The Cage

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"THE CAGE"

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"THE CAGE" was the first pilot that Gene Roddenberry created to sell Star Trek to NBC. The network loved the pilot, but the "powers that be" thought the episode was too intellectual for television audiences. Besides, Roddenberry had sold the concept of his new science fiction show as a "Wagon Train to the Stars," and there wasn't enough action in this pilot to convince the network executives that Star Trek would, indeed, follow the promised format.

In an unprecedented move, NBC gave Roddenberry the money to create a second pilot, with the stipulation that it be less thought-provoking and provide more action. Oh, and they also wanted him to lose both the Vulcan and the female second-in-command. Roddenberry compromised with the network, making the Vulcan the first officer, and losing the female character of Number One. After some additional cast and set changes, the new pilot, "WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE," successfully launched Star Trek into network television.

With the exception of Mr. Spock, the entire cast of Star Trek was changed between "THE CAGE" and "WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE" (with additional cast changes made between the second pilot and "THE CORBOMITE MANEUVER," the first regular season episode). While the first pilot (and subsequent history of the Enterprise) is important to the continuity of Star Trek, my show analysis will only deal with those episodes dealing with Kirk and crew. Of course, "THE MENAGERIE," which built a show around the events that transpired in "THE CAGE," will be discussed.


	ROB'S STAR TREK SITE \| Home The Cage \| The English Language \| The Music \| The Prime Directive \| Time Travel \| The Transporter \| The USS Enterprise \| The Episodes \| The Animated Episodes \| The Star Trek Font \| Contact Me "THE CAGE" (Best viewed if you expand your browser's window.) Need the STAR TREK font? Click here to download it! "THE CAGE" was the first pilot that Gene Roddenberry created to sell Star Trek to NBC. The network loved the pilot, but the "powers that be" thought the episode was too intellectual for television audiences. Besides, Roddenberry had sold the concept of his new science fiction show as a "Wagon Train to the Stars," and there wasn't enough action in this pilot to convince the network executives that Star Trek would, indeed, follow the promised format. In an unprecedented move, NBC gave Roddenberry the money to create a second pilot, with the stipulation that it be less thought-provoking and provide more action. Oh, and they also wanted him to lose both the Vulcan and the female second-in-command. Roddenberry compromised with the network, making the Vulcan the first officer, and losing the female character of Number One. After some additional cast and set changes, the new pilot, "WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE," successfully launched Star Trek into network television. With the exception of Mr. Spock, the entire cast of Star Trek was changed between "THE CAGE" and "WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE" (with additional cast changes made between the second pilot and "THE CORBOMITE MANEUVER," the first regular season episode). While the first pilot (and subsequent history of the Enterprise) is important to the continuity of Star Trek, my show analysis will only deal with those episodes dealing with Kirk and crew. Of course, "THE MENAGERIE," which built a show around the events that transpired in "THE CAGE," will be discussed.