The Truth about Jeffrey Hunter

[Marsden]

I know this would never have happened, but what if Pike was the captain in the second pilot and Kirk was the navigator, but Pike was affected by the barrier, then Kirk had to kill him and took over as the series progressed as it did?

Well, just a strange thought I had.

 

[Indysolo]

I know this would never have happened, but what if Pike was the captain in the second pilot and Kirk was the navigator, but Pike was affected by the barrier, then Kirk had to kill him and took over as the series progressed as it did?

Well, just a strange thought I had.

That's what happened in the mirror universe.

Neil

 

[Lance]

His portrayal of Jesus in King of Kings is also relatively well known.

Weirdly enough, I watched it only last weekend. It was a powerful performance it must be said.

 

[Greg Cox]

Rewatched "The Cage" on Svengoolie. According to Sven, Hunter really wanted the part of Mike Brady on "The Brady Bunch," which is not something I'd ever heard before . . . .

 

[Amaris]

Rewatched "The Cage" on Svengoolie. According to Sven, Hunter really wanted the part of Mike Brady on "The Brady Bunch," which is not something I'd ever heard before . . . .

Really? Wow. I like Hunter, but I'm glad Robert Reed won that role. I'm not sure Mike would have had that same tone with Jeffrey Hunter in the role, and I couldn't really imagine it differently than the way Reed portrayed it.

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

I know this would never have happened, but what if Pike was the captain in the second pilot and Kirk was the navigator, but Pike was affected by the barrier, then Kirk had to kill him and took over as the series progressed as it did?

Well, just a strange thought I had.

That'll be the first episode of the next TOS reboot.

 

[Noname Given]

That would be quite interesting to see.

Still, the whole reason for Pike to return to Talos 4 is to regain something of a normal existence even if it is an illusion. His being totally incapacitated allows for Spock to enact his plan. If Pike were able to speak and make his objections known that then changes so much of the story as we know it. Unless, perhaps, you have Pike somehow enlisting Spock's help to return to Talos 4.

Hmm...


Part of whats weird with seeing Pike in his chair today is due to the advances made over the past fifty years. Today someone could be connected to a computer to allow them to speak via a computer display. If Pike can move his chair, even in a limited manner, then he should be able to communicate in a manner somewhat similar to Stephen Hawking with today's technology.

It's worse then that. remember Star Trek had the Universal Translator that worked by scanning brainwaves and picking 'concepts and common references' it recognized - and providing necessary grammar. With tech like that; there's zero reason the injured Pike shouldn't have been able to still talk up a storm.

 

[KirkusOveractus]

Really? Wow. I like Hunter, but I'm glad Robert Reed won that role. I'm not sure Mike would have had that same tone with Jeffrey Hunter in the role, and I couldn't really imagine it differently than the way Reed portrayed it.

"Jan, you stop with the 'Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!' tantrum or I'll snap your neck!"
"I think we went to the Grand Canyon and you're keeping us from seeing it. You want me to test my theory out on your head?!?!"

 

[Kor]

It's worse then that. remember Star Trek had the Universal Translator that worked by scanning brainwaves and picking 'concepts and common references' it recognized - and providing necessary grammar. With tech like that; there's zero reason the injured Pike shouldn't have been able to still talk up a storm.

Well... we didn't actually see the device until the second season. Maybe in-universe, brain-scanning technology like the UT (and the psycho-tricorder of "Wolf in the Fold") was not yet available at the time of "The Menagerie."

Kor

 

[Steve Gennarelli]

I think had Jeffrey Hunter not had the bad luck, injuries...he would have ended up being a fine character actor. There's an episode of "Insight" with him filmed briefly before his death where he plays a middle aged guy. He's no longer playing the "matinee idol" type roles that he used to play.
But he would have found work I'm sure. He would have been kicking himself by the time the Trek conventions started turning up in the mid 70's though !!!

 

[johnnybear]

That's what happened in the mirror universe.

Neil

Yes according to Mirror, Mirror, that's exactly what did happen!
JB

 

[Phoenix219]

I think had Jeffrey Hunter not had the bad luck, injuries...he would have ended up being a fine character actor. There's an episode of "Insight" with him filmed briefly before his death where he plays a middle aged guy. He's no longer playing the "matinee idol" type roles that he used to play.
But he would have found work I'm sure. He would have been kicking himself by the time the Trek conventions started turning up in the mid 70's though !!!

I'm sure conventions would have picked him up, had him host screenings of "The Cage" and boosted his image in the Trek community completely. If fanfilm Captains can get celebrity status at conventions, Hunter most definitely would have.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Part of whats weird with seeing Pike in his chair today is due to the advances made over the past fifty years. Today someone could be connected to a computer to allow them to speak via a computer display. If Pike can move his chair, even in a limited manner, then he should be able to communicate in a manner somewhat similar to Stephen Hawking with today's technology.

And also, shouldn't Pike have had a Vulcan assistant who could mind meld with him and communicate his thoughts?

Pike was obviously awake and aware. If the chair can read a "yes" or "no", then it must have had SOME connection with his mind. And if that's possible, then a Vulcan should have been able to conduct a meld.

 

[Shawnster]

Or the device McCoy used in Spock's Brain to keep Spock's body functioning. The same device in reverse could have helped a brain communicate with the outside world.

Or simple Morse code. If Pike can answer yes and no, he can communicate in a binary language. Or, as suggested, the Hawking style where the communication is via simple eye movements.

Still, for the times of the 60s it was cool enough.

 

[CrazyMatt]

Rewatched "The Cage" on Svengoolie. According to Sven, Hunter really wanted the part of Mike Brady on "The Brady Bunch," which is not something I'd ever heard before . . . .

Yikes! Now I'm picturing Robert Reed as Pike or Kirk.

 

[diankra]

Sounds weird that someone could also have been involved in his death as well! Guess we'll never know? Wonder if he was ever asked to come back and play the disfigured Pike in The Menagerie? Guess not as it would have been beneath him...
JB

Definitely not, as the make-up was chosen to let another actor play the part.
If Hunter had been willing to come back (Not ever an option, it seems) then Pike would maybe have had the Commodore's role, and they would have needed another McGuffin to explain Spock hi-jacking the ship and showing pilot footage at his court-martial.
Obvious point... they could have had Majel Barrett as the Commodore if a direct link had been wanted. Except that the bosses were already iffy about Roddenberry giving her acting work.
(Apologies for rehashing some points others made better in other posts).

 

[Harvey]

Definitely not, as the make-up was chosen to let another actor play the part.
If Hunter had been willing to come back (Not ever an option, it seems) then Pike would maybe have had the Commodore's role, and they would have needed another McGuffin to explain Spock hi-jacking the ship and showing pilot footage at his court-martial.
Obvious point... they could have had Majel Barrett as the Commodore if a direct link had been wanted. Except that the bosses were already iffy about Roddenberry giving her acting work.
(Apologies for rehashing some points others made better in other posts).

If Hunter had come back, the envelope would have likely been completely different.

 

[Spock's Barber]

Even the writers hadn't really found Spock's character yet.

Kor

My favorite Spock line....

"THE WOMEN!"