3* is harsh imo. Just finished watching and it smashes Voyager's time travel double. On par with IV. And is a solid character episode, leaning into kirk taking over. Acting wasn't hammy, nothing to OTT, nice callback to new engineer (though missed a final nod/wink). Wasn't proper mirror either
Episodes 1&2 got 3*, but he's given episode 3 only 2*, so he thinks the exact opposite of me. I didn't like 1 (I would've preferred if the doctor and the nurse had found a non-violent solution), was bored by 2 (not a real Trekkie, obviously), and 3 was my favourite.