TOS - 2.10 - Mirror, Mirror

An ion storm leads to a transporter accident in which Kirk, Scotty, Uhura and McCoy are transported to a parallel universe. They find themselves on a version of the Enterprise which is operated by the Empire, a brutal and warlike institution, and they meet some very different versions of their crewmates…

It is really interesting to view this episode, given that the Mirror universe has become such an intrinsic element of Star Trek that has endured even up to Discovery. “Mirror, Mirror” is actually quite a low key episode, being essentially a bottle show as we follow Kirk as he comes to terms with his situation and attempts to find a way home for him and his crew. The show had previously dabbled with the idea of parallel universes in “The Alternative Factor” back in the first series. “Mirror, Mirror” is superior to that in so many ways, but its cleverest move is using the conceit to show us alternative versions of our regular characters. However, the episode is constrained in its decision to do this by sending four of our regulars into the Mirror Universe. Each of these characters does contribute something to them all getting home, but it’s unfortunate that this does reduce the number of Mirror versions that we meet. The Mirror Sulu and Chekov are both pretty vicious and nasty as I was expecting, but it is in the treatment of the Mirror Spock that the episode does something realty interesting. Despite him having a Beard of Evil, the Mirror Spock retains his logic and his interest in science, and also some sort of loyalty to Kirk (thus warning him of his instructions to kill his captain if he doesn’t fulfil the Enterprise’s mission). It’s actually refreshing that the script has not used the Mirror conceit to unleash a more emotional Spock again, and this subtlety actually makes him seem a more dangerous threat to Kirk

The storyline is cleverly constructed in testing Kirk. The episode uses the contrasting attitudes of the Mirror universe to emphasise Kirk’s compassion and showing that his determined to avoid committing genocide, despite the fact that this risks alerting Spock that something odd is going on. This also extends to Kirk ordering that McCoy should save Mirror Spock’s life, something which is ultimately rewarded when Spock helps him return. Kirk also encourages Spock to do things differently and make a difference in this universe. The multi-faceted nature of the Mirror Spock means that this does seem like a credible next step and a nice means of showing that Kirk is potentially making a difference even in this alternative universe.

The method by which Kirk and the rest of the landing party travel to the Mirror universe is quite novel in this episode, and seems to have shades of Quantum Leap, not least because they have replaced their counterparts and they arrive already wearing their Mirror style uniforms. This does raise all sorts of questions about the likelihood of the same crew members transporting at exactly the same time despite all of the other differences between the universes, which I guess are probably best ignored. But it does mean that Mirror Kirk and company have ended up on our Enterprise. This in itself would make for an interesting premise for an episode, but it was probably the right decision for this one to on the events in the Mirror universe and it is nice that we do at least get one scene to show that Spock has quickly detected the impostors and for William Shatner to have a bit of fun as the Mirror Kirk.

The episode still finds time to include a love interest for Kirk, although this cleverly exploits the morals of the Mirror Universe through introducing the concept of a “captain’s woman”, which appears to be an official position on an Imperial starship. The Mirror Kirk’s “woman” is a lieutenant called Marlena Moreau. Despite the trappings of her role, Marlena is a strong character and she is the first person to work out that this Kirk is not the man she knows. We are left a little uncertain as to what she will do about this knowledge, but she ultimately saves Kirk’s life. When Kirk returns to his normal universe, he discovers that a version of Marlena has just transferred to the Enterprise. This is not unexpected, but his attitude is just a little creepy as he indicates that he thinks she is a “nice girl” and that he thinks they could be friends…

The Mirror Marlena must have been close to the Mirror Kirk, since she was taken into his confidence about the fact that the captain had his own secret weapon. This is the Tantalus field, a device that had been invented by an alien scientist and which could make anyone just disappear. This had enabled the Mirror Kirk to hold his position, and our Kirk reveals its existence to Mirror Spock in the hope that this will enable him to change things. Giving such a powerful weapon to someone that Kirk doesn’t really know does seem like quite a gamble, since there is no guarantee that Spock won’t use this for his own ends. Indeed, the very inclusion of the Tantalus device in “Mirror, Mirror” stands out, since it is the one part of the episode that isn’t that elegant. It’s a powerful science fiction idea, but it doesn’t really add anything to the narrative and so is somewhat wasted.

Planetary Gazetteer

The Halkan Homeworld: A planet that is rich in dilithium crystals that the Federation and the Empire both wish to mine but they are refused permission by the native Halkans who have a pacifist society in both universes.

Vega IX: Where the Mirror Kirk executed five thousand colonists.

Starship Spotting

The Enterprise in the Mirror universe bears the designation “ISS”. It is not explicitly stated what this stands for, but it is presumably Imperial Starship. In a subtle touch to show the differences, the Mirror Enterprise has a male computer voice, rather than the usual female one. In contrast to the Prime Universe, Spock is not the only Vulcan on the ISS Enterprise (this is mentioned in dialogue and we see one acting as Spock’s bodyguard).

General Observations

• No Stardate is given during the episode – Kirk’s log entries record it as “Unknown”, presumably due to the complications of him having travelled to a parallel universe.
• Even though the Federation has become the Empire in the Mirror Universe, the ISS Enterprise still reports to Starfleet Command.
• The Mirror Sulu is the Security Chief as well as the helmsman (and so he wears a red tunic rather than his usual gold). He has a large scar on his face (although the make-up for this is unfortunately not that convincing).
• McCoy gives another (somewhat less colourful) version of his catchphrase when he tells Scotty that he is a doctor “not an engineer”.
• In a moment of continuity that is unusual at this stage, it is mentioned that the Mirror Kirk gained command of the ISS Enterprise by assassinating Captain Christopher Pike.
• John Winston makes his 9th appearance as Mr Kyle (including as a Mirror version).