In a Mirror, Darkly, Part II

Enterprise crew from the alternate universe obtain the US Defiant and head back to Terran Empire to face the rebels.

I enjoyed this episode (and part 1) for the cool intro, fan service plot and several fun and exciting scenes.

The plot is by far the best mirror universe episode since 'Mirror Mirror', with plenty of action and nostalgia. It ties into a number of episodes, particularly the aforementioned one and 'The Tholian Web'. One major twist is quite predictable but when it happens it's still a very enjoyable moment.

Performances are pretty hit and miss. Scott Bakula chews the scenery big time in a shouty and deliberately evil turn as a power hungry Archer. Connor Trinneer is equally as shouty but not quite as OTT underneath some poor make up. Jolene Blalock is erratic as always and struggles during the emotional scenes. John Billingsley is as good as ever in a more sadistic take on Phlox. The one I enjoyed the most was Linda Park who combines the sensuality of a classic femme fatale with something that could be out of Game Of Thrones.

This works as a very effective prequel to 'Mirror Mirror' and does a fair bit of 'universe building' of the mirror kind. It helps that it doesn't waste time by focussing on interaction between universes which would have been too much like the other episodes and stuck to its own story.

Part 1 (8/10) was a better story, whereas Part 2 (7.5/10) contained the most fun.

The first episode of this double episode started promisingly. Once again an adventure in the mirror universe and once again the characters are a vile copy of their morally exalted counterparts on the other side.

In the second episode, everyone in the crew seems to be scheming and revolting against everyone else in order to ultimately become the new Emperor - and only through ONE captured ship from the other universe, whose technology is 100 years more advanced than what the Terran Empire has to offer. Doesn't seem like a strong empire if it can be brought to its knees by a single ship.

Archer seems quite inauthentic as a domineering wannabe captain and megalomaniacal usurper of the throne. Although Hoshi makes quite a convincing impression as a concubine, the end of the episode seems rather far-fetched. By the way, whoever came up with the idea that the uniforms for women in the mirror universe should be belly tops probably has no idea what purpose a uniform should serve. Speaking of uniforms: Why does the crew dress in the uniforms of the captured ship's crew? It's one thing that Archer puts on the green sweater for fun, but why do everyone else change their uniforms? What was the point of this action, other than fan service? By the way: What was the point of this double episode in the first place? In the other series there was at least always a connection between the characters on both sides.

The Gorn in this episode - oh my goodness. They have the charm of the old Japanese Godzilla films. Although in this episode these Gorn at least look humanoid enough to believably convey that this species can build and fly spaceships. In SNW, the Gorn seem more like the creatures from the Alien films - savage beasts with claws that could barely press a button on a control panel. Let alone have a progressive social structure.

Someone evidently told the actors that everyone in the dark universe wore exaggerated grimaces and sneers and growls, because with the exception of T'Pol, whose actress bumbled her way around clueless about how to deal with the concept, and Phlox, who was deliciously menacing, scenery was chewed and spit out with gusto. It was painful to watch, especially Archer, who looked particularly constipated, as if he had a ghost of an idea he wanted to evoke but fruitlessly strained to get it out there.

Aside from that, the fact that such a back stabbing organization could never survive made the whole thing was a pointless exercise.

That said, it was incredibly cool seeing the old ship and uniforms again, and hearing the musical effects of the old bridge. So for that, 5 stars.

Some very good reflections of the original Star Trek here. I enjoyed the familiar costumes and sound effects. However I didn't like this alternate universe any more than I did the other ones. Enterprise had a great story-line and group of characters without this contrived gimmick that has been done over and over. It was a good show, cancelled way too soon. And by the way, if the women have to run around half naked, how about doing the same with the men. Us ladies could use some eye candy too if it's going to stoop to that level. In my opinion, they wasted two episodes of the little time the show had left on this. My two least favorite of the entire Star Trek: Enterprise series.

Good grief. The Defiant is like a bouncy ball. It's in one court then another. We will soon run out of ambitious characters to take over. At some point, I guess, someone will be smart enough to recognize that you trust no one. How did all these people get jobs? Anyway, it's a rapid fire episode with lots of action, twists, and turns. The aliens are suddenly targeted as the enemies. They have a right to defend their turf. Then they fall under the same delusions as everyone else. I guess the question we need to ask is whether or not there is any good in this universe? There is certainly a "Game of Thrones" vibe to all of this, although it predicted that serious. Even the music at the beginning has a little bit of that. It will be interesting to see what's next and if the forces of evil will be righted or do they actually become the way of the world.