A necessary set-up for re-using the footage from the original pilot for the series. Some characters are different. Majel Barrett is "Number One", not a nurse. Spock has a different haircut and eyebrows. There is another doctor, not "Bones". Best viewed together along with Part II and, ironically, perhaps the best two shows of the entire series. Using the devise of a fake court marshal, Spock retells the story from 13 years ago of Christopher Pike, former starship captain and hero, now trapped in a totally paralyzed body, (in a futuristic wheelchair) due to a horrific warp core accident. It's all an illusion, from the masters of it all, The Talosians from forbidden planet Talos IV. Pike is captured to perpetuate his species in an intergalactic zoo, and perhaps a new race of beings to tend the planet because the Talosians are all brain and no brawn. Strangely, no other alien "prisoners" are shown, with the exception of the mysterious female "Vina". Good EFX further enhanced by CBS in the remastered version. I still love "Vina" as the sexy green Orion slave girl! Part II is far better, but without this prologue, the whole thing wouldn't make any sense at all. What is not explained is why the Talosians suddenly want to help poor Capt.Pike. They sure didn't before. Mr. Spock obviously had something to do with it.
Review of The Menagerie: Part I
