Mirror, Mirror - episode #39
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Mirror, Mirror - episode #39
MIRROR, MIRROR (2nd season; episode #39)
Directed by Marc Daniels writer: Jerome Bixby Air Date: 10/06/67
When the bearded Spock says "Your agonizer, Please" - you know you're in for some great science fiction - Trek style. In the plot, Kirk, McCoy, Scotty and Uhura are accidentally transported to a parallel universe - a scary, savage universe where there is no Federation, just a hostile Empire. The foursome's counterparts in this other universe are sent to the Federation's universe at the exact same moment. No one else knows, at first, that a switch had occurred and Kirk has to bluff his way through playing the role of a merciless, evil captain.
The concept of parallel universes or parallel Earth realities has always been a favorite of mine in science fiction and writer Jerome Bixby probably presented the most intriguing yet entertaining take on it here. There were sequels to this in the Deep Space Nine series and an entire series, Sliders, based its premise on this, in the late nineties. In Mirror, Mirror, we get to see an even colder, more calculating Spock, a scarred, twisted Sulu and a sadistic Chekov. Takei as Sulu especially shines; usually relegated to one-liners about changing the ship's course, here he shows that he should have played villains for much of his career; the scene where he voices his plan to take over the ship from both Kirk & Spock is unforgettable and showcases his sinister side.
These other sides to our well-known characters makes the entire episode very memorable; it's that 'what if?' premise - what if there are more sides to us than we think, as in a distorted mirror. Besides seeing these new versions of the good guys, we get to see the good Kirk swiftly adapt to his new environment; is he adapting too swiftly? If he was forced to remain in this other universe for the rest of his life, would he eventually turn into his dark counterpart, out of necessity? Tantalizing questions.
Note also the salute practiced by the mirror crew here; they thump their chest with the right fist and then thrust it out, hand opening - a gesture of 'giving their all' for the Empire?
The new gadgets & atmosphere of this other Enterprise were interesting and I especially liked the addition of special bodyguards, assigned to shadow their superiors. This new twist just jammed this entire revised universe into our brains - we're not in Kansas/the Federation, anymore, Toto/Uhura.
This episode, to me, was an ultimate Trek adventure. It went beyond mere space travel and even the often-used time travel plot. It explored the possibilities of other dimensions, of truly alien ways of looking at things and offered a gripping plot to carry the story forward. You just weren't sure what to expect around every corner with this one. BoG's Score: an ultimate 10
the guys at Mystery Science Theater 3000 were so enamored of this episode,
they produced an homage/parody version; click here:
Last edited by BoG on Sun May 03, 2015 12:35 am; edited 4 times in total
Mirror, Mirror full episode
CLASSIC TREK QUOTES:
Mirror Chekov: "So you die, captain, and we all move up in rank.
No one will question the assassination of a captain who has disobeyed prime orders of the Empire."
Mirror Spock (to Mirror Sulu): "If I am successful, you see yourself a step nearer to the captaincy.
I do not want to command the Enterprise, but if it should befall me, I suggest that you remember that my operatives
____________________________________ would avenge my death.. and some of them... are Vulcans."
Kirk: "What is this, Mr. Sulu?"
Mirror Sulu: "Mr. Spock has orders to kill you, Captain. He will succeed...apparently.
__________ You will also appear to have killed him, after a fierce battle.
__________ Regrettable... but it will leave me in command."
Mirror Chekov: "So you die, captain, and we all move up in rank.
No one will question the assassination of a captain who has disobeyed prime orders of the Empire."
Mirror Spock (to Mirror Sulu): "If I am successful, you see yourself a step nearer to the captaincy.
I do not want to command the Enterprise, but if it should befall me, I suggest that you remember that my operatives
____________________________________ would avenge my death.. and some of them... are Vulcans."
Kirk: "What is this, Mr. Sulu?"
Mirror Sulu: "Mr. Spock has orders to kill you, Captain. He will succeed...apparently.
__________ You will also appear to have killed him, after a fierce battle.
__________ Regrettable... but it will leave me in command."
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