Rating: 
Summary: The original Star Trek pilot incorporated into the series
Review: Perhaps the most impressive thing about the two-part story of "The Menagrie" is that Gene Roddenberry found a way to incorporate "The Cage," the original Star Trek pilot that was deemed "too cerebral" by the network into the series. Within that context the framing story of Spock hijacking the Enterprise in order to bring the ship's former captain, Christopher Pike, back to the forbidden planet of Talos IV, works quite well, once you get past the idea of Spock "as he was then," that emotional alien who yells "The Women!" when the female officers suddenly disappear. It is only when they have to come up with commercial breaks in the new show to accommodate the commercial breaks of the old pilot, that things get a bit strained. The idea that Spock's past and current captains have to sit in judgment of him during the court-martial certain puts Kirk in an interesting position, especially since all he really does for most of these two episodes is watch the original pilot along with the rest of us. I always liked the twist on the original ending, that whereas in "The Cage" the Talosians give Vina the illusion that Pike is still with her, in "The Menagerie" it is Pike who is given the illusion of health. Jeffrey Hunter's take on a starship captain is also worth preserving as well, and it is nice that a few Star Trek novels have flesh out his captaincy a bit. It is also fascinating to compare the tinkering Roddenberry did with the crew in retooling the series, giving us something else to debate eternally. Yes, I also have a slight preference for the original version of the pilot rather than this cut and paste effort, but there is value to the framing device, which amply proves Spock's loyalty to his captains, whatever Starfleet regulations and logic might dictate.
Rating:
Summary: The original Star Trek pilot incorporated into the series
Review: Perhaps the most impressive thing about the two-part story of "The Menagrie" is that Gene Roddenberry found a way to incorporate "The Cage," the original Star Trek pilot that was deemed "too cerebral" by the network into the series. Within that context the framing story of Spock hijacking the Enterprise in order to bring the ship's former captain, Christopher Pike, back to the forbidden planet of Talos IV, works quite well, once you get past the idea of Spock "as he was then," that emotional alien who yells "The Women!" when the female officers suddenly disappear. It is only when they have to come up with commercial breaks in the new show to accommodate the commercial breaks of the old pilot, that things get a bit strained. The idea that Spock's past and current captains have to sit in judgment of him during the court-martial certain puts Kirk in an interesting position, especially since all he really does for most of these two episodes is watch the original pilot along with the rest of us. I always liked the twist on the original ending, that whereas in "The Cage" the Talosians give Vina the illusion that Pike is still with her, in "The Menagerie" it is Pike who is given the illusion of health. Jeffrey Hunter's take on a starship captain is also worth preserving as well, and it is nice that a few Star Trek novels have flesh out his captaincy a bit. It is also fascinating to compare the tinkering Roddenberry did with the crew in retooling the series, giving us something else to debate eternally. Yes, I also have a slight preference for the original version of the pilot rather than this cut and paste effort, but there is value to the framing device, which amply proves Spock's loyalty to his captains, whatever Starfleet regulations and logic might dictate.
Rating: 
Summary: Star Trek-The Original Series, Vol. 8,Episode 16: The Menage
Review: So far the only things I have found lacking in these DVD's is the lack of extras to include Spanish/French subtitles and dubbing as well as extra info about the shooting of the individual episodes such as unseen footage etc..
Rating: 
Summary: I would recommend watching The Cage first
Review: The Menagerie-This two part episode based on pilot #1, in which Spock is in the hot seat, is difficult to evaluate separately from 'The Cage.' Overall, the team did a good job of generating an episode 'without' another episode. On the other hand, the main thing going for the episode is The Cage. And it is better just to watch The Cage as it was intended, without all the artificial breaks. As noted by another reviewer, it isn't just the breaks in The Cage that are awkward; the need for breaks in The Menagerie also made for some awkward moments. So ultimately this episode was a clever way of presenting 'The Cage', and not a lot more. The two exceptions: 1) it is interesting to see the extent of Spock's loyalty, and 2) the return of Pike to Talos IV was a nice touch. (2.5 stars for the Menagerie components alone, 3.5 overall)
Rating:
Summary: I would recommend watching The Cage first
Review: The Menagerie-This two part episode based on pilot #1, in which Spock is in the hot seat, is difficult to evaluate separately from `The Cage.' Overall, the team did a good job of generating an episode `without' another episode. On the other hand, the main thing going for the episode is The Cage. And it is better just to watch The Cage as it was intended, without all the artificial breaks. As noted by another reviewer, it isn't just the breaks in The Cage that are awkward; the need for breaks in The Menagerie also made for some awkward moments. So ultimately this episode was a clever way of presenting `The Cage', and not a lot more. The two exceptions: 1) it is interesting to see the extent of Spock's loyalty, and 2) the return of Pike to Talos IV was a nice touch. (2.5 stars for the Menagerie components alone, 3.5 overall)
Rating:
Summary: The Menagerie hasn't been Caged
Review: The only two part episode of the original series. Takes place on Talos IV, recounts the mission of Captain Christopher Pike . 13 years later, Spock kidnaps the now crippled Pike and returns him to Talos IV. Spock is court martialed for his actions and faces the death penalty. (This episode is a remake of the original pilot "The Cage")Illusions and Perceptions - two words that summarize this episdoe. When is a cage a cage? When is prision no longer prision? These questions not only won the episdoe a Hugo Award, but put the show ahead of schedule and budget by reusing used footage. A great episdoe showing how creative Roddenberry was and how well the current TOS crew interacted vs. Pike.
Rating:
Summary: Spock on trial
Review: The only two part episode of TOS in which Spock goes on trial for kidnapping his old captain Christopher Pike to take him to the forbidden world of Talos IV.
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF TREK'S BEST AND MOST CLEVER DRAMAS!!!
Review: Volume 8 of the Star Trek DVD collection contains the series only 2 part episode. THE MENAGERIE is easily one of the series best dramas and also easily one of the best episodes of the first season. Creator Gene Roddenberry made a very clever move in this episode. Using the footage from the (at the time) un-seen pilot episode THE CAGE, he made an episode that revolved around Captain Pike. The MENAGERIE takes place 13 years after the events that occured in THE CAGE. Spock was a crew member aboard the USS Enterprise during Cpt. Pike's command. However now Pike is severely crippled from a freak accident when he was saving some children. He is still the same person he once was only trapped inside a useless body, a vegetable if you will. When they arrive on a planet Spock and Kirk meet up with Pike after many years. Spock kidnaps Pike and sets the Enterprises course to Rigel IV the forbidden planet. He is arrested and sent to court for a court martial for disobeying Kirk orders. Spock explains why he is doing this and during the court shows footage that occured 13 years ago. If Spock is not guilty he will be able to continue his assignment if he is Kirk will be forced to find him guilty and the Vulcan will be court martialed. THE MENAGERIE was a wonderful episode that ranks as one of the series most complex plots. Partly because it is a two parter but the best thing about this was Roddenberry was finally able to put some of the unused footage from THE CAGE to use. Although the run of THE CAGE here is quite disjointed it gives you the basic jist of the plot. It also features the famous bulb head aliens that treat human like zoo animals. Overall Volume 8 is a essential 2 part Trek episode that must be seen. It is great to see Cpt. Pike again even though he is terribly scarred and says nothing. Still this DVD is one of the collections finest. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: ONE OF TREK'S BEST AND MOST CLEVER DRAMAS!!!
Review: Volume 8 of the Star Trek DVD collection contains the series only 2 part episode. THE MENAGERIE is easily one of the series best dramas and also easily one of the best episodes of the first season. Creator Gene Roddenberry made a very clever move in this episode. Using the footage from the (at the time) un-seen pilot episode THE CAGE, he made an episode that revolved around Captain Pike. The MENAGERIE takes place 13 years after the events that occured in THE CAGE. Spock was a crew member aboard the USS Enterprise during Cpt. Pike's command. However now Pike is severely crippled from a freak accident when he was saving some children. He is still the same person he once was only trapped inside a useless body, a vegetable if you will. When they arrive on a planet Spock and Kirk meet up with Pike after many years. Spock kidnaps Pike and sets the Enterprises course to Rigel IV the forbidden planet. He is arrested and sent to court for a court martial for disobeying Kirk orders. Spock explains why he is doing this and during the court shows footage that occured 13 years ago. If Spock is not guilty he will be able to continue his assignment if he is Kirk will be forced to find him guilty and the Vulcan will be court martialed. THE MENAGERIE was a wonderful episode that ranks as one of the series most complex plots. Partly because it is a two parter but the best thing about this was Roddenberry was finally able to put some of the unused footage from THE CAGE to use. Although the run of THE CAGE here is quite disjointed it gives you the basic jist of the plot. It also features the famous bulb head aliens that treat human like zoo animals. Overall Volume 8 is a essential 2 part Trek episode that must be seen. It is great to see Cpt. Pike again even though he is terribly scarred and says nothing. Still this DVD is one of the collections finest. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Great the way it was...
Review: Without a doubt, one of the greatest episodes of TOS. The story of Spock's loyalties torn between two Captains and the use of the original pilot footage makes for an impressive tale. But, there is a problem with this dvd version. As was pointed out by another reviewer, the audio, while being rich and clear, has been augmented. In addition to the "musical flowers" pitch change, the hand held laser weapons, the laser cannon sound, and the transporter sounds have been subtly changed; evident when compared to the vhs version. While it's nice to have an impressive soundtrack to this wonderful episode, I much preferr the original sound be kept in tact.
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