"Bread and Circuses" epitomizes Star Trek as a genuine production of the two Genes. (For as formative as the Prime Directive became it's strange that details thereof occur so late in the second season.) The story and direction are superb throughout, from the signature opening shot panning the bridge to the atypical ending exploiting pun worship. The social observation here is keen and delivered in bold strokes. Most episodes play out well in their hour slot yet this one could easily make a good full-length film. The concept of slavery as a social institution conditioned by network television programming could use the extended examination.

Kirk is at his best here in another of those missions no other captain could manage (e.g., brutally hacking a centurion to death). Merik pleads he not regard his lethal predicament as "an Academy Training test" yet earns the contempt of proconsul Marcus as Kirk shows defiance with Condition Green where the cashiered Captain turned butcherous First Citizen capitulated. Kirk provides the proconsul with mankind's' indomitable spirit against the "defiance is intolerable" credo so common to empires that it serves as epitaph. In six years the Romans took no advantage of the technology Merik brought, also hinted by the reluctance to release McCoy into their hospitals, and are equally oblivious to the advantages of peace and universal brotherhood.

Logan Ramsey as the quick-witted Claudius Marcus slithers through a stellar performance even if he startles noticeably upon nearby machine gun fire. William Smithers persuades us of the tragedy of fallen captain Merik. The bawdy interplay of Lois Jewell's Drusilla and Kirk is simply delicious. And how about that "huge" Rhodes Reason as the taciturn Flavius Maximus, seven years best gladiator in the province without a single scratch! (Even the bit players drop memorable lines dexter and sinister. "Fight, Barbarian!") Lastly Ian Wolfe shines as Senator now true believer Septimus, his patient prayers rewarded.

Though most action is planetside the crew still earns their "special" status rescuing the away team (even Enterprise pulls a part to play!). The wonderful scenes between Spock and McCoy expose the deep relationship between them and their captain. Merik redeems himself in the end, saving the landing party from an otherwise inglorious end, inevitably dooming the empire. Substantial reuse of stirring music enhances the material as does the inspired costuming, from sword-bearing police-helmeted centurions to the simple T-shirts of the slaves. It's funny, it's exciting, it's thoughtful, it's sexy, just suspend a little disbelief around Hodgkins' Law of Parallel Planetary Development and enjoy.