330. CrossoverFORMULA: Mirror, Mirror + The Storyteller
WHY WE LIKE IT: Who doesn't like a good Mirror Universe episode?
WHY WE DON'T: Makes Mirror TNG impossible.
REVIEW: Like the original Mirror Universe episode, the premise is patently ridiculous. There'e just no way everything could be so different, and yet all the players be in the same positions (especially if death is that common). At least the first "crossover" is acknowledged and did change the MU, but not for the better. The resulting Bajoran-Cardassian-Klingon Alliance casts the humans as slaves and creates a very different dynamic than a strict reverse morality transposition normally would (Federation as Empire, etc.). These changes are interesting, but make it even more absurd for all the same characters to converge on Terok Nor. Sit back and enjoy the fun. This is what this kind of concept is for.
And it is a lot of fun. Kira is deliciously psychotic as the Intendent. Her milk bath is a great way to introduce her Caligula-like decadence. Odo blowing up like a water balloon filled with milk (so THAT's what would happen). The brutish Garak admiring a well-tailored gown. The skewed angles when the crossover initially happens. The mention of Kirk and Spock, and of the Sisters of Duras being in power. The natural humor of any road trip with Bashir (which everyone must apparently eventually go through). Parodies of Kira's temper, O'Brien's loyalty, Sisko's unpredictability, Odo's love of order, Quark's heart of gold, etc.
The episode does go further than the fanfic elements thanks to O'Brien's character ("Smiley"). His last speech gives a real emotional dimension to the Mirror Universe. It's not just an amusing geekfest and a What If story where anyone can die and it doesn't matter, there are people suffering in the hard universe. With Odo and Quark dead by the end of the story, it seems like Crossover was either written as a one-off with no sequel in mind, or else a sequel might have been planned with those two crossing over. But no Mirror Dax or Mirror Bashir? That's a reason to return right there.
LESSON: Diane Duane's Dark Mirror never happened.
REWATCHABILITY - High: A well-written piece that has a lot of fun with the idea and makes the MU its own, just like it made the standard Trek universe its own over the course of the previous two years.
Comments
I really liked that book's mirror Troi.
That being said, I did enjoy this episode more than I thought I would. :-) I especially liked how Quark and Odo seem polar opposites, and how Garak enjoys throwing his power around. And of course, Miles' speech at the end is great. For our side, I really like how Bashir is getting some backbone and some self-awareness (finally!). I'm not sure Miles would call him his best friend, though.