Summary
ManyStar Trekfans are familiar with the show’s “mirror universe,” a parallel universe where Earth is the seat of the Terran Empire, ruling the galaxy with an iron fist. The mirror universe is home to doppelgängers of the characters that fans know and love, evil twins of the honorable members of Starfleet. It has been the setting of some of the franchise’s most intriguing stories, and spurred the popularity ofmultiversal narratives in science fiction.
The mirror universe first appeared inThe Original Seriesseason 2, episode 4, “Mirror, Mirror.” Most fans are at least passingly familiar with the episode, if only for the memorable image of a goateed Mr. Spock. But amid the counterparts of the Enterprise crew, Kirk encounters an unfamiliar face who will play an essential role in his story here: the “captain’s woman”, Marlena Moreau.
Who Is Marlena Moreau In “Mirror, Mirror”?
In “Mirror, Mirror,“a transporter malfunctionduring an ion storm causes Kirk, McCoy, Scotty, and Uhura to cross over to the Mirror Universe, swapping places with their counterparts there. Upon arriving, it quickly becomes clear that life here is very different from the universe they just left. Starfleet is a tyrannical, merciless organization, and Kirk is under orders to destroy those who do not comply with Starfleet’s commands.
The four Prime Universe characters hatch a plan to try and get home, but they must carefully sidestep the cunning denizends of the Mirror Universe. There’s the scheming version of Sulu, and the underhanded counterpart of Chekov. And then there’s Marlena, whom Kirk first encounters when he adjourns to the captain’s quarters, where he finds her lying on his bed waiting for him.
Marlena is depicted as ambitious and clever, befitting the cutthroat environment of the Mirror Universe. She attaches herself to Kirk because of his power, influence, and his potential to climb further in the ranks. If he wants nothing to do with her, then Marlena will find another captain whose influence can advance her position. Yet, it’s clear she cares for him on some level. Her remarks hint that her own Kirk has tracesof Prime Kirk’s strengths: brave, romantic, and driven. It seems that these were the things she once admired in him, responding to his sweet talk with:
“I remember when you used to talk that way.”
It’s Marlena who presses Kirk to use the Tantalus device, thus introducing the character (and thereby the audience) to this strange piece ofMirror Universe technology. The Tantalizer allows Kirk not only to spy on his enemies, but to kill them remotely with a touch of a button. Prime Universe Kirk, naturally, is horrified by this, restraining Marlena when she toys with the notion of using it.
Suspicious of Kirk’s willingness to spare his enemies and his refusal to follow brutal orders, Marlena later spies on him as he talks with Scotty, McCoy, and Uhura about returning to their own universe. Yet, as she watches them save Mirror Spock’s life at their own risk, she comes to a decision. When Mirror Sulu and his cronies show up, intending to take command by killing his two superior officers, Marlena uses the Tantalizer to blink his henchmen out of existence, proving herself an ally to Prime Kirk and the rest.
Defeating Mirror Sulu, the prime universe characters make it to the transporter room to return to their own reality, only to find Marlena waiting for them there. Kirk acknowledges her act of saving them, to which she responds:“Take me with you.“It’s presented as a command, but her expression belies more of a plea. In Prime Kirk, the things she once admired in her own Kirk are front and center. His compassion makes it clear that his own universe is kinder than the one Marlena lives in, and she’ll take the chance to escape it.
However, the transporter can only take four individuals. Marlena threatens Scotty and Kirk with a phaser, but Uhura disarms her, and the four prime universe characters are able to escape with some unexpected help from Mirror Spock. Before departing, however,Kirk shares some wise words with Spockabout his potential to shape the world he lives in. Marlena listens, watching as Kirk and the others disappear.
Upon returning to the prime universe, Prime Spock welcomes Kirk home, filling him in on his own encounter with Kirk and company’s mirror universe counterparts. As the episode closes, a crewmember asks for Kirk’s signature. He looks up to see none other than the prime universe’s Marlena Moreau, who has recently been assigned to the Enterprise.
What Happens To Marlena After “Mirror, Mirror?”
Although Marlena Moreau never appeared in anotherStar Trekepisode, various expanded media have touched on the character’s fate, in particular the novelSorrows of the Empireby David Mack. In this continuity, the mirror universe’s Marlena marries her universe’s Spock, and helps him in his efforts todismantle the Terran Empire. Tragically, they both meet their end at the hands of Klingon-Cardassian forces.
The Marlena Moreau of the prime universe hasn’t been mentioned since the closing moments of “Mirror, Mirror.” Still,Star Trekis no stranger tobringing back decades-old plot threads, whether to add intrigue or to tie up loose ends. WithStrange New Worldsexploring the same part of the timeline asTOS,there could be an opportunity to reintroduce Marlena Moreau. Though her prime self is likely quite different from her mirror universe counterpart, there are always a few similarities between these doppelgänger characters. Despite her brief appearance, Marlena’s cleverness and sense of passion make her an intriguing character, and prime Marlena is worthy of a story of her own.
