What fun!

“Mirror, Mirror” is the kind of episode in which the plot’s sheer bravado is enough to carry it through most flaws. And this just so happens to be an episode which barely stumbles at all. The story is all about exploring an alternate universe – a reality that is similar to our own, save for a few fundamental differences. In this case: what if, instead of a United Federation of Planets, there was an entity called the Earth Empire? What would the Enterprise be like? What would the crew be like? And furthermore, what would it be like to take a handful of our familiar heroes and maroon them in such a universe?

This episode provides some answers.

The story begins in the middle of a negotiation between Captain Kirk and a race of humanoids over the Federation’s ability to mine dilithium on the planet. At issue is the Federation’s potential for violence. Kirk is adamant that Starfleet would never act belligerently, but because the potential exists, the alien race chooses to refuse any treaty with the Federation. Though brief, the scene establishes an important dichotomy that has already been explored in Star Trek: humanity can be utterly barbaric, and the difference between barbarism and civilized behavior is, simply, choice. Kirk and the Enterprise clearly choose to be civilized, but it wouldn’t be that far removed if the choice were the opposite.

And in this episode, we get to explore that opposite.

Through the plot device of an Ion storm which fouls up the transporters (a similar plot device was used in “The Enemy Within”) Kirk, McCoy, Scotty and Uhura are transported into an alternate universe, a reality in which the Enterprise and her crew are wholly militant and barbaric. The episode that unfolds tells the story of how they cope with their new surroundings – and figure out how the hell to get back home.

What makes the episode so successful is the manner in which this alternate reality is portrayed – from subtle changes in costume and set design to the characters themselves.

Since this universe is more barbaric, the typical skimpy Starfleet uniforms for females aren’t good enough – so we now have the females baring their midriffs. There are sashes and all manner of medals on the uniforms. Crew members carry daggers. The walls and doors are even painted with a symbol made up of the Earth pierced by a dagger. Sulu wears a red Security Officer uniform and a scar. And Spock has a goatee beard. As for characterizations: Sulu runs a Gestapo-like secret police force, Spock is ruthlessly logical, though strangely principled, and Chekov is an ambitious, conniving young officer who decides to give himself a promotion by trying to assassinate Kirk.

It’s all done exceptionally well, walking the fine line between changing things just enough to immerse the viewers in the new reality, and keeping things familiar enough to provide an anchor to the universe with which we are so familiar. Also, the fact that this episode comes in the second season allows us to appreciate the changes with the full knowledge of these characters’ histories.

And through all of this, the implicit commentary about the waste and horror of being uncivilized is demonstrated without the need for preaching or stiff monologues. The episode teaches purely by example. And so when Kirk finally does give his usual moralizing speech at the end – this time about how revolutions begin with one man, it hardly feels unnecessary. The subtle change of message, that the alternate Spock can indeed be an agent for change in his “illogical” universe is a powerful one. And it helps cement this episode as a classic – not simply for its entertainment value, but also for its message.

“Mirror, Mirror” is an excellent episode. Its premise is compelling and entertaining. It’s wonderfully executed by everyone involved, from Kirk and Spock, to Uhura and Sulu, to McCoy and Scotty. There are a few issues with the technical aspects of shifting between alternate realities as well as a few issues with the episode’s pacing – at times the episode does tend to drag a little – but these are minor compared to the success. Quite simply, this is some of the best material Trek has to offer.

Filed under: Original Series