Plot – The teaser goes out of its way to remind the audience about five times that this is a planet that is just like the Earth, so much so that you could tell that we were about to indulge in some grand educational exercise in how humanity behaved before it was civilised in this time. Given the amount of parallel Earth’s out there that evolved a specie much like humanity that has the equivalent of Earth’s history you might wonder if some ambitious bombshell is due to be dropped like that of TNG’s The Chase about why the humanoid species is the dominant one in the universe. Perhaps worlds are pre-programmed to follow the same patterns and make the same mistakes?
It’s a world where Rome never fell and we get to witness the oppressive regime that would have developed if that had been the case. The notion of slavery evolving into an institution is an interesting one and whilst I find the concept of this parallel Earth a little hard to swallow I was impressed with the amount of detail that went into the world building. What’s better; a society built on slavery that minimises conflict or a world of free men that has been through three bloody world wars?
Kirk suggests that one of the most important rules of his business is to not interfere in the affairs of others, a statement that is so blatantly false and goes against the ethos of the Original Series that I am surprised he could keep a straight face.
Character – The question is asked if Spock and McCoy are enemies or not and Kirk answers that he isn’t sure if they are sure themselves but we all know the truth underneath all that banter and insult. Their dialogue has salvaged many a TOS episode because it is usually where the writers allow themselves to be at their most challenging.
Captain Merrick is sparks interest because he has turned his back on his oath to Starfleet and has become heavily involved with the affairs on this planet. He has a position and power and sent his men who refused to go along with his wishes into the arena. He’s a despot and a traitor and it’s always interesting to cosy up to men like that and see what makes them tick.
Is it true that Spock is afraid that his human half might peek out one day? Is that why he is happy to face death? This is pretty probing stuff between him and McCoy, with the good Doctor seemingly trying to provoke an emotional response from his compatriot.
Performance – ‘I’m trying to thank you, you pointed eared hobgoblin!’ is a line delivered so perfectly by DeForest Kelly I burst out laughing and couldn’t stop.
Production – Spock, Kirk and McCoy beam down to what in the business of reviewing science fiction we call ‘the Doctor Who quarry.’ But since this is supposed to be a planet that is remarkably similar to Earth there is no reason why they shouldn’t land in a gravel pit.
I was extremely impressed with the direction throughout and it made me sit up and pay attention quite a few times and not in the usual TOS ‘oh god was that considered acceptable in the 60’s’ kind of way. The location work is expertly handled and Serensky gives the setting a sense of scale by using some effective long shots and there is one moment where worshipping the sun is mentioned and is immediately and arrestingly followed up with a low angle shot featuring the sun beating down punishingly on one of the cast.
The entire episode might be worth watching just for the shocking image of a Roman legionnaire flaunting a machine gun.
It is a shame that the stunt doubles are quite so obvious because the fight sequences in the ‘arena’ are very competently achieved. Hand to hand combat sequences on TOS are tenapenny but this is a chance to showcase something a bit different to the usual frolicking on the Enterprise sets. Spock proves to be quite adept with a sword and I appreciate the Foley work of the clashing steel and how quick cut and dynamic these sequences were.
Best moment – That glorious moment where we are offered a sneak peek of TOS behind the scenes because the planet itself is obsesses with self-publication for ratings purposes and so creates a mock Roman set and backdrop to film the gladiatorial games against. Appealing to the masses was TOS’ greatest problem, execs who were obsessed with numbers over creating quality television and so this is a pleasing commentary on what was happening at the time. With Gene Roddenberry co-writing this script, it feels like a personal attack. Canned laughter, audience participation and a commentary, we get to see just how the magic of television is brought to life. ‘If you bring this Network’s ratings down and we’ll do a special on you!’
Worst moment – ‘You could hardly claim to be an Angel with those pointed ears, Mr Spock’ is the most overt racist comment I think I have heard anyone utter on Star Trek. I don’t know how McCoy gets away with it. He claims that he is a man of peace but with inflammatory comments like that in his repertoire I’m not surprised that McCoy isn’t a part of the diplomatic quorum.
Kirk’s method of gaining trust is to ask the people pointing weapons at them that what he has said is the truth and if they don’t believe him then they should kill him. Given one of their captors is clearly trigger happy and highly doubtful about their arrival I question whether that is the safest approach.
I wish they hadn’t done that – Thank goodness Kirk’s escape from the cell is immediately foiled because they signpost what they are going to try and do to the guards so perceptibly it’s painful to watch.
The finale scene is provoking because it suggests that Christianity is coming for this Roman Empire and will civilise them. Everybody is smiling about the idea. Let’s not forget the long list of slaughter that came with Christianity and everything that followed. The arrogance of Kirk saying ‘hohoho’ they are going to turn into us all over again because we’re so superior’ is enough to make you grab a sick bucket. I was ready to be angry as they skip away from the planet and we never know how they end up and they dodge that bullet…by throwing a spear into my gut. I don’t like the implications here; I don’t like them one bit. To suggest that humanity has reached some kind of moral zenith with our heroes and that they can look down upon the affairs of this planet as something brutal and undisciplined makes my blood boil. They only reason that they should be considered the superior species is because they say so.
A reason to watch this episode again – An odd premise and an uneven episode, albeit one that is executed with a great deal of panache. I found Bread and Circuses watchable because it gets all the essential TOS ingredients right (Spock and McCoy are at each other’s throats, Kirk gets the girl, action sequences aplenty) and it essentially serves as comfort viewing that way. Gene’s Roddenberry and Coon prick at the surface of this society and let some fascinating ideas bleed through but ultimately the premise of another Earth like planet with another human race with human history is a little too hard to swallow. It’s perfectly competent and you might find much to enjoy here but it is in no way striving as much as it thinks it is. I do wonder how novel it would feel if Scotty, Uhura and Chekov had beamed down instead of Kirk, Spock and McCoy. These facsimile Earth episodes might have a little more innovation if the forgotten crewmembers were given the spotlight. The ending is especially slight – once the setting has been milked for all its visual irrationality – the crew is beamed away in an effortless manoeuvre by Mister Scott and our heroes can all go on their merry way laughing about those primitive Roman-inspired barbarians. A shame because the episode dared to make a comment that perhaps this was a more civilised society and with a little more guts might have delved deeper into that notion and made some provocative conclusions. Ultimately it wants to be a fun episode of Star Trek but I can see the potential for it to be more.
*** out of *****
Clue for tomorrow's episode:
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