Mirror Universe: Cutting Ties > any good?
- Thread starter Tino
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Here is a repost of my review for Cutting Ties:
New Frontier is my favourite Star Trek series and therefore this is the Mirror Universe story I mainly waited for. On the other hand, I was also dreading it a bit. As soon as NF started, I was a big fan. I was hoping that I will experience the same when I read this story but I also worried a bit about what directions the characters will take in the mirror universe.
I was delighted that the first (and I am hoping that there will be more!) mirror universe NF story had indeed the same strong impact on me as the original one and I could see at the end that there was no need to worry. I have no problem with any of the decisions PAD made in this story.
What is interesting to me is that, in essence, both Calhouns are very much alike. I think that was the right decision. The parallels are obvious but within these parallels are differences I found fascinating to read and to compare. I had a lot of respect for the Calhoun in “our” universe whose struggle to survive, to free his people and to grow as a person captivated me immediately. Like “our” Calhoun, the MU version also has this interesting combination of the “barbarian”, violent side that makes him a killer with a sensitive and caring side that gives him the contrasts I find so interesting to explore and that makes Calhoun such an intriguing, strong and likeable character to me. But the MU Calhoun had an even more brutal childhood and struggle that forged him into what he became at the end of the story.
When reading NF I sometimes wonder where Calhoun`s breaking point might be. Whatever happened after “Once Burned” must have been close (I am still waiting to find out) but I doubt it that it would even come close to what the MU Calhoun experienced. The MU Calhoun was definitely more damaged than “our” Calhoun was, wich is not surprising at all, but he was far from broken until the climax much later in the story. I found the scenes very powerful when his inner fire, if I may call it that, went out of control and he was faced with making a decision of who he wants to be. I think this story shows very well how powerful this man can be in both universes, meaning for good and for evil. Fortunately, both Calhouns decided to be a force for good.
I loved the links with “our“universe. It gives me more hope now that we will see McHenry again. I smiled when he showed “Muck” his other self and the potential he has. That McHenry has been visiting other realities for quite some time opens some very intriguing possibilities. It was also nice to meet “our” NF crew for a moment which also gives newcomers to the NF universe a bit of an opportunity to make comparisons. That “our” Calhoun sensed his other self for a moment was a nice touch. I found it very touching to read how “Muck” did not only recovered from this crisis but free his people and finally shed the name “Muck” that was forced on him.
When I read the name Muck at the beginning of the story I looked twice, making sure that is wasn`t Moke. That both names sound so similar is probably a coincidence.
Part of what I enjoy about NF is that this is a series in which a strong, interesting male character is working together with a female who is on the same level as him. I already had the feeling from early on that PAD won`t just copy NF and bring Calhoun and Shelby together again. The Soleta of the MU is a very intriguing character and I like the idea very much to bring them together in this story.
I think the MU Soleta and McHenry are the most interesting variations compared with the original. I like it that we meet the other NF characters as well but although the comparisons are sometimes interesting, too, none of them left a lasting impact on me. That most of them didn`t survive for long is probably not surprising either.
“Cutting Ties” is one of the more serious NF stories but nevertheless, there are times when PAD`s sense of humour is shining through and made me smile. I am still disappointed that there is no new NF in “our” universe this year that could be seen as celebrating the 10th anniversary. Nevertheless, I am very happy with this story and hope that PAD will provide something next year that can be seen as a belated celebration.
***
Which he did, of course, with the coming New Frontier comics
New Frontier is my favourite Star Trek series and therefore this is the Mirror Universe story I mainly waited for. On the other hand, I was also dreading it a bit. As soon as NF started, I was a big fan. I was hoping that I will experience the same when I read this story but I also worried a bit about what directions the characters will take in the mirror universe.
I was delighted that the first (and I am hoping that there will be more!) mirror universe NF story had indeed the same strong impact on me as the original one and I could see at the end that there was no need to worry. I have no problem with any of the decisions PAD made in this story.
What is interesting to me is that, in essence, both Calhouns are very much alike. I think that was the right decision. The parallels are obvious but within these parallels are differences I found fascinating to read and to compare. I had a lot of respect for the Calhoun in “our” universe whose struggle to survive, to free his people and to grow as a person captivated me immediately. Like “our” Calhoun, the MU version also has this interesting combination of the “barbarian”, violent side that makes him a killer with a sensitive and caring side that gives him the contrasts I find so interesting to explore and that makes Calhoun such an intriguing, strong and likeable character to me. But the MU Calhoun had an even more brutal childhood and struggle that forged him into what he became at the end of the story.
When reading NF I sometimes wonder where Calhoun`s breaking point might be. Whatever happened after “Once Burned” must have been close (I am still waiting to find out) but I doubt it that it would even come close to what the MU Calhoun experienced. The MU Calhoun was definitely more damaged than “our” Calhoun was, wich is not surprising at all, but he was far from broken until the climax much later in the story. I found the scenes very powerful when his inner fire, if I may call it that, went out of control and he was faced with making a decision of who he wants to be. I think this story shows very well how powerful this man can be in both universes, meaning for good and for evil. Fortunately, both Calhouns decided to be a force for good.
I loved the links with “our“universe. It gives me more hope now that we will see McHenry again. I smiled when he showed “Muck” his other self and the potential he has. That McHenry has been visiting other realities for quite some time opens some very intriguing possibilities. It was also nice to meet “our” NF crew for a moment which also gives newcomers to the NF universe a bit of an opportunity to make comparisons. That “our” Calhoun sensed his other self for a moment was a nice touch. I found it very touching to read how “Muck” did not only recovered from this crisis but free his people and finally shed the name “Muck” that was forced on him.
When I read the name Muck at the beginning of the story I looked twice, making sure that is wasn`t Moke. That both names sound so similar is probably a coincidence.
Part of what I enjoy about NF is that this is a series in which a strong, interesting male character is working together with a female who is on the same level as him. I already had the feeling from early on that PAD won`t just copy NF and bring Calhoun and Shelby together again. The Soleta of the MU is a very intriguing character and I like the idea very much to bring them together in this story.
I think the MU Soleta and McHenry are the most interesting variations compared with the original. I like it that we meet the other NF characters as well but although the comparisons are sometimes interesting, too, none of them left a lasting impact on me. That most of them didn`t survive for long is probably not surprising either.
“Cutting Ties” is one of the more serious NF stories but nevertheless, there are times when PAD`s sense of humour is shining through and made me smile. I am still disappointed that there is no new NF in “our” universe this year that could be seen as celebrating the 10th anniversary. Nevertheless, I am very happy with this story and hope that PAD will provide something next year that can be seen as a belated celebration.
***
Which he did, of course, with the coming New Frontier comics
Here's what I wrote in my review:
A good story, but not as good as it could have been. It's well written and certainly will please most fans of the series, but I have one big problem with it: I don't see that big a difference between Mirror-NF and normal NF. That's especially true for the Calhoun character. At the beginning I had high hopes that we would see a different Mackenzie of Calhoun than the Captain in the normal series, who has become rather stale for my taste in the last volumes, but in the end it's more or less the same old Mac we all know. Overall a missed chance to experiment a bit with the main character, who obviously has become some kind of holy cow for the author.
A good story, but not as good as it could have been. It's well written and certainly will please most fans of the series, but I have one big problem with it: I don't see that big a difference between Mirror-NF and normal NF. That's especially true for the Calhoun character. At the beginning I had high hopes that we would see a different Mackenzie of Calhoun than the Captain in the normal series, who has become rather stale for my taste in the last volumes, but in the end it's more or less the same old Mac we all know. Overall a missed chance to experiment a bit with the main character, who obviously has become some kind of holy cow for the author.
Sadly, my review has long since been purged, but I will say this: Cutting Ties was easily my favorite story of the six Mirror Universe entries. If you're a New Frontier fan, you'll love Cutting Ties.
I don't really remember much about the specific MU stories, other than the fact that I really liked 5 out of the 6. The one I didn't like was the TNG one, and that was mostly due to the fact that we only got to see three MU versions of regular characters, and one of them was one of my least favorie Trek characters (Pulaski).
Digging through my blog, my review says...
Cutting Ties by Peter David 8/10
Meet the Mirror versions of the New Frontier crew. Mackenzie Calhoun is a mewling kid whose father hates him and who gets tossed in the dilithium mines of Remus. Soleta lives with her Romulan father who she aids in her business dealings and Elizabeth Shelby is a slave on Lord Si Cwan's vessel. When 'Muck', as he is known here, rescues Soleta during an accident in the mines, a chain of events is set in motion that will have far-reaching consequences.
Peter is another of my favourite Trek authors and also creates a great adventure tale with his usual mix of Trek adventure, sex and humour. Mirror versions of the main cast of NF appear along with a couple of guest characters from the early novels. The only thing stopping this from the greatness of a 9 point score is the story ending as it gets really interesting.
it scored the same as 'Mirror Scaled Serpent' and 'Age of the Empress'...
Cutting Ties by Peter David 8/10
Meet the Mirror versions of the New Frontier crew. Mackenzie Calhoun is a mewling kid whose father hates him and who gets tossed in the dilithium mines of Remus. Soleta lives with her Romulan father who she aids in her business dealings and Elizabeth Shelby is a slave on Lord Si Cwan's vessel. When 'Muck', as he is known here, rescues Soleta during an accident in the mines, a chain of events is set in motion that will have far-reaching consequences.
Peter is another of my favourite Trek authors and also creates a great adventure tale with his usual mix of Trek adventure, sex and humour. Mirror versions of the main cast of NF appear along with a couple of guest characters from the early novels. The only thing stopping this from the greatness of a 9 point score is the story ending as it gets really interesting.
it scored the same as 'Mirror Scaled Serpent' and 'Age of the Empress'...
The Worst of Both Worlds had the unenviable task of following the masterful The Sorrows of Empire. After reading David Mack's story, almost anything would have been a step down. However, I like Greg Cox's story for what it is: a Picard MU story that explores facets of his character that we rarely see.
I disagree. I'm one of the few people who didn't like The Sorrows of Empire and I still didn't like The Worst of Both Worlds (although not to the degree that Omaha did).
The Worst Of Both Worlds wasn't a bad story, but it wasn't a true *mirror TNG* story. It would have helped if it'd been a true ensemble piece like TNG had been. Where were the other mirror TNG characters? Riker, Troi, Beverly Crusher, Geordi, etc.?
I thought The Sorrows Of Empire was great. Now if only we could see a follow up to Spock's plan...I hope it works.
I thought The Sorrows Of Empire was great. Now if only we could see a follow up to Spock's plan...I hope it works.
Agreed on both parts. We are getting the Shard and Shadows anthology later this year, so hopefully that will give us the follow up we're wanting.Babaganoosh said:
The Worst Of Both Worlds wasn't a bad story, but it wasn't a true *mirror TNG* story. It would have helped if it'd been a true ensemble piece like TNG had been. Where were the other mirror TNG characters? Riker, Troi, Beverly Crusher, Geordi, etc.?
I thought The Sorrows Of Empire was great. Now if only we could see a follow up to Spock's plan...I hope it works.
I read Worst of Both Worlds first, so I didn't have the problem of coming off of the amazing Sorrows of Empire. I still rank Worst of Both Worlds as the lowest of the six. I didn't 'hate' it but I thought it lacked something. I know the "fun" of the MU is supposed to be the fact that while things are quite different they are also quite similar to the main-line universe, in this case I don't feel I saw enough difference to offset the similarity.
That being said, (back on topic) Cutting Ties, was actually pretty good IMO. This, from someone who does not like NF really at all, and I'm also finding I don't much enjoy Peter David's writing style in general. This story is a clear exception to the rule.
My favorite is Sorrows of Empire - this story was really unparalleled in its greatness. If I had to rank them I could do so easily with best to worst being: The Sorrows of Empire, The Age of the Empress, Cutting Ties, The Mirror-Scaled Serpent, Saturn's Children, The Worst of Both Worlds.
That being said, (back on topic) Cutting Ties, was actually pretty good IMO. This, from someone who does not like NF really at all, and I'm also finding I don't much enjoy Peter David's writing style in general. This story is a clear exception to the rule.
My favorite is Sorrows of Empire - this story was really unparalleled in its greatness. If I had to rank them I could do so easily with best to worst being: The Sorrows of Empire, The Age of the Empress, Cutting Ties, The Mirror-Scaled Serpent, Saturn's Children, The Worst of Both Worlds.
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