Loved seeing the new Captain Pike with Anson Mount, he not only looked the part but he played a fantastic Captain.
It was tragic to read about the history of Jeffrey Hunter. He was reviving his acting career when he took on the part in the new show Star Trek at the time. He tragically died from an accident from a movie he was performing in 1968. His death was just four years after his appearance as Captain Pike and before the show had grown any popularity.
He never got to know just how famous and popular he would become to so many fans decades later. He would have been happy to know we’re still celebrating him today 60 years later.
EDIT: I hate to admit it but the original Captain Pike filmed his parts in 1964 and broadcast in 1965 … that’s 60 years, not 50 years. I really don’t like the fact that it was that long ago because it means we’re all getting old. :(
Yeah, the pilot is beyond problematic. They did try. A woman as the first officer was extremely progressive for the time. Unfortunately, they still had to sell a show.
You’re talking about people making and watching TV in the 1960s. I’m talking about a woman in the 23rd century finding out the hot captain doesn’t want women around and thinking, “he doesn’t want me around? He’s getting what he wants.”
We all know that the pilot was a product of its time. We also know that was Roddenberry trying to normalize females in command positions.
The idea was that Pike was okay with it, just not used to it. He would have acted as an audience surrogate by learning to work with and trust Una over time.
Let’s all remember to direct our hate towards the real villains of the story: the NBC Board of Directors, who demanded Majel Barret’s removal.
Thankfully, Roddenberry didn’t take it lying down. We lost a Number One but we gained a Uhura. And Majel reappeared as Nurse Chapel.
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