The BSG reboot (that is celebrating its 10th anniversary series launch this week) was far, far more interesting, even if it did use the shell of an old bit of 70's cheese.
HEY HOLLYWOOD: MAKE SOMETHING ORIGINAL!!!
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bread_and_Circuses_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)
I don’t know about not reaching for eternal truths. The original had the Bread and Circuses episode with the memorable ending “sir it’s not the sun god they worship it’s the Son of God. “