History Recap / StarTrekS2E4MirrorMirror

* ADayInTheLimelight: For Uhura, along with (Mirror) Sulu and Chekov. Not for nothing is this episode considered one of the show's finest ensemble pieces.

* DeusExMachina: The mirror ''Enterprise'' computer works out a way to get everyone home, given only a fairly far-fetched hypothesis and very little data. Presumably Spock solves the same problem on his end.

* DeusExMachina: The mirror ''Enterprise'' computer works out a way to get everyone home, with a fairly far-fetched hypothesis and very little data. Presumably Spock solves the same problem on his end.

* BareYourMidriff: The female uniforms. Uhura's very toned abs.

* ContinuityNod: Captain Pike is mentioned, as Mirror Kirk killed him to get his job.

* EvilIsHammy: Kirk is already hammy enough, but Mirror Kirk ''shouts'' with every sentence.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: We never see what becomes of the Halkans in either universe, or the deals regarding the dilithium crystals.

* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: Mirror Kirk has technology that can instantly kill anyone onboard the ''ISS Enterprise'' of his choosing, which is precisely why he's able to retain his rank of Captain amidst all attempts on his life.

* DoppelgangerGetsSameSentiment: Kirk shows more softness than one would expect toward the Mirror Spock, who (despite being better than Mirror Kirk) is as ruthless as one would expect from the Mirrorverse. This probably has something to do with [[HeterosexualLifePartners his close relationship]] to his own Spock. Kirk even comments on how alike they are.

!!Tropes

The ''USS Enterprise'' is in orbit of a planet ruled by [[PlanetOfHats the peaceful Halkans]]. A landing party consisting of [[TheKirk Captain Kirk]], [[TheMcCoy Doctor McCoy]], [[BridgeBunny Lieutenant Uhura]], [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and Scotty]] are on the planet to convince the Halkans to allow the Federation mining rights. The inhabitants of the planet, however, are convinced that HumansAreTheRealMonsters, and despite Kirk's assertion that if the answer is "no" then they will simply be on their way without troubling the Halkans further, the aliens remain entirely unconvinced.

* OhCrap

* InconvenientHippocraticOath: Despite Kirk having had to knock Mirror Spock out when he risked interfering in their plan to return home, [=McCoy=] insists on saving him -- which would pay off for them in the end.

The landing party beam back to the ''Enterprise''. But [[TeleporterAccident it all goes horribly wrong]], and our heroes find themselves TrappedInAnotherWorld. In this AlternateUniverse there exists not a [[TheFederation peaceful confederation of planets]], but instead an EvilEmpire that slashes and burns its way across the galaxy. The first and most obvious change is that Spock has [[BeardOfEvil got a goatee beard]]; but there are other signs: nearly all the walls of the ''Enterprise'' are [[SigilSpam emblazoned with a logo of a sword through the planet Earth]], and there are also [[AgonyBeam agony booths]] around, used for punishing misbehaviour among the crew.

[[caption-width-right:350:Now ''here's'' a particularly famous one, and not just for Mirror Spock's BeardOfEvil. (Although that's up there).]]

The ''USS Enterprise'' is in orbit of a planet ruled by [[PlanetOfHats the peaceful Halkans]]. A landing party consisting of [[TheKirk Captain Kirk]], [[TheMcCoy Doctor McCoy]], [[BridgeBunny Lieutenant Uhura]] [[MyFriendsAndZoidberg and Scotty]] are on the planet to convince the Halkans to allow the Federation mining rights. The inhabitants of the planet, however, are convinced that HumansAreTheRealMonsters, and despite Kirk's assertion that if the answer is "no" then they will simply be on their way without troubling the Halkans further, the aliens remain entirely unconvinced.

Finally finding a moment to take refuge alone, our four man crew [[HuddlePower attempt to figure out what happened]]. They reason that an ion storm around the planet disrupted the transporter and sent them to a MirrorUniverse by accident, swapping them with their own counterparts from this universe. They make a plan to return home, replicating the unique situation that brought them here. But until then they will need to [[FishOutOfWater try and blend in]] as best they can. (As for the unsettling thought of what their counterparts are doing, it later turns out that Spock back in their own dimension has it under control; their barbaric character was immediately obvious to him and he had them hauled to the brig right away.)

In his quarters, Captain Kirk meets [[GirlOfTheWeek Marlena Moreau]], who introduces herself as "the Captain's woman". He resists the temptation to {{Boldly Com|ing}}e, instead subtly pressing her for information. Moreau introduces Kirk to the real source of his evil counterpart's power: [[NewPowersAsThePlotDemands the Tantalus field]], a device which he stole from an alien planet, and which allows him to [[OneHitKill evaporate people]] [[BigRedButton at the touch of a button]]. Kirk, naturally, [[WhatDoesThisButtonDo resists the temptation]] [[DontTouchItYouIdiot to push it and see what happens]].

-->'''Kirk:''' You're a man of integrity in both universes, Mister Spock.\\
'''Mirror Spock:''' You must return to your universe. I must have my captain back. I shall operate the transporter. [[RaceAgainstTheClock You have two minutes and ten seconds.]]\\
'''Kirk:''' In that time I have [[AnAesop something to say]]. How long before the Halkan prediction of galactic revolt is realised?\\
'''Mirror Spock:''' Approximately two hundred and forty years.\\
'''Kirk''': The inevitable outcome?\\
'''Mirror Spock:''' The Empire shall be overthrown, of course.\\
'''Kirk''': [[KirkSummation The illogic of waste, Mister Spock. The waste of lives, potential, resources, time. I submit to you that your Empire is illogical because it cannot endure. I submit that you are illogical to be a willing part of it.]]\\
'''Mirror Spock:''' You have one minute and twenty three seconds.\\
'''Kirk:''' If [[GrowingTheBeard change is inevitable, predictable, beneficial]], doesn't logic demand that you be a part of it?\\
'''Mirror Spock:''' One man cannot summon the future.\\
'''Kirk:''' But one man can change the present. Be the captain of this Enterprise, Mister Spock. Find a logical reason for [[AdoptTheDog sparing the Halkans]] and make it stick. Push till it gives. You can defend yourself better than any man in the fleet.\\
'''Scotty:''' Captain, get in the chamber!\\
'''Kirk:''' What about it, Spock?\\
'''Mirror Spock:''' A man must also have the power.\\
'''Kirk:''' In my cabin is a device that will make you invincible.\\
'''Mirror Spock:''' [[FascinatingEyebrow Indeed?]]\\
'''Kirk:''' What will it be? Past or future? [[GiveMeLibertyOrGiveMeDeath Tyranny or freedom?]] [[TheOnlyOne It's up to you.]]\\
'''Mirror Spock:''' It is time.\\
'''Kirk:''' In every revolution, there's [[MessianicArchetype one man with a vision]].\\
'''Mirror Spock:''' Captain Kirk, I shall consider it.

* AlmightyJanitor: Mirror Spock rather enjoys his duties as a science officer, and doesn't terribly want to take Kirk's job because it would mean spending less time on his research and more time having to deal with the burdens of command, to say nothing of how it would make him a bigger target.
* BareYourMidriff: The female uniforms. Uhura's very toned abs.
* BeardOfEvil: The {{Trope Maker|s}} and the {{Trope Namer|s}}. Ironically, Mirror Spock is just about the ''least'' evil crewman in the Mirror Universe, though his logical mindset still masks a sociopathic indifference to human emotion.
* BribeBackfire: Mirror Kirk offers our Spock money, a starship command, or whatever else in exchange for releasing him from the brig. Spock, of course, isn't even slightly tempted.

--> '''[=McCoy=]:''' (touching Kirk's split lip) What's this?
--> '''Kirk:''' It's called "blood."

-->''Terror must be maintained or the Empire is doomed.''
* DidntThinkThisThrough: When Mirror!Sulu tries to have Kirk killed, he brought three RedShirts armed with phasers to do the deed, and wasn't equipped with the same. Then the latter are quickly removed from the equation, leaving him outnumbered four-to-one with only a knife on hand... which actually worked in his favor; if he'd brought a phaser, Marlena likely would've eliminated him with the Tantalus Field, as opposed to Kirk KO'ing him.

--> '''Spock:''' It was far easier for you as civilized man to act as barbarians, than for them as barbarians to act like civilized men.

* EvilTwin: All of the Mirror Universe versions of the ''Enterprise'' crew. The Halkans appear to be about the same, though their Mirror counterparts are more resigned to their fate.

* {{Fanservice}}: Of both [[MrFanservice male]] and [[MsFanservice female]] varieties. Most notable are Uhura and Marlena in their [[{{Stripperiffic}} barely there]] uniforms, but '60s Shatner had some nice arms.

--> '''Halkan:''' Captain, you do have the might to ''force'' the crystals from us.\\
'''Kirk:''' But we ''won't''. Consider that.
* FirstNameBasis: This is the only Original Series episode in which Scotty calls Kirk 'Jim'.

-->'''Spock''': They were brutal, savage, unprincipled, uncivilized, treacherous...in every way, splendid examples of ''Homo Sapiens''; the very flower of humanity. I found them quite refreshing.
-->'''Kirk''' (DoubleTake): I'm not sure, but I think we've just been insulted.

* InconvenientHippocraticOath: Despite Kirk having had to knock Mirror Spock out when he risked interfering in their plan to return home, [=McCoy=] insists on saving him - which would pay off for them in the end.

* MirrorUniverse: Again, the {{Trope Namer|s}}, as well as the TropeCodifier.

** Mirror Sulu reminds Mirror Spock that "the Captain's enemies have a habit of disappearing:" and Mirror Spock replies with a line that causes Mirror Sulu to react with a nauseated grimace:
---> If I am successful, you see yourself a step nearer to the captaincy. I do not want to command the ''Enterprise''. But if it should befall me, I suggest you remember that my operatives would avenge my death: and some of them... ''are Vulcans.''
** And speaking of "disappearing", when Mirror Marlena uses the Tantalus Field on Sulu's men during his attempt to get rid of both Kirk and Spock, and Mirror Sulu suddenly finds himself outnumbered four-to-one.

* RedShirt: One element of consistency between the two universes. [[KlingonPromotion Two attempts on Kirk's life]] lead to five redshirts going [[DisintegratorRay bye-bye]].

* SensibleHeroesSkimpyVillains: Girls in the Mirror Enterprise [[BareYourMidriff bare their midriffs]] [[ShowSomeLeg as well as their legs]], and Mirror Kirk's uniform does a nice job of showing off William Shatner's nice chest and arms.
* SlouchOfVillainy: The normally uptight and well-disciplined Starfleet {{Redshirts}} are seen leaning against the turbolift entrance to the bridge.
* SmugSnake: Mirror Sulu. In every one of his scenes he's up to no good, and he doesn't even try to hide it.

* TapOnTheHead: Subverted, hitting Spock over the head with a vase is noted to be fatal without quick medical intervention.
* VillainsBlendInBetter: {{Inverted}}; see EvilCannotComprehendGood.

* OhCrap: Mirror Sulu reminds Mirror Spock that "the Captain's enemies have a habit of disappearing:" and Mirror Spock replies with a line that causes Mirror Sulu to react with a nauseated grimace:
--> If I am successful, you see yourself a step nearer to the captaincy. I do not want to command the ''Enterprise''. But if it should befall me, I suggest you remember that my operatives would avenge my death: and some of them... ''are Vulcans.''