"Once La'An A Time" S4E09 Review SNWF064

In episode #64 of Strange New Worlds Fancast, SP, Jake, and Carolyn venture into Season 4, Episode 9, “Once La’An a Time,” as La’An finds herself trapped in a fantasy world where confronting her own inner demons may be the key to finding herself again. The hosts explore La’An’s journey toward self-acceptance as she faces a version of herself whose anger and emotional walls have pushed others away, while debating whether revisiting the fantasy setting of “The Elysian Kingdom” was a worthwhile return or a missed opportunity to tell a truly new story in a ten-episode season. Along the way, they celebrate the episode’s playful humor, from Prince Dashing’s hilariously over-the-top heroics and the alternate versions of Pike and Spock to an unexpected dragon attack on the Enterprise, elaborate costumes and dance sequences, and a generous helping of The Princess Bride references. The conversation also examines Kirk’s increasingly frequent appearances aboard the Enterprise, the evolving relationship between Jim and La’An, and Pelia’s decision to remain behind to help guide a mysterious ship home. While the hosts differ on how much they enjoyed the fantasy adventure, they find common ground in its emphasis on character development, particularly La’An learning to embrace all of herself and let others back into her life. Add in Trek Trivia, listener feedback, classic Star Trek comparisons, and the Fancast’s trademark tangents, and episode #64 delivers a lively discussion about the balance between familiar storytelling and fresh ideas—and why sometimes the most important journey is learning to accept yourself.

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Best place to find SP: http://www.GonnaGeek.com/discord

Best place to find Jake: https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdy_old_man74

Best place to find Carolyn: https://x.com/ocean363