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Star Trek
S2.E25
All episodes
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  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Bread and Circuses

  • Episode aired Mar 15, 1968
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 50m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, and DeForest Kelley in Star Trek (1966)
ActionAdventureSci-Fi
The Enterprise crew investigates the disappearance of a ship's crew on a planet that is a modern version of the Roman Empire.The Enterprise crew investigates the disappearance of a ship's crew on a planet that is a modern version of the Roman Empire.The Enterprise crew investigates the disappearance of a ship's crew on a planet that is a modern version of the Roman Empire.
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
    • Ralph Senensky
    • Gene Roddenberry
    • Gene L. Coon
    • John Kneubuhl(story)
  • Stars
    • William Shatner
    • Leonard Nimoy
    • DeForest Kelley
    • Ralph Senensky
    • Gene Roddenberry
    • Gene L. Coon
    • John Kneubuhl(story)
  • Stars
    • William Shatner
    • Leonard Nimoy
    • DeForest Kelley
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 37User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos11

    William Shatner and William Smithers in Star Trek (1966)
    Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley in Star Trek (1966)
    Star Trek (1966)
    Lois Jewell in Star Trek (1966)
    Jack Perkins in Star Trek (1966)
    William Smithers in Star Trek (1966)
    Star Trek (1966)
    William Shatner in Star Trek (1966)
    William Shatner in Star Trek (1966)
    William Shatner and Lois Jewell in Star Trek (1966)

    Top cast

    Edit
    William Shatner
    William Shatner
    • Captain James Tiberius 'Jim' Kirk
    Leonard Nimoy
    Leonard Nimoy
    • Mister Spock
    DeForest Kelley
    DeForest Kelley
    • Doctor Leonard 'Bones' McCoy
    William Smithers
    William Smithers
    • Merik
    Logan Ramsey
    Logan Ramsey
    • Claudius Marcus
    Ian Wolfe
    Ian Wolfe
    • Septimus
    William Bramley
    William Bramley
    • Policeman
    Rhodes Reason
    Rhodes Reason
    • Flavius
    James Doohan
    James Doohan
    • Lieutenant Commander Montgomery 'Scotty' Scott
    Nichelle Nichols
    Nichelle Nichols
    • Lieutenant Nyota Uhura
    Walter Koenig
    Walter Koenig
    • Ensign Pavel Chekov
    Bart La Rue
    Bart La Rue
    • Announcer
    • (as Bart Larue)
    Jack Perkins
    Jack Perkins
    • Master of Games
    Max Kleven
    • Maximus
    Lois Jewell
    • Drusilla
    Paul Baxley
    • Policeman #1
    • (uncredited)
    Bill Blackburn
    • Lieutenant Hadley
    • (uncredited)
    Frank da Vinci
    • Lt. Brent
    • (uncredited)
      • Ralph Senensky
      • Gene Roddenberry
      • Gene L. Coon
      • John Kneubuhl(story) (uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The caves where the Children of the Sun hide out are one of the most-used locations in television and movies. In addition to being the entrance to Batman (1966)'s Batcave, they are also seen in Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Kung Fu (1972) and various police and western shows. They are located right below the famous Hollywood sign.
    • Goofs
      Dr. McCoy says ancient Romans were not sun worshipers. Several Roman religions included solar deities, including Apollo, Mithra, and Sol Invictus.
    • Quotes

      Dr. McCoy: 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?

      Dr. McCoy: [after a pause] I know. I'm worried about Jim, too.

    • Alternate versions
      Special Enhanced version Digitally Remastered with new exterior shots and remade opening theme song
    • Connections
      Featured in Star Trek Logs: An MTV Big Picture Special Edition (1991)
    • Soundtracks
      Theme
      Music credited to Alexander Courage

      Sung by Loulie Jean Norman

    User reviews37

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Merik, Ancient Romans & 20th Century Earth Era
    Season 2, episode 25. The Enterprise is on it's routine patrol when it runs across some wreckage of the SS Beagle. The Beagle has been lost for 6 years and it's captain was R. M. Merik, a man Kirk once knew. They find no signs of humans so they guessed that the crew was able to leave the ship before it was destroyed. They follow the debris trail to an unknown planet - never charted before. They discover the planet is very much like planet Earth and even pick up radio and video signals from it. The ship's computer picks up survivors from the Beagle on the planet. Kirk, Spock & McCoy beam down to the planet's surface and are soon met with a group of men with shotguns - they are runaway slaves. Kirk, Spock and McCoy befriend the runaway slaves. It is revealed that their slavery is over a belief or dispute of gods: sun god vs other gods. Kirk is looking for Captain Merik the slaves have mentioned a man named Merikus - is it one in the same man? The planet is similar to Earth's ancient Rome but mixed with 20th century Earth and soon they find themselves in a 20th century jail cell while searching for Merik... they soon find Merik. Merik takes them to the pro-council where Merik explains what happened to him, his crew and the Beagle. Later Kirk is made to order some of his crew members down to fight in the old Roman style arena. He tells Mr. Scott code green, all is well. Scotty knows that means trouble, don't interfere but stand by. Kirk refused to bring down his men so Kirk, Spock and McCoy are taken to the arena in a real fight to the death which is broadcasted on television. The Enterprise can pick up television signals which is in their favor but must stand-by under the captain's orders - Scotty cannot send down a landing party but he can do other things from the ship.

    There are some excellent moments between Spock and McCoy - and we are able to learn a bit more about Mr. Spock. Yes Spock does worry about Kirk just like the very human Dr. McCoy.

    9/10
    helpful•7
    1
    • Rainey-Dawn
    • Jan 12, 2017

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 15, 1968 (United States)
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • handitv
      • Official Facebook
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Paramount Television
      • Norway Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 50 minutes
      • Color
      • Mono

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