Customer Reviews

Star Trek - The Original Series, Vol. 22, Episodes 43 & 44: Bread And Circuses/ Journey To Babel

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There really is not an obvious connection between the two second season episodes of Star Trek included on Volume 22 of this DVD series, but the cover photograph of Mark Lenard as Sarek tells you why you want this one in your collection. Following the wreckage of the SS Beagle, the Enterprise comes upon another one of those planets that is essentially Earth with a twist (remember Hodgkins' Law of Parallel Planet Development for future reference). In "Bread and Circuses" the twist is that the Roman Empire has never fallen. The Enterprise discovers some of the Beagle crew are still alive because they are being used as gladiators in the Roman's televised Circus. But the worst news is that Merrick, the Beagle's captain, has been helping Proconsul Cladius Marcus in violation of the Prime Directive. When the away team is captured, Marcus tries to get Kirk to help by making Spock and McCoy fight in the arena. But as Merrick tries to explain to Marcus, Kirk is a starship captain who will not give in to coercion. "Bread and Circuses" is an average Star Trek episode, although there is a nice scene between Spock and McCoy as they sit in their cell worrying about Kirk and Uhura's explanation of planet's religion of "sun" worshippers is a surprising twist for network television in the Sixties.

Certainly "Journey to Babel" has the best teaser in Star Trek history. The Enterprise crew is decked out in their formal dress to welcome the Vulcan Ambassador Sarek aboard. Kirk and McCoy are surprised when Sarek snubs Spock and go into complete shock when Spock tells that Ambassador Sarek and his wife are his parents. Sarek is one of several delegates bound for a conference that will debate the admission of Coridan to the Federation (the planet is rich with dilithium). When one of the delegates shows up dead, Sarek is a prime suspect until it is revealed he has a heart condition. McCoy is all ready to perform surgery with Spock serving as a blood donor when Kirk is also attacked by the assassin. With the captain incapacitated, Spock cannot relinquish command, even if it costs his father his life. Mark Lenard as Sarek is absolutely the ultimate Vulcan and even Leonard Nimoy seems to be acting more Vulcan-like in this episode. Jane Wyatt as Amanda is clearly too emotional for a woman who has been living with Vulcans most of her life, but she looks great when she smiles and casting Mrs. Anderson from "Father Knows Best" is just a tad short of being as great as that of casting Lenard. "Journey to Babel" is just a wonderful episode with every scene involving Spock and his parents a treat, especially when father and son comment on Amanda's emotional outburst on the subject of logic. It is just so clear these two love her so much. Simply a wonderful, wonderful episode that deserves to be on everyone's list of Top 10 Star Trek episodes.

Over the course of 79 original Star Trek episodes, can anyone imagine the gravity of this series and its progeny without the importance lent by the episode "Journey to Babel?"

No other original series episode visually demonstrates the scope and inclusiveness of The United Federation of Planets as does this episode. Over the course of the series, the grand United Federation of Planets is represented mostly as a boatful of multicultural humans plus one Vulcan. Sure, the costumes and productions values are not up to modern-day snuff--the Tellerite masks were no doubt deplorable in their OWN time--but folks, THIS is THE original Cantina scene. In an admittedly shoddily re-set USS Enterprise conference room, we have, perhaps, THE original "casual" meeting of indiscriminate races and alien life-forms. Not only is does this scene represent the true substance of seven years worth of DS9 Promenade beauty-shots, this is one of the only episodes in the entire series that attempts to demonstrate that humans were working with other races to solve to varied woes of newly encountered species. Ironic that in one of the only other instance in which we saw an Andorian, he is crazed murderer looking to escape a Federation penal colony. (Andorians are, after all, one of the five founding races of the the Federation, along with Terrans, Vulcans, Tellerites, and the Alpha Centauri).

This episode is worthy of recommendation even were it not for the very compelling 'human' drama of a successful hero facing the life-threatening choice of saving the life of his own unsupportive father. Spock's prioritization of the good of the Enterpise (and by that logic, the good of the Federation) before the life of his own flesh-and-green-blood father takes on further resonance when the themes of their reconciliation are revisited at the end of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.

This is yet another example of the drama woven almost haphazzardly woven inot the tapestry of Star Trek. In the end, many, many story lines in the franchise would wind up "making sense," seemingly by accident. It's this "logic" to it all that keeps us interested: the consistency of the on-screen story and it's adherence to the codified "rules" of the the Star Trek universe: many of which, we FANS formulated. Yet it all seems to have been impacted by the personalities "behind the screen," the Roddenberrys, Bermans, and myriad writers, who have at least kept up the appearance of maintaining a dialogue with fans.

After all, it was really the fans who decreed that the Andorians and Tellerites were among the original five founding races of the Federation. And we fans who keep the franchies alive through weak patches, like the one officially known as "Star Trek Voyager."

"Bread & Circuses"...An episode written by Gene Roddenberry & Gene Coon...an episode with the hidden Easter message. It works quite well.

"Jounrey to Babel" Meet Spock's father Sarek for the first time.Jane Wyatt stars as Amanda...Spock's mother. Kirk is almost killed in an assassination attempt and Sarek almost dies.We also get a "first look" at the Andorians. I feel kinda sorry for the Tellarite though. He suffered from bad makeup.

The color and sound on this disc are wonderful. I bet they look and sound better than when they originally aired back in the 60s. The color is crisp and all scratches have been taken out. A few still are evident especially on footage of Enterprise flybys. But overall, Paramount has done an excellent job restoring one of the best television series ever.

Hundreds of diplomats are aboard the Enterprise enroute to a secret location called Babel. Sarek and Amanda arrive by shuttle and receive an ambassador greeting by all the Enterprise senior officers. Sarek and Amanda are Spock's parents from Vulcan. Sarek seems disguisted with Spock. Sarek is disguised by Spock human element, never expression or show love or a mind melt with his son. Sareks family has massive Vulcan land ownership and significant class prestige and status among the Vulcan elite and ruling class. Sarek's voice is heard through out Vulcan and the federation. Sarek refuses Kirks offer for Spock to tour guide them around the enterprise and asks for a different guide.

Amanda chastises Spock telling him, "I would have thought after all this time with humans you would learn to smile. You still haven't learned to smile". Amanda express resent for Spocks long absence indicating it has been 4 years since the last visit. Kirk learns from Amanda that Sarek disagreed with Spocks decision to join Starfleet instead of the Vulcan Science Academy; Spock disguarded the family tradition and the Vulcan way; Sarek believed Spock decision was illogical; Sarek correctly criticized Spock for choosing peace through force; Sarek accessed the Federation as an organization involved with numerous acts of force, conflict, and secret military activity through out the Federation; Sarek desired for Spock to learn the Ambassador discipline and gain influence through family power, relationship, and wealth; Sarek believe Spock should learn and practice the traditions of the his fathers. Amanda tells McCoy that Spock as a child had a pet called a Sehlat, "fat teddy bear". Spock tells McCoy that Vulcan teddy bears are alive and have six inch fangs."

Journey to Babel centered on the counsel issues surrounding admission of the planet, Coridan into the federation. The issues for admission were important to Vulcan and required the retired 102 years old Sarek to handle Vulcan's position at the conference. Previously, Sarek had openly and publicly debated Gav, the Tellerite and won the argument. Vulcan indirectly accused the Tellerites and Orions of illegally smuggling dilithium crystals; Vulcan wanted federation law and order to govern trade; and the Federation represented the best balance of power in favor of the Vulcans.

Sarek privately chastise Amanda for embarrassing Spock. Amanda replies back to Sarek, "I thought you did not approve of StarFleet", "you do respect Starfleet" and "you are proud of your son". Sarek is logically stating that a Starfleet officer should be shown respect and personal differences, do not justify disrespect. Amanda wishful thinking will not lead Sarek into action that will show any emotion or affection toward his son. Spock is alone in the World with only his friends on the Enterprise.

The Enterprise detects a scout ship and Kirk wants Spock's opinion, to which, Spock replies, "I shall need more data from my estimate". The alien scout ship can travel at warp ten allowing it to avoid any of the enterprise weaponry.

Gav threatens Sarek, after Sarek discloses that Vulcan will vote for admission of Coridan into the Federation. Sarek tells Gav that "threats are illogical" and "payment is often expensive". Later, Gav is found murdered with a broken neck and Sarek is the prime suspect. Spock explains that Sarek would need a reason to kill and if the reason were compelling that Sarek was very capable of killing. Spock describes the method of killing as Tal-Shay, pressure applied mercifully, to a specific spot on the neck vertebrae rendering the victim, dead instantly.

Kirk charges Sarek as being a prime suspect. Sarek collapsed with heart value failure. Sarek explains that he has had three heart value failures and at the time of the murder, he was in private mediation and experiencing heart value failure, on the 3rd level of the observation deck. McCoy recommends cryogenic open heart surgery, but the procedure will require vast amounts of T negative Vulcan blood. Spock has the rare blood type and agrees to use an experimental drug that will double his blood production capability. McCoy express reserve because he has never performed a surgery on a Vulcan and the drug could damage Spocks spleen and liver.

An imposer Andorian (Orion) attacks Kirk near his quarters and punctures his left lung in a knife fight. Spocks tells Thelev that the attack was illogical because the Andorians profit in no way by the attack Thelev argues the Andorians are using an act of passion for gain and the Andorians want to murder the 100 delegates.

Spock now refuses to assist in the operation because his duty requires command of the enterprise and the duty can not be relinquish for personal reasons. Amanda says "your duty is your father", "nothing is as important as your father life", "your not really Vulcan" and after the boys had ridicule Spock, Amanda tells Spock, "the human part cried", "I cried too", "There must be some part of me in you". Spock does not budge. Amanda tells him, "if you do not save your father, I will hate you for the rest of your life". Spock says, "I can not".

Kirk appears on the bridge and tricks Spock into thinking is fit for duty; Spock is ordered to report too sickbay for the operation; Kirk destroys the Orion ship; Kirk transfers command to Scotty; and Sarek, Spock, and Kirk are together at Sickbay. Spock asks Sarek why he married Amanda and Sarek replies, "It seemed logical at the time". Kirk wants to continue daily duties but McCoy tells him to lie down and be quiet. Spock tells the group that he has never seen McCoy happier and McCoy says, "I finally to the last word".

If you are choosing which volumes to keep, this one falls under the must have category, although the second episode, "Return To Babel" is clearly the stronger one. In that episode, we get the return of Mark Lenard as Spock's father, a reincarnation from his previous role in season one as a Romulan commander who meets his doom pitting his wits against Capt Kirk. This time, Lenard shows more staying power as his new role as Ambassador Sarek will endure for years to come and even through to the ST: TOS movies. What makes this episode very good is also the great acting of the newly departed Jane Wyatt who puts on a very heart-wrenching and emotional performance in her role as Spock's human mother. The plot is also very good and fast moving as well making this overall one of the best episodes of the entire Trekdom let alone the second season and a must have for your collection.

The first episode isn't a classic but it still has some good points which includes a surprise revelation at the end with Lt. Uhura no less figuring something out that the combined grey matter of Kirk, Spock and Bones failed to do which was impressive. The plot is fast-moving and the premise interesting and Scottie gets to be a hero for a change.

Overall, this is a solid volume with 2 powerful episodes and on the strength of "Return To Babel" is a must have for any TOS collection.

Highly recommended.

Volume 22 of the Star Trek DVD collection contains two episodes from season two's high point. By high point I mean that half way through the second season a sudden burst of classic excellent episodes were being produced including the likes of TROUBLE WITH TRIBBLES, A PIECE OF THE ACTION and JOURNEY TO BABEL etc; The beginning of the second season was good but just didn't seem to compare to the first until half way through when these episodes were made.

The first episode here is BREAD AND CIRCUSES. The Enterprise crew finds the wreckage of a fellow starship the U.S.S. Beagle and decide to investigate the planet below it. When they arrive on the planet they meet up with a band of sun worshippers and later are captured and taken to a city that looks like Earth's ancient Rome. It turns out that The Roman Empire rules the planet into somewhat modern times where Gladiator games are brodcasted on tv like WWF wrestling. Kirk finds out that Capt. Merik (who was the Beagle's Capt) betrayed his crew and became first citizen of the Empire and is now a close friend to Proconsul Cladius Marcus (played by Logan Ramsey). Marcus demands Kirk to beam down his crew to fight in the arena but Kirk refuses and tries to convince Merik that fighting is wrong in the arena. When Spock and McCoy are forced to fight all hell breaks loose and in the end Merik sees the error of his ways and allows Kirk to escape but unfortunetly Merik is killed by Marcus. This is a very well written episode but the end is somewhat weak. Kirk, Spock and McCoy merely escape. They do not really seem to save all the planet's innocent slaves or anything even Cladius Marcus gets away with all his evil deeds. It's a good episode but has an uneven ending.

The other episode here is the real winner JOURNEY TO BABEL. The episode that features the debut of Spock's father (played by Mark Lenard who also played the Romulan commander in BALANCE OF TERROR). The episode is somewhat of a murder mystery when the Ambassador Gav is killed on the way to the planet Babel. All fingers point to Spock's father until it is revealed of his heart condition. An operation is needed in order to save his life but Spock feels he must Captin the ship after Kirk was almost murdered by a "Andorian" who actually murdered Gav. This episode is another great classic from the second season and should be a favourite among many. Mark Lenard is great as Sarek. He should have appeared on the show far more often.

Overall I highly recommend this DVD because of JOURNEY TO BABEL but BREAD AND CIRCUSES is worth a look too. But Sarek sells this one as he should. After all he is on the DVD cover. Highly recommended!

I've got mixed feelings about this mixed bag. I'm a trekker with a tilt towards the original series (Classic Trek or, to others, "TOS"), yet even I can't ignore that incarnation's weak spots which abound in "Bread and Circuses", but are ably compensated for in "Babel".

In "Bread", the Enterprise searches for the crew of a missing starship. A clue turns up when finding that a nearby planet, supposedly stuck in the pre-industrial age, now shows appears to have advanced to something comparable to 20th Century Earth. The advances, however, are also paralleled by that world's embrace of Imperial Roman culture, especially its bloodlust. Unsurprisingly, the missing starship captain has much to do with elevating (and debasing) the planet's primitive state. Despite the gory depths to which cultural disruption has brought that world (every night is gladiator night, complete with canned cheers and catcalls, but very real gore) the rogue captain rationalizes his violation of the Prime Directive. This would have been a middling episode, but it's devolved itself, mostly because the idea seems to have been done to death in other TOS episodes: A planet patterned after one of Earth's less proud eras ("A Piece of the Action"); starship captains who violate the prime directive ("Omega Glory"; "Patterns of Force"; "A Private War") and little more to separate from that pack.

The high-point of this disc, far and away, is "Journey to Babel", in which the Enterprise hosts a menagerie of alien ambassadors to a high-level conference where they will hash out the admission of the beleagured world of Corridan. Here we meet Andorians, Tellarians and other Vulcans. Despite playing supposeldy cold-blooded and emotionless beings, both Nimoy and famed multi-species Trekker Mark Lenard generate a lot of family warmth and also tension. (Lenard, who had a recurring role as the Vulcan Sarek, played the Romulan commander in "Balance of Terror" and put in an appearance as the Klingon comnander in the first Trek movie). This episode is character-driven Trek at its best, weighed down by a thin plot - the odious Tellarian ambassador is found murdered, a crime for which Sarek is implicated. The mystery is thin because the script gives us no details with which to solve it ourselves. By the end of the episode, McCoy is surrounded by Vulcans on both sides, and manages to keep his sanity. "I finally got the last word" he pronounces quite chipper.

With the introduction of this volume of Star Trek we can really see the show is flying high. This second season set shows the cast have shaken off the shackles of the first season stiffness yet revel in a second season budget, which is much higher and produced higher quality shows than season three.

Bread and Circuses: 4 stars: I rarely hear much about this show in regards to the all time greats though it has remained one of mine for a few reasons. Firstly, the scene with McCoy and Spock in the cell really helps to illustrate their friendship. Also, it helps to explain Starfleet protocal and also helps to show beliefs of God that could stretch throughout the galaxy. The dvd transfer does however show a scene or two that seem to be grainy and unedited, but as always the sound is done perfectly. Again, no extras to speak of.

Journey to Babel: 5 stars: A gem. This one show really nails Star Trek. It highlights A. Kirks command, B. Spocks "history", C. McCoys prowess as a doctor. I cannot think of one single episode that packs a bigger dose of Trek. A notable scene is the exchange between Spock and his mother Amanda. The role of Lady Amanda could not have been more perfectly cast as is the role of Sarek. I have seen this one episode many times and it is still convincing. A fine transfer over to dvd, vivid colors, though almost unfortunately each time they remaster Star Trek to a better format "Gav" looks worse and worse! If you are looking for a must have disc, this is it.

"Sarek's accomplishments were many, and included the Coridan admission debate in 2267 before the UFP Council, early Klingon treaties, and his incredible 93-year effort to bring about a Federation-Legaran treaty"

Sarek, in "return to Babel" came as a retired ambassador, yet some of his most important treaties would be in the future. The Coridan admission debate increased Sareks prestige and importance as a key negotiator for the Federation.

Sarek accuses the Tellarites that their reasoning for wanting Coridan out of the Federation is so they can plunder the dilithium for themselves. The Tellarite ambassador Gav, takes insult and attempts to attack Sarek, who calmly deflects the attackers hands and propels him effortlessly across the room. Gav threatens revenge. Shortly after, Gav is found murdered. Sarek becomes the chief suspect, who at the time of the murder was meditating; Gav died by a ancient Vulcan death technique, Tel-Shaha which Spock was aware of and explained the technique too Captain Kirk; when Spock was confront by Kirk, if Sarek could have committed the murder, Spock reply was that Sarek was capable but would need to have a reason. Sarek could not have been the murderer because he was suffering from a Vulcan heart attack at the time of the murder. However, suppose Sarek was the murderer. Vulcan had decided to admit Coridan into the Federation. Gav had been beaten in debate by Sarek in the past over the Coridan issue. Gav was no threat to Sarek. A secret force sought to turn the talks in Babel against Sarek.

Meanwhile, the Andorian Thelev attacks Captain Kirk on deck 5, and stabs Kirk in the back, barely missing the heart. Thelev is an Orions known for their involvement in organized crime. The Orions must have an secret dialithium trade market and seek to prevent Cordion from forming an trade agreement with the Federation, hence the murder of Gav and the attack on Kirk.

Spock assumes command of the Enterprise. McCoy determine open heart surgery on Sarek is require and Spock has the T-negative blood that can be filtered removing the Human antigens necessary for a successful operation. McCoy tells Spock to turn commander over too Scotty. Spock tells McCoy, he can not turn command over for a personal reasons. McCoy gets annoyed with Spock, who callously dismisses the doctor.

Would Spock let Sarek die? Spock seems to have a bone too pick with Sarek, a resent unto death, an emotional trait. With Kirk injured Spock reasons his first duty is too the Enterprise over his father, Sarek. Spocks says he can not give up command for a personal indulgence, for he would be derelict of duty. The argument is one of responsiblity verse capability, Spock reasons this is logical. However, illogic Spocks argument is seems he is determined not too save Sarek; for Scotty is smart; Scotty could keep the Enterprise safe; and Scott knows combat tactics. This is illogical, considering Sarek is a highly valued Federation Ambassador and his death would have negative consequences on the Federation. Spock's lack of vision may have changed the future. Without Sarek, the Klingons treaty would not have happen and the battle with the Klingsons extended far into the future. Kirk finally tricks Spock into relinquishing the command chair, sends him off too sick bay, and turns command over too Scotty. However, before the switch in command, a cloaked ship fires upon the Enterprise; the Enterprise shields 3 and 4 have failed; He powers down the ship and plays dead; the enemy ship uncloaks and Kirk open fires on the ship, paralyzing it; the enemy ship sudden autodestructs; the andorian attacker is brought too the bridge, no information is obtained from him, he dies on the bridge.

After the operation Amanda wants Sarek to thank Spock. Sarek says, "why should I thank Spock for doing the logical thing?" Spock asks Sarek, why he married Amanda, to which Sarek replies, "It seemed like the logical thing to do at the time."