“There’s coffee in that nebula”: The Corbomite Maneuver (TOS) vs. The Cloud (VOY)

Kirk and Janeway put their morals where their mouths are, risking ship and crew to show that the Federation’s values aren’t just words.

“We will not accept a no-win scenario”: In a Mirror, Darkly, Part 2 (ENT) vs. What’s Past is Prologue (DSC)

We wrap up our trip to the Mirror Universe with two episodes that are each classic Trek, but in very different ways.

“This feels like a reckoning”: Shattered Mirror (DS9) vs. Vaulting Ambition (DSC)

The Siskos and Burnham spend more creepy quality time with the Mirror versions of their lost loved ones, which turns into a sitcom for the Siskos, and a horror movie for Burnham.

“Every moment is a test”: Through the Looking Glass (DS9) vs. The Wolf Inside (DSC)

Sisko and Burnham impersonate their Mirror Universe selves, which leads Burnham to question her faith in herself and in humanity … and leads Sisko to look cool dual-wielding phasers.

“Their strength is painted rust”: In a Mirror, Darkly, Part 1 (ENT) vs. Despite Yourself (DSC)

The crew of the ISS Enterprise are mostly evil, while the crew of the ISS Discovery are just pretending to be.

“It is you who are not real, sir”: The Big Goodbye (TNG) vs. Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang (DS9)

An early episode of The Next Generation starts a Trek tradition of holodeck malfunctions, while a late-series episode of Deep Space 9 lets the crew use the holodeck exactly as its designers probably intended: to pull holographic casino heists.

“What are you, that you could do this?”: The Enterprise Incident (TOS) vs. Face of the Enemy (TNG)

Troi and Kirk try on Romulan faces, and oppression and espionage test what Troi and Spock are capable of.

“You’re too late, we’re everywhere”: The Adversary (DS9) vs. State of Flux (VOY)

Suspicion and paranoia abound on the Defiant and the Voyager, as shape-shifting impostors and surgically altered spies force Sisko and Chakotay to question how much they can trust those under their command.

“There’s got to be something better than this”: Mirror, Mirror (TOS) vs. Crossover (DS9)

In Trek vs. Trek’s first trip to the Mirror Universe, we see how differently the Original Series and Deep Space Nine approach the idea of ‘the darkest timeline’.

“With every choice, you change your fate”: Monday (X-Files) vs. Magic to Make the Sanest Man Go Mad (DSC)

In the first installment of Trek vs. Pop Culture, we look at how differently Discovery and The X-Files treat a familiar sci-fi concept: the time loop.