As Star Trek: Strange New Worlds barrels toward its Season 4 finale, the penultimate episode takes a whimsical detour into a fairytale realm that fans first glimpsed in Season 1. This time, the imaginative world created by M'Benga's daughter Rukiya returns to deliver a poignant lesson for La'an (Christina Chong) about embracing every facet of herself—the light and the dark. In this enchanted setting, we meet Princess Thalia, La'an's gentle alter ego, who is joined by her devoted suitor, Prince Dashing, played by Paul Wesley as a charming counterpart to James Kirk.
The episode, titled "Once La'an a Time," culminates in a revelation: Princess Thalia always knew her prince was a werewolf by night. Rather than shying away, she loved him all the same. For La'an, this realization becomes a mirror, helping her see that she too is worthy of love despite her complicated lineage, her fiery temper, or her own darker instincts. It's a heartfelt twist that ties together fantasy and character growth.
In an exclusive chat, Wesley shared his excitement about diving into this playful episode. When asked about trading his vampire persona from The Vampire Diaries for a werewolf, he laughed and revealed, "I actually played a werewolf back in the day—well, a shapeshifter in a show called Wolf Lake. So I have a little experience with the whole wolf thing." He described the role as "a blast as an actor," noting the fun of embodying an archetype in La'an's imagination. "I got to put on a wig and be this absurdly earnest, silly prince," he said, "and I just had a great time."
The episode also flips the script on a previous physical gag. Earlier this season, Kirk took a slap from Spock, but here, La'an lands a punch on Wesley's Dashing. Wesley joked, "I'm sure Christie loved that. Unfortunately, it was fake—not a real punch. I bet she would have enjoyed the real thing." The playful banter highlights the camaraderie on set.
Beyond the fairytale antics, the core of the story lies in the simmering romance between Kirk and La'an, which has been building since their unforgettable adventure in Season 2's alternate universe. While La'an remembers their time together, Kirk doesn't—yet he still feels an inexplicable pull toward her. Wesley offered his take on what makes their connection so compelling: "I don't think he knows. It's like real life—sometimes you meet someone and there's just this instant chemistry. It's not even physical; it's just easy. That's how it is with him and La'an. It just works."
This nuanced portrayal of Kirk and La'an's bond adds depth to both characters, and fans are eager to see where it leads. The Strange New Worlds team has consistently found ways to bridge classic and modern Trek, and this romance is a prime example. As the series continues to explore new frontiers, it also pays homage to the franchise's legacy, much like the upcoming Captain Archer expansion promises to do.
The Season 4 finale of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds airs next Thursday on Paramount+. With Season 5 expected in 2027, there's plenty of time to theorize about what's next for Kirk and La'an. For now, fans can savor this fairytale interlude that reminds us that love often finds us in the most unexpected places—even across time and space.
