I saw the reference to a mirror in the title I realized this was a mirror universe episode and I got a little worried. Luckily these are the episodes I have the most different opinion of from the first time I watched them and wow, this is a good one. In addition to Jake getting to explore an alternate take on reality (something that I am sure will help his writing) it has probably the second best action scene in all of Star Trek so far. Sure, it isn't Khan facing down with Kirk in a nebula so I guess I should say second best in television Trek. Watching the Defiant dodge and weave through first the structure of DS9 and then a Cardassian cruiser is just awesome. Having his opponent be Worf is just icing on the cake. I don't remember if they go back to the mirror universe again, if not this is a pretty solid conclusion.
The episode opens with Jake standing around on the Promenade where he and Nog used to hang out. Odo and Quark both hassle him about it a bit so he heads home and is startled to see his mother sitting with Ben. But of course it isn't his real mom, it is her from the mirror universe. Ben has to go to take care of some station business and when he returns Jake and Jennifer are gone but the device to beam between universes is there. He prepares to beam over with Kira and O'Brien, but then don't leave the pad and he arrives alone. He is taken prisoner by Smiley O'Brien who needs him to help get their version of the Defiant operational. He agrees since he doesn't have a lot of choice. He gets punched in the face by Bashir for hitting him the last time he was here. He runs into Jake and Jennifer and Nog's bar. Nog isn't his friend here though, but Jake can't really accept that.
We next see Garek in chains, he is prisoner to Worf who is commanding the fleet tasked with retaking the station. And speaking of, they are going to be there in four days so Smiley and Ben have a lot to do to get everything ready. Kira gives them some information on fooling the fleet which they will need, word of the Defiant has gotten out so they have less time than expected. Dax and Bashir lead an effort to draw off the fleet and buy some time while the Defiant is finished. Smiley agrees to let Jake return before the battle but he and Jennifer run into Kira who kills Jennifer but lets Jake go when she learns he is Sisko's son.
The battle is on soon enough though. Even though Smiley says he can go Sisko takes command of the Defiant successfully destroys a bunch of Klingon ships, but the Cardassian cruiser is another matter. Sisko takes the helm and flies too close the the Cardassians for their weapons to lock properly. A Klingon gets behind them, but Bashir shows up just in time to save the day. His ship crippled Worf leads the fleet into retreat. Sisko returns to the station just as Jennifer is dying and has to watch his wife die a second time.
Review: A touching episode with great action and great character. Not much more I could ask for honestly. I guess it could have been a fight against the Dominion, but that will be here soon enough.
9 out of 10
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