"Mirror, Mirror" is the fourth episode of the second season of the American science fiction television series Star Trek. Written by Jerome Bixby and directed by Marc Daniels, it was first broadcast on October 6, 1967.

The episode involves a transporter malfunction that swaps Captain Kirk and his companions with their evil counterparts from a parallel universe (later dubbed the "Mirror Universe").

"Mirror, Mirror" is one of the most celebrated episodes of the original Star Trek series, and the Mirror Universe was revisited in episodes of later Star Trek series.

Plot

After failing to persuade the Halkan Council to allow the Federation to mine dilithium crystals on their planet, Captain Kirk, along with Chief Medical Officer Dr. McCoy, Chief Engineer Scott, and Communications Officer Uhura, attempt to beam back to the USS Enterprise during an ion storm, and find themselves on a dramatically different Enterprise designated "ISS Enterprise." First Officer Spock now has a mustache and goatee,

Among many parodies of the Mirror Universe are a 1977 episode of science-fiction sitcom Quark, and "Spookyfish", a 1998 episode of South Park.

Reception

For the franchise's 30th anniversary in 1996, TV Guide ranked "Mirror, Mirror" No. 3 on its list of the 10 best Star Trek episodes from all series. In 2016, Newsweek ranked "Mirror, Mirror" as one of the best episodes of the original series. IO9 ranked "Mirror, Mirror" as the tenth best episode of all Star Trek episodes up to 2011.

In 2012, The A.V. Club ranked this episode as one of their top ten "must see" episodes of the original series.

In 2012, Christian Science Monitor ranked this the fifth best episode of the original Star Trek.

In 2015, New York Public Library suggested this episode as having Spock's fifth best scene in the show.

In a 2016 article highlighting the best episode from each Star Trek series, Digital Trends gave "Mirror, Mirror" an honorable mention. In 2016, Business Insider ranked "Mirror, Mirror" the 6th best episode of the original series. In 2016, IGN ranked "Mirror, Mirror" number 3 in a top ten list of original series episodes. At that time, there were roughly 726 episodes and a dozen films released.

In 2015, SyFy ranked this episode as one of the top ten essential Star Trek original series Spock episodes.

2016 was the 50th anniversary of the first broadcast of Star Trek, which triggered a large amount of press including TV Guide's review of top original series episodes. They ranked "Mirror, Mirror" the fourth best episode of the series.

In 2017, SyFy ranked this the best mirror universe episode of Star Trek.

In 2017, Comic Book Resources ranked a character in this episode, Marlena Moreau of the mirror universe, the 8th "fiercest" female character of the Star Trek universe.

In 2017, Vulture listed "Mirror, Mirror" as one of the best episodes of the original show, noting the episode's trip to the darker mirror universe.

In 2018, Collider ranked this episode the 4th best original series episode.

In 2018, PopMatters ranked this the 13th best episode of the original series.

A 2018 Star Trek binge-watching guide by Den of Geek recommended this episode as one of the best of the original series.

In 2019, Comic Book Resources ranked this episode as one of the top 8 most memorable episodes of the original Star Trek.

In 2021, Screen Rant ranked it the best episode of the original Star Trek series to re-watch.

In 2024 Hollywood.com ranked Mirror Mirror at number 3 out of the 79 original series episodes.

See also

  • "Fairest of Them All"; a 2014 non-canon, fan-produced, direct continuation of "Mirror, Mirror"

References

  • "Mirror, Mirror" Original outline March 2, 1967; report and analysis by Dave Eversole
  • "Mirror, Mirror" The 2006 remastered version side-by-side comparisons at TrekMovie.com