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.

This review covers both episodes of In a Mirror, Darkly, parts 1&2. First off, Part 1 was definitely one of the worst episodes of ANY Star Trek series ever. A totally weak effort that seemed to come from the mind of a juvenile delinquent. Part 2 was somewhat fun to watch with all the Original Series sets, uniforms and production values, but it can't hold a candle to TOS Mirror, Mirror episode. A true ST classic all the way.

The hope that many of us old time Trekkers had with the minor successes of Enterprise seasons 1&2, faded fast with the mind numbing outrages of season 3. One example. What compelled the producers and writers to take Captain Archer, the great explorer from Earth and turn him into a violent and emotional joke, I will never understand. After which it was all downhill. These 2 episodes show why ST Enterprise was finally doomed, making this its last season.

If someone was setting out to destroy the Star Trek universe, blow up the timeline and rip out the heart of ST canon, these 2 episodes would be the way to go. Sad and pathetic.

The most amazing thing about this 2-parter is how they managed to make the Defiant look and feel so much like TOS Enterprise which should have made it look outdated, and yet they somehow make it seem futuristic and technologically advanced versus the 'Enterprise' era ships.

Extremely well done with the mirror characters that are so much fun to watch, and with all the nods to TOS. Seeing the Enterprise crew in TOS uniforms was awesome.

'Enterprise' got soooooo much better in seasons 3 and 4. I wish they had been allowed to continue, especially with this mirror storyline.