"Mirror, Mirror" Speculation: Why THAT Landing Party?

[JonnyQuest037]

Here's a question regarding "Mirror, Mirror" that I don't think I've seen asked here before: So if Kirk beamed down to the Halkans' planet to negotiate a possible mining treaty, why did he select a landing party consisting of his Chief Medical Officer, his Chief Engineer, and his Communications Officer? Why those specific folks, and not Mr. Spock, his usual go-to guy for landing parties? Here are my thoughts:

I'm guessing that Kirk left Spock aboard ship because of the Ion Storm and the possible damage to the ship. Also, we know from other episodes that there is a lot of scientific knowledge to be gained from Ion Storms, so maybe it was Spock's choice to stay aboard so that he could learn everything he could and supervise the science teams. As Kirk's most trusted pilot, Sulu's steady hand was needed at the helm. Likewise, Chekov was needed as navigator to plot the fastest possible escape route, and to learn more about the Enterprise's scientific studies from Mr. Spock.

Scotty was included on the landing party because he was needed to explain some of technical aspect of the dilithium mining to the Halkans. Maybe they were going to bore for the dilithium using the ship's phasers or something.

Uhura was included so that she could show the Halkans records of the Federation and Starfleet's histories, to reassure the Halkans that their intentions were benevolent and peaceful.

And McCoy... Well, it's generally a good idea to take a medical officer along on your landing parties, but maybe McCoy was concerned about some specific type of Ion radiation getting through to the planet's surface. He was there to monitor the landing party's vital signs.

But it's surprising that Kirk didn't also take a Geologist down planetside with him, considering he was looking for permission to start mining for dilithium there. Maybe the Geologist was going to be beamed down later once the Halkans agreed to allow the mining, or else interference from the Ion Storm only allowed the transporter to be calibrated for four people.

Well, those are my thoughts. What do you folks think? Are there other reasons that Kirk could've had for McCoy, Scotty, and Uhura being the ones to beam down with him to the planet's surface?

(And anyone who calls it an "away team" instead of a "landing party" gets 30 minutes in the booth! )

 

[Henoch]

But it's surprising that Kirk didn't also take a Geologist down planetside with him, considering he was looking for permission to start mining for dilithium there.

Scotty knows dilithium crystals. Kirk, Scott, McCoy and Uhura went to present the protection, engineering, medical and communications advances that the Federation has to offer for a dilithium trading deal. All three would be needed to turn the Halkan world into a trading empire in the Federation.

 

[johnnybear]

Scotty also has worked on mining planets and on the space runs made there! McCoy, like you say was there to check on the radiation levels and Kirk trusts his judgement when Spock is not with the team! Uhura, in case they get into trouble communications wise! As for why the Mirror Kirk picked his, I have absolutely no idea?
JB

 

[Delta Vega]

You could question the make up of every landing party, or away team, as they came to be known.
There seemed to be an awful lot of risk in sending your captain, engineer and senior bridge officers on missions, especially in hostile situations.

 

[Timo]

We might argue that landing party duty is something every officer

a) wants to perform, as it helps with the general boredom of shipboard life,
b) is required to do for X hours or sorties per year, and
c) can request either directly from the landing party leader (usually the CO), or by entering a roster.

Thus, the team of the week always caters for one or two more or less random tagalongs, unless there's a very pressing reason to include a specific expert who then displaces the random attendee.

Here, McCoy is the one with the weakest rationale for being present, so he might be collecting planetside hours. Or then he's showing braid, beefing up the party with his high rank especially now that Spock has found a reason to abstain.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Henoch]

We might argue that landing party duty is something every officer

a) wants to perform, as it helps with the general boredom of shipboard life,
b) is required to do for X hours or sorties per year, and
c) can request either directly from the landing party leader (usually the CO), or by entering a roster.

Thus, the team of the week always caters for one or two more or less random tagalongs, unless there's a very pressing reason to include a specific expert who then displaces the random attendee.

Here, McCoy is the one with the weakest rationale for being present, so he might be collecting planetside hours. Or then he's showing braid, beefing up the party with his high rank especially now that Spock has found a reason to abstain.

Timo Saloniemi

You have great points. Additional ideas:

• Senior officers contribute the most, and if something goes wrong, then they are the best to handle the problems.
• Tagalongs plus a couple of security red shirts are opportunities for great guess stars of the week, or for killing one or two red shirts to emphasize the extreme peril of the plot.
• Landing parties are designed to be no more than six people due to # transporter pads. After initial assessment, more many be sent down.
• McCoy? Spock and McCoy decided that at least one of them needs to go with the Captain because they have the only chance to keep him out of trouble. It never seems to work, though.

As for why the Mirror Kirk picked his, I have absolutely no idea?

1. Mirror Scott is there to assess the quality of the dilithium and how best to extract it (slave labor, strip mining, etc.)
2. McCoy is Kirk's personal physician and if he gets hurt, he only trusts McCoy to help him and not kill him. Mirror McCoy is a drunk hack and everyone else on the ship abuses him, so, he's always hiding in Kirk's shadow.
3. Mirror Uhura is one wicked bitch. He can't leave her behind on the ship or she'll set up an assassination plot like have Sulu try and kill him. "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."

 

[Timo]

Also, thanks to the transporter, venturing down to a planet really is no more dangerous than walking down a corridor. You can always turn around and return to your cabin; the transporter negates distance and time as factors there. So why not send the CO and his top men and women? And why not send them without much gear? Help is only two steps away. Usually.

The makeup of the landing party thus need not be pre-thought too carefully. M-5 is really overdoing it in "The Ultimate Computer", showing off in a matter of scant relevance.

Timo Saloniemi

 

[Pauln6]

I think for this kind of diplomatic mission, the exact make-up of the landing party is more discretionary compared to scientific surveys, medical aid, rescue parties, search parties, repair teams, etc.

I think on this type of mission it would make far more sense to have Yeoman than, say, a shuttle trip to study an astrophysical phenomenon, as well as a security guard. In some ways, Chapel was probably as suitable as medical cover on landing party duty as the CMO. You really just need someone to triage wounds long enough for a beam out.

 

[JonnyQuest037]

...or away team, as they came to be known.

30 minutes in the booth.

We might argue that landing party duty is something every officer [...]
b) is required to do for X hours or sorties per year, and

I really like this idea, and it makes a lot of sense. Why shouldn't going on a landing party be like maintaining your pilot certification, where you keep it up by doing it for a certain number of hours per year?

1. Mirror Scott is there to assess the quality of the dilithium and how best to extract it (slave labor, strip mining, etc.)
2. McCoy is Kirk's personal physician and if he gets hurt, he only trusts McCoy to help him and not kill him. Mirror McCoy is a drunk hack and everyone else on the ship abuses him, so, he's always hiding in Kirk's shadow.
3. Mirror Uhura is one wicked bitch. He can't leave her behind on the ship or she'll set up an assassination plot like have Sulu try and kill him. "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."

Beautiful. Bravo. You're great Empire material!

 

[Henoch]

Beautiful. You're great Empire material! Bravo.

I always wanted to wear a goatee.

 

[Sareesataka]

Kirk picked these particular individuals because he was planning a huge diplomatic party for the Halkans to sway their decision to allow dilithium mining on their planet.

-Scotty: Brought the Scotch and other liquors.
-McCoy: Brought the hyposprays filled with cordrazine to get the party started.
Uhura - Her beautiful voice and dancing for entertainment like she did in The Final Frontier.

Kirk didn't bring Spock because he's the ship's biggest party-pooper.

 

[Henoch]

Kirk picked these particular individuals because he was planning a huge diplomatic party for the Halkans to sway their decision to allow dilithium mining on their planet.

-Scotty: Brought the Scotch and other liquors.
-McCoy: Brought the hyposprays filled with cordrazine to get the party started.
Uhura - Her beautiful voice and dancing for entertainment like she did in The Final Frontier.

Kirk didn't bring Spock because he's the ship's biggest party-pooper.

The exact same reasons can be given for their mirror versions. Just change the reason for the party:
"Kirk picked these particular individuals because he was planning a huge victory party over the Halkans to gloat about capturing the dilithium mining on their planet."

 

[CorporalCaptain]

First of all, so Mirror Spock could be a primary character of the episode. Kirk's obviously going, as he's the star of the show. A Mirror McCoy could have been awesome, but you have to weigh that against going against grain for your main cast too much. So, that means McCoy has to come.

Scotty's going to get them home, so he has to come.

There are only three recurring bridge characters left. They found a way to utilize all three against type while giving them something engaging to do. You can't pick too many as you'd lose showing the most Mirrors. Picking Uhura gives us the damsel-in-distress when we think she's going to be in danger, but it turns out she can handle herself. We also get good, efficient info-dumps from her. Mirror Chekov's ambush is one of the highlights of the episode. Mirror Sulu's scar is almost as good as Mirror Spock's beard (a French beard or circle beard, by the way, not a Van Dyke or goatee).

Who's left? Kyle? He's not going on a routine landing party, plus we get to see Mirror Spock torture Mirror Kyle in the teaser.

So, there it is! Simple. Logic!

 

[Henoch]

Mirror Spock's beard (a French beard or circle beard, by the way, not a Van Dyke or goatee)

I stand corrected. It is indeed a circle beard. Mirror Spock may have also had his ear tips surgically accentuated; the longer and pointer the better! I want to wear the bearded Spock more than ever, now.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

the longer and pointer the better!

More evil/satanic!

 

[JonnyQuest037]

First of all, so Mirror Spock could be a primary character of the episode. Kirk's obviously going, as he's the star of the show. A Mirror McCoy could have been awesome, but you have to weigh that against going against grain for your main cast too much. So, that means McCoy has to come.

Scotty's going to get them home, so he has to come.

There are only three recurring bridge characters left. They found a way to utilize all three against type while giving them something engaging to do. You can't pick too many as you'd lose showing the most Mirrors. Picking Uhura gives us the damsel-in-distress when we think she's going to be in danger, but it turns out she can handle herself. We also get good, efficient info-dumps from her. Mirror Chekov's ambush is one of the highlights of the episode. Mirror Sulu's scar is almost as good as Mirror Spock's beard (a French beard or circle beard, by the way, not a Van Dyke or goatee).

Who's left? Kyle? He's not going on a routine landing party, plus we get to see Mirror Spock torture Mirror Kyle in the teaser.

So, there it is! Simple. Logic!

...Which is why I was asking for the in-universe justification of why Kirk chose those three people for the landing party. It's pretty obvious why those particular characters were chosen by Jerome Bixby.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

Oh, drat!

 

[thribs]

Scotty makes sense since he’s an engineer and was there to probably explain why the ore was important to the folks. Uhura for communication I assume.

 

[Ssosmcin]

You could question the make up of every landing party, or away team, as they came to be known.

This brings up an interesting (to me) question. Never, in the original series and first six movies did they ever use the Away Team term. That was invented for TNG and picked up for Kirk's Enterprise crew when the films were re-imagined by J.J. Abrams (along with Warbirds). The original conception, if I remember correctly, for the Away Team was a team of crew members specifically assigned to do missions "away" from the ship, leaving the captain and other important staff members out of harm's way. This is in direct response to criticism of Kirk and his senior staff constantly beaming in to dangerous situations. So, Riker would head up his Away Team, which wound up being other stars of the series - practically anyone except Patrick Stewart (until he bitched about it).

A Landing Party - as seen in the Original Series - was pretty much any group of people beaming down. The Away Team felt like it was supposed to be the same specific people assigned to do planet duties: the Exec, the security chief, the guy with the VISOR and the science officer. Plus whatever specialists they needed to "join the away team." Like it was "The Away Team." This is why it still kinda rankles me that Kirk's era films started using the term. Kirk didn't have a set team. He would beam down and the people joining him would be who was needed by the writers to be in the episode. They seemed to be two different things.

Maybe this should be its own thread, or maybe it's just me.

 

[Henoch]

Like it was "The Away Team."

"The Away Team" = "The A Team" RIKER-"I love it when a plan comes together!" WORF- "Shut up, fool!"