Mind-Blowing Revelation: Unveiling the Truth About La'an in Star Trek – Is it Really Like Khan?

In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 2, titled "Ad Astra Per Aspera," the mystery surrounding Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh's ancestry is finally resolved. La'an, who is a descendant of Khan Noonien Singh, reveals her connection to Khan during Commander Una Chin-Riley's court-martial. However, what remains uncertain is whether La'an possesses the same extraordinary abilities as her ancestor. Khan, a genetically engineered 'superman,' possessed exceptional physical strength and unparalleled intelligence. His reign of power in the 1990s led to the Eugenics Wars, a conflict aimed at eradicating Augments from Earth. It is believed that Khan had offspring who may have inherited his gifts and kept them hidden, following their escape from Earth on the SS Botany Bay in 1996. Consequently, the use of eugenics was subsequently outlawed on both United Earth and the United Federation of Planets in order to prevent the rise of another Khan.

Strange New Worlds Confirms La'an Is An Augment Like Khan

La'an Noonien-Singh finally confirms to Neera Ketoul, Number One's legal counsel, that she did indeed inherit Khan's augmentations. Neera had already suspected this, but La'an was able to disclose the truth because Neera herself is also an Augment. As a proudly genetically engineered Illyrian, Neera despises the Federation's strict stance on Augments. La'an admits her fear of becoming a monster like Khan, but Neera reassures her that she, like everyone else, has the capacity for both good and bad actions.

Throughout her life, La'an has carried the burden of knowing she possesses Khan's enhancements. As a child, she was taunted and labeled as an "Augment" by her peers. It is possible that her augmentations played a role in her survival during her abduction by the Gorn, suggesting that they recognized she was more than just a human. However, one crucial fact that was confirmed during Number One's court-martial is that La'an is not cruel like Khan. Throughout her Starfleet career, she has dedicated herself to saving lives. Her inherent heroism speaks volumes, outweighing any negative traits she may have inherited from Khan.

Pike's Enterprise Has Two Augments Aboard - What This Means

In Star Trek Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 2, Commander Una Chin-Riley is granted asylum by Starfleet and reinstated as First Officer of the USS Enterprise. With the revelation that La'an is also an Augment, there are now two genetically enhanced individuals on board the Enterprise who have been part of the crew since Strange New Worlds season 1. Number One, being La'an's best friend, likely knows the truth about her genetic enhancements, which is why La'an harbored anger towards Una for not disclosing her Illyrian identity in Strange New Worlds season 1, episode 3, "Ghost of Illyria."

While Neera being aware of La'an's secret doesn't impact Noonien-Singh's Starfleet career, as the lawyer doesn't support Starfleet anyway, having two Augments serving on the Enterprise makes the ship unique in her perspective. However, is La'an facing a similar danger with Starfleet as Una did? Although La'an is human, she is hiding her inherited genetic abilities, which go beyond her capability to consume Klingon blood wine without getting intoxicated. It may be challenging to envision La'an descending into Khan-like super-villainy, but her apprehension regarding her own potential for darkness is evident in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 streams Thursdays on Paramount+.