The Menagerie, Part II
- FIRST SHOWN (US)
- 24 November 1966
- ON
- NBC
- STARDATE
- 3013.1
- DIRECTED BY
- Robert Butler
- PRODUCTION NO.
- 16
WRITTEN BYWritten by Gene Roddenberry
As Spock's court martial continues, the evidence from Talos IV reveals what happened to Captain Pike in the Talosians' care, and why Spock is risking everything to return.
Red alert: the full plot, ending included. Haven't watched yet?REVEAL SYNOPSIS
Spock's trial resumes, and the images from Talos IV continue. Pike wakes in a cell, studied by the Talosians, who can create convincing illusions and want him to mate with Vina to produce a race of servants. They place him in a series of fantasies, from a peaceful picnic on Earth to a wild Orion dance, but Pike resists. Number One and Yeoman Colt are brought down as alternative mates. Pike learns that intense, angry thoughts shield him from the Talosians, and he seizes the Keeper. Seeing that humans would rather die than live in captivity, the Talosians let them go. Vina stays behind: her beauty is an illusion hiding injuries from her crash. Back in the present, Commodore Mendez vanishes, revealing that he too was an illusion. Spock explains that Talos IV can give Pike a life free of his broken body. Starfleet waives the penalty, and Pike goes down to join Vina.
- 01The two-parter won the 1967 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.
- 02Robert Butler, director of “The Cage”, declined to direct the new framing scenes. Marc Daniels is credited on Part I and Butler on Part II.
- 03For a time the only colour footage of “The Cage” came from this episode. Unused colour trims were found at a Los Angeles film laboratory in 1987.