Blog 7 - Star Trek Episode 1: The Cage

As a big fan of the Star Trek movie released in 2009, I decided to start watching the actual Star Trek Series. "The Cage" is the first pilot episode. The episode takes the crew of the Enterprise ship to a planet where a highly developed and intelligent species exists. This species is capable of creating illusions with their minds and can force these illusions onto others as well. Captain Pike is taken captive for experiments with another human girl that has been been held by the intelligent beings of the planet. Captain Pike is aware of the intelligent beings' illusion powers, and is determined to overcome the illusions and return to his ship and crew.


At the beginning of the episode, the doctor tells Captain Pike that he needs to tell him what he's feeling and gives the captain a drink, stating that a there are some things that people will tell a bartender, but not a doctor. However, both a doctor and bartender deal with the same type of customers: the living and the dying. I found this dialog particularly interesting because the statement is so simple, yet so true. The doctor receives clients that are living and dying physically, while a bartender deals with clients who are emotionally ill. 


Shortly after, Captain Pike admits that he would like to return to his home and go back to an easier lifestyle, and that he is "tired of being responsible for 203 lives, and...tired of deciding which mission is too risky and which isn't, and who's going on the landing party and who doesn't... and who lives... and who dies. "  With great power and position, comes great responsibility. In the end, Captain Pike comes to realize that his responsibility for so many lives is really a great honor, not a great hindrance. 


I really enjoyed watching this episode.  Theres so much more I'd like to say, but I'll leave that for future blogs.