Star Trek

Mirror, Mirror

Season 2, Episode 4, Aired 10/6/67

Episode Summary

Kirk and three of his officers are accidentally transported into a parallel "mirror" universe where violence, greed, and evil are commonplace.

9.4

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Cast & Crew

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Leonard Nimoy

Mr. Spock
William Shatner

Captain James Tiberius Kirk
DeForest Kelley

Dr. Leonard Horatio "Bones" McCoy

Fan Episode Reviews (7)

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Kirk, McCoy, Uhura, and Scotty are transported by mistake to a parallel dimension on an alternate, savage Enterprise.

9.0

"Superb"

By Celedorian, Nov 20, 2011 Report Abuse

Star Trek pioneered the "evil twin" concept in the first season with the episode "The Enemy Within". Here, Trek takes it to the next level with a brilliant idea that is wonderfully and creatively executed. A true ensemble piece, "Mirror, Mirror" is a staple of Star Trek marathons and "best ofs" (and was nominated for a Hugo) for good reason; it's a tightly scripted, well acted, unique episode that only a great science fiction series would have thought of and attempted back in the 1960s. The episode has dozens of great touches. And let's face it, Spock with a goatee is just plain cool.moreless

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Spock sports facial growth, Uhura flaunts some toned abs, and Sulu is genuinely creepy in both universes.

9.0

"Superb"

By millerem99, Nov 27, 2010 Report Abuse

A stellar plot, superior dialogue, and non-stop action ranks this episode among the best. It also raises again the question so often posed by Trek: how would my evil counterpart manifest itself? Or for some people, perhaps the question is actually "Am I the evil counterpart, living out a life of brute selfishness while my merciful and compassionate nature lies dormant - or existing elsewhere?"

In addition to the philosophy and excitement generated by the nature of this episode, there are plenty of "gotta love-its" in this episode: from Kirk's fringed, sparkly-gold disco tunic to the hilarious fight scene in sickbay in which Uhura hurls herself flailing into a wall and Kirk smashes a paper-mache bust over Spock's head. There's the alternate Sulu, who with his lazy-eyed, maniacal smile is every bit as creepy as the ordinary Sulu we've come to know and dread - the chief difference is the jagged scar running like a topographical mountain chain down his porous face. Evil Chekov finally has manageable hair, but his grin is a frightening combination of an over-eager puppy and a sadist. The audience is also treated to a glimpse of all of his fillings when he's in the torture chamber. Then there's the whole behavior of the alternate universe personnel, beginning with our introduction to them through the goateed Mr. Spock and the poor Mr. Kyle, who bumbles and bumbles in both worlds. "Your agonizer, please, Mr. Kyle." Apparently, crew are equipped with their own torture devices used against them in order to teach a handy little lesson - fantastic!

Then, there's Kirk. Amazing the oh-so-subtle differences in him when he's "good boy Kirk" and when he's "bad boy Kirk" - we've seen this theme several times throughout the series, but either way you slice him, Kirk's a womanizer and a cad in both roles. I especially like the dialogue between him and McCoy, which runs like this:

McCoy: Captain, what do you suppose our counterparts are doing back on the enterprise?
Kirk: Well, I know mine must be engaged in some particularly bad acting and effected emoting, trying extra hard to play the part of the villain that Shatner in all his skeeziness lends naturally.
Then, of course, the scene switches to the evil Kirk screaming and having a fit before being thrown bodily into the brig - hilarious!
Then there's poor Marlena, who is stuck with Kirk in both universes.

Marlena: [after Kirk plants one of his smash-jaw, pursed lip kisses on her] It's been a long time since you kissed me like that. [you mean...badly?]

Of course, the writers had to add some frat boy humor at the end on the bridge, which took away from the main theme of the episode, in my opinion, because really, we're just once again seeing Kirk at his worst:

Kirk: [undressing Lt. Moreau with his eyes] She just seems like a nice, likeable girl. I think we could be friends....and, I've seen what she looks like in another universe in nothing but her underwear and a see-through, rainbow-colored robe!moreless

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2 0
A transporter malfunction during an ion storm has Kirk, McCoy, Scotty and Uhura swapping places with their counterparts in a parallel universe, where officers try to assassinate their superiors to better their rank. For many years, my favourite episode...moreless

10

"Perfect"

By Jay-Spacedust, Nov 15, 2008 Report Abuse

"Mirror, Mirror" is one of the all-time most popular Original 'Star Trek' episodes, and for a great many years was my personal favourite 'Trek' episode. In many respects it still is, and either way defiantly makes it into my Top 5.
I've always loves stories of parallel universes and evil twins, and this story does it very well.

We had already had glimpses of evil counterparts, such as Kirk's brutal double in the first season's "The Enemy Within" (which was also caused by a transporter malfunction), and in examples such as "The Alternative Factor", but this is the first time the notion of a parallel universe is fully explored.

Parallel Spock, who isn't far off from his 'good' self, sports a goatee beard, starting a trend for 'evil twins' that would be duplicated many times (one of my early television memories is Michael Knight's evil (sort of) brother Garthe sporting such a goatee in 'Knight Rider's 'Goliath').

The parallel costumes and make-up are good, with almost a pirate-y feel (I have to say, Uhura looks pretty hot in her parallel costume), and there are other nice touches for example, Sulu has a huge scar running much of his face, no doubt the result of some previous attempt to better his rank.

The only weak element in an otherwise great story, is Kirk's romance with Marlena (Barbara Luna). I find the scenes extremely flat and dragged out, and there is very little real spark between the pair. It is the only flaw in an otherwise excellent episode; I would have much rather seen a bit more of the evil Kirk and co. in our universe instead.

Other than that, this is an excellent story, with some great touches, and very re-watchable. The "mirror world" concept would be continued with later 'Star Trek' series, (beginning with 'The Next Generation's third season episode "Yesterday's Enterprise"), but as good as some of those offerings are, I still find the original the best in many ways.

All-in-all, a great episode, and deservedly one of the most popular of the Original Series. It still stands as one of my all-time favourites and definitely in my Top 5 possibly my single favourite episode of the series.moreless

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2 0
Uhura turns down date with Sulu and claims it had nothing to do with the 8 inch scar running down his face

9.7

"Superb"

By hrtonslv, Dec 25, 2006 Report Abuse

Whoop! Whoop! Whoop! That's the sound of my "Top Ten alert" alarm going off. I always scream with delight during two scenes. First when they cut to our Enterprise and the savage Kirk et al are being placed in the brig. "Has the whole universe gone crazy, what kind of a uniform is this, where's your beard, where's my personal guard!?" The other is Sulu waving his knife just before they cut to commercial and he says something like "Mr. Spock has orders to kill you captain, he will succeed. Apparently you will appear to have killed him after fierce battle. Regrettable, but it will leave me in command." Then he gives the most devilishly evil grin and they play that "in turmoil" music leading into commercial. Probably my favorite scene in all of the Star Trek episodes. The script is marvelous and I have never been bored with one second of that episode.moreless

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4 0
Fly the Unfriendly skies!

9.0

"Superb"

By GeorgeJobson, Nov 22, 2006 Report Abuse

"Mirror, Mirror" is one of the best "Star Trek" episodes when Captain Kirk and three members of the Enterprise, enter tnto an parallel universe when the crew is different and the way they speak is also different. Kirk and the three others spent the rest of the hour trying to get back to their universe and it won't be easy. I like the differences between the parallel universe and the different between the enterprises. The way they speak, the way bthey show their power. The title Mirror, Mirror" speaks for itself. I would like to see the crew of the good enterprise taking on the crew of thy bad enterprise. But the series was short lived.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- In the shot in which McCoy hypos the guard distracted by Scott's saluting, the stagehand operating the door can be seen quickly darting out of the way as McCoy pushes the guard through the open doorway. Edit
- Trivia: This is the only original series episode where Scotty addresses Kirk as "Jim". Edit
- It's stated repeatedly that the transporter power is balanced for four, not that they can take a maximum of 4. But then when they lose power, Kirk has to stay behind to operate the controls. If the power is balanced for exactly four, then their plan won't work because only three will be going. They would have to take Moreau for their plan to succeed, but no one notices this or says anything. Edit
Notes
ADD NOTES
- Foreign episode titles: "Mirror" (France) "A Parallel Universe" (Germany); "Terror of the Ion Turbulence" (Japan); "The Mirror" (Portugal); "Mirror, Little Mirror" (Spain). Edit
- The spiral drop earrings that mirror universe Marlena wears in this episode will later appear as part of Uhura's outfit in season three of the series. Edit
- This episode first introduces the "mirror universe" storyline in Star Trek which is continued in several episodes in at least a couple of the series' spinoffs. This mirror universe is also featured in Deep Space Nine's "Crossover", "Through the Looking Glass", "Shattered Mirror", "The Emperor's New Cloak", and with savage universe characters visiting the regular Star Trek universe in "Resurrection". Enterprise also featured a prequel to this episode/storyline with "In a Mirror, Darkly (Parts 1 & 2)." Edit
Quotes
ADD QUOTES
- Mirror Spock: (to Kirk) I have received a private communication from Starfleet Command. I am committing a breach of regulations by informing you of its contents. Kirk: Yes, Mr. Spock. Mirror Spock: I am instructed to wait until planet dawn over principal target to permit you to carry out our mission. Kirk: And if I refuse? Mirror Spock: In that event, I am ordered to kill you, and to proceed against the Halkans as the new captain of the Enterprise. Edit
- Kirk: You would find me a formidable opponent. Mirror Spock: I am aware of that, Captain. I trust that you are aware of the reverse. Edit
- Mirror Spock: Terror must be maintained or the Empire is doomed. It is the logic of history. Edit
Allusions
ADD ALLUSIONS
- Title References the line "Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?", from the children's fairy tale Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Edit
- Evil Twins: Beards
  This episode set the standard for any television show where the main character has an evil twin and denotes it by the evil character sporting a goatee. Edit

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