The second half of Star Trek Discovery has brought us to a very interesting version of the Mirror Universe.
It’s something we’ve seen done on the original Star Trek series first with “Mirror, Mirror” (2×04) and then Star Trek Deep Space Nine used it in a few episodes as well but first used it in “Crossover” (2×23). So, if you’re a Trekkie, it’s something that we recognize. I have to say that I am not bored in the least with this mirror arc, it’s such a good way to learn more about these characters and almost feels more like a second season rather than a second half of a season one.
In “Vaulting Ambition” (01×12), we find the crew of the Discovery attempting to continue their mission undercover in the Mirror Universe in order to find information on a possible way home. This week, there were quite a few twists and just WTF moments which made it a really stand out episode that just made you want more! As of the last episode, it was revealed that the emperor of the Terran Empire is a familiar face, Philippa Georgiou (Michelle Yeoh). She might be dead in the normal universe, but in the Mirror Universe she’s the emperor that you do not cross or else you die (and it’s going to be long and painful). We also find out that she took her Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) under her wing and cared for her as a daughter, but she had thought she was lost (and a traitor at that). So, Michael has to spill what’s actually going on and we slowly put the pieces together…that Captain Lorca (Jason Issacs) is actually from the Mirror Universe and he’d gone in search of Michael since he was more than a father figure to her (and it’s clear there’s a creepy obsession). So, when we felt Lorca was creepy before…here’s some more reasons as to why.
Though not as big of a plot twist in the episode, but I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the moment between Paul (Anthony Rapp) in his spore coma with his now dead boyfriend, Hugh (Wilson Cruz). It was this nice tie-in with the Mirror Universe because we see Paul’s alternate self and we get some information about what might be wrong with the spore drive, but the better thing for me was that I felt like we got to have a sort of wrap up and goodbye between Paul and Hugh. I have to say, though, I’m still holding out all hopes that somehow Hugh comes back (and hopefully as a non-evil Mirror alternate).
What are your thoughts on Star Trek Discovery? How are you enjoying the second half of season one? What are you hoping that they cover before the end of the season? Where do you see the show going for season two?
Photo Credit: CBS
