| Kaylars | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Kaylars | |
| Continuity: | Star Trek |
| Body type: | Humanoid |
| 1st appearance: | "The Cage" |
Kaylars are the name of a fictional sub-species of alien creature featured in the Star Trek film and television franchise. They were first seen in the original unaired pilot episode "The Cage". Actor Michael Dugan played the role of the one unnamed Kaylar featured in the episode.
History
Kaylars were an extraterrestrial humanoid race that hailed from the planet Rigel VII. They were giant, violent beings characterized by their lumbering gait, a beastly countenance and aggressive stance. In the year 2254, Captain Christopher Pike of the starship USS Enterprise came to Rigel VII where he found himself in mortal combat against a Kaylar. Pike was victorious and the Kaylar was killed, but it was just one more such mission that left the veteran space captain embittered about the direction his life had taken him.
A short time later, Pike came to the planet Talos IV and became a prisoner of the telepathic Talosians. The Talosians planted an image in Pike's mind of the events that transpired on Rigel VII, including his battle with the Kaylar. Events played out somewhat differently in this dreamscape as Pike now found himself defending a young princess, Vina, from the Kaylar's advances. In the fantasy, the two fought one another and Pike hurled a sword that struck the Kaylar in the back. The Kaylar fell down upon Captain Pike, landing on Pike's second weapon, a studded mace, killing himself.
Notes & Trivia
- The concept behind the Kaylar species was created by Gene Roddenberry.
- Michael Dugan is uncredited as the Kaylar in "The Cage".
- The only representation of a Kaylar shown in the original Star Trek series was an illusion in Captain Pike's mind. The Kaylars never made an actual appearance in the program itself.
- The actual Kaylar that Pike fought on Rigel VII was responsible for killing his Yeoman, Dermot Cusack. A brief reference is made to Cusack in "The Cage" when Pike identifies his replacement, J.M. Colt.