From Altair IV to Talos IV.

Star Trek’s original unaired pilot, “The Cage,” established the template for much of what was to come. But that episode was, itself, heavily influenced by an earlier work of science fiction, the 1956 film Forbidden Planet. Stylistic similarities between the two works abound, but there is a deeper link as well: both stories concern a highly advanced alien race whose incredible mental abilities have brought about societal collapse.

In this episode of Primitive Culture, hosts Duncan Barrett and Clara Cook look at the connections between Forbidden Planet and “The Cage,” focusing on the character of Christopher Pike, captain of the USS Enterprise before Kirk. With the return of Pike and his first officer, Number One, in Season 2 of Star Trek: Discovery, we also consider the popular longevity of these barely glimpsed characters and how their presentation has changed over the course of half a century.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) In the Beginning… (00:03:00) “Born Sexy Yesterday”(00:11:50) Monsters from the Id (00:27:00) Where No Men Have Gone Before (00:35:30) A Tale of Two Captains (00:42:00) Number One Fans (00:58:24) Acting Up? (01:09:25) Final Thoughts (01:25:25)

Hosts Duncan Barrett and Clara Cook Production Clara Cook (Editor) Duncan Barrett (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Amy Nelson (Associate Producer) Tony Black (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)