Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) inherited a particular trait from Captain Christopher Pike (Jeffrey Hunter) and took it to a whole new level on Star Trek: The Original Series. Although fans did not get to see Star Trek's original pilot until the late 1980s, "The Cage" represented Gene Roddenberry's original vision for the series. The episode follows Captain Pike and his USS Enterprise crew as they visit Talos IV and encounter a strange alien species. The Talosians capture Pike, imprisoning him in a menagerie and creating various illusions in his head.
When Roddenberry and his crew screened "The Cage," the executives at NBC felt the pilot was "too cerebral" and would not appeal to their audience. They gave Roddenberry a chance to produce another pilot, which eventually became TOS season 1, episode 3, "Where No Man Has Gone Before." Roddenberry kept Leonard Nimoy's Spock from the original pilot, but replaced Pike with William Shatner's Captain Kirk. Kirk was more dynamic and emotional than Pike, but he still had some things in common with his predecessor.
The Star Trek Trope Of Kirk Romancing Women Was Inherited From Captain Pike
In "The Cage," Pike Was Set Up To Be A Ladies' Man
On Star Trek: The Original Series, Captain Kirk gained a reputation for regularly romancing alien women, but this trope actually began with Captain Pike. TOS is undoubtedly a product of its time, particularly when it comes to the show's portrayal of women. While Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) is a great character, she often does little more than declare that hailing frequencies are open. As for Kirk's many romantic interests, many of them get very little characterization beyond their fondness for Kirk. This womanizing element of Kirk's character was always meant to be a part of Star Trek's lead, even when it was Captain Pike.
In "The Cage," the Talosians tempt Pike not only with Vina (Susan Oliver), but also with Number One (Majel Barrett) and Yeoman Colt (Laurel Goodwin). Pike manages to resist the Talosians' influence, but in the end, he still develops feelings for Vina. Kirk falls into a similar trap numerous times on TOS, developing feelings for (or at least an attraction to) alien women across the galaxy. While it makes some sense that women would fall for the mysterious starship captain who saved their planet, Kirk takes advantage of this situation a bit too often.
Kirk Portrayals Have Stayed The Same, But Pike Has Changed
Captain Pike Has Changed More From His Original Portrayal
Various depictions of Kirk have continued the trend of making the character a ladies' man, but Captain Pike has changed quite a bit since his initial portrayal. Jeffrey Hunter only filmed one episode as Pike, which cannot be compared to the three seasons of television and seven films in which William Shatner portrays Kirk. In other words, there was more leeway to change Captain Pike's character, considering viewers had seen so little of him prior to Anson Mount's first appearance as the character in Star Trek: Discovery season 2.
Jeffrey Hunter's Pike makes a misogynistic comment about how he "can't get used to having a woman on the bridge" — a nonsensical attitude for the 23rd century that thankfully does not continue with Anson Mount's Pike.
Although the Pike of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds has had a couple of romantic interests - including Vina (Melissa George) - he has had a steady relationship with Captain Marie Batel (Melanie Scrofano). Pike never fails to be friendly but professional when visiting new alien planets, focusing on the mission at hand rather than potential romantic partners. The one time Pike does romance an alien woman (in season 1's "Lift Us Where Suffering Cannot Reach"), it's a woman he previously had a relationship with. Gene Roddenberry clearly had a particular vision in mind for Star Trek: The Original Series lead captain, a vision perfected by Captain James T. Kirk.
