While Kirk and other Enterprise crew attempt to convince a peaceable people to grant access to their dilithium crystals, the starship is caught in an ion storm. The landing party beam back to the starship, only to be caught off guard. There are changes in the crew, both subtle and blatant. (For one thing, Sulu is now a scar-faced, power-hungry creep.) It turns out that Kirk, Bones, Scotty, and Uhura have entered a parallel universe, where alternate versions of their characters exist. Kirk confounds the alternate versions - especially "Mirror Spock", who sports an impressive goatee - with his compassionate ways, since "Mirror Kirk" is an utter tyrant who regularly makes his enemies disappear.
The brilliant script by noted sci-fi writer Jerome Bixby is a great set-up for an episode that's simply a hell of a lot of fun. The real joy is in getting to see Shatner and Nimoy play these variations on their characters. But, even in THIS universe, "Mirror Spock" is still a typically pragmatic individual who does not really desire power or advancement. George Takei is also highly amusing as he plays this alternate version of Sulu. Guest star BarBara Luna ("Ship of Fools") is gorgeous and extremely enticing as a Mirror-Enterprise crew member who naturally brings out Kirks' amorous side.
'Mirror, Mirror' takes some enjoyable twists and turns as our protagonists constantly come under threat of being discovered, and delivers one memorable action sequence. It IS rousing, but also very funny because the stunt doubles are so blatantly obvious!
Giving Kirk an opportunity to implore "Mirror Spock" to question his job and his orders before he goes, this episode is ultimately very engaging, and wraps up in amusing and likeable fashion.
10 out of 10.
The brilliant script by noted sci-fi writer Jerome Bixby is a great set-up for an episode that's simply a hell of a lot of fun. The real joy is in getting to see Shatner and Nimoy play these variations on their characters. But, even in THIS universe, "Mirror Spock" is still a typically pragmatic individual who does not really desire power or advancement. George Takei is also highly amusing as he plays this alternate version of Sulu. Guest star BarBara Luna ("Ship of Fools") is gorgeous and extremely enticing as a Mirror-Enterprise crew member who naturally brings out Kirks' amorous side.
'Mirror, Mirror' takes some enjoyable twists and turns as our protagonists constantly come under threat of being discovered, and delivers one memorable action sequence. It IS rousing, but also very funny because the stunt doubles are so blatantly obvious!
Giving Kirk an opportunity to implore "Mirror Spock" to question his job and his orders before he goes, this episode is ultimately very engaging, and wraps up in amusing and likeable fashion.
10 out of 10.