Posted in: Star Trek, streaming, TV | Tagged: Christina Chong, La'an Noonien-Singh, paramount, preview, star trek, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, strange new worlds

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: How Does La'an Noonien-Singh Factor In?

When it was announced on Star Trek Day the entire cast of Strange New Worlds, one particular name that stuck out is the character Christina Chong is playing in La'an Noonien-Singh, which franchise fans should be familiar with the last name with Ricardo Montalban's Khan Noonien-Singh, Capt. James T. Kirk's nemesis from The Original Series episode "Space Seed" and revisited in The Wrath of Khan (1982).

For those unfamiliar with the Khan, he's a byproduct of the Eugenics Wars where he was a conqueror responsible the deaths of millions. Upon leaving earth, he and his crew found themselves on board the Botany Bay in cryonic sleep. During the events of "Space Seed", Kirk and the Enterprise discovered the ship and freed Khan from his slumber. After researching his background, he attempts to take over the Enterprise, but is unsuccessful and sent to a planet in the Ceti Alpha system taking with him Federation officer Lt. Marla McGivers (Madlyn Rhue), who he seduced in helping to take over the Enterprise. He would marry her following the events of the episode.

During the events of WoK, it's discovered the planet they settled in agreement with Kirk on Ceti Alpha V became barren and Khan held Kirk responsible for the catastrophic events that occurred on the planet and his wife's death. After taking over the U.S.S. Reliant, Khan tried to take his revenge on his rival and take over the secret project Genesis. The origins that created the superbeings in the Eugenics Wars were explained in the Star Trek: Enterprise episodes Borderland, Cold Station 12, and The Augments. One scientist who attempted to usurp the ban on augments is Dr. Arik Soong (Brent Spiner), who is the ancestor of Dr. Noonian Soong, who created androids Data and Lore.

So the $64,000 question now become in regards to canon is if Spock (Ethan Peck) served with an augment onboard Pike's (Anson Mount) Enterprise, how will it make sense when they run into them by the events of TOS' "Space Seed"- especially with that infamous last name? While we don't know that La'an an Augment for sure, but if she is, will she hide her enhanced abilities or go by a different last name given her lineage? It just seems peculiar since TOS Spock (Leonard Nimoy) famously said "Superior ability breeds superior ambition" and how it will align with the upcoming Paramount+ series now.

Enjoyed this? Please share on social media!

Stay up-to-date and support the site by following Bleeding Cool on Google News today!