Star Trek: The Original Series - Ranking Every Major Character Worst To Best

10. Honourable Mention - Captain Christopher Pike

While Pike was only the lead for one episode, and not technically part of the main Original Series, it's only fair he deserves a mention for being part of the initial vision of the show, and his cultural significance today.

Many fans will know Christopher Pike (played by Jeffrey Hunter) was the protagonist for the show's pilot, 'The Cage', in which the crew of the Enterprise are lured to Talos IV, where Pike is captured by the alien Talosians and experimented on with a number of dream-like scenarios using his memories.

That was the last he was seen (producers instead casting a new captain for a full series) until the season one episode, 'The Menagerie'. In this, it's revealed that Pike was subjected to severe radiation poisoning while on a training mission, and left permanently scarred, confined to a wheelchair and unable to verbally or physically communicate. It's a tragic story to say the least, even if does end with a (somewhat) happy ending as he returns to Talos IV to live out his days under the illusion of the Talosians.

Of course, modern audiences know that isn't the last we've seen of Pike. Because of his continued popularity over the years, Anson Mount was cast as the captain in season two of Star Trek: Discovery and brought new layers to the character. Pike's character was much more fleshed out, so much so there remains calls for him to get his own spin-off.

Without Pike, Star Trek wouldn't exist and it's incredible how someone who had so little screentime became such a namesake of the franchise.