[KJTrek]

Okay, since it has been confirmed that Bruce Greenwood will be playing Pike in the new movie, and since I can't find a thread covering this topic, I think it would be interesting to see opinions about the character of Pike, who we know so little about.

http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Christopher_Pike

[mmoore]

Allan Bullock has two pikes, both called Chris.

[horatio]

The first thing that comes to my mind is the "martini scene" in Pike's quarters where he feels weary about a captain's responsibilities. Kirk also got his "Hamlet scenes" but Pike felt overall more introverted than Kirk.
After all I think they are not so different, Kirk likes to pretend to be easy about everything and plays, but below the surface he is as serious as Pike IMO.
I liked Jeffrey Hunter's performance, but I think the character is pretty open for Greenwood to do him the way he likes.

And we should see for the first time a Starfleet captain alongside Kirk that is not portrayed as jerk, just think about these three guys:

[Commodore]

The interesting thing about "The Cage" is that it followed closely after an earlier battle on Rigel VII in which Pike lost a number of his crew, including his own yeoman, and he blamed his own shortcomings for their deaths.

Every Star Trek series captain has agonized over the loss of crewmembers, but people generally pigeonhole Pike as this constantly brooding, moping figure based on this one single episode. But even during "The Cage," Pike displays other aspects of his character--a short temper, a refusal to quit, keen deductive skills, and an appreciation for the finer things in life including a nicely chilled martini.

One thing that might have continued had Jeffrey Hunter continued with the role was a possible love triangle between Pike, Number One, and Yeoman Colt as was suggested in this pilot, but that was rumored to be one of the reasons why Jeffrey Hunter's wife didn't want him to continue with the series...

[horatio]

Originally Posted by Commodore

The interesting thing about "The Cage" is that it followed closely after an earlier battle on Rigel VII in which Pike lost a number of his crew, including his own yeoman, and he blamed his own shortcomings for their deaths.

Every Star Trek series captain has agonized over the loss of crewmembers, but people generally pigeonhole Pike as this constantly brooding, moping figure based on this one single episode. But even during "The Cage," Pike displays other aspects of his character--a short temper, a refusal to quit, keen deductive skills, and an appreciation for the finer things in life including a nicely chilled martini.

One thing that might have continued had Jeffrey Hunter continued with the role was a possible love triangle between Pike, Number One, and Yeoman Colt as was suggested in this pilot, but that was rumored to be one of the reasons why Jeffrey Hunter's wife didn't want him to continue with the series...

How many people in real life who have a lot of resonsibility ponder about their decisions? Thumbs up for Pike

[MissionTrek08]

It will be most interesting to watch his character develop in the film, since we (presumably) know where he ends up... a storyline which was unknown when they actually filmed "The Cage".

[Chucky D]

Originally Posted by horatio

Nothing like a Ferris Bueller alum becoming a Starfleet captain

Seriously - I think the Pike role will be very interesting to see develop. And lest we forget, Spock was very loyal to Capt. Pike to the extreme that he nearly sacrificed his career on Pike's behalf in the Managerie. I have a feeling Spock will not immediately be pleased when Pike gets promoted and Kirk takes command. It will be a very interesting indeed.

[Oregon_Coast_Trekkie]

Plus, how long has Pike been in Starfleet? Perhaps the death and destruction has gotten to him.

Would anybody call a soldier today who has fought in Iraq coming home suffering from PTSD any less of a man? The same would apply to Pike.

[Elizadolots]

I think the Pike to Kirk transition, as experience by Spock, is one of the things highest on my list of "things I really want to see".

I also think Pike is going to be a substantial character in the movie, not someone we just see for a few minutes while he hands the keys to Kirk.

I know Quinto has commented that Spock is really having issues with controlling his emotions in the film...I'm going to assume that both Spock's because I cannot even begin to imagine the array of emotions Spock the elder will go through seeing Kirk as he first knew him, and Pike, healthy and whole again....

[Zardoz]

Originally Posted by Elizadolots

I think the Pike to Kirk transition, as experience by Spock, is one of the things highest on my list of "things I really want to see".

I also think Pike is going to be a substantial character in the movie, not someone we just see for a few minutes while he hands the keys to Kirk.

I know Quinto has commented that Spock is really having issues with controlling his emotions in the film...I'm going to assume that both Spock's because I cannot even begin to imagine the array of emotions Spock the elder will go through seeing Kirk as he first knew him, and Pike, healthy and whole again....

So very very true Eliza!!