It’s always fun to take a trip to the Mirror Universe in any iteration of Star Trek, but I am especially enjoying the Star Trek: Discovery Mirror Universe. Here are a few of my thoughts on Star Trek: Discovery 3×10, “Terra Firma, Part 2.”
“I have changed.”
The especially interesting aspect of this two-parter in the Mirror Universe is seeing how a Mirror Universe Phillipa Georgiou has evolved in the Prime Universe and is then thrust into the Mirror Universe. Her evolution, while subtle, is very interesting. She steps back into her own universe a changed woman and it’s apparent to everyone around her, but seems to be a revelation to herself.
Recognizing the empathy she’s developed, Georgiou changes the Mirror Universe for the better (sparking a revolution among the Kelpians), but still loses her life and her daughter. Empathy in the Mirror Universe is regarded as a weakness, and that weakness, while it may have gotten Georgiou killed, it also has sparked change. She leaves the Mirror Universe better than she found it, and that is no small thing.
“I AM THE GUARDIAN OF FOREVER!”
If you’ll recall in my last review, I had a good conversation with a friend regarding “The City on the Edge of Forever” from Star Trek: The Original Series in relation to last week’s episode. Boy, did he call it! I literally screamed when Carl’s voice boomed, “I AM THE GUARDIAN OF FOREVER!” That was such an exciting and fun reveal, especially watching the door transform into the portal to Forever. I talked with this same friend again before writing my review and he reminded me that a Section 31 series starring Michelle Yeoh was announced several months ago. Recalling that information really makes me appreciate the set-up this two-parter has given that series.
Carl has given us a great hint too, telling Georgiou that she is going to a time where the Prime and Mirror Universes were still aligned. Does this mean that Georgiou’s Section 31 spin-off will be in a pre-Kelvin timeline? Either way, I am truly hype for more Michelle Yeoh being a badass on my screen. I can’t wait to see where they take her.
“You weren’t sent back to be cured. You were sent back to be weighed.”
And she was not found wanting. Georgiou’s departure from Discovery not only showed that despite her prickly and surly exterior that she had an internal change, but that even despite that exterior, she had earned the respect of the rest of the crew. Her presence sparked change and made those she tussled with work harder and try to be better, even if she went about it in a cruel way. It also demonstrated that even if she didn’t realize it, her softer side came through. So I too will raise my glass to Phillipa Georgiou. She means more to me than she will ever know.
What do you think about “Terra Firma, Part 2”? Leave me a comment and let’s talk Trek.
The next episode of Star Trek: Discovery will air on December 24, 2020 on CBS All Access.
