Star Trek (TV Series) Mirror, Mirror (1967) User Reviews

The Agony of an Empire

[Bogmeister · 10/10 · 16 August 2006]

When the bearded Spock says 'Your Agonizer, Please,' you know you're in for some great science fiction, Trek style. If I was under threat of an Agony Booth to make a choice, I'd have to go with this episode as my all-time favorite of the original series. Not an easy choice, of course. "The City on the Edge of Forever" is more literate and "The Trouble With Tribbles" may get by better on sheer entertainment value, but there's something about tapping into the dark side of all our beloved characters here which makes this an irresistible mix of tension and adventure - an ultimate Trek, if you will. For you see, it's not just the depiction of the alternate versions of Spock, Sulu and Chekov in this violent, parallel universe that's so intriguing. There's also the thrill of observing our Kirk swiftly adapt to his new environment: sure, he gets caught off-guard by the evil Chekov early on, but in the next minute he's knocking out his supposed savior - see, that's what the evil Kirk would do and our Kirk has already figured it all out. It's tantalizing, no pun intended, to surmise just how our good Kirk would have survived in this universe of the evil Empire had he been stuck there for the rest of his life; personally, I think he would've taken over the whole galaxy within the next decade - he's just that quick on his feet. Witness the scene of him and the bearded Spock as they stroll down the ship's corridor, their personal bodyguards following; Kirk's in complete control. I think part of him was looking forward to the prospect of remaining in this savage universe when it looked like he'd have to operate the transporter to send the others back near the end.

And it's not just Kirk - wonder of wonders, could this be our Uhura - taunting the evil Sulu, slapping him and stopping just short of sticking a little blade between his ribs? Looks to me like she was trained for a lot more than just communications - yes, she had that little scene of fright overcoming her before Kirk's pep talk, but after that, there was no stopping her. In a way, this episode is mesmerizing: you wonder what our intrepid foursome of cosmic castaways will run into next in every scene and how they'll handle it. The scripting doesn't disappoint: there are creative innovations to this strangely atmospheric Enterprise around every corner, subtle or jarring. The new gadgets are interesting but my favorite innovation is the entire concept of special bodyguards shadowing their superiors - that twist just spells Empire not Federation. Of course, the whole assassination angle is a dead giveaway. Plotwise, it's an excellent tightrope, and we get to see some of the best action scenes towards the climax. And then we have the evil, yet not so evil Spock. When Spock puts his mind to it, he can be pretty scary; it's hard to forget his sinister threat to Sulu. But, speaking of Sulu, strange as it may seem after all the great stuff just described, Takei as Sulu ends up with the greatest single scene of the episode. His bid to take over the ship, as he describes his plan to get rid of both Kirk & Spock, takes it all to yet another level. Dripping with slimy intensity, twirling his knife, a gleam of manic nastiness in his eyes, Takei just nails it. He should have played villains for the rest of his career.

The potency of this episode is reflected in the fact that the later Trek series, Deep Space Nine, featured several episodes as sequels to this one. However, good as they were for a DS9 series, they paled in comparison to this original wonder.

Now THIS is the way I wanted to see Star Trek!!!!

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 7 December 2006]

This is my vote for the all-time coolest episode ever--perhaps not the best, but definitely the coolest.

The landing party beams back on the ship, but through an impossible to believe coincidence, the exact same members from a parallel universe do the same thing at the same time and are switched! The nice Star Trek crew members now find themselves in an evil bizarro world where the ship and crew are ultra-militaristic and cruel. In this parallel world, decency is despised and people get ahead by killing their superior officers! So, Kirk being at the top of the evil pecking order is open to a series of attempts on his life. This is made worse by the fact that Kirk won't obliterate a peaceful planet when the Evil Federation orders him. So, the crew must keep who they really are a secret and find a way to return home.

Now, for the cool factor, the episode is chock full of it. Evil Spock looks and acts a lot like our good buddy Spock except he sports the neatest evil goatee AND he uses torture on poor old Evil Lt. Kyle when he thinks this crewman made a mistake (which he didn't!). Then, Evil Mr. Sulu is possibly even more cool because he sports a nifty scar on his face and is a homicidal maniac and sex pervert!! Then, Chekov tries to kill the Captain but when he fails he's placed in a horrible torture device! And, Kirk finds that in this world he not only has a sexy main squeeze but a secret device that makes his enemies vanish into thin air!!! The bottom line is that this episode is so much fun to watch. Instead of the usual prime directive and the overriding desire to do good, this anti-Enterprise world is just plain awful and a great counter-point to the sometimes saccharine-like world of Star Trek where everyone gets along a bit too often! It's a wonderful break from the usual and an episode you just can't miss.

One of the best TOS episodes ever

[aaustin-10 · 10/10 · 5 March 2011]

Kirk, McCoy, Scott, and Uhura get thrust into an alternate reality where the Federation is an evil empire and their shipmates and friends are now malicious, dangerous adversaries. Now the four have to find a way to get back to their own reality without being discovered and killed.

This is one of the best-written, best-acted TOS episodes ever. Ordinarily there is some aspect of the writing to nitpick about. Not here. Every action anybody takes makes sense, the characters are developed superbly, and the pacing is swift and invigorating. This is quality TV writing, and if every script had been this good the series would have lasted a lot longer, I think. One moment I'd like to point out especially: early on Kirk proposed to disable the phasers so they can avoid phaser-bombing a helpless planet, but Scottie subtly reports to Kirk he cannot because the phaser banks are being guarded. This is good writing: the good guys had a sensible (not contrived) solution to a problem, and the obstacle to that solution also made perfect sense (and was not contrived). That makes the tension feel very real.

The acting takes it over the top. William Shatner's Kirk displays the quick wits and cleverness that make the character so interesting. And notice how our good guy Kirk is not entirely uncomfortable in his new, dangerous environment. Sure, he's disgusted by all the cruelty around him, but you can sense he gets a thrill out of navigating all the treachery. Leonard Nimoy's evil version of Spock is genuinely menacing in a cool, calculating way. Nichelle Nichols' Uhura shows us a cunning, wily side of her we have only ever seen suggested before (and check her out in that revealing outfit.) But the acting prize goes to George Takei. In this episode, his evil Sulu is slimy, sleazy, scary, and wonderfully despicable. As another reviewer suggested, Takei should have played more villains.

Overall, Mirror, Mirror is a ten.

A must-see for Star Trek fans

[freisbein · 9/10 · 29 January 2007]

Despite some gnawing scientific inconsistencies, "Mirror, Mirror" is one of the best of the original "Star Trek" episodes, a triumph of character examination.

A landing party of Kirk, McCoy, Scottie and Uhura is beaming back up from negotiations with the Halkans for dilithium-crystal mining rights when an ion storm opens a porthole between two parallel universes, and the landing party ends up on an "Enterprise" in the other universe -- a ship, crew and reality they barely recognize.

In this universe, Star Fleet is the military arm of an evil Empire which, as Kirk warns the parallel Halkan commissioner, "will level your planet and TAKE what we want -- that is destruction: you will die as a race." The crew of this "Enterprise" is a bloodthirsty band of pirates and evil opportunists. The writers had a marvelous opportunity to examine the negative side of the show's characters, and they didn't waste it. While Spock (sporting a very-complimentary mustache and goatee) remains mostly true to the unemotional, logical Federation Spock, Sulu proves to be a cunning plotter and schemer (and, late in the episode, a scene-stealer), while young Checkov turns out to be an impetuous risk-taker who nearly pays the ultimate price for attempting to assassinate what he believes to be a suddenly-traitorous Kirk. In short, the parallel main characters are exactly what someone familiar with "Star Trek" would expect knowing their normal personalities.

While trying to figure out how to get back to their own universe, Kirk also must avoid destroying the peace-loving Halkans, who refuse to deal with the Empire because of the power for killing and destruction that their dilithium crystals would give them. When he delays by giving the Halkans a twelve-hour ultimatum to consider their position, he is in violation of standard Empire procedure...and the Empire orders Spock to kill Kirk and assume command of the ship, in which case all other officers would move up one step in rank. Unbeknownst to anyone, the cunning Sulu plans to do away with both Kirk AND Spock, contriving to make it appear that they've killed each other when Spock set out to assassinate Kirk -- "after a fierce battle."

Kirk is faced with a further complication when he discovers a knock-out gorgeous mistress waiting for him in his cabin. Barbara Luna guest-stars as Lt. Marlena Moreau...without question, the sexiest woman ever to appear in the series. A sizzling seductress -- oozing "come-hither" sexuality one moment and with a knee-buckling fire in her eyes the next -- the clever, opportunistic and spirited Marlena has hitched her wagon to the parallel Kirk because she desires to be "the woman of a Caesar", and finds that THIS Kirk is a lot less brutal and insensitive than the one she's used to. One sees her sexual excitement stirred to a torrent when she believes that Kirk has some secret plot to reach unprecedented heights -- power is clearly an all-consuming aphrodisiac with her.

Yet, Marlena also seems to be the only one outside of Spock smart enough to be perplexed by Kirk's behavior; stunned by his compassion, she tells him in wonder, "You're a stranger." And she's apparently not displeased by this, either, because she then asks him, "Am I your woman?", clearly not caring whether he's the Kirk she knows or not because she wants this man. Unbeknownst to Kirk, she uses a secret device known as the Tantalus Field -- a spying device plundered by the parallel Kirk during one of his previous missions -- to monitor this "stranger" Kirk's actions, and will soon come to realize that she was more right than she knew.

Meanwhile, Kirk and Scottie find a way to create an artificial field wherein they can all transport back to their own universe...but clandestine maneuvering is next to impossible in this paranoid environment. And the clock is ticking -- within no time, the field density between the two universes will close, and the landing party will be stuck forever in this brutal new life.

Among the inconsistencies is the notion that none of these ultra-suspicious and treacherous Empire crewmen seem to realize that the landing-party personnel have undergone serious personality changes. In a Nazi-like police state, even the most-minor of behavioral changes is generally viewed as proof that the person is involved in traitorous activities. No explanation is offered as to why or how the parallel, Empire landing party would be transported back to their home at the same time as "the good guys" would return themselves to the benevolent Federation. And, although his parallel character has some surprising self-interest to him, a logical, emotionless Spock would never agree that "Terror must be maintained" as this Spock does. On the theatrical front, Shatner lives up to some of his hammiest moments as the evil Kirk shouting after a departing Spock on the real "Enterprise." And the viewer has to force him- or herself to ignore the blatant use of stunt doubles in one fight sequence -- characters who, but for their uniforms, look nothing at all like Kirk, Spock or Scottie.

Still, these are easy notions to put aside, because "Mirror, Mirror" is one of "Star Trek"'s best examples of the provocative "what-if" nature of science fiction (second only to "City on the Edge of Forever.") In its character examinations, it's also without peer in the show's history. One of the highlights is watching Uhura, needing to create a diversion on the bridge, tap into her own suppressed sexuality to lure Sulu's eyes from his security board. It's the only chance in the entire series for Uhura to play "hot"...and she's scorching. One has to assume that the parallel Uhura is exactly this kind of woman, because no one on the Empire "Enterprise" bridge -- least of all the happy beneficiary, Sulu -- is the least bit surprised at the sight of Uhura the seductress. All in all, a highly-worthwhile viewing experience.

One of TOS best

[aeowen-03398 · 10/10 · 13 May 2019]

I first saw this episode in 1973, when I was 7 and able to understand the meaning of Trek. This has turned out be in my top three episodes of TOS, and here 44 years later, I can never stop watching it.

Now granted there is Star Trek Continues and they made a good follow up to the story, but I would love to see this continue more. What eventually did become of the Terran Empire after the overthrow? Too many questions that should be followed up, in my opinion.

Awesome episode. One of TOS very, if not the best.

Into An Evil Alternative Universe

[Rainey-Dawn · 9/10 · 8 January 2017]

Season 2, episode 4. The Enterprise is at the planet of the Halkan Council where Kirk, Scotty, McCoy and Uhura are there to speak to them in order to request permission to obtain dilithium crystals from the planet. The council refuses and the team beam back aboard the ship during an ion storm - but they find they have boarded another Enterprise in an alternate universe. Now Kirk, Scotty, McCoy and Uhura must work together in order to get back to their own universe without being killed by the "evil" or alternate Enterprise crew. One hope remains... the integrity of the "evil" Mr. Spock.

A long time favorite among Star Trek fans - and myself. Unforgettable is the goatee on the "evil" Spock and the scar on the face of Sulu. The only complaint I have about this episode: it's not long enough!!! LOL. If it were longer they could have shown us more of what happened in the "good" universe with the evil versions of Kirk, Uhura, McCoy and Scotty. But what little we did see was a joy to watch as the "good" Spock held them in a cell.

9.5/10

Explains everything

[derekmaddog · 10/10 · 16 June 2020]

Watching this for the 847th time I think I know why 2020 is such a nightmare. Sometime in mid-March we all woke up and found ourselves in the mirror universe. If this is not the case I think if it were possible I'd take my chances there....Can't be any worse

By the Beard of Spock!

[Samuel-Shovel · 10/10 · 18 May 2018]

"Mirror, Mirror" opens on Kirk, Scotty, Bones, & Uhura negotiating with the Halkans on the surface of their planet amidst a bad ion storm. They want to mine the planet's dilithium crystals but the pacifist Halkans know how dangerous these crystals can be and refuse to give them to Kirk, even while knowing that the Federation can take them by force if they so wish. While beaming back aboard, the ion storm causes some type of disruption and the landing party end up beaming aboard the Enterprise but in a parallel dimension. In this one, Spock's got a goatee!

The two landing parties have switched dimensions and our gang finds themselves in a much darker timeline. Here, the Federation is known as the Empire and everyone is much more barbaric and violent. Crew members ascend through the ranks by assassinating their superiors when possible. Both Chekov & Sulu attempt to kill their captain at points throughout the episode. Each high-ranking officer seems to have a batch of thug-like cronies that protect them from such coups. This dimension is much more temperamental. The Empire has commanded Kirk to kill the Halkans and take the dilithium crystals by force. Kirk must figure out a way to stop this from happening and get back to his rightful place as captain of the Enterprise in our dimension.

Wow, what an episode! I've always loved the concept of parallel dimensions and the execution in this episode is flawless. Here, we have humans at their most primal and dangerous; we see totalitarian rule, complete with Nazi-esque salutes. The entire atmosphere in this culture feels off and unsettling. I love the concept of little gangs within the ship's command as people attempt to wrestle control from one another.

I find it interesting that humans seem to be the only one's to be heavily contrasted between the two dimensions. Spock seems almost identical (plus facial hair); he still adheres to logic and the rule book at all times, even if the rules have changed. His portrayal here almost reminds me of the Vulcans before the Syrrannites started the Vulcan Reformation. Perhaps this is what might have happened if the Vulcans had stayed on their original path. The Halkans also maintain their pacifist views in both dimensions.

A cool feature of the mirror dimension is Kirk's big-brother machine known as the Tantalus field which watches over his crew and can kill dissenters with the push of a button. Where this machine ends up in our dimension (or if it even exists) is anyone's guess but the threat of evaporation without warning is quite a trip.

This is probably my favorite TOS episode that I've seen to date. It has great acting, a great script, a great science fiction concept. There's really nothing here not to like!

Spock with a Beard?

[woljm45 · 23 March 2006]

After a storm causes a transporter malfunction, Kirk, Uhura, Scotty, and McCoy are sent to an Enterprise in a parallel, but opposite, universe. They comes to find out that they are serving a new StarFleet which goes against everything their old StarFleet stands for. The ship is filled with brutality, lust, and the drive for power. You can feel the tension as they try to get to their own universe before the rest of the "evil" crew discovers the truth. The only thing that remains constant is a logical Spock, which shows logic stays the same whether good or evil. Also check out Spock sporting a little goatee for this one. The plot idea was a very good concept and it turned out to be one of the better episodes of the second season.

"Oiling my traps, darling!"

[garrard · 9/10 · 3 July 2006]

"Mirror, Mirror," is possibly the single most influential episode in the entire "Star Trek" catalog. Its tale of a parallel universe was explored no less than four times on "Deep Space Nine" and "Enterprise." The story is simple: a transporter malfunction transports Kirk (William Shatner), McCoy (Deforest Kelly), Scotty (James Doohan), and Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) to a totalitarian version of The Federation, where assassination is the common means of advancement. In this universe, Spock (Leonard Nimoy) sports a beard, Sulu (George Takei) has a menacing scar, and a very seductive yeoman (Barbara Luna) is the "captain's woman" and she intends to keep the title.

Luna ranks as one of the most attractive women to ever grace the sound stage of a "Trek" show. Her multi-ethnicity made her suitable to assay many exotic roles during the 60's and 70's. Like fellow actor, Frank Silvera, she was a trailblazer and deserves recognition for this.

By the way, she speaks the above line in the title when she appears to Captain Kirk in a provocative stance and outfit!

Bare midriffs, oiled traps and Spock's beard

[snoozejonc · 10/10 · 16 August 2021]

Captain Kirk, Lieutenant U'Hura, Dr McCoy and Mr Scott are accidentally transported to a parallel universe.

'Mirror Mirror' is an excellent episode with a fantastic sci-fi concept, suspenseful plot and strong character moments.

The plot involves a great situation that has been done to death throughout the franchise, but this is the original and best episode to use it. There is a ticking clock plot that keeps things suspenseful and a lot of situations showing characters under pressure not to show weakness.

When I first saw it in my youth I was on the edge of my seat, particularly towards the end. It does not quite have the same effect on repeat viewings but there is still much to admire about the sci-fi detail and character interactions.

It is a notable episode for some of the supporting characters like U'Hura and Sulu as they do far more than just man their usual stations. Some of Sulu's dialogue is a bit cartoonish in its villainy but that's all part of the sixties charm. Nichelle Nichols and George Takei do some of their best work here, particularly Takei.

Visually it is fantastic, with great costuming, props and lighting to make the Enterprise and crew look and feel like they belong in a more savage place.

Kirk, Spock and McCoy are well written and William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley are on great form.

It is a 9.5/10 for me but I round upwards.

Terror Must Be Maintained

[philip2017 · 10/10 · 25 June 2014]

Many starships of fans have said it but I'll join them; Mirror Mirror is arguably the best Star Trek ep ever made, and I'd say it's also one of the ten best single television broadcasts I've ever seen.

Amazing work, seemingly born of the team taking an amazing TV show they had 100% confidence in and, can only guess but... on a specific edition (consciously intended or did it just happen?) deciding to push to make something about 100x better than even the excellent standard show they were already transmitting each week...?

The Simpsons achieved similar with Last Exit to Springfield in 1993; a single episode from a (then) blisteringly outstanding stable that is outlandishly better than the pipingly strong pack around it, with observation, complexity and inspired touches almost every ten seconds or so;a Star Trek TOS episode is 50 min not 22, yet Mirror Mirror's pace, with the exception of perhaps and only the first sick bay scene, is almost as intense.

Other reviewers have covered Mirror Mirror's plot and most points have been made, esp on the swift adaptation by all (except by perhaps McCoy) to realities in the Galactic Empire, but special mention has to go to both BarBara Luna and the writers for her character, Marlena Moreau.

Marlena is likely the very best of Star Trek characters/guest leads ever. Probably only on screen for 10, max 15, of the full 50 mins, she adds an irreplaceable dimension of human ambition, frustration, amorality and yearning for a better life that none of the regulars, breath-taking though they are, ever match.

It may be that all great shows, and all great writing and production teams, and indeed almost everyone who has passion for their work or any venture, find a time in his/her/its life when all's done, nothing hindered nothing feared and everything achieved; for original Star Trek this was it.

Skull & Cross Bones...

[Xstal · 7/10 · 16 February 2022]

An ionic storm causes confusion, when the landing crew make an intrusion, take a parallel trip, to a pirate space ship, run by uniformed rogues through collusion.

Channels are disrupted and some of the crew beam across boundaries into a parallel world where variations on a theme are enough to make you feel unwanted.

Star Trek The Original Series--Mirror, Mirror

[Scarecrow-88 · 10/10 · 27 April 2013]

There's this planet rich in dilithium crystals, but the people (a pacifist society that do not believe in violence, but they also refrain from dealing with others because of the potential in this philosophy suffering when in relation with other beings) aren't interested in partnering with others, even though Kirk promises only amicable relations with them. When returning to the Enterprise, a lightning storm of considerable magnitude causes a transporter malfunction that sends the away team (Kirk, Uhura, Bones, and Scotty) into an alternate universe where the ship's crew is savage, treacherously calculating, self-absorbed, inhumane, and sadistic. The desire for power, status, position, and rank is of the utmost importance and to attain what they want the Federation of this universe are conquerers, concerned with what their conquests bring "The Empire". Consider this the Mr. Hyde Enterprise crew. Sufficed to say, Kirk and company want to return to their proper universe which will require some ingenuity, savvy, and more than a little luck. How to avoid constant attack for his rank of Captain, Kirk will have to survive the best he can until Scotty can arrange for them to transport all proper to their true Enterprise.

Mirror, Mirror is a treat if just because it allows the cast to find their inner barbarian and play around with a darker side of human nature where reward comes with taking what you want through chicanery, deceit, and murder. Through his short time on the Enterprise from the Darkside, Kirk learns that his mirror evil self has used a device to make his superiors and enemies "disappear" in order to achieve his rank of Captain. Spock, even if a more savage Vulcan version, still operates under the logic of the orders demanded of the Empire, pressuring Kirk to execute the people on the planet below so they can take the dilithium crystals from them without their permission. Sure they give them a chance to just hand over the crystals despite their principles, but ultimately, the Empire will take them with or without their okay. Kirk delays the orders, which earns Spock's suspicions. Takei and Koenig both seem to be having a ton of fun in their parts as devious monsters (Takei even has a long scar down his face and constantly harasses Uhura) after Kirk's spot of Captain. The major developments that take precedence over even the vies for power are Spock's inquisitive pursuit of Kirk's motives behind his seemingly humanistic delays in conquering the people on the planet and trying to circumvent his efforts to stall until Scotty gets everything under operation for transport, and "the Captain's lady", Marlena (the stunning beauty BarBara Luna) awaiting Kirk in his quarters, finding him quizzically affectionate and his halting the use of the "death ray" to kill Spock further gives her pause to question his behavior. That's all part of detaining our heroes and keeping them from successfully hopping the first transport out of these dangerous new environs that offer constant threats of death and peril. The way the bearded, forward Spock continues to throw a monkey wrench in their plans, only to *assist* them at the end is a really cool development, as is the way he damn near overpowers Kirk, Scotty, Bones, and Uhura (he tosses her to the side in a heap and it is startling to see that against a woman in '67) by himself during a major scuffle in the Sick Bay. The dynamic between nervous Uhura and malcontent Sulu offers a good bit of tension, and Chekov nearly taking out Kirk, only to be treated to the pain box (a torture chamber that causes intense agony when officers attempt to kill their commanding officers), gives us a disturbing look into how violence is used so importantly in this universe. There's even a small agony box that is used when officers make minor mistakes, happening when Kirk and company first arrive in this mirror universe. Just a masterfully rendered episode that is proof positive of just how damn good the show could be when firing creatively on all cylinders.

An introduction to the mirror universe

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 23 June 2015]

In the opening scene a landing party which consists of Kirk, McCoy, Scotty and Uhura are unsuccessfully negotiating with a race of pacifists; they refuse to allow dilithium crystals to be mined in case they are used violently. They state that the Enterprise could take them by force but Kirk states that they won't do that. As they beam up there is an ion storm that effects the transporter; instead of finding themselves on the Enterprise they know they materialise on a ship that is almost exactly the same yet somehow totally different; this is no ship of peaceful explorers; they are part of a brutal regime where failure is punished severely and promotion is secured by assassination. In this parallel universe the crew of the Enterprise has orders to destroy the inhabitants of the planet if they refuse to allow mining; something our Kirk won't do. He and other members of the away team will have to be very careful if they are to avoid being captured before they can figure out how to get back to their own universe.

This is a classic episode that serves to introduce us to the parallel universe; a universe that will be visited more than once in later 'Star Trek' series. It is immediately apparent that the Star Fleet in the parallel universe is an organisation with fascist tendencies which immediately raises the tension. The fact that the villains have familiar faces serves to make it even more interesting… it is also interesting that this Spock is just as logical as his 'good' counterpart. The cast do a fine job, especially the ones playing their evil counterparts; I particularly liked George Takei's portrayal of the thoroughly unpleasant Security Chief Sulu. Overall this is one of those episodes that no fan of the series will want to miss… in fact even those who prefer the newer versions of 'Star Trek' should find this one is worth watching for its introduction to the mirror universe.

"It's our Enterprise,... but it isn't".

[classicsoncall · 8/10 · 16 November 2010]

It's cool to see how an alternate cast of Star Trek characters would behave if positioned in a parallel universe. That's what we get here, as Captain Kirk is forced to think on his feet, while other-world Sulu and Chekov really get to cut loose as opportunists and potential assassins. In some of my prior reviews I've mentioned how Uhura's skirt kept getting shorter over the series' run, and I had to chuckle here. Since it couldn't go any higher, she gets to bare her midriff for an even sexier display. Nice abs too.

I think the thing I liked best here was the way Spock's character was written. There's something to be said about his intense loyalty, no matter what side of the cosmic highway he was working on. Nice touch with the beard too.

Too bad some more time couldn't have been spent aboard the real Enterprise exploring the nature of evil Kirk and company. There again, Spock had things under control and in lock down mode as soon as he saw something amiss.

But the thing that gets me with these stories is why it's never explained how one's clothes get altered along with the big switcheroo. Maybe we're not supposed to think about that, but just once I'd like to see a story line try to explain it.

A personal favorite

[intp · 9/10 · 29 July 2014]

This episode is probably my personal favorite of the original series. It wasn't perfect, but it came pretty close, which is a remarkable achievement considering the severe budgetary and time limitations involved in putting together a regular weekly series. Excellent acting, scripting, and pacing, with nary a dull moment.

The premise is that Kirk, McCoy, Scotty and Uhura somehow get transposed with their "evil" counterparts from a parallel universe in which the Federation is a brutal, conquering force, somewhat similar to the Klingons. Kirk and company have to figure out how to get home; meanwhile, Kirk tries to leave some positive mark on this alternate universe before he leaves...

Some really nice touches in this episode. Subtle differences in the two ships and in the two crews. Kirk and company conveniently beaming up in the correct uniforms for that universe really didn't make sense, but was an understandable part of the writing to facilitate their covert infiltration of the new ship. The tough, bearded Spock may have been the most interesting incarnation portrayed by Nimoy on the series.

Shatner was also in superb form here, and even Nichelle Nichols got a chance to shine, for once. Barbara Luna did a fine job as the sultry siren with a heart of gold.

What makes this episode so great, to me, is that Kirk not only manages to effect the inevitable escape-- but he also leaves a lasting positive effect on the parallel universe, through potent rhetoric and oratory to the one honorable man, Spock. The implication is that the Marlena character will become the consort of bearded Spock as the new Captain ("you're the Captain's woman until he tells you otherwise"; also, she shares the secret of the Tantalus Field). Considering her earlier expressed admiration for Spock, this actually works out okay for both of them.

I found it a bit too convenient, though, that the "good" Spock was so easily able to confine the evil versions of Kirk and company. I would think there would be serious chain of command problems involved, even if Spock had strong evidence for some sort of transposition. But given the limitations of the format, it was an acceptable solution to avoid complicating the plot even further. As it was, this was a superbly ambitious episode that crammed quite a bit of story into a short space. The clever bridge scene with the alternate Marlena made for a fine ending.

Anticipating Sliders

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 7 May 2016]

Anticipating the series Sliders by about 30 years this particular Star Trek prime episode is one of the most original and best of the series. A few of the regulars got to explore darker versions of their selves.

After completing part of some unsuccessful negotiations for Dilithium crystals with a pacifist alien planet, the Enterprise Away team which consists of Kirk, Uhura, McCoy, and Scotty get beamed up. But do to a fierce ionic storm are transferred to a parallel universe where the Federation acts more like the Klingon Empire. It's a warlike alliance that has no scruples about wholesale genocide to get what they want.

One of the things that drives this Empire is a cult of intrigue. When our Captain Kirk hesitates about obliterating the aliens Spock is ready to pull a palace coup on the Enterprise against him. And waiting in the wings is Sulu looking to knife Spock literally and figuratively.

As the four regulars in the alien universe look to return to their own universe, we get a great opportunity for Leonard Nimoy, Walter Koenig, and George Takei to explore other darker versions of themselves. Especially Takei who looked like he was having a ball with a treacherous and lecherous version of Sulu. Nichelle Nichols was the object of his lust and she had to alternately encourage and keep Takei at bay as the situation called.

One person that was new was Barbara Luna essentially on the Enterprise to give William Shatner a little Nookie. In fact she glories in being one who serves the Empire and its male officers in every way she can.

This one is a must for Star Trek fans.

A Couple of Kirks

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 28 April 2014]

I recently watched an old episode of The Twilight Zone where an astronaut returns to Earth and to a family that isn't quite right. The concept of a parallel universe has been a part of scifi for a long time. In this episode, after negotiating with a planet to gain dilithium crystals, Kirk beams up. At that very time, something happens, sending him into another universe. it contains similar characters though they are beset with avarice and evil. Even Spock has accepted the fact that maintain discipline he must inflict pain on people, even kill them. Of course, if good Kirk is on this starship, his counterpart is on the Enterprise we know. Of course, here comes the fun. The good Kirk must figure out what happened and find some way to turn things back. The other Kirk sticks out like a sore thumb but has the power of his position. So things aren't so easy to remedy. This is a wonderful use of a unique situation and the writers don't waste it. What's neat is that the good Kirk tries to initiate change on the new ship, so he isn't just single minded in his efforts.

Someobody's Missing!

[mbrahms26 · 10/10 · 24 December 2019]

Yes, this is a great episode, but where pray tell was the "evil" Nurse Chapel in the parallel universe? All of the other major cast members, as well as a minor one (Mr. Kyle) were accounted for in either the beamed up landing party or on the ship in the parallel universe. But the lovely evil nurse is nowhere to be found. Also, my six year old nephew pointed out another matter a while ago. Why weren't the Halkans evil as well? They should have been eager to part with those lithium crystals!

Good, Evil & Mirror Universes

[timdalton007 · 9/10 · 19 March 2015]

Few episodes of Star Trek are quite as iconic as Mirror, Mirror. First broadcast in 1967 as part of the Original Series' second season, it's an episode that even people who aren't fans or even casual viewers of Star Trek will immediately know. After all, it's been references not just in other science fiction series such as Stargate SG-1 but also in shows like South Park. So what is it about the episode that makes it so memorable?

A large part of it is undoubtedly the parallel universe concept at the heart of the episode, referenced and parodied time and again. Even back in 1967 when this episode first aired, the idea wasn't a new one by any means with writers, including this episode's writer Jerome Bixby with his own earlier short story One Way Street, having already explored the idea quite a bit. Bixby used that earlier short story as a jumping off point of sorts, with further rewrites being done by Gene Roddenbery, D.C. Fontana and Gene Coon, before the episode reached reached production. What seems to have been different here was that this was perhaps the first to take the idea and apply the idea to characters and situations in an established series. Not only that, but it presented what might be considered "evil" versions of those established elements long before it was the norm (Doctor Who, already nearly four years old when this episode first aired, would do it three years later in Inferno). That, combined with decades of re-runs and Star Trek's ever growing fan base, has helped to establish Mirror, Mirror as perhaps the definitive depiction of a parallel universe in popular culture.

Well that and Spock's beard. Let's be honest: that's what people usually remember about this episode. As Friends would put it, this is "the one with Spock's beard." The parallel universe concept needed something visual to establish it early on and, if the viewer didn't notice that the crew beaming back aboard the Enterprise were wearing different uniforms, then they would definitely notice the normally clean shaven Vulcan sprouting a goatee beard. The sight was (and indeed remains) a great visual image and a shock to those viewing the episode in 1967 and in the decades to come. If you doubt it's cultural impact, just remember that it even inspired a band name at one point.

The episode's parallel universe concept means that the cast can do things they normally would never get to do. Spock's beard may be a great visual image, but it also tells us that this isn't the Spock we've come to know and Leonard Nimoy's performance proves that as well. The Mirror Spock is every bit as logical as his "normal" self, but in this universe where there's an ever conquering Empire instead of a benevolent Federation, that logic has been turned to a cold and calculating level. When this Spock threatens Kirk and the Mirror Sulu late in the episode, he does so with a sense of cold menace that seems almost unthinkable from the Spock we've come to know and love. That's true of the entire cast from the normally likable Chekov attempting to assassinate Kirk to Sulu's advances on Uhura right down to the brief glimpse we get of the Mirror Kirk trapped in the "normal" universe.

Then there's the four members of the landing party who swap places with their counterparts in the Mirror Universe. Kirk, McCoy, Scotty and Uhura are the proverbial fish of water who are trying to fit into an environment for which they are ill-suited. Kirk, as the lead character, is the episode's focal point and the one upon which we get the majority of our exposure to life in this universe. Shatner's performance here is one of his best as he deals with trying to avoid annihilating the Halkan's to his dealings with the episode's female guest character Marlena (Barbara Luna) and his trying to convince Mirror Spock to seek another way. Almost the entire landing party though deals with some trouble from Scotty's attempting to sabotage the phasers which arouses suspicions to Uhura dealing with the unwelcome advances from Sulu. From an acting point view the episode is one of the most memorable, and arguably one of the best, of the entire Original Series era.

Also of mention is the production design and costumes. The redressing of familiar Enterprise sets and corridors, often done subtly, helps to reinforce the Mirror Universe setting with slight changes and the more obvious addition of the Empire's emblem of the Earth and dagger to the bridge set. The costumes as well also help to reinforce the notion as well with Kirk's costume and especially those used for female characters while others are more often than not just adaptations of those normally used. Those adaptations though, in both sets and costumes, works because it puts the viewer in familiar territory where it's the characters that are different, not the setting (plus it saves the production money).

In the end, it isn't hard to see why this is one of the most iconic of all Star Trek episodes. The Mirror Universe concept, and especially how it's represented visually, remains striking and recognizable nearly fifty years later. Plus the acting is never less than interesting while the production design and costumes help to sell the parallel universe in ways both subtle and obvious. It's no wonder then that this episode has been referenced and parodied so much, as well as often being returned to in Trek itself. And long may it continue to be so...

Another sterling episode

[russem31 · 6 April 2006]

ST:TOS:39 - "Mirror, Mirror" (Stardate: Unknown) - this 39th episode in production, this is another episode in which this specific parallel universe would later spawn future episodes in the succeeding sequel series (5 Deep Space Nine episodes starting with "Crossover", and more recently the 2 part Enterprise episode "In a Mirror, Darkly" which 'precedes' and establishes how this "Mirror, Mirror" episode universe came to be.) This episode also has another mention of Christopher Pike. Suffice it to say, by itself, this is a very interesting and unique episode that should definitely be watched by any Original Series buff. It is also the episode where you get to see a bearded Spock!

Comic book style story line

[drystyx · 7/10 · 10 October 2021]

This episode had "comic book" appeal. Some of the crew happen to trade places with their counterparts in a "mirror Universe" in which their characters are evil.

The "comic book" appeal is because of the lack of Science. Why "evil and good" are the lone factors in alternate Universes is one thing, but the idea of relegating it to just characters is about as illogical as one can get.

Still, the episode is fun in a "problem solving" way. It's just over the top and more ridiculous fiction than science fiction.

"I think I liked him better with a beard."

[Hey_Sweden · 10/10 · 28 May 2023]

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.

Best episode of the series!

[mm-39 · 10/10 · 4 November 2017]

When Star Trek had a good story the results were golden! Mirror, Mirror, in my opinion, is the best episode of the series. Here is why: The story the Captain, Bones, etc through a transporter malfunction puts the crew in a reverse evil universe. A fascinating and riveting episode where the Enterprise tortures crew members, extorts other planets, Sulu has a scar on his face. How will the crew get back? There is a logical Spock except with a beard who is the same alternate on the evil enterprise. All the evil Spock wants is the evil captain back. Kirk adds a logical argument that the Empire will not last to Spock before the exit to the parallel universe. The mix of being lost in a evil world, to the develop of alternate characters creates a slow building uneasy tension. 10 out of 10 stars.