What are the best and worst episodes set around or in the Mirror Universe?
Best and worst Mirror Universe episodes?
- Thread starter The Overlord
- Start date
I've always liked "In A Mirror, Darkly" (ENT). So I'd name it as a good one because it combines TOS and ENT in a really interesting way. As for bad... I've never cared for any of the DS9 Mirror Universe episodes. Never could get into them. Missed the Terran Empire. 
"Mirror, Mirror" (TOS) is my sentimental favorite but it's also very good. But I think the Discovery Mirror Universe episodes do the Mirror Universe the most justice. They're a lot of fun to watch, very visceral, and they don't pull any punches. Though how much you like the DSC Mirror Universe episodes will depend on how much you like Discovery itself. Just putting that caveat out there. The episodes from TOS and Disco are my favorites. Bar None.
Although I do like the DS9 MU Trilogy from Seasons 2-4 (one per season) of: "Crossover", "Through the Looking Glass", and "Shattered Mirror", but that's after the Terran Empire fell.
I like "In the Mirror Darkly" too, and I'm not even a fan of ENT.
The worst Mirror Universe episodes are DS9's "Resurrection" (which doesn't even take place in the Mirror Universe but has an MU character) and "The Emperor's New Cloak", which I consider to be the bottom of the barrel. For lack of more colorful language.
Although I do like the DS9 MU Trilogy from Seasons 2-4 (one per season) of: "Crossover", "Through the Looking Glass", and "Shattered Mirror", but that's after the Terran Empire fell.
I like "In the Mirror Darkly" too, and I'm not even a fan of ENT.
The worst Mirror Universe episodes are DS9's "Resurrection" (which doesn't even take place in the Mirror Universe but has an MU character) and "The Emperor's New Cloak", which I consider to be the bottom of the barrel. For lack of more colorful language.
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^^this
As a one-off in TOS, it's oversimplified and convenient, glosses over a lot, but does its core job adequately. But even that episode, despite working better at the time of original airing, is still a bit overrated. Being loose on the sci-fi aspect doesn't bother me as much if other aspects make up for it (e.g. "The Enemy Within" has some substance, depth, and even horror. "Mirror Mirror" has McCoy pondering "What kind of people are weee?" but it's otherwise a superficial connect-the-dots fling, and even on initial viewing it's amazing that - right on cue - when the magical "kill 'em all" box is used, all but evil Sulu isn't killed. What, 1967 audiences were too thick to realize that killing evil Sulu wouldn't kill goodie Sulu by default? :facepalm: How more contrived is Mirrorland anyway? Sheesh... Okay, I can think of a possible reason, but it's too silly to suggest.)
Everything else using Mirrorland has been pure unbridled fanservice due to relative popularity of the TOS episode at the time. Nor were the evil versions of the DS9 crew all that compelling, at least by me YMMV. Plus, if they were to have done it then it should have been done in TNG where the shiny happy smurfy crew are replaced by their evil doubles, though I never cared with the novels going there either. But DS9 played with it and later made it way too convenient to hopscotch back and forth, which didn't help... and they already had a better trope of infiltrating with The Founders too.
Mirror Darkly is perfect. Mirror Mirror was the best till then.
I like the battle with the little Defiant defeating the Regent's huge negh'var flagship in DS9, but that's it.
Disco Mirror was thrilling, the costumes were great, but they literally mirrored Earth and the arrowhead, which I found stupid.
I like the battle with the little Defiant defeating the Regent's huge negh'var flagship in DS9, but that's it.
Disco Mirror was thrilling, the costumes were great, but they literally mirrored Earth and the arrowhead, which I found stupid.
The only good ones are the original TOS one and In A Mirror Darkly.
DS9 ones were embarrassing and while the Disco ones had some positive qualities, having Lorca being from there ruined the character.
DS9 ones were embarrassing and while the Disco ones had some positive qualities, having Lorca being from there ruined the character.
Best: Mirror Mirror and Through the Looking Glass
Worst: Resurrection and Emperors new Cloak.
Worst: Resurrection and Emperors new Cloak.
Best:
In a Mirror, Darkly (ENT)
Mirror, Mirror (TOS)
Crossover (DS9)
Worst:
Any other MU episode, regardless of series
In a Mirror, Darkly (ENT)
Mirror, Mirror (TOS)
Crossover (DS9)
Worst:
Any other MU episode, regardless of series
Best: "Mirror, Mirror."
Medium: "In a Mirror, Darkly" parts 1 & 2.
Worst: Tie among all the rest.
Medium: "In a Mirror, Darkly" parts 1 & 2.
Worst: Tie among all the rest.
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