DS9 Flashback: Shattered Mirror

The first "mirror universe" episode of Deep Space Nine, "Crossover," was a rare case where the revival age of Star Trek made an explicit connection to the original series. Then a follow-up episode, "Through the Looking Glass," essentially appropriated the concept of the mirror universe as Deep Space Nine's own storyline. The series made its third trip there in the fourth season's "Shattered Mirror."

The mirror universe version of Miles O'Brien has stolen our universe's plans to the Defiant, using them as a blueprint to build his own warship. But, unable to solve issues with its weapons systems, he needs help from Benjamin Sisko. Mirror Jennifer Sisko crosses over to abduct Jake and bring him to the mirror universe, extorting Ben to follow and do the work. Now the clock is ticking; this new Defiant must be operational before Worf, the Regent of the Cardassian-Klingon alliance, arrives at the station in his massive flagship.

The original "Mirror, Mirror" may have been a bit campy in the way all Star Trek of the time was (at least a little), but it was predominately a serious episode. "Crossover" mostly maintained that tone. But somewhere between it and this episode, the mirror universe became a fluffy bit of escapist fun for the writers and actors. Perhaps for the audience too -- though some elements of "Shattered Mirror" are more effective than others.

Nana Visitor once again seems to be having a blast playing Intendant Kira, a self-serving villain seen turning on everyone and delighted to do it. When her guard reveals Kira killed his wife, her reply that "I was hoping you weren't married" is perfect, over-the-top fun. When she kills Nog for barely more reason than to ensure a Ferengi dies each mirror universe episode, it's predictable yet delicious. When she spares Jake's life so Ben Sisko will owe her, she's practically saying straight to the audience that she and the mirror universe will be back -- and for a character and performance this joyous, I'm there for it!

Everyone else is some number of steps down from there. It's welcome to see Dax get a retaliatory shot in on Sisko for what he did to her last mirror universe episode ("making love to me under false pretenses"), but she has little else to do here. It's hard to take Mirror Bashir seriously under that wild wig. Or to feel much menace from Nog when he's got eye candy hanging on each arm. Maybe this is why Ben Sisko never really does much to impress on Jake the danger of this universe -- it doesn't look or feel especially dangerous this episode.

Then there's Worf's role (to do nothing but torture Garak) and Garak's (to do nothing but be tortured by Worf). It's an odd thing to play for "comic relief" -- and depending on who you ask, it's actually offensive in one key scene (in which Garak makes a pass that Worf rebuffs). It's a topic of discussion among LGBT fans of Star Trek whether the mirror universe is a net positive or negative for representation. Look at it one way, and you see everyone finding pleasure wherever they want. Look at it the other, and the mirror universe seems to be packaging LGBT people and the idea of sexual fluidity as one more form of immorality that everyone in this "evil universe" revels in. I doubt very much that any harm was intended here, but thinking about that certainly amplifies the already considerable awkwardness of this subplot.

The best moments of the episodes are the ones that play out more seriously. There's Jake's sadness over his absent friend Nog, and the shock he gets when the mirror version of Nog is no friend to him at all. There's the deep emotion of what it really would be like for Jake to have "his mom" back again. There's also the tragic ending of that story -- though I think Jake never really invests his heart deeply enough for the death of Mirror Jennifer to really hit home.

There's also a truly spectacular space combat sequence in the final act. With a vastly increased budget allocated for this episode, the visual effects department delivers a complex battle where ships weave in and out of the station's rings and pylons. It culminates in a great Star Wars-like image of the Defiant hugging close to the belly of the Klingon flagship to strafe its surface. It looks fantastic, and it's full of energy.

Other observations:

• Because Quark and Odo were both killed off in the first mirror universe episode, they get a short scene at the top of the episode just so Armin Shimerman and Rene Auberjonois get something to do. They make the most of it, needling each other in a fun way.

• The lighting and set decoration departments have fun with the episode too, adding dramatic red to the prefect's office, and adding a red stripe to the Defiant bridge.

• OK, one joke from the Worf storyline did make me laugh: the moment when he yells "make it so!"

I wasn't necessarily thrilled that Star Trek: Discovery decided to spend more time in the mirror universe. But in rewatching this Deep Space Nine episode, I was glad Discovery decided to take it more seriously again. I think I'd just barely give "Shattered Mirror" a B-.