Title

Mirror, Mirror

Episode

Season 2
Episode 4

Air Date

October 6, 1967

Stardate

Unknown

Description

While beaming during an ion storm, Kirk, Uhura, Bones, and Scotty are transposed with evil counterparts in a parallel universe, where officers advance in rank through assassination. The four then attempt to get back to their own universe.

Personal Rating

This is by far the best episode dealing with parallel universes. The people in the evil universe posses some interesting devices, such as the personal "agonizer," the "agony booth" and the "Tantalus field." And the evil Spock, although ruthless, is still logical and loyal. Actually, given the reasonableness of the evil Spock, one wonders why the "good" crew had to conceal their efforts to return to their own universe. After all, restoring everybody to their own universe was in the best interests of everybody.

The convincing transposition of life entities reminds me of another episode I like, Turnabout Intruder.

Favorite Quotations

[Evil] Spock: "They [the Halkans] have refused the Empire. Command procedure dictates that we provide the customary example."

McCoy: "My sick bay is a chamber of horrors. Two of my assistants were betting on the tolerance of an injured man -- How long it would take him to pass out from the pain."

[Good] Kirk: "Scotty, can you do it?"

Scotty: "Not by myself. I'll need help. And you'd be too conspicuous."

McCoy: "I'm a doctor, not an engineer."

Scotty: "Now you're an engineer."

[Evil] Kirk, objecting to being thrown in the brig: "Spock. You traitorous pig. I'll hang you up by your Vulcan ears. I'll have you all executed!"

[Good] Spock: "I think not. Your authority on this ship is extremely limited, Captain. The four of you will remain here in the brig and in custody until I discover how to return you to wherever it is you belong."

[Good] Kirk: "Spock, do you think we should destroy the Halkans?"

[Evil] Spock: "Terror must be maintained or the Empire is doomed. It is the logic of history."

[Evil] Spock, over the ship's intercom system: "I've received a private communication from Starfleet command. I am committing a breach of regulations by informing you of its contents."

[Good] Kirk: "Yes, Mr. Spock."

[Evil] Spock: "I am instructed to wait until planet dawn over principle target to permit you to carry out our mission."

[Good] Kirk: "And ... if I don't?"

[Evil] Spock: "In that event, I am ordered to kill you and to proceed against the Halkans as the new captain of the Enterprise."

[Good] Spock, once everybody is back in their own universe: "Indeed, gentlemen. May I point out that I had an opportunity to observe your counterparts here quite closely. They were brutal, savage, unprincipled, uncivilized, treacherous -- In every way, splendid examples of homo sapiens, the very flower of humanity. I found them quite refreshing."

Kirk: "I'm not sure, but I think we've been insulted."

McCoy: "I'm sure."