The Menagerie Parts 1&2 Stardate 3012.4 & 3013.1

[CoveTom]

It's an OK episode that was fascinating for its view into the past of the characters, but the framework story is barely better than a clip show. "Remember the time when Captain Pike was grabbed by the Talosians? No? Cue film!"

I don't view it as a clip show the way we normally think of clip shows. At the time it was aired, the viewing public had never seen "The Cage." That entire story, and all the footage, was as new as anything in any TOS episode. For all the audience knew, all of the flashbacks to Captain Pike's day were filmed for that episode.

To me a clip show implies that our heroes are sitting around reminiscing and they re-use old footage that we've seen before. That wasn't the case here. To the audience at the time, it was an entirely brand new story.

 

[Unicron]

Mind you, in hindsight General Order Seven seems like a hysterical overreaction (the only death penalty they have on the books is visiting this one planet and nobody explains why??).

It was explained, or at least hinted at. Pike offered trade and other opportunities to the Talosians, and they turned him down because of the fear that the Federation races would learn how to use their illusions and make the same mistakes the Talosians did. It'd be kind of akin to letting people travel to a planet and gaining a bit of Q power. Hence, given the huge potential for damage the illusions could cause, they made a proportionately huge penalty for going to to Talos.

I personally like the ep myself.

 

[EnsignHarper]

OK - lets start from the beginning - this is NOT a 'clip show' - 'Shades of Gray' from TNG IS a clip show - need I say anything more?? Let us once again review the circumstances behind this Masterpiece - and yes it IS a masterpiece:

About two or three shows into production of Season 1, Roddenberry, Solow, Justman and company realized that they were in BIG trouble on several fronts - shows were taking too long to shoot, post production on the shows shot already was dragging, Roddenberry was having trouble finding suitable scripts, and of course, the budget for the season was already starting to look scary. They already had slotted in WNMHGB to stretch things out schedule wise, so that was ONE season stretcher already. It was probably pretty much a consensus that there had to be SOME way to use that FIRST pilot in some way, even though the cast and look of the ship was totally different. One has to give Roddenberry HUGE credit for not only finding an original way to use The Cage, but making it one of the best shows EVER.

What makes The Menagerie so amazing is that Roddenberry basically wrote it very quickly - although not so quickly that they were able to make a VERY important decision. In one of the original drafts, they actually had Scotty find a solution to Spock's computer tampering, and they were able to regain control of the ship. But almost immediately realized that killed ANY of the tension involved. They then corrected that, and simply used the line about 'the fiction of a court martial, etc, etc....' Besides, to point out what should be obvious about the whole thing - the Talosians were in control of the situation the whole time! Scotty probably DID find the solution to the computer problem - except the Talosians would not it work--or rather make it SEEM it would not work!

Remember, that apparently Spock had briefed the Talosians about all of the factors involved, so that they COULD manipulate everybody involved.

And please, no griping about 'plot holes' - with beings like the Talosians, there would NO 'plot holes', as they had the situation well under control - literally! And besides that, even 'classic' drama by Shakespeare has 'plot holes' - its called creating dramatic tension folks.

 

[Ssosmcin]

I enjoy the framing story very much, which Solow and Justman revealed was written by Gene Coon, I believe, and not Roddenberry. This was surprising since this kind of seriousness, totally without humor, was strange for Coon and more Roddenberry's style at that point in the series. Anyway, with the original series, I forgive the plot holes. I know they are there, but the characters and performances are so engrossing and entertaining that I give them a huge amount of leeway.

The first part has my favorite Kirk/McCoy debate in the entire series as they argue over whether Spock is responsible for deceiving them. In a complete reversal, McCoy is the one to come to Spock's defense, and Kirk is giving really good reasons why Spock could have done it. And, of course, Kirk is right. Bones always misjudges Spock. But damn, the dialog, acting, and music (from Man Trap) really make this a series, grim debate.

I prefer the original cut of The Cage, though, to the edited version. But the ending to The Menagerie is very sweet.