Number One, in "The Cage", the original pilot episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek, was the unnamed intellectual, problem-solving second-in-command serving under Captain Christopher Pike. She performs the same role for Pike "as Spock later does for Kirk". Although not shown on-screen, it is implied that Number One briefly takes command of the Enterprise when Captain Pike and his landing party first beam down to Talos IV. She...
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Number One, in "The Cage", the original pilot episode of the science fiction television series Star Trek, was the unnamed intellectual, problem-solving second-in-command serving under Captain Christopher Pike. She performs the same role for Pike "as Spock later does for Kirk". Although not shown on-screen, it is implied that Number One briefly takes command of the Enterprise when Captain Pike and his landing party first beam down to Talos IV. She later beams down to the planet several times herself.
Number One is a term in the (British) Royal Navy dating from the reforms by Samual Pepys during his tenure as Secretary to the Admiralty. "First Lieutenant" was the ranking first officer on board ship, second-in-command to the captain; a century later (in 1794) this was formalised in the ranks of "Lieutenant-Commander" and "Commander", held by Spock ('Number One' was ranked lieutenant).
A comparable staff position (not a rank) is sometimes known in other navies as the "exec", "Executive...
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