Critical Myth-Interpretations

This is the first part of an anthology of short novels set in the “mirror universe” of the Trek mythos.  In particular, this story is set just after two episodes in the final season of “Enterprise”.  It almost feels like a follow-up script, right down to the credits.  Mike Sussman, a writer on “Enterprise”, provided the story, while Ward and Dilmore fleshed it into the novel itself.

As a result, it’s hard to know who to credit and who to blame.  On the one hand, this was a great bit of nostalgia for one of the best moments for the entire “Enterprise” series.  Nearly everyone loved the “mirror universe” episodes, because they energized the cast and gave the world a look at how the look of the original series might translate into modern sensibilities.  And one must credit those episodes for beginning the process that led to the “remastered and enhanced” versions of the original episodes now running in high-definition.

By focusing on Hoshi, who was seldom more interesting than she was as the seductive and treacherous vixen of “In a Mirror, Darkly”, this story had a great deal of promise.  And her long road to supremacy makes an interesting enough tale.  Unfortunately, a lot is covered in a relatively short period of time, and the length doesn’t allow for deep characterization.

The story itself focuses on action, which is typical for the “mirror universe” episodes.  The novelty is seeing how the characters evolved differently, and how similar events were twisted into a recognizable but disturbing form.  And in that respect, it works.  There’s a bit of closure on what was started in the “Enterprise” episodes, and certain ideas are set in motion that tie into the similar episodes from “DS9”.

If there’s a problem, it’s more a question of how the story is used.  This reads like just another “mirror universe” episode, and while those are fun on a very basic level, the short novels present the opportunity to do more.  The history of the “mirror universe” is so bloody and treacherous that one cannot help but wonder how it sustains itself on such a parallel course to the “proper universe”.  Motivations could be a bit more complex than destructive self-interest, and that’s what seems to be missing from this particular story.

Rating: 7/10