Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is about to close out its fourth season with a fairy tale. The penultimate episode, “Once La’an a Time,” sends La’an (Christina Chong) into a dream world created by her daughter Rukiya, where she meets her gentle alter ego, Princess Thalia, and finds a prince who is not quite what he seems.
La’an’s journey through this fantasy lands her with a werewolf by night. James Kirk’s alter ego, Prince Dashing, has a dark side, and Princess Thalia knows it. Despite that, she loves him anyway. The episode, titled “Once La’an a Time,” uses this fairytale to teach La’an a lesson about accepting both the dark and light parts of herself.
A Werewolf by Night Returns
The episode draws directly on Strange New Worlds’ own history. Back in Season 1, Rukiya dreamed up this world, and now it has returned to help La’an. In this version, La’an becomes Princess Thalia, a soft and genteel figure, while Kirk takes the role of Prince Dashing.
Wesley’s Prince Dashing is loyal, earnest, and absurdly silly. He wears a wig and plays a certain archetype in La’an’s imagination. The episode, according to Wesley, was “a blast as an actor.”
Wesley’s Return to the Shapeshifter Rodeo
Paul Wesley brings a familiar face to the werewolf role. He has played a shapeshifter before, in a show called Wolf Lake. That experience gave him some familiarity with the genre, even if the creature on screen looks different from a vampire.
Wesley told Collider that the episode was “really fun.” He described it as “La’an’s episode, obviously, and so I represented a certain archetype in La’an’s imagination.” He added that “There were other archetypes, and she was essentially finding herself because it has to do with her family history — the Khan family history.”
The Dark Side of Prince Dashing
Prince Dashing is not a perfect man. He is a werewolf by night, which means he has a monstrous nature. Princess Thalia knew that all along. Her acceptance of him, despite his dark side, mirrors the lesson La’an needs to learn about herself.
La’an has struggled with her bloodline, her anger issues, and her darker instincts. The episode shows her that she too is worthy of love, despite those flaws. Wesley’s performance as the earnest, silly prince helps sell that message.
La’an’s Family History
The episode ties back to La’an’s family history, specifically the Khan family history. That connection gives the fantasy weight beyond simple spectacle. La’an is not just wandering through a dream world; she is confronting something rooted in her past.
The fairytale structure allows Strange New Worlds to explore character in a way that a straightforward plot could not. By placing La’an in a role where she must accept her darker self, the show forces her to reckon with her identity in a way that feels personal rather than abstract.
A Blast for Wesley
Wesley’s enthusiasm for the role is clear. He described putting on a wig and playing an absurdly earnest, silly prince. He called it “just really fun.”
His description of the episode as “La’an’s episode” frames his own role as supporting. He represents a certain archetype in La’an’s imagination, helping her find herself. That framing fits the larger narrative of the episode, which is about La’an’s growth rather than Wesley’s.
The Werewolf Cameo
The werewolf element is a small detail in a bigger story. It is not the main point of the episode, but it adds texture to the fantasy world. Wesley’s previous shapeshifter work in Wolf Lake gives him a handle on the material, even if the creatures look different.
The werewolf by night is a useful device. It lets the episode explore themes of duality without being heavy-handed about it. La’an’s realization that she is worthy of love, despite her darker instincts, comes from seeing Thalia accept Dashing.
A Worthwhile Entry
Strange New Worlds is on the cusp of closing out its fourth season. The episode delivers a fantastical sequel to one of the show’s best episodes from Season 1. It uses the fairytale world to teach La’an an important lesson about accepting both the dark and light parts of herself.
The episode gives Wesley a chance to play a silly prince, and it gives La’an a moment of growth that feels earned. The werewolf by night adds a touch of horror to the fantasy.
Key Facts Box
- Episode title: “Once La’an a Time”
- Season: Strange New Worlds Season 4
- Show: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
- Character: La’an (Christina Chong)
- Prince Dashing: Played by Paul Wesley
- Werewolf by night: Part of the fantasy world
- Dream creator: Rukiya
The episode delivers a meaningful lesson for La’an. It sets the stage for the finale.
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