Mirror Universe Episode: A Deep Dive into Continuity and Contradictions for Star Trek Prodigy
With its "Cracked Mirror" latest episode, Star Trek: Prodigy transports viewers into the notorious Mirror Universe. But its depiction of the Terran Empire in the 24th century has left some viewers perplexed since some question if it runs counter to the accepted Star Trek: Deep Space Nine events. Although the episode first seems to run counter to the history established in DS9, a closer inspection reveals a more complex narrative based on rather than against the events of the past series.
The Mirror Universe: An Intricate and Changing Scene
Viewers come upon a Mirror Universe governed by the New Terran Armada in the episode, headed under Admiral Janeway and Captain Chakotay. This seems to run counter to DS9's portrayal of the Terran Empire, which was shown to be in collapse following the invasion by the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance. As shown in DS9, the Terran revolt was presented as a scrappy, underprivileged group fighting for freedom, not as a strong armament with modern technologies.
Dealing with the Contradictions Perceived
Although the look of the New Terran Armada with its strong warships first seems contradictory, DS9 concentrates on a particular period in the Mirror Universe. Prodigy's events occur decades following the collapse of the Terran Empire and the beginning of the revolt. This chronology lets a period of development whereby the technology gained from the USS Defiant—provided by Commander Sisko—could have developed in strength and finally formed the New Terran Armada. The Terran rebels could have developed in this way as well.
The effects of the Terran Rebellion
The Mirror Universe's version of Sisko's terran revolt was instrumental in determining the Mirror Universe's future. Inspired by Sisko's leadership and armed with the Defiant, the rebels were able to oppose the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance. Although at first seeming to be a minor insurgency, this rebellion most certainly helped the Terran Empire to resurange. The Terrans needed the technology and inspiration the Defiant supplied to rise and finally assemble the New Terran Armada.
The New Terran Armada: Legacies from the Past
Considered as a more militarized and advanced form of the Terran rebels from DS9, the New Terran Armada is Their aggressive and expansionist impulses mirror the past of the Terran Empire, suggesting that even after the Empire fell, its ideas of dominion and conquest have not really vanished.
Finally, building on past events
Star Trek: Prodigy deftly fits itself into the Mirror Universe's past rather than running counter to DS9's events. Given the actions of the Terran rebels and the possibility for their expansion and technological advancement, the comeback of the Terran Empire and the founding of the New Terran Armada make rational developments. The show highlights the complicated development of the Mirror Universe and the legacy of the Terran Empire, so augmenting the known history. It is evidence of the continuous Mirror Universe research and its intriguing dynamics inside the Star Trek series.
