967 (16th episode aired)

Karen: I have mixed feelings on this one. What should be a great showcase for Mr. Spock as he commands a shuttle mission is really quite aggravating, because everyone under Spock's command not only questions his every order but make some fairly derogatory remarks about him. These are highly trained, disciplined Star Fleet officers? 

Karen: However, this was our first chance to see the shuttlecraft up close, in both space and on a planet, and it was a thrill. This episode was only possible because the model kit company AMT wanted to make kits of the Enterprise, and a deal was cut that AMT would actually build the TV series shuttlecraft  as part of the package to get the rights to make the starship kits. Two full-size  shuttlecrafts were built: one for exterior filming and the other for interiors, along with a miniature for special effects shots. 

The full-sized Galileo under construction.

Shuttlecraft interior sketch by Matt Jeffries

Karen: The story, by Oliver Crawford,went through a number of rewrites. The first one was major. The original script had Kirk leading the team, with Spock still on the Enterprise. Roddenberry suggested the switch. Crawford did a complete rewrite of the script, this time with Spock in charge. But the staff was still dissatisfied with the work and brought in Shimon Wincelberg, who wrote "Dagger of the Mind," to try to add some depth to the story. His draft brought in the annoying HIgh Commissioner Ferris, who added some tension on the Enterprise, and he replaced Yeoman Rand with Yeoman Butler (later Mears). At some point too, McCoy and Scotty were added to the shuttlecraft team. However, they still weren't satisfied with the script. 

Karen: So the rewrites continued. Gene Coon came in and did a couple himself. His major contribution appears to have been upping the antagonism between McCoy and Spock, as well as the touch of humor at the end.

Karen: Despite all of the work on the script, Spock and McCoy seem out of character to me. Spock is rigidly logical, to the point of stupidity. McCoy barks at Spock's every action and comment, So does Lt. Boma, played by Don Marshall, whose insubordination seems like it should be enough to get him court martialed. But I guess it doesn't count when a Vulcan is involved.

Karen: Thankfully Scotty is rock-steady in this one. He's the only one who does not question Spock's commands or decisions but instead works with him to get the shuttle off the planet. 

Karen: The giant humanoids who attack the crew on the planet are an interesting story. All played by one actor, Robert "Big Buck" Maffei, a seven foot one inch tall giant of a man, they are never shown clearly. Apparently, the network thought the makeup devised for the creatures was too frightening, so we never get a good look at it, and a publicity still that showed it in all its neanderthal-ish glory was axed. But here's that publicity photo just for you to feast your eyes on. I think it was pretty cool myself!

Karen: Unfortunately, the primitives' attacks were a little less than convincing, with spears sort of haphazardly tossed towards the shuttle, and Spock pinned by what appeared to be the lightest boulder in the universe. Still, this episode did give us proof that it wasn't only the guys in the red shirts that were in jeopardy:

Karen: In the end, Spock's decision to jettison the fuel and set it alight saves the crew, and he is rewarded by having Kirk suggest he panicked and having everyone on the bridge break up laughing...seriously, it must suck being the only Vulcan on the Enterprise.

Breaking News - Leonard Nimoy has Passed

Doug: Multiple news outlets are saying that famed Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy has passed away at the age of 83. Karen will be along later to shepherd the conversation.

Karen: It probably sounds trite to say a TV character taught me a lot about life, but it’s true. Mr. Spock, so brilliantly portrayed by Leonard Nimoy, doubtless appealed to many adolescents. The half-human, half-Vulcan Science Officer reflected the turmoil boiling just below the surface  that so many of us felt growing up. His calm exterior and tremendous self-control were to be envied, just like his incredible intellect. But it was the moments when we saw deeper into the character that we really remember –and Nimoy managed to get across such nuance in his performance that it hit on so many levels. Years later, after Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Spock had finally made peace with the two halves of his heritage –and again Nimoy gave us a wonderful depiction of a more mature, changed Spock.

There are many great quotes from the character, but the one that really stands out right now, at the time of Mr. Nimoy’s passing, is this: “I have been –and always shall be –your friend.”

Thank you, Mr. Nimoy. Your many friends shall miss you.

2/28 -
Karen: I sat this evening looking through an old album of photos I took at various conventions I have attended over the years and came across a couple I'd like to share. 

In 2003 I saw Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner at the Star Trek Grand Slam Convention in Pasadena. The two came out on stage together and were terrific, sharing stories and trading barbs. But the highlight was when Carrie Fisher (in a rare con appearance) came out and went right past Shatner to give Nimoy a big kiss! The Shat was distraught, and Nimoy loved it. One of my fondest convention memories.

Cool Customers

Karen: Most of us seem to like the "cool" hero -the one who is never rattled, who keeps calm and collected and always in control. He (or she) always seems a step ahead of everyone else and sometimes comes across as cold or calculating. When this cool cat does have an outburst, you know it's something to behold!There are plenty of examples in comics, TV, and film. Feel free to discuss some of your favorites.