"Mirror, Mirror" physical transference?

[UssGlenn]

When did we see that?

Troi and her mother in TNG. SNW introduces changing clothes on beam down.

 

[Ssosmcin]

When did we see that?

Kirk certainly would have found this particular functionality useful.

Troi and her mother in TNG. SNW introduces changing clothes on beam down.

In the original series, though, never. Otherwise, McCoy getting into a Nazi uniform wouldn't have been a problem. And other examples.

 

[E-DUB]

When did we see that?

The TNG ep where a Ferengi kidnapped Deanna and her mom. (The title escapes me.)

 

[Methuselah Flint]

In my mind, it's a physical transfer. There's nothing in the episode to indicate otherwise, and it's the simplest possible explanation. If the ion storm created enough instability for the crews to switch places, it's no great leap to me to also assume they beamed into their counterparts' clothing.



I don't have enough eyerolls for this theory. Talk about assuming facts not in evidence.

Exactly. I don't need some convoluted "explanation" for why the two universes are in sync with each other, or anything like that. All I need to know to understand and enjoy the episode is that they're trapped in an alternate universe where the Federation is an evil Empire. Easy.

Yeah. Again, if we're buying that the landing party switched universes, it's not exactly a big leap to also assume they were beamed up into their counterparts' uniforms. If you need an explanation, just assume that the transfer only affected organic material.

I treat the episode as it is, but it's fun to theorise/speculate. After all, what's the point of being on here otherwise?

 

[Ssosmcin]

I treat the episode as it is, but it's fun to theorise/speculate. After all, what's the point of being on here otherwise?

I mean, sure. It's a fictional TV show, it's not a documentary.

 

[fireproof78]

I mean, sure. It's a fictional TV show, it's not a documentary.

Of course not.

They're historical documents...

 

[Rowdy Roddy McDowall]

I don't have enough eyerolls for this theory.

Now you do.

 

[evilchumlee]

I'll go one up and say it was physical... but... kind of psychic as well.

The thing is that it is clear that there is an unspoken technology/understanding when it comes to the transporters. The technology requires a deeper understanding of consciousnesses than we currently posses. It's why people don't "die" when they transport. They have an understanding of WHAT a consciousness IS and how to manipulate it, and quite frankly it's the most important part of the transport process.

So... what I think happened here is two things happened, which you could classify as either way if you wanted to. We are seeing the Prime crews minds in the Mirror crews body. But... it wasn't necessarily some mystical, psychic transference. It was the transporter operator... on one end at least... deliberately placing the consciousness into the body. It transports along with the physical body, it's a measurable thing that can be converted into data and reformed as it was.

It's more of a coincidence that in the confusion, the consciousness ended up in the "correct" body, but... not.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

@ZapBrannigan: My mistake. On beam-out from the MU Uhura had a phaser in her hand, and I mistook the bangles and claws on the other hand as a tricorder. (Dark scene.) But my point still stands—why would Mirror Uhura have been equipped with a tricorder (after coming from the brig)? Outside of that, the psychic transference idea works well. At least it is easier to swallow than convoluted explanations as to why their uniforms changed, which would have required the Mirror Spock to use Mr. Kyle's agonizer on the landing party.


That's why I restricted it to TOS. The Trek spin-offs had warp core breaches every week, they time traveled more often than Doctor Who, and the Mirror Universe became a favorite vacation spot. The first time around, it is an interesting story gimmick. Constantly revisiting it becomes tiresome, and requires explanations as to how the same "evil twin" people can be in the same roles on the same ship (or even exist) in a history so radically different from the prime universe.

Agreed--overuse of the mirror universe its lazy "writing" in an attempt to milk one of the franchise's most popular concepts for no good, character building / defining reason, much like the Star Wars franchise, which has been an overflowing toilet of endless "most evil" Sith, overpowered Jedi, to the point where the two groups are meaningless--at least in the hands of those using them beyond the OT.


Oh, and yes, the Berman-era series abused the warp-core breach gimmick to no end, along with similar yawn-inducers.

There's a difference between concept sci-fi and "fan service."

Indeed.