In the Star Trek pilot The Cage, Captain Christopher Pike has been captured by the Talosians. He believes he is either a specimen to be studied or a new exhibit in a Talisian zoo. While testing out the confines of his underground cell, he is suddenly transported to Rigel 7. There he finds Vena, the woman whom he met in the crash survivors’ camp on the surface of Talos 4. But she vanished, as did all the supposed survivors, when the Talosians appeared and kidnapped him. Is she also an illusion? Is he really back on Rigel 7, or is that an illusion too?
Whether his surroundings and Vena are real or not, he is still haunted by the memory of the Kaylar warrior who killed three Enterprise crew members, including his personal yeoman. While he denies his surroundings, he hears the approaching Kaylar’s roars. Vena’s frantic pleas sway his resolve. He runs with her toward an abandoned fortress.
Vena pulls Pike behind some discarded equipment in the courtyard. She asserts that he must kill the Kaylar as he did before. Yet, isn’t this a mere illusion? Just as they conjured up a convincing camp of crash survivors, the Talosians have looked into his mind to create this reenactment. Will fighting the Kaylar again strengthen their grip upon his mind? Will he lose his hold on reality if he gives in and fights the creature? Vena insists that they will feel every injury the Kaylar inflicts on them. Still, Pike hesitates. His pride and sense of worth are at stake. He is no mere animal, to perform tricks at his master’s whim. But he is moved by the fear on Vena’s face.
Previously, Pike disclosed to Dr. Phil, the ship’s chief medical officer, that he blames himself for the deaths and injuries back on Rigel 7. He believes he is unworthy of command, as he was slow to attack the Kaylar. After all, he couldn’t even protect his personal yeoman. Not only did she hold the lowest rank on the ship, not only did she have the least experience among the Enterprise crew, but her sole duty was to serve him, and he failed to protect her. Now Vena stands in her place. When the Kaylar discovers his hiding place, Pike knows he can no longer delay. He competently dispatches his opponent to ensure that Vena does not suffer a similar fate.
Should danger threaten ourselves or our loved ones, we all want to believe that we would rise swiftly to dispatch our attacker. But the dangers we face are usually more mundane. Perhaps our perceived self-worth is questioned, or a situation arises that may limit our personal liberties. Sometimes we even leap into battle, only to later learn that our supposed aggressor bore us no ill will. Pike proves that, while he is a capable warrior, he is also a reluctant one. He does not attack at the first sign of danger; he does not wound or destroy needlessly. Clearly, while he is brave, he also values peace. What might our world be like, if more of us modeled ourselves on Captain Christopher Pike.
Whether his surroundings and Vena are real or not, he is still haunted by the memory of the Kaylar warrior who killed three Enterprise crew members, including his personal yeoman. While he denies his surroundings, he hears the approaching Kaylar’s roars. Vena’s frantic pleas sway his resolve. He runs with her toward an abandoned fortress.
Vena pulls Pike behind some discarded equipment in the courtyard. She asserts that he must kill the Kaylar as he did before. Yet, isn’t this a mere illusion? Just as they conjured up a convincing camp of crash survivors, the Talosians have looked into his mind to create this reenactment. Will fighting the Kaylar again strengthen their grip upon his mind? Will he lose his hold on reality if he gives in and fights the creature? Vena insists that they will feel every injury the Kaylar inflicts on them. Still, Pike hesitates. His pride and sense of worth are at stake. He is no mere animal, to perform tricks at his master’s whim. But he is moved by the fear on Vena’s face.
Previously, Pike disclosed to Dr. Phil, the ship’s chief medical officer, that he blames himself for the deaths and injuries back on Rigel 7. He believes he is unworthy of command, as he was slow to attack the Kaylar. After all, he couldn’t even protect his personal yeoman. Not only did she hold the lowest rank on the ship, not only did she have the least experience among the Enterprise crew, but her sole duty was to serve him, and he failed to protect her. Now Vena stands in her place. When the Kaylar discovers his hiding place, Pike knows he can no longer delay. He competently dispatches his opponent to ensure that Vena does not suffer a similar fate.
Should danger threaten ourselves or our loved ones, we all want to believe that we would rise swiftly to dispatch our attacker. But the dangers we face are usually more mundane. Perhaps our perceived self-worth is questioned, or a situation arises that may limit our personal liberties. Sometimes we even leap into battle, only to later learn that our supposed aggressor bore us no ill will. Pike proves that, while he is a capable warrior, he is also a reluctant one. He does not attack at the first sign of danger; he does not wound or destroy needlessly. Clearly, while he is brave, he also values peace. What might our world be like, if more of us modeled ourselves on Captain Christopher Pike.
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