The various "Star Trek" pilot episodes are a fascinating look back ... Star Trek: The Original Series, The Cage In a rare distinction, "Star Trek: The Original Series" had two separate pilots ...

Star Trek had a genius for reusing materials, but “The Menagerie” exceeds even the highest expectations. Instead of throwing out “The Cage,” the original pilot episode featuring Jeffrey ...

After the initial one, “The Cage,” didn’t impress ... instead became the first Star Trek installment to air. There are also cases of pilot episodes ending up in cinemas.

But in the case of "Star ... Trek" canon, and the franchise's first "TV movie." Even though this decision apparently preceded production, most everything about "Section 31" says "pilot episode ...

but “The Cage” was recut into a two-parter titled “The Menagerie,” running later in season 1. "The Man Trap," which was the sixth episode filmed, instead became the first Star Trek installment to air.