Bread and Circuses

2x25 The Ultimate Computer Assignment: Earth Star Trek: The Original SeriesSeason 2

 WRITTEN BY

Gene Roddenberry & Gene L. Coon

 DIRECTED BY

Ralph Senensky

 AIRED ON

March 15, 1968

 RUNTIME

50 minutes

 STARRING

 VIEWS

270

 LAST UPDATE

2024-09-20 21:45:49

 PAGE VERSION

Version 29

 LIKES

0

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0

 SUMMARY

No summary yet.

 STORY

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 BEHIND THE SCENES

• Spock talks about 6 million people who died in WWI, 11 million in WWII and 37 million in WWIII. For someone usually as accurate as him, he actually is quite far off, as approx. 16 million people died in WWI and between 70 and 85 million in WW2.
• Roman Empire in Space Concept: The episode was developed around the idea of a parallel Earth where the Roman Empire never fell, but instead advanced into the modern age, incorporating 20th-century technology. This allowed the producers to reuse sets and props from other shows and movies related to Roman history, reducing production costs.
• The title Bread and Circuses comes from a Roman phrase ("panem et circenses") used to describe how the Roman Empire maintained control over the population by providing food and entertainment. It reflects the episode’s exploration of the society's reliance on gladiatorial games for public appeasement.
• Religious Subtext and Controversy: The episode’s subtle reference to the "Sun worshippers" being early Christians sparked some controversy among viewers. The final reveal that the slaves worship the "Son of God" (not the literal Sun) was a nod to the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire. Some viewers saw this as pushing a religious message, although the creators maintained it was simply part of the historical analogy.
• Roddenberry and writer Gene L. Coon were known for inserting philosophical and religious ideas into Star Trek episodes, and this was one of the more overt examples.
• Influence of Gene Roddenberry’s Military Experience: Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, had a background in the military, and his experience as an Army Air Corps pilot in World War II influenced many episodes. The theme of individual freedom versus totalitarianism, as explored in "Bread and Circuses," reflects Roddenberry’s personal views on leadership, authority, and the human struggle for liberty.
• William Shatner’s Stunt Work: William Shatner, who played Captain Kirk, was known for his physicality and often performed his own stunts. In this episode, there’s a gladiator fight in which Kirk faces off against Flavius (a former gladiator and now a Sun worshipper). Shatner performed much of the action himself, adding to the intensity and realism of the scene.
• Shatner was also famous for adding dramatic pauses in his lines, which can be noticed during his interactions with the Prefect of the Roman planet, Merikus.
• Actor John Hoyt's Return to Star Trek: John Hoyt, who played the role of the Roman Proconsul Claudius Marcus, had previously appeared in the Star Trek pilot episode "The Cage" as Dr. Philip Boyce, the ship’s first chief medical officer. His return in a different role adds a subtle connection between the episodes.
• Nimoy’s Reaction to Spock’s Emotional Scene: Leonard Nimoy, who portrayed Spock, had a memorable scene in which Spock shows his internal struggle with human emotions during a conversation with Dr. McCoy. Nimoy was known to be protective of Spock’s stoic nature, and he later revealed in interviews that he found this scene challenging because it forced him to show Spock’s vulnerability. This moment is often cited as one of the highlights of the episode due to its emotional depth.
• Disagreement Over the Script: Writers Gene Roddenberry and Gene L. Coon reportedly had disagreements over the direction of the script, specifically over how overt the social commentary should be. Roddenberry, who favored moral and ethical messages, wanted to highlight the dangers of a society obsessed with entertainment and distractions. Coon, on the other hand, preferred a more subtle approach. The final script reflects a compromise between their visions.
• Recycling of Costumes and Sets: To save on the production budget, many of the costumes and props used in "Bread and Circuses" were borrowed from other productions, especially those dealing with Roman themes. For example, the gladiator outfits and Roman soldiers’ armor had been used in films such as Ben-Hur and other sword-and-sandal epics of the time. Similarly, the arena where Kirk and McCoy were forced to fight gladiators reused elements from earlier episodes and sets from other TV shows, giving the episode a familiar yet grandiose look.
• Unique Blend of Genres: Bread and Circuses stands out as one of the episodes that blends multiple genres—science fiction, historical drama, and social commentary. The juxtaposition of futuristic technology, such as phasers and communicators, with the aesthetics and political structure of ancient Rome, created a unique world within the Star Trek universe. This mixture of genres was a hallmark of Star Trek’s versatility, allowing it to explore complex social and ethical issues through various lenses.
• The Prime Directive: This episode touches on one of the most important principles in Star Trek: the Prime Directive, which prohibits Starfleet officers from interfering with the natural development of other civilizations. Captain Kirk and his crew struggle with this ethical dilemma when deciding how to deal with the authoritarian Roman Empire-like society. The episode shows the difficulty in applying such a strict moral rule when confronted with oppressive regimes.
• This is one of the many episodes where Kirk must find a balance between non-interference and his own moral compass, creating the tension that drives the narrative.

 QUOTES

Flavius: Where are you from? What do you call those?
Spock: I call them ears.
Flavius: Are you trying to be funny?
Spock: Never.

Spock: Doctor, if I were able to show emotion, your new infatuation with that term would begin to annoy me.
McCoy: What term? Logic? Medical men are trained in logic, Mr. Spock.
Spock: Really, Doctor, I had no idea they were trained. Watching you, I assumed it was trial and error.
Flavius: Are they enemies, Captain?
Kirk: I'm not sure they're sure.

Spock: Situations quite familiar to the six million who died in your first world war, the eleven million who died in your second, the thirty seven million who died in your third. Shall I go on?

Drusilla: I was told to wait for you and provide wine, food, whatever you wish. I am Proconsul's slave Drusilla. Although for this evening... for this evening I was told I am your slave. Command me.

McCoy: Angry, Mr. Spock, or frustrated, perhaps?
Spock: Such emotions are foreign to me, Doctor. I'm merely testing the strength of the door.
McCoy: For the fifteenth time. Spock. Spock, I know we've had our disagreements. Maybe they're jokes. I don't know. As Jim says, we're not often sure ourselves sometimes, but what I'm trying to say is––
Spock: Doctor, I am seeking a means of escape. Will you please be brief?
McCoy: Well, what I'm trying to say is you saved my life in the arena.
Spock: Yes, that's quite true.
McCoy: I'm trying to thank you, you pointed-eared hobgoblin!
Spock: Oh, yes. You humans have that emotional need to express gratitude. You're welcome, I believe, is the correct response. However, Doctor, you must remember I am entirely motivated by logic. The loss of our ship's surgeon, whatever I think of his skill, would mean a reduction in the efficiency of the Enterprise and therefore
McCoy: Do you know why you're not afraid to die, Spock? You're more afraid of living. Each day you stay alive is just one more day you might slip and let your human half peek out. That's it, isn't it? Insecurity. Why, you wouldn't know what to do with a genuine, warm, decent feeling.
Spock: Really, Doctor?
McCoy: I know. I'm worried about Jim, too.

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 REVIEWS

The Roman Empire

Written by Pike on 2020-05-11
★ ★

BAD ROMANS
After visiting a planet made of mobsters, a planet ruled with Nazis, Kirk, Spock and McCoy now visit a planet where the civilization is looking oddly like the Roman Empire. You therefore get the usual cheap sets, the really not epic gladiator fight, you name it.

A GREAT SPOCK/MCCOY SCENE
Still, in this bad episode, there is one particular scene that is simply beautiful and pitch perfect between McCoy and Spock. Their relationship has been pretty tense in this second season, but in this scene you also see the duality between their profound friendship as well as animosity. Just wonderful acting and words.

VERDICT
Unfortunately, still a bad episode. I give it 2 out of 5 and just because of that scene between Spock and McCoy... and Drusilla. Command me.

 TRANSCRIPT

[Bridge]
(Everyone on the Bridge is staring at Spock's back, as he analyses some sensor data.)
SPOCK: No doubt about it, Captain. The space debris comes from the survey vessel SS Beagle.
KIRK: Missing for six years, and now this junk in space.
SPOCK: Portions of the antimatter nacelles, personal belongings. Captain, no signs of bodies whatsoever.
KIRK: Then whatever destroyed the ship, the crew was able to get off safely. Navigator, compute the present drift of the wreckage.
CHEKOV: Computed and on the board, sir.
KIRK: Mr. Spock, assuming that the wreckage drifted at the same speed and direction for the past six years?
SPOCK: It would have come from planet four, star system eight nine two, directly ahead.
CHEKOV: Only one sixteenth parsec away, Captain. We should be there in seconds.
KIRK: Standard orbit around the planet. There may be survivors there.
SPOCK: SS Beagle. Small class four stardrive vessel. Crew of forty seven, commanded by. Jim, I believe you knew him. Captain R M Merik.
KIRK: Yes, at the academy. He was dropped in his fifth year. He went into the merchant service.
CHEKOV: Coming up on the planet, captain.
(A planet with lots of water, some land masses and just s few wispy white clouds.)
KIRK: Put it on the screen.
CHEKOV: Definitely class M, somewhat similar to Earth.
KIRK: Yes, similar. But the land masses and oceans are quite different, however.
SPOCK: Different in shape only, Captain. The proportion of land to water is exactly as on your Earth. Density five point five, diameter seven nine one seven at the equator, atmosphere seventy eight percent nitrogen, twenty one percent oxygen. Again, exactly like Earth.
KIRK: Exactly in some ways, different in others.
SPOCK: I also picked up indications of large cities.
KIRK: What era?
SPOCK: No sign of atomic power as yet, but far enough along for radio communications, power transportation, an excellent road system.
UHURA: Captain, both amplitude and frequency modulation being used. I think I can pick up something visual. It's a news broadcast using a system I think they once called video.
SPOCK: Television was the colloquial term.
KIRK: Put it on the screen.
UHURA: Aye.
(A black and white image of people watching as police in crash helmets arrest someone. There is a car in the foreground. Very 1950s or 60s.)
VOICE [OC]: Today police rounded up still another group of dissidents. Authorities are as yet unable to explain these fresh outbreaks of treasonable disobedience by well-treated, well-protected, intelligent slaves. Now turning to the world of sports and bringing you the taped results of the arena games last night. (a sword fight) The first heat involved amateurs. They're petty thieves from City Prison. Conducted, however, with traditional weapons, it provided some amusement for a few moments. In the second heat, a slightly more professional display in the spirit of our splendid past, when gladiator Claudius Marcus killed the last of the barbarians, William B. Harrison, in an excellent example of
(The picture of an old Roman fight with net and short sword is lost.)
UHURA: Transmission lost, sir. Shall I try to get it back?
KIRK: Slaves and gladiators. What are we seeing, a twentieth-century Rome?
SPOCK: Captain, the one described as the barbarian is also listed here. Flight officer William B. Harrison of the SS Beagle. At least there were some survivors down there.
KIRK: Ready the transporter room, Mr. Spock. We're beaming down.

[Hillside]

(The landing party of three is beamed onto a ridge, nicely silhouetted against the clear blue sky.)
KIRK: You could have selected a more convenient place, Mr. Spock.
SPOCK: But hardly more practical, captain. Close to the city we located, but not populated. We should not be observed.
(They head down the steep slope. Spock takes some tricorder scans.)
SPOCK: Fascinating. This atmosphere is remarkably similar to your twentieth century. Moderately industrialised pollution containing substantial amounts of carbon monoxide and partially consumed hydrocarbons.
MCCOY: The word was smog.
SPOCK: Yes, I believe that was the term. I had no idea you were that much of a historian, Doctor.
MCCOY: I am not, Mr. Spock. I was simply trying to stop you from giving us a whole lecture on the subject. Jim, is there anything at all we know about this planet?
KIRK: The SS Beagle was the first ship to make a survey of this star sector when it disappeared.
SPOCK: Then the Prime Directive is in full force, Captain?
KIRK: No identification of self or mission. No interference with the social development of said planet.
MCCOY: No references to space, or the fact that there are other worlds, or more advanced civilisations.
KIRK: Let's go.
MCCOY: One, just once, I'd like to be able to land someplace and say, Behold, I am the Archangel Gabriel.
SPOCK: I fail to see the humour in that situation, Doctor.
MCCOY: Naturally. You could hardly claim to be an angel with those pointed ears, Mr. Spock. But say you landed someplace with a pitchfork.
(A gunshot rings out.)
FLAVIUS [OC]: Don't move! Hands in the air!
SPOCK: Complete Earth parallel. The language here is English.
(Kirk tries to go for his phaser, and another shot hits the ground near his feet.)
FLAVIUS [OC]: I said, don't move!
KIRK: I think he means it, Spock.
SPOCK: There would seem to be evidence to that effect.
(Four men appear from behind rocks. They are wearing t-shirts with a short chain motif at the neck. The leader is barefoot and wearing shorts.)
FLAVIUS: Who are you?
KIRK: We come from another province.
FLAVIUS: (to Spock) Where are you from? What do you call those?
SPOCK: I call them ears.
FLAVIUS: Are you trying to be funny?
SPOCK: Never. Colloquial twentieth-century English. An amazing parallel.
KIRK: We come from a place that's quite some journey from here. I doubt if you've heard
FLAVIUS: Uniforms. Probably some new Praetorian guard unit. I should kill you here, but Septimus would probably be displeased. Move. Move!
(As they are lead along, a guard whistles the signal that they are approaching, and two men come out of a hidden cave.

[Cave entrance]

FLAVIUS: I didn't harm them, Septimus, as much as I wanted to.
SEPTIMUS: (a very old man with a gentle way of speaking) Keep always in your mind, Flavius, that our way is peace.
MCCOY: For which we are grateful, for we are men of peace ourselves.
SEPTIMUS: Oh? Are you Children of the Sun?
MCCOY: Well, if you're speaking of worships of sorts, we represent many beliefs.
FLAVIUS: There is only one true belief! Roman butchers, sent here by the first citizen.
KIRK: Do we look like any Romans you ever saw ?
SEPTIMUS: Then are you slaves like ourselves?
KIRK: Our people don't believe in slavery.
FLAVIUS: A Roman lie. We must kill them.
SPOCK: Sir, we came here looking for some friends, forty seven of them who were stranded here some six years ago. They wore clothing similar to ours. Have you heard of such men?
FLAVIUS: Septimus, I know killing is evil, but sometimes it's necessary.
SEPTIMUS: No.
FLAVIUS: But they've located us, our hiding place. It's better to kill a few of them than all of us.
KIRK: Wait. I can prove we're telling the truth. A small device. I'll take it out slowly. (his communicator) Kirk to Enterprise. Come in.
SCOTT [OC]: Scott here, Captain.
KIRK: Scotty, lock in on my transmission beam. Scan us.
SCOTT [OC]: Scanning, sir.
KIRK: Including ourselves, how many of us are there?
SCOTT [OC]: Twelve, Captain.
KIRK: Good, Scotty. Continue scanning. We'll maintain transmission. Kirk out. The Enterprise is our ship, somewhere at sea. That's all I can tell you. If it isn't sufficient, you will have to kill us.
SEPTIMUS: Tell me the empire has a device like that, Flavius, and you may kill them. Otherwise, accept them as friends.
(Septimus leads the way into the caves.)

Captain's log, stardate 4040.7. On the surface of planet four, system eight nine two, the landing party has won the confidence of what obviously is a group of runaway slaves. They dwell in caves not far from a large city, wear rags, live under primitive conditions. But they are creatures of a heavily industrialised twentieth-century type planet very much like Earth. An amazing example of Hodgkins's law of Parallel Planet Development. But on this Earth, Rome never fell. A world ruled by emperors who can trace their line back two thousand years to their own Julius and Augustus Caesars.

[Cave]

(The landing party are given water, and Spock leafs through some magazines.)
SEPTIMUS: No, Captain. I'm sure I would have heard of the arrival of other men like you.
KIRK: Perhaps you've heard, let's say, an impossible story or a rumour of men who came from the sky or from other worlds.
SEPTIMUS: There are no other worlds.
KIRK: The stars.
SEPTIMUS: Lights shining through from heaven. It is where the sun is. Blessed be the sun.
KIRK: Yes, of course.
SPOCK: (brings over a magazine) Captain, I thought you might find this interesting.
KIRK: Spock?
SPOCK: Fascinating.
KIRK: (looking at a car advert) The Jupiter Eight. Conventional internal combustion engine. You were right about the smog. But the Jupiter Eight? Mars toothpaste. Neptune bath salts.
SEPTIMUS: Taken from the names of false gods. When I was a senator, I worshiped them too, but I heard the words of the sun. I became a Brother. For that, they made me a slave.
KIRK: Septimus, we need your help. We must go into the city. We know that one of our missing friends was seen there recently.
SEPTIMUS: My advice to you is to leave. Go back where you came from.
KIRK: We can't do that. Perhaps you know his name. Merik. Captain Merik.
(General consternation and animosity from the other slaves)
SEPTIMUS: Merikus?
KIRK: Yes. He's the leader of our friends.
SEPTIMUS: Merikus is first citizen. Butcher.
KIRK: That doesn't sound like the same man.
SPOCK: Captain, a logical question, if I may. Septimus, how many years ago did Merikus become your first citizen?
SEPTIMUS: Perhaps five years.
FLAVIUS: Almost six. I was there when he became lord of the games. If he is your friend, you are no friends of ours.
KIRK: Septimus, wherever we may be from, you must believe that it is one of our most important laws that none of us interfere with the affairs of others. If Captain Merik is Merikus, then he has violated that law, and he must be taken away and punished. Will you help us get to the truth of all this?
SEPTIMUS: First I must discuss it with the others.
(The men leave.)
SPOCK: Curious, Captain, the similarity in names. Were you told why Merik was dropped from the Space Academy?
KIRK: He failed a psycho-simulator test. All it takes is a split second of indecision. Hardly the type to become a political strongman.
MCCOY: Odd that these people should worship the sun.
SPOCK: Why, Doctor?
MCCOY: Because, my dear Mr. Spock, it is illogical. Rome had no sun worshipers. Why should they parallel Rome in every way except one?
(The men return.)
SEPTIMUS: We have decided. Flavius will guide you. We will provide you with suitable clothing. I caution you, take great care. The police are everywhere. May the blessings of the sun be upon you.

[Countryside]

(Dressed as slaves in jeans and t-shirts, the landing party are lead towards the city. Spock wears his obligatory woollen hat. They stop by a small thicket of trees.)
FLAVIUS: We'll wait here until dark.
KIRK: Are you a slave, Flavius?
FLAVIUS: You are barbarians indeed not to know of Flavius Maximus. For seven years, I was the most successful gladiator in this province.
KIRK: Then you heard the word of the sun?
FLAVIUS: Yes. The words of peace and freedom. It wasn't easy for me to believe. I was trained to fight. But the words, the words are true.
KIRK: There are many things I'd like to know
(he's interrupted by rapid gunfire.)
MAXIMUS: Hold! Don't move! Hands in the air!
(Armed police round them up.)
Four fleeing fish. A fine haul. Flavius Maximus.
(Flavius attacks him and gets knocked down.)
MAXIMUS: You have been too long absent from the games, Flavius. The first citizen will be pleased. Runaway slaves are always welcome. (removes Spock's hat) No, not slaves. Barbarians. It's been a long time since I've watched barbarians die in the arena.

Captain's log, stardate 4040.9. Uniformed police like those of Earth, a great city like Rome with automobiles. Astonishing similarities to twentieth-century Earth, down to the fine carbon steel in the bars.

[Prison]

(Spock and McCoy carry Flavius into a cell.)
KIRK: Tell Merikus I'd like to see him.
MAXIMUS: The first citizen? Why would he bother with arena bait like you?
KIRK: Tell him it's Jim Kirk. Perhaps a friend.
MAXIMUS: Perhaps?
KIRK: Well, if I am a friend and you don't tell him, do you really want to risk that?
(They are locked in and left alone. McCoy tends to Flavius's head wound.)
KIRK: But if there have been slaves for over 2,000 years, hasn't there always been discontent, runaways?
FLAVIUS: Long ago there were rebellions, but they were suppressed. And with each century, the slaves acquired more rights under the law. They received rights to medicine, the right to government payments in their old age, and they slowly learned to be content.
SPOCK: Even more fascinating. Slavery evolving into an institution with guaranteed medical payments, old-age pensions.
MCCOY: Quite logical, I'd say, Mr. Spock. Just as it's logical that twentieth-century Rome would use television to show its gladiator contests or name a new car the Jupiter Eight.
SPOCK: Doctor, if I were able to show emotion, your new infatuation with that term would begin to annoy me.
MCCOY: What term? Logic? Medical men are trained in logic, Mr. Spock.
SPOCK: Really, Doctor, I had no idea they were trained. Watching you, I assumed it was trial and error.
FLAVIUS: Are they enemies, Captain?
KIRK: I'm not sure they're sure. When the slaves began to worship the sun, they became discontent again. When did all this happen?
FLAVIUS: Long ago. Perhaps as long ago as the beginning of the empire. The message of the sun, that all men are brothers, was kept from us. Perhaps I'm a fool to believe it. It does often seem that man must fight to live.
KIRK: You go on believing it, Flavius. All men are brothers.
(The guards return.)
MAXIMUS: Flavius. Your friends are waiting for you. You've already been matched for the morning games. Come.
FLAVIUS: I will not fight. I'm a Brother of the Sun.
MAXIMUS: Put a sword in your hand, and you'll fight. I know you, Flavius, you're as peaceful as a bull.
(Two guards take Flavius away.)
MAXIMUS: You three come with us.
KIRK: Three against three. We may never get a better chance.
MAXIMUS: No talking. Outside.
KIRK: (looking at McCoy) I doubt if he'll get very far. He feels ill.
MCCOY: I do?
MAXIMUS: Outside!
KIRK: All right, but he'll double over before we get very far. (Spock and Kirk take McCoy's arms.)
MCCOY: No, I think I can walk. I'll try.
(McCoy suddenly doubles over in pain and two guards are sent in to help. One gets neck-pinched, the Roman is karate-chopped and the last guard is punched by the invalid.)
KIRK: Let's go.
MERIK: (blue eyed, red haired) Well done, Jim. (Armed guards appear.) I'm afraid it isn't that easy. They've been handling slaves here for two thousand years.
CLAUDIUS: But it was exciting. They'd do well in the arena.
KIRK: Captain Merik, isn't it ?
MERIK: Yes, it's me. This is our Proconsul, Claudius Marcus.
CLAUDIUS: But this is no place for a reunion.
MERIK: This way. Your friends, too. There's lots to talk about, lots to explain.
KIRK: I agree.
MERIK: Don't judge me before you know the facts. Come on, we can talk freely here. The Proconsul knows who and what we are.

[Chamber]

(Some small animal skins on the floor, a brass brazier, an urn and busts on plinths, and a girl preparing drinks.)
MERIK: You can leave us.
(The guards leave.)
MERIK: Well, a celebration. A meeting of old friends.
CLAUDIUS: Prepare food for our friends. They've come from a great distance. A great distance indeed. So, this is a Vulcan. Interesting. From what I've heard, I wish I had fifty of you for the arena.
MERIK: This other is your ship's surgeon?
KIRK: McCoy.
MERIK: It's a pity we can't let him loose in our hospitals. Our level of medicine would improve immeasurably, I'm sure.
CLAUDIUS: Come. You must be hungry. Gentlemen?
(They sit at a table, and the girl brings over a plate.)
CLAUDIUS: Oh, try the sparrow broiled in garum. Delicious. Or perhaps some of this roast kid. Lovely thing, isn't she?
KIRK: All right, what happened?
MERIK: We had meteor damage, Jim. I went ashore with a landing party to look for iridium ore for repairs, and I met this gentleman.
KIRK: Go on.
MERIK: He convinced me it would be unfair to this world to carry word of their existence elsewhere.
CLAUDIUS: Contamination. Can't risk that. Oh, you'll understand as you learn more about us.
MERIK: So I made the decision to stay.
KIRK: What happened to your crew? Did they voluntarily beam, come ashore?
MERIK: This is an ordered world, Jim, a conservative world based on time-honoured Roman strengths and virtues.
KIRK: What happened to your crew?
MERIK: There's been no war here for over four hundred years, Jim. Could, let's say, your land of that same era make that same boast? I think you can see why they don't want to have their stability contaminated by dangerous ideas of other ways and other places.
SPOCK: Interesting, and given a conservative empire, quite understandable.
MCCOY: Are you out of your head?
SPOCK: I said I understood it, Doctor. I find the checks and balances of this civilisation quite illuminating.
MCCOY: Next he'll be telling us he prefers it over Earth history.
SPOCK: They do seem to have escaped the carnage of your first three world wars, Doctor.
MCCOY: They have slavery, gladiatorial games, despotism.
SPOCK: Situations quite familiar to the six million who died in your first world war, the eleven million who died in your second, the thirty seven million who died in your third. Shall I go on?
CLAUDIUS: Interesting. And you, Captain, which world do you prefer?
KIRK: My world, proconsul, is my vessel, my oath, my crew. What happened to your vessel you've explained. What happened to your oath is obvious.
MERIK: And as for my men, those that were able to adapt to this world are still alive. Those who couldn't adapt are dead. That's the way it is with life everywhere, isn't it?
KIRK: You sent your own men into the arena?
MERIK: Just as I did, Jim, you're going to order your own people ashore.
MCCOY: You must know that's impossible. Starfleet regulations
CLAUDIUS: Are designed to circumvent any such order. There may be over four hundred men on your ship, Captain, but they can be brought down if it's handled properly. Say, a few at a time. You see, I have the advantage of a trained ship captain to tell me what is and what is not possible. Your communicator, Captain Kirk. Now do save us all a lot of unnecessary trouble and issue the appropriate orders.
MERIK: They're going to be arriving soon, anyway, Jim. A recon party, then a rescue party, then another rescue party. I had less men. It added up the same.
KIRK: Do you really believe I could be made to order my own people down?
CLAUDIUS: I believe this, Captain. That you would do almost anything rather than see these two dear friends put slowly to death.
(Kirk takes the communicator.)
MCCOY: Jim.
KIRK: Kirk to Enterprise.
SCOTT [OC]: Bridge. Scott here.
(Armed guards enter.)
KIRK: Scotty, if you have a fix. (guns are pointed at his head) Stand by, Scotty.
CLAUDIUS: Very wise of you, Captain. No point in sending up bullet-ridden corpses.
KIRK: Yet on the other hand, my chief engineer's standing by for a message.
CLAUDIUS: I do hope so, for your sake. Now, Captain, what are you going to order your men to do?
KIRK: If I brought down a hundred of them armed with phasers
CLAUDIUS: you could probably defeat the combined armies of our entire empire, and violate your oath regarding noninterference with other societies. I believe you all swear you'll die before you'd violate that directive. Am I right?
SPOCK: Quite correct.
MCCOY: Must you always be so blasted honest?
CLAUDIUS: But on the other hand, why even bother to send your men down? From what I understand, your vessel could lay waste to the entire surface of the world. Oh, but there's that Prime Directive in the way again. Can't interfere.
MERIK: Jim, you've already started a message. Your engineer's waiting. What are you going to do?
KIRK: Scotty. Sorry to keep you waiting.
SCOTT [OC]: We were becoming concerned, Captain. You were a bit overdue.
CLAUDIUS: Order your officers to come down.
KIRK: Condition Green, all's well. Kirk out.
CLAUDIUS: Guards, take them. Prepare them for the games.
MERIK: Ah, that was stupid, Jim. This is not an Academy training test. This is for real. They're taking you to die.

Ship's log, stardate 4041.2. Chief Engineer Scott recording. Captain Kirk and his landing party have checked in

[Bridge]

SCOTT: But they have used the code term Condition Green, which means they're in trouble. But it also prohibits my taking any action. (ends log entry) Mr. Chekov, pinpoint power source locations. Type, power, load factors, and how much our beams will have to pull to overload them.
CHEKOV: That may take some time.
SCOTT: Let it take time, lad. They're in trouble, and I'm under orders not to interfere. However, no order can stop me from frightening them. It may do no good, but it may suggest to someone just what a starship can really do. Aye.

[Arena]

(Actually, a painted backdrop in the Empire TV television studio. The commentator sits on scaffolding next to a camera operator.)
ANNOUNCER: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Live and direct from City Arena, and in colour, we bring you Name the Winner, brought to you tonight by your Jupiter Eight dealers from coast to coast. In just a moment, tonight's first heat. We're in a taped commercial, Proconsul. Forty seconds, then we'll be back live.
(Claudius, Merik and Kirk take seats on a raised platform. Kirk is manacled, and there are two armed guards behind him. Spock and McCoy are brought out by two guards in full traditional dress.)
ANNOUNCER: Stand by. Ten seconds. And first tonight, ladies and gentlemen, a surprise extra. In the far corner, a pair of highly aggressive barbarians. Strong, intelligent, with strange ways, and I'm sure full of a lot of surprises. And facing them, two favorites here from previous encounters, Achilles and Flavius. (The canned applause is turned up by a bored sound effects man) Victory or death? And for which of them? Well, ladies and gentlemen, you know as much about that at this moment as I do because this is your programme. You name the winner.
FLAVIUS: I don't mind fighting, but why you?
VOICE [OC]: Begin!
(Achilles takes on Spock. They are well matched. McCoy is against Flavius, and doesn't know what to do with a short sword.)
ANNOUNCER: Flavius may be getting off to a slow start, but he's never disappointed this crowd. A close one. The barbarian with the pointed ears seems to be in trouble.
SPOCK: I tell you I'm well able to defeat you.
ACHILLES: Fight, barbarian!
MERIK: Most of my men went the same way. I hoped I would feel it less with yours.
SPOCK: I do not want to injure you.
(The cat-calls and hisses are amplified. Flavius gets a taste of the whip.)
MASTER: Fight, you two. You bring this network's ratings down, Flavius, and we'll do a special on you.
(McCoy puts more effort into it.)
CLAUDIUS: Question, Captain?
KIRK: The rules. If Spock should finish his man off first, would he be able to help
CLAUDIUS: We believe men should fight their own battles. Only the weak will die. My word as a Roman. Ready to order your men down, Captain?
MERIK: Maybe now you understand why I gave in. The Romans have always been the strongest, and they've had practice for over two thousand years in enslaving men, using them, killing them.
CLAUDIUS: Quite true, Captain Kirk. The games have always strengthened us. Death becomes a familiar pattern. We don't fear it as you do.
(Flavius gets whipped again)
FLAVIUS: At least defend yourself.
MCCOY: I am defending myself!
FLAVIUS: Not like that, you fool. Hold your weapon higher.
(The cat-calls are replaced by cheers)
CLAUDIUS: Admit it. You find these games frightening, revolting.
KIRK: Proconsul, in some parts of the galaxy I have seen forms of entertainment that makes this look like a folk dance.
CLAUDIUS: Certain this isn't different, Captain? Those are your men dying, not strangers.
KIRK: I've had to select men to die before so that others could be saved.
CLAUDIUS: You're a clever liar, Captain Kirk. Merikus was a spaceship captain. I've observed him thoroughly. Your species has no such strength.
MERIK: He commands not just a spaceship, Proconsul, but a starship. A very special vessel and crew. I tried for such a command.
CLAUDIUS: I see no evidence of superiority. They fight no better than your men did, Merikus. Perhaps not as well.
ACHILLES: Stop running. Fight.
SPOCK: Need any help, Doctor?
MCCOY: Whatever gave you that idea?
ACHILLES: Fight, you pointed-ear freak!
MCCOY: You tell him, buster. Of all the completely ridiculous, illogical questions I ever heard in my life!
(McCoy falls, and is vulnerable. Achilles is distracted so Spock punches him out then goes and neck-pinches Flavius.)
MASTER: A clear foul, Proconsul. Your decision?
CLAUDIUS: Your opinion, Merikus? After all, they're like yourself.
MERIK: It's your decision, Proconsul.
CLAUDIUS: Your opinion, Captain Kirk? Would you like me to kill them now? An easy death? Then you'd gladly accept whatever happens to you. Take them back to their cage. Well, it won't go that easily for them, Captain, nor for you. Take him to my quarters.

[Chamber]

(Kirk is alone in the room, and is startled when a curtain is pulled back and the blonde girl appears, wearing very little.)
DRUSILLA: I was told to wait for you and provide wine, food, whatever you wish. I am Proconsul's slave Drusilla. Although for this evening. (pause) For this evening I was told I am your slave. Command me.
KIRK: It won't work.
DRUSILLA: What will not work?
KIRK: Whatever he has in mind, whatever tricks. You hear that, Proconsul? It won't work. I'm not co-operating. I may die, but you won't get any entertainment out of it.
DRUSILLA: We're alone. Please believe me. I've never lied to one who owns me.

[Jail]

(Spock is checking the iron bars of their prison.)
MCCOY: Angry, Mr. Spock, or frustrated, perhaps?
SPOCK: Such emotions are foreign to me, Doctor. I'm merely testing the strength of the door.
MCCOY: For the fifteenth time. Spock. Spock, I know we've had our disagreements. Maybe they're jokes. I don't know. As Jim says, we're not often sure ourselves sometimes, but what I'm trying to say is
SPOCK: Doctor, I am seeking a means of escape. Will you please be brief?
MCCOY: Well, what I'm trying to say is you saved my life in the arena.
SPOCK: Yes, that's quite true.
MCCOY: I'm trying to thank you, you pointed-eared hobgoblin!
SPOCK: Oh, yes. You humans have that emotional need to express gratitude. You're welcome, I believe, is the correct response. However, Doctor, you must remember I am entirely motivated by logic. The loss of our ship's surgeon, whatever I think of his skill, would mean a reduction in the efficiency of the Enterprise and therefore
MCCOY: Do you know why you're not afraid to die, Spock? You're more afraid of living. Each day you stay alive is just one more day you might slip and let your human half peek out. That's it, isn't it? Insecurity. Why, you wouldn't know what to do with a genuine, warm, decent feeling.
SPOCK: Really, Doctor?
MCCOY: I know. I'm worried about Jim, too.

[Chamber]

(The wine is being poured.)
KIRK: Very good. (he tries a grape) Excellent.
DRUSILLA: I was concerned. I am ordered to please you.
KIRK: I've been in some strange worlds with strange customs. Perhaps this is considered torture here.
DRUSILLA: Torture? I do not understand. I do not wish to see you tortured in any way. (she kisses him) At the first sign of pain, you will tell me?
KIRK: You'll be the first to know.
(Later, when the oil lamp has burnt out, and Kirk is asleep)
CLAUDIUS: Captain. (Kirk wakes with a start) I'm sorry I was detained. Should we have our little talk now? So far on this planet we've kept you rather busy. I don't wonder you slept through the afternoon. By the way, one of the communicators we took from you is missing. Was it my pretty Drusilla by any chance?
(Merik enters. There are guards in the room now too.)
CLAUDIUS: See if he has it. Not that I would have punished her. I would have blamed you. You're a Roman, Kirk, or you should have been. It's not on his person?
MERIK: No, Proconsul.
CLAUDIUS: I am sorry I was detained. I trust there was nothing further you required?
KIRK: Nothing except perhaps an explanation.
CLAUDIUS: Because you're a man, I owe you that. You must die shortly, and because you are a man (pauses) Would you leave us, Merik? The thoughts of one man to another cannot possibly interest you.
(Merik leaves.)
CLAUDIUS: Because you are a man, I gave you some last hours as a man.
KIRK: I appreciate that.
CLAUDIUS: Unfortunately, we must demonstrate that defiance is intolerable.
KIRK: Of course.
CLAUDIUS: But I've learned to respect you. I promise you, you will die easily, quickly.
KIRK: I thank you. And my friends?
CLAUDIUS: When their time comes, the same of course. Guards. Take him to the arena. Oh, we've pre-empted fifteen minutes on the early show for you. In full colour. We guarantee you a splendid audience. You may not understand because you're centuries beyond anything as crude as television.
KIRK: I've heard it was similar.

Enterprise log, Engineer Scott reporting. All banks in readiness for disruption of power sources on the planet's surface.

[Arena]

ANNOUNCER: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Before tonight's first heat, a simple execution. Stay tuned to this channel. There's a lot of excitement coming your way.
CLAUDIUS: Make it a quick, single thrust.
MASTER: Don't move. You'll only die harder.
FLAVIUS: (rushing into the arena) Murderers! If you want death, fight me!
(Claudius signals a guard, who fires his machine gun. The Roman is killed along with Flavius. Kirk grabs the sword and deals with another Roman.)

[Bridge]

SCOTT: Now, Mr. Chekov. Activate.

[Arena]

(As the lights go out, Kirk gets himself a gun and runs.)
CLAUDIUS: Guards, don't let him escape! Guards!

[Jail]

( When the lights come on again, he's by McCoy and Spock's cell.)
MCCOY: Jim!
KIRK: Stand back.
(He shoots the lock out.)
KIRK: Obsolete, but effective.
MCCOY: What happened, Jim?
SPOCK: What did they do to you?
KIRK: They threw me a few curves. No time to explain.
(Claudius and guards come in from two different entrances.)
CLAUDIUS: Hold! We're in each other's line of fire. I pity you, Captain Merik, but at least watch and see how men die. Swords only!
(So the fight starts, and Spock acquires a sword very quickly. The cell door is a defensible position.)
MERIK: (into communicator) Starship, lock in on this. Three to beam
(Claudius stabs him, but Merik manages to throw the communicator into the cell with the landing party.)
SCOTT [OC]: Enterprise to Captain Kirk. Ready to beam up three.
(They disappear in a hail of bullets.)

Captain's log, stardate 4041.7. Note commendation, Engineering Officer Scott. Despite enormous temptation

> [Bridge]

KIRK: And strong personal feelings, he obeyed the Prime Directive. His temporary blackout of the city below resulted in no interference with the society and yet saved the lives of myself and the landing party.
SCOTT: Thank you, Captain.
(Scott leaves as McCoy and Spock enter the Bridge.)
KIRK: Gentlemen.
MCCOY: Captain, I see on your report Flavius was killed. I am sorry. I liked that huge sun worshiper.
SPOCK: I wish we could have examined that belief of his more closely. It seems illogical for a sun worshiper to develop a philosophy of total brotherhood. Sun worship is usually a primitive superstition religion.
UHURA: I'm afraid you have it all wrong, Mr. Spock, all of you. I've been monitoring some of their old-style radio waves, the empire spokesman trying to ridicule their religion. But he couldn't. Don't you understand? It's not the sun up in the sky. It's the Son of God.
KIRK: Caesar and Christ. They had them both. And the word is spreading only now.
MCCOY: A philosophy of total love and total brotherhood.
SPOCK: It will replace their imperial Rome, but it will happen in their twentieth century.
KIRK: Wouldn't it be something to watch, to be a part of? To see it happen all over again? Mr. Chekov, take us out of orbit. Ahead warp factor one.
CHEKOV: Aye, sir.

 HISTORY

2024-09-20 21:47:52 - Pike: Review modified.
2024-09-20 21:45:49 - Pike: Added some trivia.
2024-09-20 21:40:55 - Pike: New quote added.
2024-09-20 21:34:02 - Pike: New quote added.
2024-09-20 21:13:37 - Pike: Added some trivia.
2024-09-20 21:11:34 - Pike: New quote added.
2024-09-20 21:05:02 - Pike: New quote added.
2024-09-20 20:57:22 - Pike: Review modified.
2024-09-20 20:56:20 - Pike: Review modified.
2024-09-20 20:53:14 - Pike: New quote added.
2024-09-18 19:16:52 - Pike: Updated the transcript.
2024-09-18 19:04:57 - Pike: Added the writers.
2024-09-17 21:38:53 - Pike: Added the director.
2024-09-15 10:59:48 - Pike: Updated the transcript.
2024-09-15 10:59:37 - Pike: Added a banner.
2024-09-14 13:02:38 - Pike: Added the air date.