Star Trek: 5 Reasons Now Is The Perfect Time To Rewatch The Cage
2. A Southern Gentleman
The late, great Jeffrey Hunter originated the idea of what a starship captain should be. Christopher Pike was the southern gentleman who was growing weary of the burdens of command. As the episode opens, he is still reeling from the loss of three crewmen.
The gravitas that Hunter brought to the role was somewhat different from what Shatner would bring to Kirk once the show made it to series. He was quieter, yet quick to take charge. His interactions with the Keepers show a man who is tired of being out of control and he uses his power to turn the situation back to something more positive.
However, the crux of the story revolves around Pike and Vina. In Star Trek Discovery, If Memory Serves, Vina reappears to Pike through the Talosians' telepathy. While this is, as yet, her only appearance in modern Trek, the importance of her character cannot be overstated.
Pike's final fate will see him reunited with Vina, saved from his terrible injuries by the Talosians, as depicted in The Menagerie. He immediately grows to care for her in The Cage, wanting only to keep her safe. When he sees what reality is for her, he is left with a moral dilemma. He allows the Talosians to copy him, so that she can have someone with her to keep her happy.
Vina is Pike's great love, something that can be a curse going into Strange New Worlds. As Discovery has established her already, it will be very interesting to see how this is dealt with on an ongoing basis.