Stardate not given: The United Space Ship Enterprise (NCC-1701), commanded by Captain Christopher Pike, discovers an old-style radio distress signal from the Talos star group. Upon investigation, the landing party discovers survivors of an expedition. . .

Spock kidnaps his former captain, the crippled Christopher Pike, and heads for a quarantined planet, putting his career and Kirk's life on the line.

Spock's court-martial continues as he attempts to justify his abduction of Pike, the theft of the Enterprise, and his heading for a planet declared forbidden by Starfleet.

"The Cage" is the first pilot episode of the Star Trek: The Original Series science fiction series. It was completed in early 1965, but not broadcast on television in its complete form until late 1988. The episode was written by Gene Roddenberry and directed by Robert Butler. It was rejected by NBC in February 1965, and the network ordered another pilot episode, which became "Where No Man Has Gone Before". Much original footage from "The Cage" was later incorporated into the first season two-parter, "The Menagerie".