Contemplates, mulls over (8)
I believe the answer is:
reflects
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'contemplates' is the first definition.
('reflect' can be a synonym of 'contemplate')
'mulls over' is the second definition.
('reflect' can be a synonym of 'mull over')
(Other definitions for reflects that I've seen before include "Mulls over" , "Looks back" , "shows in reverse" , "Thinks deeply like mirror?" , "Mirrors or meditates" .)