“The Menagerie, Part II” represents a subtle shift in focus from its predecessor. Whereas “Part I” had an overall story in which the footage from “The Cage” was added, “Part II” is the opposite with footage from “The Cage” making up the lion’s share of screen time. In one sense, the benefit is positive, allowing us to be pulled further into this secondary story line. But on the other hand, the transitions become all the more awkward, particularly with the characters of Spock and Kirk and Mendez commenting on the footage – almost as if they were some strange incarnation of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Even so, the episode manages to be compelling, particularly in the exploration of captivity.

We begin with Captain Pike’s abduction by the Talosians – a bulbous-headed race of aliens whose scalps have visibly pulsating veins (Freud would have a field day with that one) – who appear to be a kind of zoo keeper, collecting species to study from nearby planets. Their intent towards Pike is to have him mate with the woman, Vena, in order to create an entire race of humans in which to study.

The Talosians highlight a couple of key themes. First off, their civilization progressed to the point where their mental powers became a threat to themselves. They spent all of their time thinking, and completely ignored doing anything. In that sense they represent the pitfalls of “When dreams become more important than reality.” Their cold study of humanity represents another kind of danger: that of experimentation without morality. It’s a subtle theme for the episode, but it’s explicit enough to be of consideration.

As the story unfolds, we learn that the Talosians have the ability to make a person see, feel, hear, experience whatever they want. In such a way, Captain Pike is tempted by Vena, and punished by the Talosians. This happens by way of Vena appearing as ever more alluring variations of herself. And when Pike refuses to comply, the Talosians make him think he is burning alive – which gives rise to a potentially unintentional notion: is it torture if you only make the person think they are suffering, even if there is no physical danger? It’s a question that is highly relevant today.

Of course, Pike resists the Talosians as much as he can. And he learns that they cannot detect strong primal feelings. In such a way, they cannot compel him to be incredibly hungry, nor can they detect a murderous burst of emotion from him. Using this approach, Pike eventually outwits his captors and earns freedom for himself, his ship and his crew.

Throughout the footage, Kirk and Mendez comment on how all of this might tie in with Spock’s mutiny. And truth be told, this element worked very well for the episode because it certainly makes sense to want to know how the footage would justify Spock’s actions.

Unfortunately for the episode, the conclusion lands a bit flatly. After seeing the footage from “The Cage” it becomes clear that Spock wants Pike to be able to return to Talos IV to live out the rest of his life thinking he is young and vibrant, unfettered by his handicap. The Talosians themselves are okay with the arrangement – especially considering that they are the ones who compiled the “footage” as we see it in the episode. It’s a sympathetic notion. But do they really expect Pike and Vena to be able to produce offspring? Or is this merely a gesture of goodwill? The point is left unexplained.

Worse yet, however, is the fact that Mendez was simply an apparition – projected by the Talosians. The effect is to undermine the entire purpose of the proceedings. Yes, the proceedings help distract Kirk during the long voyage to Talos. And yes, they demonstrate the logic behind Spock’s actions. But the proceedings could have been a legitimate way for Starfleet to exonerate Spock in a plausible way. Instead, we get the deus ex machina of a transmission from Starbase 11, from the real Commodore Mendez, exonerating Spock, temporarily lifting the ban on Talos IV, and simply letting Kirk decide what to do.

After the long arc of two episodes, it was an awkward, abrupt, and contrived conclusion.

“The Menagerie, Part II” gets credit for the story presented by “The Cage” as well as the continued emphasis on the themes of captivity and of being trapped. And as such, this is indeed a classic episode. But the conclusion threatened to sabotage the entire enterprise (no pun intended) by way of its sudden resolution to the main conflict facing Spock and Kirk: Spock’s court martial.

Filed under: Original Series