Star Trek (1966–1969): Season 1, Episode 0 - The Cage - full transcript
Capt. Pike is held prisoner and tested by aliens who have the power to project incredibly lifelike illusions.
Re-sync and cosmetic editing of
Gene Roddenberry's commentary
long phrases transcription
by Fingersmaster. Enjoy!
These are sets
from the last couple of Star Trek movies.
You were the ones who said it first.
Star Trek lives.
And live it does.
For over two decades it has.
But now I want to take you back to a time
when the Enterprise
and Spock and Kirk and all the rest
were just part of an idea I had.
Back to the beginnings of "Star Trek"
To the first star trek pilot,
a pilot being a film that is meant
to demonstrate to a network
what a new series
will look like each week.
This 60 minutes is today considered
something of a television document.
And some regard it as perhaps as exciting
as any "Star Trek" that's since been filmed.
When the network saw
what you soon will see,
they rejected it.
From that day until now,
the first pilot has never been seen
in its original form.
This "Star Trek" pilot story
is called "The Cage".
"Check the circuit"
"All operating, sir."
"Can't be the screen then."
"It begins on the bridge
of a recognizable starship Enterprise,
- "Could be these meteoroids" -
commanded by Captain Christopher Pike,
played by the late Jeff Hunter.
So far so good.
Except that TV in those days,
was at the peak of it's love affair
with the western story.
I wanted to sell my series
so I promised the network
that my "Star Trek" idea
would be little more
than a space Western,
a wagon train to the stars.
Zap guns instead of six-shooters,
spaceships instead of horses.
But as I began writing that pilot,
I suddenly realised that
here was a chance to do the kind of drama
I'd always dreamed of doing.
I had seen science fiction movies before,
but I'd always thought to myself,
not enough characterisation,
not enough motivation.
Perhaps I could use this as an excuse
to go to those far off planets,
with little polka-dotted people, if necessary.
And be able to talk about
love, war, nature, God, sex,
all those things that go to make up
the excitement of the human condition.
And maybe the TV censors would let it pass
because it all seemed so make-believe.
So instead of a space Western,
I delivered a very different kind of story.
One which dealt with
the strange dangers of illusion,
the enormous power of imagination,
with whole worlds that could come
from inside people's heads.
"And is if that wasn't enough,
back in those days before the phrase
Women's Lib was ever heard,
I put a woman
second in command of our starship.
On top of which, my script
required our actress, Majel Barrett,
to play this woman as having
a highly superior, computerised mind."
"She does a good job, alright.
It's just that I can't get used
to having a woman on the bridge."
"You might have thought
the ladies in our test audience
would have appreciated that.
Instead their comments were
"Who does she think she is?".
"No offence, Lieutenant.
You're...different of course."
And I had written in another character
who wasn't even human,
an alien who looked like Satan himself,
complete with pointy ears.
Was that all?
No, I was uncooperative
in other ways too.
For example no one onboard
the USS Enterprise smoked,
and tobacco advertising was key
to network profits in those days.
Also, I'd refused to cast
our crew "sensibly",
which meant all whites.
And when the network
finally saw the pilot,
some of their executives were outraged.
And I can't say I really blame them.
For the considerable money
they had put up,
they certainly did not get
a Western space opera.
In fact nothing even faintly like it.
But this part of the story
isn't as simple as good guys
versus bad guys either.
The network's very top program executive
was impressed by the fact that this film
made him feel as if he'd actually
been flying in a spaceship.
Doing something almost never done before,
the network ordered a second pilot.
And this one had better be
familiar action-adventure...
...or else.
And so the second "Star Trek" pilot
was made.
It was accepted,
and the rest turned into
our shared history.
Well if social fashions change,
economics never do.
By the time we got into the series,
a money crunch was on.
And we folded our pilot
into another story,
which you know as "The Menagerie",
the two part movie.
That's how Captain Kirk
met Christopher Pike,
and learned of his tragic fate.
In the film that follows,
parts are in color,
parts in black and white.
The color footage was used
in "The Menagerie",
the parts that are in black and white
are all that is left from the first pilot.
Now we'll roll the story
that Kirk never saw,
our unseen pilot "The Cage".
And after it's over,
come back -
and there's more to tell.
- Check the circuit.
- All operating, sir.
Can't be the screen, then.
Definitely something out there,
Captain, headed this way.
Could be these meteoroids.
No. It's something else.
There's still something out there.
Coming at speed of light.
Collision course.
The meteoroid beam
has not deflected it.
- Evasive maneuvers ?
- Steady as we go.
It's a radio wave, sir.
We're passing through
an old-style distress signal.
They were keyed to cause interference
and attract attention this way.
A ship in trouble making
a forced landing, sir.
- That's it. No other message.
- I have a fix.
It comes from
the Talos Star Group.
We've no ships
or Earth colonies that far out.
Their call letters check with
a survey expedition-- S.S. Columbia.
Disappeared in that region
approximately 18 years ago.
It would take that long for a radio
beam to travel from there to here.
Records show the Talos group
has never been explored.
Solar system similar to Earth.
Eleven planets.
Number four seems
to be Class "M"--
Oxygen atmosphere.
They could still be alive
even after 18 years.
If they survived the crash.
We aren't going
to go to be certain ?
Not without any indication
of survivors, no.
We'll continue on
to the Vega Colony...
and take care of
our own injured first.
You have the helm.
Maintain present course.
Yes, sir.
Boyce here.
Stop by my cabin, Doctor.
What's that ?
I didn't say there was
anything wrong with me.
I understand we picked up
a distress signal.
That's right.
Unless we get anything
more positive on it,
it seems to me the condition
of our own crew takes precedent.
I'd like to log
the ship's doctor's opinion too.
Oh, I concur with yours,
definitely.
Good. I'm glad you do...
because we're going to stop first
at the Vega Colony...
and replace anybody
who needs hospitalization...
and also--
What in the devil are you
putting in there, ice ?
Who wants a warm martini ?
What makes you think
I need one ?
Sometimes a man will
tell his bartender...
things he'll never
tell his doctor.
What's been
on your mind, Chris,
the fight on Rigel VII ?
Shouldn't it be ?
My only yeoman and two others dead.
Seven injured.
Was there anything you personally
could have done to prevent it ?
I should have smelled trouble
when I saw the swords and the armor.
Instead, I let myself get trapped
in that deserted fortress...
and attacked
by one of their warriors.
Chris, you set standards
for yourself no one could meet.
You treat everyone on board
like a human being except yourself.
Now you’re tired, and you--
You bet I'm tired.
You bet.
I'm tired of being
responsible for 203 lives.
I'm 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.
Well, I've had it, Phil.
To the point of finally
taking my advice of rest leave ?
To the point
of considering resigning.
And do what ?
Well, for one thing, go home.
Nice little town...
with 50 miles
of parkland around it.
Remember I told you
I had two horses ?
We used to take some food
and ride out all day.
That sounds exciting. Ride out
with a picnic lunch every day.
I said that's one place
I might go,
or I'd go into business
on Regulus...
- or on the Orion Colony.
- You, an Orion trader,
dealing in green animal
women slaves ?
The point is this isn't
the only life available.
There's a whole galaxy
of things to choose from.
Not for you.
A man either lives life
as it happens to him,
meets it head on
and licks it,
or he turns
his back on it...
and starts to wither away.
Now you're beginning to talk
like a doctor, Bartender.
Take your choice. We both get
the same kinds of customers--
The living and the dying.
Mister Spock here.
We're intercepting
a follow-up message, sir.
There are crash survivors
on Talos.
"Eleven survivors from crash.
"Gravity and oxygen
within limits.
Food and water obtainable.
But unless--"
The message faded
at that point, sir.
- Address inner craft.
- System open.
This is the captain. Our destination
is the Talos Star Group.
Our time warp--
factor seven.
Course computed
and on the screen.
All decks have
acknowledged, sir.
Engage.
On course, sir.
- Yeoman ?
- Yes, sir.
I thought I told you
when I'm on the bridge--
That you wanted
the reports by 0500.
It's 0500 now, sir.
Oh. I see.
Thank you.
She's replacing
your former yeoman, sir.
No, she does a good job,
all right.
It’s just that I can't get used
to having a woman on the bridge.
No offense, Lieutenant.
You're different,
of course.
We've settled into orbit, sir.
Geological lab report
complete, Captain.
- Preliminary lab survey ready, sir.
- Spectrography ?
Our readings shows
an oxygen nitrogen atmosphere.
Heavy with inert elements,
but well within safety limits.
- Gravity ?
- 0.9 alert.
Captain ? Reflections, sir,
from the planet's surface.
As I read it, they polarize out
as rounded metal bits.
Could be parts
of a spaceship hull.
Equip a landing party of six.
You feel up to it ?
- Yes, sir.
- Yes, sir.
Sorry, Number One.
Little information on this planet.
We'll have to leave the ship's most
experienced officer covering it.
Of course, sir.
No indication of problems down there,
but let's not take any chances.
Yes, sir. There's
a canyon to the left.
We can set you down there
completely unobserved.
Right.
Sir.
They're men.
They're humans.
Captain Christopher Pike.
United Spaceship Enterprise.
Dr. Theodore Haskins.
American Continent Institute.
- Is Earth all right ?
- The same old Earth,
and you'll see it very soon.
And you won't believe
how fast you can get back.
The time barrier’s been broken.
Our new ships can--
This is Vina.
Her parents are dead.
She was born almost as we crashed.
- Enterprise.
- Landing party, come in.
We'll begin transporting
the survivors...
and their effects
up to you very shortly.
Quarters are being
prepared, sir.
Have I permission to send out
scouting and scientific parties now ?
That's affirmative on--
You appear to be healthy
and intelligent, Captain.
Prime specimen.
I didn't get that last
message, Captain.
Uh, affirmative on request.
Landing party out.
You must forgive her choice
of words, Captain.
She's lived her whole life with
a collection of aging scientists.
If they can spare you
a moment,
I'd like to make
my medical report.
I think it's time to show
the captain our secret.
Their health is excellent,
- almost too good.
- There's a reason for our condition,
but we've had some doubt if Earth
is ready to learn the secret.
Let the girl show you.
We'll accept your judgment.
You're tired, but don't worry.
You'll feel much better soon.
Don't you see it ?
Here and here.
I don't understand.
You will.
You're a perfect choice.
Captain !
Spock here.
Landing party, come in.
There is no survivors'
encampment, Number One.
This is all
some sort of trap.
We've lost the captain.
Do you read ?
Can you hear me ?
My name is
Christopher Pike,
commander of the space
vehicle Enterprise...
from the stellar group
at the other end of this galaxy.
Our intentions are peaceful.
Can you understand me ?
It appears, Magistrate,
that the intelligence of
the specimen is shockingly limited.
This is no surprise
since his vessel...
was baited so easily
with a simulated message.
As you can read
in its thoughts,
it is only now beginning to suspect
that the survivors and encampment...
were a simple illusion
we placed in their minds.
You're not speaking,
yet I can hear you.
You will note the confusion as
it reads our thought transmissions.
All right, then.
Telepathy.
You can read my mind.
I can read yours.
Now, unless you want my ship
to consider...
capturing me an unfriendly act--
You now see the primitive
fear-threat reaction.
The specimen is about to
boast of his strength,
the weaponry of his vessel
and so on.
Next...
frustrated into a need
to display physical prowess,
the creature will throw himself
against the transparency.
If you were in here...
wouldn't you test the strength
of these walls too ?
There's a way out of any cage,
and I'll find it.
Despite its frustration, the
creature appears more adaptable...
than our specimens
from other planets.
We can soon begin
the experiment.
The inhabitants of this planet
must live deep underground.
Probably manufacture food
and other needs down there.
Now, our tests indicate
the planet's surface...
without considerably
more vegetation or some animals,
simply too barren
to support life.
So we just thought
we saw survivors there, Mr. Spock.
Exactly. An illusion, placed in our
minds by this planet's inhabitants.
It was
a perfect illusion.
They had us seeing
Just what we wanted to see--
Humans beings who survived
with dignity and bravery.
Everything entirely logical, right
down to the building of the camp.
The tattered clothing,
everything.
Now, let's be sure we understand
the danger of this.
The inhabitants of this planet
can read our minds.
They can create illusions
out of a person's...
own thoughts,
memories and experiences.
Even out of a person's
own desires.
The illusion’s just as real
and solid as this table top...
and just as
impossible to ignore.
Any estimate what they
might want one of us for ?
They may simply
be studying the captain,
to find how Earth people
are put together,
or it could be something more.
Why aren’t we doing anything ?
That entry may have stood up
against hand lasers,
but we can transmit
the ship's power against it,
enough to blast half a continent.
Look.
Brains three times
the size of ours.
If we start buzzing
about down there,
we're liable to find
their mental power is so great,
they could reach out and swat
this ship as though it were a fly.
It's Captain Pike they've got.
He needs help.
And he probably needs it fast.
Engineering deck will rig
to transmit ship's power.
We'll try blasting
through that metal.
Thousands of us
are already probing...
the creature's thoughts,
Magistrate.
We find excellent
memory capacity.
I read most strongly
a recent death struggle...
in which it fought
to protect its life.
We will begin with this,
giving the specimen something
more interesting to protect.
Come on ! We must hide ourselves.
Come. Come.
Hurry ! It's deserted.
There'll be weapons
and perhaps food.
This is Rigel VII.
Please ! We must
hide ourselves.
I was in a cage, a cell,
in some kind of a zoo.
- I must still be there.
- Come on !
They've reached into my mind...
and taken the memory
of somewhere I've been.
The killer !
It's starting just as it
happened two weeks ago.
Except for you.
Longer hair, different dress,
but it is you.
The one the survivors called Vina.
Or rather the image of Vina.
But why you again ?
Why didn't they create
a different girl ?
Quick ! If you attack
while it's not looking--
But it's only a dream.
You have to kill him,
as you did here before.
You can tell my jailors
I won't go along with it.
I'm not an animal
performing for its supper.
It doesn't matter
what you call this. You'll feel it.
That what matters.
You'll feel every moment
of whatever happens to you.
Please ! Don't you know
what he'll do to us ?
Why would an illusion
be frightened ?
Because that's the way
you imagined me.
Who are you ? You act as if
this were real to you.
Careful !
It's over.
Why are you here ?
To please you.
Are you real ?
- As real as you wish.
- Oh, no.
No, that's not any answer.
I've never met you before,
never even imagined you.
Perhaps they made me out of dreams
you've forgotten.
And dressed you in
the same metal fabric they wear ?
Well, I have to wear
something, don't I ?
Or I can wear
whatever you wish...
or be anything you wish.
So they can see
how their specimen performs ?
They want to see how I react.
Is that it ?
Don't you have a dream,
something you've always
wanted very badly ?
Or do they do more
than just watch me ?
Do they feel with me too ?
You can have
whatever dream you want.
I can become anything,
any woman
you've ever imagined.
You can have anything you want
in the whole universe.
Let me...
please you.
Yes, yes,
you can please me.
You can tell me about them.
Is there any way I can keep them
from probing my mind...
and from using my thoughts
against me ?
Does that frighten you ?
Does that mean there is a way ?
You're a fool !
Since you're not real,
there's not much point...
in continuing this
conversation, is there ?
All circuits engaged,
Mr. Spock.
Standing by, Number One.
- Take cover.
- Ten, nine,
eight, seven, six,
five, four,
three, two, one.
Increase to full power.
Can you give us any more ?
Our circuits are beginning to heat.
We'll have to cease power.
Disengage !
The top of that knoll should've
been sheared off the first second.
Maybe it was. It's what I tried
to explain in the briefing room.
Their power of illusion
is so great,
we can't be sure of anything
we do or anything we see.
Perhaps...
if you asked me
some questions I could answer.
How far can they
control my mind ?
If I tell you, then will you pick
some dream you've had...
and let me live it with you ?
Perhaps.
They can't actually make you do
anything you don't want to do.
But they try to trick me
with their illusions.
And they can punish you
when you're not cooperative.
You'll find out about that.
Did they ever live
on the surface of this planet ?
Why do they
go underground?
War-- thousands
of centuries ago.
That's why
it's so barren up there ?
The planet's only now becoming
able to support life again.
So the Talosians who came
underground found life limited here,
and they concentrated on
developing their mental power.
But they found it's a trap,
like a narcotic.
Because when dreams become
more important than reality,
you give up travel,
building, creating.
You even forget how to repair...
the machines left behind
by your ancestors.
You just sit, living
and reliving other lives...
left behind
in the thought record.
As in probing the minds
of zoo specimens, like me.
You're better
than the theater to them.
They create an illusion for you.
They watch you react,
feel your emotions.
They have a whole collection
of specimens,
descendants of life
brought back long ago...
from all over
this part of the galaxy.
Which means they had to have
more than one of each animal.
- Please.
- They'll need a pair of humans too.
Where do they intend
to get the earth woman ?
You said that if I answered
your questions--
But that was a bargain
with something that didn't exist.
You said you weren't
real, remember ?
I'm a woman,
as real and as human
as you are.
We're like Adam and eve.
If we--
Don't, please !
Don't punish me !
The vial contains
a nourishing protein complex.
Is the keeper actually communicating
with one of his animals ?
If the form and the color
is not appealing,
it can appear as any food
you wish to visualize.
- And if I prefer--
- to starve ?
You overlook the unpleasant
alternative of punishment.
From a fable
you once heard in childhood.
You will now consume
the nourishment.
Why not just put
irresistible hunger in my mind ?
'Cause you can't,
can you ?
You do have limitations,
don't you ?
If you continue
to disobey,
from deeper in your mind,
there are things
even more unpleasant.
- That's very interesting.
- Now to the female.
You were startled.
Weren't you reading my mind then ?
As you've conjectured, an Earth
vessel did crash on our planet,
but with only a single survivor.
Let's stay
on the first subject.
All I wanted for that moment was
to get my hands around your neck.
We repaired
the survivor's injuries...
and found the species
interesting.
Do primitive thoughts put up
a block you can't read through ?
It became necessary
to attract a mate.
All right, all right.
Let's talk about the girl.
You seem to be
going out of your way...
to make her attractive
to make me feel protective.
This is necessary in order
to perpetuate the species.
It seems more important
to you now...
that I begin
to accept her and like her.
We wish our specimens
to be happy in their new life.
Assuming that's a lie,
why would you want me
attracted to her ?
So I'll feel love and
a husband/wife relationship ?
Well, that would be necessary only if
you intend to build a family group...
or perhaps a whole
human community.
With the female now
properly conditioned.
You mean properly punished !
I'm the one who's not cooperating.
Why don't you punish me ?
First an emotion
of protectiveness,
now one of sympathy.
Excellent.
Do you want some coffee, dear?
I left the Thermos
hooked to my saddle.
Tango !
You old devil you !
I'm sorry.
I don't have any su--
Well, they think
of everything, don't they ?
Hey! The coffee.
Is it good to be home ?
They read our minds very well.
Home, anything else I want,
if I cooperate. Is that it ?
Have you forgotten
my headaches, darling ?
I get them when you talk
strangely like this.
I'm sorry they punish you,
but we can't let them--
My, it turned out to be
a lovely day, didn't it ?
It's funny.
Just about 24 hours ago,
I was telling the ship's doctor
how much I wanted something...
not very different
from what we have here.
An escape from reality,
a life with no frustrations,
no responsibilities.
And now that I have it,
I understand the doctor's answer.
I hope you're hungry.
These little white sandwiches...
are your mother's recipe
for chicken tuna.
'Cause you either live life--
bruises, skinned knees and all--
or you turn your back on it
and start dying.
Well, the doctor's going to be happy
about one part of it at least--
He said I needed a rest.
Well, this is
a lovely place to rest.
Yeah, I used to ride
through here when I was a kid.
Not as pretty as some of the parks
around the big cities, but--
That's Mojave.
That's where I was born.
That's supposed to
be news to your wife ?
You're home.
You can even stay if you want.
Wouldn't it be nice showing your
children where you once played ?
These headaches.
They'll be hereditary, you know.
Would you wish them on a child
or a whole group of children ?
- That's foolish.
- Is it ?
Look,
first they made me protect you,
and then feel sympathy for you.
And now we have these
familiar surroundings...
and a comfortable
husband/wife relationship.
They don't need all this
for just passion.
What they're after is respect
and mutual dependence.
They say in the olden days,
all this was desert,
blowing sand and cactus.
But we're not here,
neither of us !
- We're in a menagerie, a cage.
- No !
I can't help either one of us
if you won't give me a chance.
Now, you told me once
they used illusions as a narcotic.
They couldn't even repair the
machines left by their ancestors.
Is that why they want us,
to build a colony of slaves ?
Stop it !
Don't you care
what they'll do to us ?
Back in my cage, it seemed
for a couple of minutes...
that our keeper couldn't
read my thoughts.
Do emotions like hate--
keeping hate in your mind--
does that block off
our mind from them ?
Yes.
They can’t read
through primitive emotions.
But you can't keep it up
for long enough. I've tried.
They keep at you and at you,
year after year,
tricking and punishing.
And they won.
They own me.
I know you must
hate me for that.
Oh, no,
I don't hate you.
I can guess
what it was like.
But that's not enough.
Don't you see ?
They read my thoughts,
my feelings,
my dreams of what would be
the perfect man.
That's why they picked you.
I can't help but love you,
and they expect you
to feel the same way.
If they can read my mind,
then they know I'm attracted to you.
I was from the first moment
I saw you in the survivors' camp.
A curious species.
They have fantasies
they hide even from themselves.
I'm beginning to see why
none of this has worked for you.
You've been home
and fighting, as on Rigel.
That's not new
to you, either.
A person's strongest dreams...
are about what he can't do.
Yes. A ship 's captain--
always having to be so formal,
so decent and honest
and proper.
You must wonder what it would
be like to forget all that.
Nice place you have here,
Mr. Pike.
Vina.
Glistening green,
almost like secret dreams...
a bored ship captain
might have.
Funny how they are
on this planet--
actually like being
taken advantage of.
Suppose you had all
of space to choose from...
and this was
only one small sample ?
Wouldn't you say
it was worth a man's soul ?
Now, we've located
a magnetic field.
Seems to come from
their underground generator.
But could that
be an illusion too ?
Well, you all know
the situation.
We're hoping to transport
down inside the Talosian community.
If our measurements and
readings are an illusion also,
one could find oneself
materialized inside solid rock.
Nothing will be said if
any volunteer wants to back out.
The women !
Captain !
Captain.
No ! Let me finish !
But we were a party of six.
We were the only ones
transported.
It's not fair.
You don't need them.
They don't work.
They were fully charged
when we left.
It's dead.
I can't make a signal.
- What is it ?
- Don't-Don't say anything.
I'm filling my mind
with a picture...
of beating their huge,
misshapen heads to pulp !
Thoughts so primitive,
they black out everything else.
I'm filling my mind
with hate !
How long can you block your
thoughts, a few minutes, an hour ?
- How can that help ?
- Leave him alone.
He doesn't need you.
He's already picked me.
Picked her ? For what ?
I don't understand.
Now, there's a fine choice
for intelligent offspring.
Offspring ?
As in children ?
Offspring as in he's Adam.
Is that it ?
You're no better choice.
They'd have more luck
crossing him with a computer.
Well, shall we do
a little time computation ?
There was a Vina listed on
that expedition as an adult crewman.
Now, adding 18 years
to your age then--
It's not fair !
I did what you asked !
Since you resist
the present specimen,
you now have a selection.
I'll break out of
this zoo somehow and get to you.
Is your blood red like ours ?
I'm going to find out.
Each of the two new specimens
has qualities in her favor.
The female you call Number One
has the superior mind...
and would produce highly
intelligent children.
Although she seems to lack emotion,
this is largely a pretense.
She often has fantasies
involving you.
All I want to do
is get my hands on you.
Can you read
these thoughts--
images of hate, killing ?
The other new arrival
has considered you unreachable,
but now is realizing
this has changed.
The factors in her favor
are youth and strength,
plus unusually strong
female drives.
You'll find my thoughts
more interesting,
thoughts so primitive,
you can't understand,
emotions so--
Wrong thinking is punishable.
Right thinking will be
as quickly rewarded.
You will find it
an effective combination.
- Captain.
- No. Don't help me.
I have to concentrate.
They can't read through hate.
- Address inner craft.
- Open, sir.
This is the acting captain speaking.
We have no choice now...
but to consider the safety of this
vessel and the remainder of the crew.
We're leaving.
All decks prepare
for hyper drive.
Time warp factor.
Mr. Spock, the ship's controls
have gone dead !
- Engine room, Mr. Spock here.
- Open.
Switch to rockets.
We're blasting out.
All systems are out, bridge.
We've got nothing.
There's nothing.
Every system aboard is fading out !
Hold still, or I'll--
Hold still, or I'll break--
Don't hurt them.
They don't mean to be evil.
I've had some samples
of how good they are.
You stop this illusion,
or I'll twist your head off !
All right.
You try one more illusion,
you try anything at all,
I'll break your neck.
Your ship.
Release me,
or we'll destroy it.
Nothing. If not
for the batteries,
we'd lose
gravitation, oxygen.
The computers !
I can't shut it off !
It's running through our library.
Tapes, micro records, everything.
It doesn't make sense !
Could be we've
waited too long.
They're collecting
all the information stored.
They've decided to swat us.
He's not bluffing, Captain.
With illusion, they can make your
crew work the wrong controls...
or push any button it takes
to destroy your ship.
I'm gonna gamble
you're too intelligent...
to kill for your reason.
On the other hand,
I've got a reason.
I'm willing to bet you've created
an illusion this laser is empty.
I think it just blasted
a hole in that window,
and you're keeping us
from seeing it.
You want me to test
my theory on your head ?
Captain !
Make contact, Number One.
They kept us from seeing this too.
We cut through and never knew it.
Captain !
As you see,
your attempt to escape
accomplished nothing.
I want to contact our ship.
You are now on the surface,
where we wished you to be.
With the female
of your choice,
you will now begin
carefully guarded lives.
And start by burying you ?
That is your choice.
To help you reclaim
the planet's surface,
our zoological gardens will
furnish a variety of plant life.
I'll make a deal with you--
You and your life for
the lives of these two earth women.
Since our life span
is many times yours,
we have time to evolve you...
into a society trained to serve
as artisans, technicians--
Do you understand
what I'm saying ?
You give me proof
that our ship is all right,
send these two back
and I'll stay with Vina.
It's wrong to create a whole race
of humans to live as slaves.
Is this a deception ?
Do you intend to
destroy yourselves ?
What is that ?
The weapon
is building up an overload--
A force chamber explosion.
You still have time
to get underground.
Well, go on !
And just to show you how
primitive humans are, Talosian,
you go with her.
If-If you all think
it's this important,
then I can't go, either.
I suppose if they have one
human being, they might try again.
Wait !
Their method
of storing records is crude...
and consumed much time.
Are you prepared
to assimilate it ?
We had not believed
this possible.
The customs and history
of your race...
show a unique hatred
of captivity.
Even when it's pleasant and
benevolent, you prefer death.
This makes you too violent and
dangerous a species for our needs.
He means that
they can’t use you.
You're free to go
back to the ship.
And that's it ?
No apologies.
You captured one of us,
threatened all of us.
Your unsuitability has condemned
the Talosian race to eventual death.
Is this not sufficient ?
No other specimen has
shown your adaptability.
You were our last hope.
But wouldn't some form of trade,
mutual cooperation--
Your race would learn
our power of illusion...
and destroy itself too.
Captain, we have
transporter control now.
Let's get back to the ship.
I can't. I can't go with you.
Sir, it just came on.
We can't shut the power off.
Mr. Spock here.
All power has come on, Mr. Spock.
The helm is answering the control.
The captain.
You see why
I can't go with you ?
This is the female's
true appearance.
They found me
in the wreckage...
dying, a lump of flesh.
They rebuilt me.
Everything works,
but they had
never seen a human.
They had no guide for
putting me back together.
It was necessary
to convince you...
her desire to stay
is an honest one.
You'll give her back
her illusion of beauty ?
And more.
She has an illusion,
and you have reality.
May you find your way
as pleasant.
Mr. Spock, the system
is coming on again.
- What's happened to Vina ?
- Isn't she coming with us ?
No.
No, and I agreed
with her reasons.
- Hold on a minute.
- No, I feel fine. Just fine.
Yeah, you look 100% better.
You recommended a rest, and
a change of pace, didn't you ?
- Mm-hmm.
- I've even been home.
Does that make you happy ?
- Yeoman ?
- Yes, sir.
I thought I told you that
when I'm on the bridge, l--
Oh. Oh, yes,
the-the reports.
Thank you.
Sir, I was wondering--
Just curious--
who would have been Eve ?
Yeoman ! You've
delivered your report.
Yes, ma'am. Yes, sir.
Eve, sir ?
Yes, sir.
Eve as in Adam ?
As in all ships' doctors
are dirty old men.
What are we running here,
a cadet ship, Number One ?
-Are we ready or not ?
- All decks show ready, sir.
Engage.
I just wanted to share with you
something that may lift your spirits,
as it did mine those many years ago.
All that nonsense about
the dangers of mixed races
living together on a spaceship,
or anywhere...
And how some parts of our country
were certain to refuse
to televise "Star Trek"
because we showed such things.
The hatred that would
supposedly flood our mail,
turning sponsors against us.
In all the years of "Star Trek",
we never received
so much as one such letter.
Not one.
"Humans are capable of so much more
than we yet understand.
We're really something.
Star Trek fans believe that.
And so do I.
For us...
No limits.
Re-sync and cosmetic editing of
Gene Roddenberry's commentary
long phrases transcription
by Fingersmaster.
Enjoy!
-- English --
Gene Roddenberry's commentary
long phrases transcription
by Fingersmaster. Enjoy!
These are sets
from the last couple of Star Trek movies.
You were the ones who said it first.
Star Trek lives.
And live it does.
For over two decades it has.
But now I want to take you back to a time
when the Enterprise
and Spock and Kirk and all the rest
were just part of an idea I had.
Back to the beginnings of "Star Trek"
To the first star trek pilot,
a pilot being a film that is meant
to demonstrate to a network
what a new series
will look like each week.
This 60 minutes is today considered
something of a television document.
And some regard it as perhaps as exciting
as any "Star Trek" that's since been filmed.
When the network saw
what you soon will see,
they rejected it.
From that day until now,
the first pilot has never been seen
in its original form.
This "Star Trek" pilot story
is called "The Cage".
"Check the circuit"
"All operating, sir."
"Can't be the screen then."
"It begins on the bridge
of a recognizable starship Enterprise,
- "Could be these meteoroids" -
commanded by Captain Christopher Pike,
played by the late Jeff Hunter.
So far so good.
Except that TV in those days,
was at the peak of it's love affair
with the western story.
I wanted to sell my series
so I promised the network
that my "Star Trek" idea
would be little more
than a space Western,
a wagon train to the stars.
Zap guns instead of six-shooters,
spaceships instead of horses.
But as I began writing that pilot,
I suddenly realised that
here was a chance to do the kind of drama
I'd always dreamed of doing.
I had seen science fiction movies before,
but I'd always thought to myself,
not enough characterisation,
not enough motivation.
Perhaps I could use this as an excuse
to go to those far off planets,
with little polka-dotted people, if necessary.
And be able to talk about
love, war, nature, God, sex,
all those things that go to make up
the excitement of the human condition.
And maybe the TV censors would let it pass
because it all seemed so make-believe.
So instead of a space Western,
I delivered a very different kind of story.
One which dealt with
the strange dangers of illusion,
the enormous power of imagination,
with whole worlds that could come
from inside people's heads.
"And is if that wasn't enough,
back in those days before the phrase
Women's Lib was ever heard,
I put a woman
second in command of our starship.
On top of which, my script
required our actress, Majel Barrett,
to play this woman as having
a highly superior, computerised mind."
"She does a good job, alright.
It's just that I can't get used
to having a woman on the bridge."
"You might have thought
the ladies in our test audience
would have appreciated that.
Instead their comments were
"Who does she think she is?".
"No offence, Lieutenant.
You're...different of course."
And I had written in another character
who wasn't even human,
an alien who looked like Satan himself,
complete with pointy ears.
Was that all?
No, I was uncooperative
in other ways too.
For example no one onboard
the USS Enterprise smoked,
and tobacco advertising was key
to network profits in those days.
Also, I'd refused to cast
our crew "sensibly",
which meant all whites.
And when the network
finally saw the pilot,
some of their executives were outraged.
And I can't say I really blame them.
For the considerable money
they had put up,
they certainly did not get
a Western space opera.
In fact nothing even faintly like it.
But this part of the story
isn't as simple as good guys
versus bad guys either.
The network's very top program executive
was impressed by the fact that this film
made him feel as if he'd actually
been flying in a spaceship.
Doing something almost never done before,
the network ordered a second pilot.
And this one had better be
familiar action-adventure...
...or else.
And so the second "Star Trek" pilot
was made.
It was accepted,
and the rest turned into
our shared history.
Well if social fashions change,
economics never do.
By the time we got into the series,
a money crunch was on.
And we folded our pilot
into another story,
which you know as "The Menagerie",
the two part movie.
That's how Captain Kirk
met Christopher Pike,
and learned of his tragic fate.
In the film that follows,
parts are in color,
parts in black and white.
The color footage was used
in "The Menagerie",
the parts that are in black and white
are all that is left from the first pilot.
Now we'll roll the story
that Kirk never saw,
our unseen pilot "The Cage".
And after it's over,
come back -
and there's more to tell.
- Check the circuit.
- All operating, sir.
Can't be the screen, then.
Definitely something out there,
Captain, headed this way.
Could be these meteoroids.
No. It's something else.
There's still something out there.
Coming at speed of light.
Collision course.
The meteoroid beam
has not deflected it.
- Evasive maneuvers ?
- Steady as we go.
It's a radio wave, sir.
We're passing through
an old-style distress signal.
They were keyed to cause interference
and attract attention this way.
A ship in trouble making
a forced landing, sir.
- That's it. No other message.
- I have a fix.
It comes from
the Talos Star Group.
We've no ships
or Earth colonies that far out.
Their call letters check with
a survey expedition-- S.S. Columbia.
Disappeared in that region
approximately 18 years ago.
It would take that long for a radio
beam to travel from there to here.
Records show the Talos group
has never been explored.
Solar system similar to Earth.
Eleven planets.
Number four seems
to be Class "M"--
Oxygen atmosphere.
They could still be alive
even after 18 years.
If they survived the crash.
We aren't going
to go to be certain ?
Not without any indication
of survivors, no.
We'll continue on
to the Vega Colony...
and take care of
our own injured first.
You have the helm.
Maintain present course.
Yes, sir.
Boyce here.
Stop by my cabin, Doctor.
What's that ?
I didn't say there was
anything wrong with me.
I understand we picked up
a distress signal.
That's right.
Unless we get anything
more positive on it,
it seems to me the condition
of our own crew takes precedent.
I'd like to log
the ship's doctor's opinion too.
Oh, I concur with yours,
definitely.
Good. I'm glad you do...
because we're going to stop first
at the Vega Colony...
and replace anybody
who needs hospitalization...
and also--
What in the devil are you
putting in there, ice ?
Who wants a warm martini ?
What makes you think
I need one ?
Sometimes a man will
tell his bartender...
things he'll never
tell his doctor.
What's been
on your mind, Chris,
the fight on Rigel VII ?
Shouldn't it be ?
My only yeoman and two others dead.
Seven injured.
Was there anything you personally
could have done to prevent it ?
I should have smelled trouble
when I saw the swords and the armor.
Instead, I let myself get trapped
in that deserted fortress...
and attacked
by one of their warriors.
Chris, you set standards
for yourself no one could meet.
You treat everyone on board
like a human being except yourself.
Now you’re tired, and you--
You bet I'm tired.
You bet.
I'm tired of being
responsible for 203 lives.
I'm 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.
Well, I've had it, Phil.
To the point of finally
taking my advice of rest leave ?
To the point
of considering resigning.
And do what ?
Well, for one thing, go home.
Nice little town...
with 50 miles
of parkland around it.
Remember I told you
I had two horses ?
We used to take some food
and ride out all day.
That sounds exciting. Ride out
with a picnic lunch every day.
I said that's one place
I might go,
or I'd go into business
on Regulus...
- or on the Orion Colony.
- You, an Orion trader,
dealing in green animal
women slaves ?
The point is this isn't
the only life available.
There's a whole galaxy
of things to choose from.
Not for you.
A man either lives life
as it happens to him,
meets it head on
and licks it,
or he turns
his back on it...
and starts to wither away.
Now you're beginning to talk
like a doctor, Bartender.
Take your choice. We both get
the same kinds of customers--
The living and the dying.
Mister Spock here.
We're intercepting
a follow-up message, sir.
There are crash survivors
on Talos.
"Eleven survivors from crash.
"Gravity and oxygen
within limits.
Food and water obtainable.
But unless--"
The message faded
at that point, sir.
- Address inner craft.
- System open.
This is the captain. Our destination
is the Talos Star Group.
Our time warp--
factor seven.
Course computed
and on the screen.
All decks have
acknowledged, sir.
Engage.
On course, sir.
- Yeoman ?
- Yes, sir.
I thought I told you
when I'm on the bridge--
That you wanted
the reports by 0500.
It's 0500 now, sir.
Oh. I see.
Thank you.
She's replacing
your former yeoman, sir.
No, she does a good job,
all right.
It’s just that I can't get used
to having a woman on the bridge.
No offense, Lieutenant.
You're different,
of course.
We've settled into orbit, sir.
Geological lab report
complete, Captain.
- Preliminary lab survey ready, sir.
- Spectrography ?
Our readings shows
an oxygen nitrogen atmosphere.
Heavy with inert elements,
but well within safety limits.
- Gravity ?
- 0.9 alert.
Captain ? Reflections, sir,
from the planet's surface.
As I read it, they polarize out
as rounded metal bits.
Could be parts
of a spaceship hull.
Equip a landing party of six.
You feel up to it ?
- Yes, sir.
- Yes, sir.
Sorry, Number One.
Little information on this planet.
We'll have to leave the ship's most
experienced officer covering it.
Of course, sir.
No indication of problems down there,
but let's not take any chances.
Yes, sir. There's
a canyon to the left.
We can set you down there
completely unobserved.
Right.
Sir.
They're men.
They're humans.
Captain Christopher Pike.
United Spaceship Enterprise.
Dr. Theodore Haskins.
American Continent Institute.
- Is Earth all right ?
- The same old Earth,
and you'll see it very soon.
And you won't believe
how fast you can get back.
The time barrier’s been broken.
Our new ships can--
This is Vina.
Her parents are dead.
She was born almost as we crashed.
- Enterprise.
- Landing party, come in.
We'll begin transporting
the survivors...
and their effects
up to you very shortly.
Quarters are being
prepared, sir.
Have I permission to send out
scouting and scientific parties now ?
That's affirmative on--
You appear to be healthy
and intelligent, Captain.
Prime specimen.
I didn't get that last
message, Captain.
Uh, affirmative on request.
Landing party out.
You must forgive her choice
of words, Captain.
She's lived her whole life with
a collection of aging scientists.
If they can spare you
a moment,
I'd like to make
my medical report.
I think it's time to show
the captain our secret.
Their health is excellent,
- almost too good.
- There's a reason for our condition,
but we've had some doubt if Earth
is ready to learn the secret.
Let the girl show you.
We'll accept your judgment.
You're tired, but don't worry.
You'll feel much better soon.
Don't you see it ?
Here and here.
I don't understand.
You will.
You're a perfect choice.
Captain !
Spock here.
Landing party, come in.
There is no survivors'
encampment, Number One.
This is all
some sort of trap.
We've lost the captain.
Do you read ?
Can you hear me ?
My name is
Christopher Pike,
commander of the space
vehicle Enterprise...
from the stellar group
at the other end of this galaxy.
Our intentions are peaceful.
Can you understand me ?
It appears, Magistrate,
that the intelligence of
the specimen is shockingly limited.
This is no surprise
since his vessel...
was baited so easily
with a simulated message.
As you can read
in its thoughts,
it is only now beginning to suspect
that the survivors and encampment...
were a simple illusion
we placed in their minds.
You're not speaking,
yet I can hear you.
You will note the confusion as
it reads our thought transmissions.
All right, then.
Telepathy.
You can read my mind.
I can read yours.
Now, unless you want my ship
to consider...
capturing me an unfriendly act--
You now see the primitive
fear-threat reaction.
The specimen is about to
boast of his strength,
the weaponry of his vessel
and so on.
Next...
frustrated into a need
to display physical prowess,
the creature will throw himself
against the transparency.
If you were in here...
wouldn't you test the strength
of these walls too ?
There's a way out of any cage,
and I'll find it.
Despite its frustration, the
creature appears more adaptable...
than our specimens
from other planets.
We can soon begin
the experiment.
The inhabitants of this planet
must live deep underground.
Probably manufacture food
and other needs down there.
Now, our tests indicate
the planet's surface...
without considerably
more vegetation or some animals,
simply too barren
to support life.
So we just thought
we saw survivors there, Mr. Spock.
Exactly. An illusion, placed in our
minds by this planet's inhabitants.
It was
a perfect illusion.
They had us seeing
Just what we wanted to see--
Humans beings who survived
with dignity and bravery.
Everything entirely logical, right
down to the building of the camp.
The tattered clothing,
everything.
Now, let's be sure we understand
the danger of this.
The inhabitants of this planet
can read our minds.
They can create illusions
out of a person's...
own thoughts,
memories and experiences.
Even out of a person's
own desires.
The illusion’s just as real
and solid as this table top...
and just as
impossible to ignore.
Any estimate what they
might want one of us for ?
They may simply
be studying the captain,
to find how Earth people
are put together,
or it could be something more.
Why aren’t we doing anything ?
That entry may have stood up
against hand lasers,
but we can transmit
the ship's power against it,
enough to blast half a continent.
Look.
Brains three times
the size of ours.
If we start buzzing
about down there,
we're liable to find
their mental power is so great,
they could reach out and swat
this ship as though it were a fly.
It's Captain Pike they've got.
He needs help.
And he probably needs it fast.
Engineering deck will rig
to transmit ship's power.
We'll try blasting
through that metal.
Thousands of us
are already probing...
the creature's thoughts,
Magistrate.
We find excellent
memory capacity.
I read most strongly
a recent death struggle...
in which it fought
to protect its life.
We will begin with this,
giving the specimen something
more interesting to protect.
Come on ! We must hide ourselves.
Come. Come.
Hurry ! It's deserted.
There'll be weapons
and perhaps food.
This is Rigel VII.
Please ! We must
hide ourselves.
I was in a cage, a cell,
in some kind of a zoo.
- I must still be there.
- Come on !
They've reached into my mind...
and taken the memory
of somewhere I've been.
The killer !
It's starting just as it
happened two weeks ago.
Except for you.
Longer hair, different dress,
but it is you.
The one the survivors called Vina.
Or rather the image of Vina.
But why you again ?
Why didn't they create
a different girl ?
Quick ! If you attack
while it's not looking--
But it's only a dream.
You have to kill him,
as you did here before.
You can tell my jailors
I won't go along with it.
I'm not an animal
performing for its supper.
It doesn't matter
what you call this. You'll feel it.
That what matters.
You'll feel every moment
of whatever happens to you.
Please ! Don't you know
what he'll do to us ?
Why would an illusion
be frightened ?
Because that's the way
you imagined me.
Who are you ? You act as if
this were real to you.
Careful !
It's over.
Why are you here ?
To please you.
Are you real ?
- As real as you wish.
- Oh, no.
No, that's not any answer.
I've never met you before,
never even imagined you.
Perhaps they made me out of dreams
you've forgotten.
And dressed you in
the same metal fabric they wear ?
Well, I have to wear
something, don't I ?
Or I can wear
whatever you wish...
or be anything you wish.
So they can see
how their specimen performs ?
They want to see how I react.
Is that it ?
Don't you have a dream,
something you've always
wanted very badly ?
Or do they do more
than just watch me ?
Do they feel with me too ?
You can have
whatever dream you want.
I can become anything,
any woman
you've ever imagined.
You can have anything you want
in the whole universe.
Let me...
please you.
Yes, yes,
you can please me.
You can tell me about them.
Is there any way I can keep them
from probing my mind...
and from using my thoughts
against me ?
Does that frighten you ?
Does that mean there is a way ?
You're a fool !
Since you're not real,
there's not much point...
in continuing this
conversation, is there ?
All circuits engaged,
Mr. Spock.
Standing by, Number One.
- Take cover.
- Ten, nine,
eight, seven, six,
five, four,
three, two, one.
Increase to full power.
Can you give us any more ?
Our circuits are beginning to heat.
We'll have to cease power.
Disengage !
The top of that knoll should've
been sheared off the first second.
Maybe it was. It's what I tried
to explain in the briefing room.
Their power of illusion
is so great,
we can't be sure of anything
we do or anything we see.
Perhaps...
if you asked me
some questions I could answer.
How far can they
control my mind ?
If I tell you, then will you pick
some dream you've had...
and let me live it with you ?
Perhaps.
They can't actually make you do
anything you don't want to do.
But they try to trick me
with their illusions.
And they can punish you
when you're not cooperative.
You'll find out about that.
Did they ever live
on the surface of this planet ?
Why do they
go underground?
War-- thousands
of centuries ago.
That's why
it's so barren up there ?
The planet's only now becoming
able to support life again.
So the Talosians who came
underground found life limited here,
and they concentrated on
developing their mental power.
But they found it's a trap,
like a narcotic.
Because when dreams become
more important than reality,
you give up travel,
building, creating.
You even forget how to repair...
the machines left behind
by your ancestors.
You just sit, living
and reliving other lives...
left behind
in the thought record.
As in probing the minds
of zoo specimens, like me.
You're better
than the theater to them.
They create an illusion for you.
They watch you react,
feel your emotions.
They have a whole collection
of specimens,
descendants of life
brought back long ago...
from all over
this part of the galaxy.
Which means they had to have
more than one of each animal.
- Please.
- They'll need a pair of humans too.
Where do they intend
to get the earth woman ?
You said that if I answered
your questions--
But that was a bargain
with something that didn't exist.
You said you weren't
real, remember ?
I'm a woman,
as real and as human
as you are.
We're like Adam and eve.
If we--
Don't, please !
Don't punish me !
The vial contains
a nourishing protein complex.
Is the keeper actually communicating
with one of his animals ?
If the form and the color
is not appealing,
it can appear as any food
you wish to visualize.
- And if I prefer--
- to starve ?
You overlook the unpleasant
alternative of punishment.
From a fable
you once heard in childhood.
You will now consume
the nourishment.
Why not just put
irresistible hunger in my mind ?
'Cause you can't,
can you ?
You do have limitations,
don't you ?
If you continue
to disobey,
from deeper in your mind,
there are things
even more unpleasant.
- That's very interesting.
- Now to the female.
You were startled.
Weren't you reading my mind then ?
As you've conjectured, an Earth
vessel did crash on our planet,
but with only a single survivor.
Let's stay
on the first subject.
All I wanted for that moment was
to get my hands around your neck.
We repaired
the survivor's injuries...
and found the species
interesting.
Do primitive thoughts put up
a block you can't read through ?
It became necessary
to attract a mate.
All right, all right.
Let's talk about the girl.
You seem to be
going out of your way...
to make her attractive
to make me feel protective.
This is necessary in order
to perpetuate the species.
It seems more important
to you now...
that I begin
to accept her and like her.
We wish our specimens
to be happy in their new life.
Assuming that's a lie,
why would you want me
attracted to her ?
So I'll feel love and
a husband/wife relationship ?
Well, that would be necessary only if
you intend to build a family group...
or perhaps a whole
human community.
With the female now
properly conditioned.
You mean properly punished !
I'm the one who's not cooperating.
Why don't you punish me ?
First an emotion
of protectiveness,
now one of sympathy.
Excellent.
Do you want some coffee, dear?
I left the Thermos
hooked to my saddle.
Tango !
You old devil you !
I'm sorry.
I don't have any su--
Well, they think
of everything, don't they ?
Hey! The coffee.
Is it good to be home ?
They read our minds very well.
Home, anything else I want,
if I cooperate. Is that it ?
Have you forgotten
my headaches, darling ?
I get them when you talk
strangely like this.
I'm sorry they punish you,
but we can't let them--
My, it turned out to be
a lovely day, didn't it ?
It's funny.
Just about 24 hours ago,
I was telling the ship's doctor
how much I wanted something...
not very different
from what we have here.
An escape from reality,
a life with no frustrations,
no responsibilities.
And now that I have it,
I understand the doctor's answer.
I hope you're hungry.
These little white sandwiches...
are your mother's recipe
for chicken tuna.
'Cause you either live life--
bruises, skinned knees and all--
or you turn your back on it
and start dying.
Well, the doctor's going to be happy
about one part of it at least--
He said I needed a rest.
Well, this is
a lovely place to rest.
Yeah, I used to ride
through here when I was a kid.
Not as pretty as some of the parks
around the big cities, but--
That's Mojave.
That's where I was born.
That's supposed to
be news to your wife ?
You're home.
You can even stay if you want.
Wouldn't it be nice showing your
children where you once played ?
These headaches.
They'll be hereditary, you know.
Would you wish them on a child
or a whole group of children ?
- That's foolish.
- Is it ?
Look,
first they made me protect you,
and then feel sympathy for you.
And now we have these
familiar surroundings...
and a comfortable
husband/wife relationship.
They don't need all this
for just passion.
What they're after is respect
and mutual dependence.
They say in the olden days,
all this was desert,
blowing sand and cactus.
But we're not here,
neither of us !
- We're in a menagerie, a cage.
- No !
I can't help either one of us
if you won't give me a chance.
Now, you told me once
they used illusions as a narcotic.
They couldn't even repair the
machines left by their ancestors.
Is that why they want us,
to build a colony of slaves ?
Stop it !
Don't you care
what they'll do to us ?
Back in my cage, it seemed
for a couple of minutes...
that our keeper couldn't
read my thoughts.
Do emotions like hate--
keeping hate in your mind--
does that block off
our mind from them ?
Yes.
They can’t read
through primitive emotions.
But you can't keep it up
for long enough. I've tried.
They keep at you and at you,
year after year,
tricking and punishing.
And they won.
They own me.
I know you must
hate me for that.
Oh, no,
I don't hate you.
I can guess
what it was like.
But that's not enough.
Don't you see ?
They read my thoughts,
my feelings,
my dreams of what would be
the perfect man.
That's why they picked you.
I can't help but love you,
and they expect you
to feel the same way.
If they can read my mind,
then they know I'm attracted to you.
I was from the first moment
I saw you in the survivors' camp.
A curious species.
They have fantasies
they hide even from themselves.
I'm beginning to see why
none of this has worked for you.
You've been home
and fighting, as on Rigel.
That's not new
to you, either.
A person's strongest dreams...
are about what he can't do.
Yes. A ship 's captain--
always having to be so formal,
so decent and honest
and proper.
You must wonder what it would
be like to forget all that.
Nice place you have here,
Mr. Pike.
Vina.
Glistening green,
almost like secret dreams...
a bored ship captain
might have.
Funny how they are
on this planet--
actually like being
taken advantage of.
Suppose you had all
of space to choose from...
and this was
only one small sample ?
Wouldn't you say
it was worth a man's soul ?
Now, we've located
a magnetic field.
Seems to come from
their underground generator.
But could that
be an illusion too ?
Well, you all know
the situation.
We're hoping to transport
down inside the Talosian community.
If our measurements and
readings are an illusion also,
one could find oneself
materialized inside solid rock.
Nothing will be said if
any volunteer wants to back out.
The women !
Captain !
Captain.
No ! Let me finish !
But we were a party of six.
We were the only ones
transported.
It's not fair.
You don't need them.
They don't work.
They were fully charged
when we left.
It's dead.
I can't make a signal.
- What is it ?
- Don't-Don't say anything.
I'm filling my mind
with a picture...
of beating their huge,
misshapen heads to pulp !
Thoughts so primitive,
they black out everything else.
I'm filling my mind
with hate !
How long can you block your
thoughts, a few minutes, an hour ?
- How can that help ?
- Leave him alone.
He doesn't need you.
He's already picked me.
Picked her ? For what ?
I don't understand.
Now, there's a fine choice
for intelligent offspring.
Offspring ?
As in children ?
Offspring as in he's Adam.
Is that it ?
You're no better choice.
They'd have more luck
crossing him with a computer.
Well, shall we do
a little time computation ?
There was a Vina listed on
that expedition as an adult crewman.
Now, adding 18 years
to your age then--
It's not fair !
I did what you asked !
Since you resist
the present specimen,
you now have a selection.
I'll break out of
this zoo somehow and get to you.
Is your blood red like ours ?
I'm going to find out.
Each of the two new specimens
has qualities in her favor.
The female you call Number One
has the superior mind...
and would produce highly
intelligent children.
Although she seems to lack emotion,
this is largely a pretense.
She often has fantasies
involving you.
All I want to do
is get my hands on you.
Can you read
these thoughts--
images of hate, killing ?
The other new arrival
has considered you unreachable,
but now is realizing
this has changed.
The factors in her favor
are youth and strength,
plus unusually strong
female drives.
You'll find my thoughts
more interesting,
thoughts so primitive,
you can't understand,
emotions so--
Wrong thinking is punishable.
Right thinking will be
as quickly rewarded.
You will find it
an effective combination.
- Captain.
- No. Don't help me.
I have to concentrate.
They can't read through hate.
- Address inner craft.
- Open, sir.
This is the acting captain speaking.
We have no choice now...
but to consider the safety of this
vessel and the remainder of the crew.
We're leaving.
All decks prepare
for hyper drive.
Time warp factor.
Mr. Spock, the ship's controls
have gone dead !
- Engine room, Mr. Spock here.
- Open.
Switch to rockets.
We're blasting out.
All systems are out, bridge.
We've got nothing.
There's nothing.
Every system aboard is fading out !
Hold still, or I'll--
Hold still, or I'll break--
Don't hurt them.
They don't mean to be evil.
I've had some samples
of how good they are.
You stop this illusion,
or I'll twist your head off !
All right.
You try one more illusion,
you try anything at all,
I'll break your neck.
Your ship.
Release me,
or we'll destroy it.
Nothing. If not
for the batteries,
we'd lose
gravitation, oxygen.
The computers !
I can't shut it off !
It's running through our library.
Tapes, micro records, everything.
It doesn't make sense !
Could be we've
waited too long.
They're collecting
all the information stored.
They've decided to swat us.
He's not bluffing, Captain.
With illusion, they can make your
crew work the wrong controls...
or push any button it takes
to destroy your ship.
I'm gonna gamble
you're too intelligent...
to kill for your reason.
On the other hand,
I've got a reason.
I'm willing to bet you've created
an illusion this laser is empty.
I think it just blasted
a hole in that window,
and you're keeping us
from seeing it.
You want me to test
my theory on your head ?
Captain !
Make contact, Number One.
They kept us from seeing this too.
We cut through and never knew it.
Captain !
As you see,
your attempt to escape
accomplished nothing.
I want to contact our ship.
You are now on the surface,
where we wished you to be.
With the female
of your choice,
you will now begin
carefully guarded lives.
And start by burying you ?
That is your choice.
To help you reclaim
the planet's surface,
our zoological gardens will
furnish a variety of plant life.
I'll make a deal with you--
You and your life for
the lives of these two earth women.
Since our life span
is many times yours,
we have time to evolve you...
into a society trained to serve
as artisans, technicians--
Do you understand
what I'm saying ?
You give me proof
that our ship is all right,
send these two back
and I'll stay with Vina.
It's wrong to create a whole race
of humans to live as slaves.
Is this a deception ?
Do you intend to
destroy yourselves ?
What is that ?
The weapon
is building up an overload--
A force chamber explosion.
You still have time
to get underground.
Well, go on !
And just to show you how
primitive humans are, Talosian,
you go with her.
If-If you all think
it's this important,
then I can't go, either.
I suppose if they have one
human being, they might try again.
Wait !
Their method
of storing records is crude...
and consumed much time.
Are you prepared
to assimilate it ?
We had not believed
this possible.
The customs and history
of your race...
show a unique hatred
of captivity.
Even when it's pleasant and
benevolent, you prefer death.
This makes you too violent and
dangerous a species for our needs.
He means that
they can’t use you.
You're free to go
back to the ship.
And that's it ?
No apologies.
You captured one of us,
threatened all of us.
Your unsuitability has condemned
the Talosian race to eventual death.
Is this not sufficient ?
No other specimen has
shown your adaptability.
You were our last hope.
But wouldn't some form of trade,
mutual cooperation--
Your race would learn
our power of illusion...
and destroy itself too.
Captain, we have
transporter control now.
Let's get back to the ship.
I can't. I can't go with you.
Sir, it just came on.
We can't shut the power off.
Mr. Spock here.
All power has come on, Mr. Spock.
The helm is answering the control.
The captain.
You see why
I can't go with you ?
This is the female's
true appearance.
They found me
in the wreckage...
dying, a lump of flesh.
They rebuilt me.
Everything works,
but they had
never seen a human.
They had no guide for
putting me back together.
It was necessary
to convince you...
her desire to stay
is an honest one.
You'll give her back
her illusion of beauty ?
And more.
She has an illusion,
and you have reality.
May you find your way
as pleasant.
Mr. Spock, the system
is coming on again.
- What's happened to Vina ?
- Isn't she coming with us ?
No.
No, and I agreed
with her reasons.
- Hold on a minute.
- No, I feel fine. Just fine.
Yeah, you look 100% better.
You recommended a rest, and
a change of pace, didn't you ?
- Mm-hmm.
- I've even been home.
Does that make you happy ?
- Yeoman ?
- Yes, sir.
I thought I told you that
when I'm on the bridge, l--
Oh. Oh, yes,
the-the reports.
Thank you.
Sir, I was wondering--
Just curious--
who would have been Eve ?
Yeoman ! You've
delivered your report.
Yes, ma'am. Yes, sir.
Eve, sir ?
Yes, sir.
Eve as in Adam ?
As in all ships' doctors
are dirty old men.
What are we running here,
a cadet ship, Number One ?
-Are we ready or not ?
- All decks show ready, sir.
Engage.
I just wanted to share with you
something that may lift your spirits,
as it did mine those many years ago.
All that nonsense about
the dangers of mixed races
living together on a spaceship,
or anywhere...
And how some parts of our country
were certain to refuse
to televise "Star Trek"
because we showed such things.
The hatred that would
supposedly flood our mail,
turning sponsors against us.
In all the years of "Star Trek",
we never received
so much as one such letter.
Not one.
"Humans are capable of so much more
than we yet understand.
We're really something.
Star Trek fans believe that.
And so do I.
For us...
No limits.
Re-sync and cosmetic editing of
Gene Roddenberry's commentary
long phrases transcription
by Fingersmaster.
Enjoy!
-- English --