Strange New Worlds Season 4 Episode 9 Review: La'An Faces Herself
In Season 4, Episode 9 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, titled 'Once La'An a Time,' the crew returns to the storybook world from Season 1's 'The Elysian Kingdom.' The episode focuses on La'An confronting her darker impulses, with Christina Chong delivering a strong performance. It features a battle against a dragon and continues the season's trend of concept episodes.
This episode serves as a direct sequel to the Season 1 installment "The Elysian Kingdom," returning to that storybook fantasy setting with new narrative stakes centered on La'An's internal conflict. Writer Onitra Johnson previously co-wrote the original episode, while director Sydney Freeland helms this continuation. The production features several cast members in transformed roles, including Anson Mount as Sir Amand Rauth and Paul Wesley as Prince Dashing, a werewolf character who serves as La'An's romantic interest.
The review notes this continues Season 4's pattern of concept-driven episodes, which the critic suggests may be wearing thin given the limited 10-episode season structure. The episode also advances the ongoing romantic thread between La'An and Kirk, a relationship the reviewer acknowledges raises canon questions that the show may never address. Christina Chong's performance as La'An struggling with her emotional limitations receives particular praise.
This episode reflects the broader streaming-era trend where genre shows balance serialized character development with standalone experimental installments. For audiences, such episodes may deepen appreciation of actors' range while testing patience with narrative detours that delay ongoing plotlines. The show's willingness to revisit fantasy conceits could influence how other prestige sci-fi series approach tonal variety, though viewer tolerance for concept episodes may ultimately shape production decisions across the industry.