Sooooo interesting.
It was a very gutsy decision to go the fantasy route. But, of course, not out of line with TOS/TNG lineage. It was also fantastic for resolving an unappetizing conflict that they set up from episode 1. I was thinking that Rukiya was going to be a hot, steaming, anchor for the entire series with no satisfying resolution. I, for one, am glad they jettisoned that subplot.
I am curious whether the departure from soft sci-fi (Star Trek has always been "soft" sci-fi, and I do not mean that as a pejorative term). Can't really explain all the magical stuff technology allows them; eg, the transporter, but it doesn't go too far with technology miraculously fixing complex problems or offering easy outs of difficult plots/scenarios (as TNG did waaaay too often).
From a narrative perspective, this was fun, lively, beautifully transformative, liberating, and yes, magical (yet not techno-magical).
Loved it. It is brave pushing the boundaries of science fiction. After all, fantasy and sci-fi are very much fraternal twins. It really didn't screw up anything canon either. It also kinda hurt...
Meaningless nonsense doesn't elicit emotions, does it? Ephemeral yet deep.
Great episode!