Watch: It’s not the Terran Empire, but there are plenty of “evil” counterparts.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is kind of giving the fandom what they want in season 4’s ninth episode, “Once La’An a Time.” Yes, at first glance, the new teaser trailer (below) does include a host of Mirror Universe-esque USS Enterprise characters, including the return of Paul Wesley’s James T. Kirk. However, this is NOT the Terran Empire.
Instead, “Once La’An a Time” is set on a medieval planet, and the Enterprise, aka the “Iron Dragon,” appears to be the ultimate prize for Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and the starship’s fellow doppelgangers located on the mysterious world.
The synopsis for Strange New Worlds’ ninth episode reads as follows, courtesy of IMDb, “La'An enters a genuine fantasy world where the fairy tale becomes a personal test of courage and control.”
Earlier today (Monday, Sept. 14), a series of images (below) were posted to Star Trek’s Instagram, but none of them gave away the magical and medieval theme Strange New Worlds’ upcoming episode was going to take. Personally, I’m incredibly excited because I have been patiently waiting for SNW to embark on a Mirror Universe adventure.
I know “Once La’An a Time” isn’t technically a Mirror Universe episode — it’s certainly not set in the Terran Empire from classic Star Trek lore. However, I’m pumped to see “evil” counterparts interact with Strange New Worlds characters, so I’m stoked for this week’s upcoming episode.
That said, I know some Star Trek fans are going to focus more on the fact that Strange New Worlds is genre-jumping again, but I’m here for whatever version of the Mirror Universe I can get before SNW ends its five-season run.
Now, what did you think of the “Once La’An a Time” teaser trailer? Share your thoughts and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages. And Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' ninth episode, “Once La’An a Time," drops Thursday, Sept. 17, on Paramount+
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!
Add us as a preferred source on Google