Plot – This is at a point where the writers were still trying to put some effort into the running storyline in the mirror universe and I appreciate the fact that they don’t feel the need to catch us up to speed with the history of this universe because that was all covered in Crossover. The Terrans have started a rebellion against the Klingon/Cardassian alliance and are fighting for their lives – that is basically all you need to know. I don’t think there is any point where Star Trek has felt more like Star Wars. The bad guys are obsessing over the rebellion, there is an emphasis on witty banter and action and sleaze.
Ira Steven Behr suggests in the DS9 documentary What You Left Behind that DS9 doesn’t deserve full marks for LGBTQ representation and whilst they never took characters like Garak and Bashir as far as they could, they certainly did better than most of the other Trek shows. Indeed, you can read Garak as a bisexual character with absolute ease and Bashir happily admits how much he loves O’Brien in the final season (at least he says he loves Ezri passionately…but he likes O’Brien even more). Jadzia falling in love with Lenara is the best example, where their genders are irrelevant and the feelings are all important. The trips to the alternate universe might be troubling for some because that is where the show is at its most relaxed in exploring its gay side and it seems to suggest that comes hand in hand with a nasty, underhanded side. Kira wants to fuck herself or Jennifer or Ezri or any woman that might flatter her ego, it’s true and the entire alternate subplot is worth it for the scene where Garak attempts to suggest that he and Worf have some fun time together. However, you also have characters like Ezri who is portrayed very much on the side of good flirting with Leeta. It’s a shame that this kind of representation couldn’t have been as bold in the normal universe but I will still give them points for breaking what was still clearly quite a taboo in the mid-90s.
Character – Quark and Odo are the consummate double act on DS9. You’ll hear anecdotes from both Armin Shimmerman and Rene Auberjonois that they don’t actually spend much time together but the truth is if you watch DS9 from beginning to end there are far more moments between these two than they believe. They feature in a quick cameo in Through the Looking Glass because they were both murdered in the alternate universe, so their contractual obligation is made with a cute little scene where Odo brings in Quark for attempting to stage a vole fight.
There are so many things that could go horribly wrong with Sisko catching up with his deceased wife that if he were a sensible man he would get as far away from her as possible. How could you not treat this woman as a surrogate for the wife that you lost? How could you leave her behind? The second he realises that Jennifer is alive and in trouble, Sisko is sold on this mission but also compromised. Don’t get me started with the awkwardness of Sisko having sex with both Dax and Kira in this episode. He throws himself into that role with no regrets as well. Either he has had some latent attraction to both of them that we haven’t been made aware of before…or he just thought fuck it, let’s give it a try. It’s certainly a nice perk to his assignment as far as he is concerned. The emotional heart of this episode is the conversation between Sisko and Jennifer and hoe he tries to convince her he is a better man now and that she needs to switch sides and try and save her own people. Jennifer is angry, hurt and lost. Avery Brooks is just passionate enough with his delivery to win her around.
Performance – Nana Visitor once again plays the Intendant as a vainglorious, bisexual (or should that just be omnisexual because I don’t think she would turn down anyone that wants a piece of her) sadist who puts her own needs above the politics that she finds herself embroiled in. Every line is utter as a flirtatious remark or a sadistic retort with relatively little ambiguity in between. It’s not subtle but golly it is entertaining, especially when she gets lines as good as this (‘Let’s start with, uh, him, him and har’ ‘And do what?’ ‘Execute them! I think you’ll find that random and unprovoked executions will keep your workforce alert and motivated.’). In the Intendant’s eyes treating people like slaves but keeping a roof over their heads is giving them a good life.
Production – Sisko should point out that he is in the alternative universe simply because the aesthetic is so much darker and brooding than usual. It’s a telling giveaway for these kinds of episodes. And given DS9 is fairly dark and brooding anyway that means these episodes are visually very memorable.
This is a chance to portray all of the regulars characters in a new light and I love what they do with pretty much everybody. Sisko is in clothes that allow his character to breathe (those early DS9 uniforms can feel a little stiff), Dax looks practically edible with her hair down, Bashir is roughed up to great effect, Kira is squeezed into the most eye watering leather costume and even Rom (or should I say Rombo) looks great decked out in aggressive leather. I bet the production team had a lot of fun putting this episode together.
Best moment – Tuvok is an odd cameo, but a welcome one. Why wouldn’t characters from other Trek shows show up in this crazy universe? In fact, this would have been a great opportunity to stick in characters from all three shows that were being made at this time (well two shows an movies).
I really like the fact that the answer to getting Jennifer away and saving the other Terrans on the rescue mission is entirely down to the fact that Sisko is from another universe. It isn’t the firefight that saves her, it’s the fact that Sisko is a smart guy and trumps the Intendant by outthinking her.
I wish they hadn’t done that – Is it hugely unlikely that Sisko would end up married to Jennifer in this universe as well as ours? I am not au fait enough in quantum mechanics to judge. The sensible part of my brain says that all the variables that would need to make them meet and fall in love are unlikely, especially since things are so different in both universes. However, in terms of character development and exploration it is a completely different matter. Forcing Sisko to confront his dead wife is an enticing possibility and I can see precisely why the writers went for it.
A reason to watch this episode again – Big bold comic book action sits side by side with gentle character work and the result is a big bundle of fun with a heart, a DS9 episode that gives the audience a lot of the goodies that make up great television. DS9 season three is such an odd beast; it is a pitched battle between the rather slow and ponderous character show the series started out as with a more dynamic political conflict it would become and it constantly feels like a hybrid of the two with the strengths of both bleeding into the episodes. Through the Looking Glass flaunts some delicious action (it’s one of the best ever firefights) and clever character work (Sisko is reunited with his dead wife) but for the most part it is simply trying to amuse you (‘at least once you hit Bashir’, ‘Pursuuuuuuuuue!’) Robust direction, great music and terrific design work all comes together to create a vivid looking episode.
**** out of *****
Clue for tomorrow's episode:
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