Number One

[Captain Robert April]

The term "Number One" in reference to a ship's first officer is a British naval tradition. So, while a lot of casual viewers might not have been familiar with the term and its meaning, it's not exactly hard to figure out. Just watch an old British war movie or two and it all becomes clear, once the ship's captain starts giving orders to his "Number One".

Besides, if memory serves, "The Making of Star Trek" explains what "Number One" means, and it ain't the alien race explanation.

As for "first officer" and "executive officer", one is a more traditional term, the other is a more modern term, both meaning the exact same position. Again, not exactly deep hidden secrets.

 

[ColeMercury]

Another explanation is that she was promoted to Captain while Pike was still captain of the Enterprise -- so, naturally, she got another command.

This'd mean Spock actually served as Pike's first officer for a time as well.

 

[Therin of Andor]

and it ain't the alien race explanation.

Gene didn't use that either.

And Majel's take wasn't an alien race. Her concept was an Earth colony world, where cloning or some kind of experimentation occurred.

 

[Timo]

One wonders where the "mysterious" bit comes with regard to the character. Was that in the background material/TMoST, or is it just the public opinion on the single appearance of this character? What was mysterious about Number One, as opposed, say, to Boyce or Colt?

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Therin of Andor]

One wonders where the "mysterious" bit comes with regard to the character. Was that in the background material/TMoST, or is it just the public opinion on the single appearance of this character? What was mysterious about Number One, as opposed, say, to Boyce or Colt?

Roddenberry chose to not give the character a name in his bible. If he intended to unveil a name, he probably would have mentioned that would happen (as the Doctor/EMH in VOY was planned to eventually choose a name, perhaps Zimmerman after his creator, something that early novelists used, assuming it would have already occurred on the show before their novels were published). And Number One appeared much more aloof, more calculating, than other "regular" women. Colt called her "a walking computer". (In fact, Number One's cold, logical manner passed onto Spock.)

 

[J.T.B.]

The term "Number One" in reference to a ship's first officer is a British naval tradition. So, while a lot of casual viewers might not have been familiar with the term and its meaning, it's not exactly hard to figure out. Just watch an old British war movie or two and it all becomes clear, once the ship's captain starts giving orders to his "Number One".

Just to be specific, it's the traditional British nickname for the first lieutenant, who, on a destroyer or smaller vessel, is second-in-command. On a cruiser, battleship or carrier, the second-in-command was simply "The Commander," and the first lieutenant was a subordinate.

Besides, if memory serves, "The Making of Star Trek" explains what "Number One" means, and it ain't the alien race explanation.

I thought so too, but I looked through the book and couldn't find it. It just says she's second-in-command and is never referred to anything but "Number One."

As for "first officer" and "executive officer", one is a more traditional term, the other is a more modern term, both meaning the exact same position. Again, not exactly deep hidden secrets.

"First officer" is a civilian term, not naval, and vice-versa for "executive officer." Traditionally warships had captains and lieutenants, merchant vessels had masters and mates. "Officer" was later substituted for "mate" on passenger vessels because it was thought to sound classier. In the 1850s, the US Navy diverged from the Royal Navy and began to title the second-in-command the "executive officer," regardless of rank. The RN used the term executive officer to refer to any officer qualified to be in line of command, similar to the USN "line officer."

One wonders where the "mysterious" bit comes with regard to the character. Was that in the background material/TMoST, or is it just the public opinion on the single appearance of this character? What was mysterious about Number One, as opposed, say, to Boyce or Colt?

It's from the background material. IMO it didn't show much in the episode.

--Justin

 

[Therin of Andor]

I thought so too, but I looked through the book and couldn't find it. It just says she's second-in-command and is never referred to anything but "Number One."

Yep, and that would be the excerpt from the writers' bible he prepared before filming "The Cage".