This audio drama is the gift that keeps on giving! Star Trek: Khan’s third episode, ‘Do Your Worst’, is now available wherever you access your podcasts. And it’s just as brilliant as its predecessors. This episode explores the dangers of a particular Ceti Alpha fauna featured in The Wrath of Khan. We also experience the tragic consequences of episode 2. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the latest episode exploring Khan’s time on Ceti Alpha V!
WARNING – Spoilers ahead of Star Trek: Khan episodes 2 and 3!
The Blessed Plot
Episode 2, ‘Scheherazade’, left us in a moment of chaos. Tragedy had struck during a hunting trip, with Joaquin killed in an attack by an alien boar. Amongst that chaos, Richter had gone missing. As the rest of the group headed for camp with Joaquin’s body, Khan (Naveen Andrews) marched into the wilderness in search of Richter.
Unlike episode 2, there is no material time jump as we begin episode 3, ‘Do Your Worst’. We see the hunting group return with Joaquin’s body, minus their glorious leader. Alongside this grief is a contrasting hope for new life as we learn of the colony’s first pregnancy. Then add the uncertainty from discovering radio waves from Ceti Alpha VI, indicating its current instability. All of this creates a rollercoaster of emotions riding throughout the camp.
Beyond the settlement, Khan finds Richter in a panic, frantic about something in his head. Khan manages to settle Richter down before the pair comes across a giant serpent. Richter flees up a tree while his leader slays the beast, then, on Khan’s request for him to come down, jumps. Ankle now broken, Khan carries his injured follower back to camp, confused and worried about his behaviour. Richter later kills Sylvana (Juliette Goglia), believing he’s following Khan’s orders, leading to Ursula’s (Mercy Malick) diagnosis of an alien toxin. With confirmation he won’t survive, Khan kills Richter mercifully, in the hope an autopsy will uncover the cause of his madness.
Uneasy Lies The Head That Wears A Crown
We see Khan under considerable pressure throughout ‘Do Your Worst’. His challenge to Ceti Alpha V appears to have been met. Once he finds Richter, he unknowingly witnesses the effects of the infamous Ceti Eel unfold within his devoted follower.
Finding Richter in a state of panic, listeners again experience a side to Khan we don’t expect. Instead of the barking orders of a totalitarian leader, Khan shows proper compassion. He soothes Richter, speaking calmly, bringing him on a gentle journey back to the here and now.
Jump to the pair reaching their settlement towards the end of the episode, and Khan must make a difficult decision. Richter, in his madness, has murdered Sylvana, and Ursula cannot confirm what has infected him without an autopsy. Certain he will die anyway, Khan makes a ruthless yet merciful choice and kills Richter. The balancing of Khan’s compassion and ruthlessness brings to life his leadership style and moral character. Similar to previous episodes, we see how much he cares for his people. We also see the lengths he will go to survive the harsh reality of Ceti Alpha V.
Some Consequence Yet Hanging In The Stars
The significance of Khan’s challenge to ‘Do Your Worst’ seems to reverberate beyond Ceti Alpha V. The foreshadowing of Ceti Alpha VI’s fate, hinted at in previous episodes, steps up a notch towards the end of episode 3.
Paulo, who has been tinkering with Enterprise technology earlier in the episode, has managed to boost the range of one of the settlement’s scanners. This has led to him detecting radio waves from the neighbouring planet, Ceti Alpha VI. The scanner confirms the planet has an unstable iron core, a further hint at the planet’s impending fate.
This discovery unsettles Paulo, but his fears are tempered by the expectation that any planetary-scale changes should take millions of years to occur. Listeners well-versed in Star Trek, or who have at least seen The Wrath of Khan, know otherwise. This discovery paints the picture of a looming danger to everyone on Ceti Alpha V. Their beautiful but harsh new world is on the verge of disaster. It will change everything. And Khan will never be the same again.
If Music Be The Food Of Love, Play On
I would be remiss not to comment on the complex beauty of how this audio drama is put together. Just as in episodes 1 and 2, the musical score and ambient audio in ‘Do Your Worst’ brings each scene to life. It beams listeners onto Ceti Alpha V and into the events unfolding for Khan and his people.
The music playing in the lead-up to Richter’s death is sombre, mirroring Khan’s struggle with what he must do. The score swells in the aftermath, matching Khan’s anger and resolve. It’s a moment that perfectly captures Khan’s two halves – devoted leader and vengeful adversary.
Where the delivery of audio is obviously crucial in an audio drama (goes without saying!), this episode sees it used in a particularly clever way. At the start of the episode, we hear Khan’s voice through static, coming from a recording Rosalind Lear (Sonya Cassidy) is listening to. Over time, the static fades to clear sound. This acts as a transition through time from Lear on the Excelsior to Khan on Ceti Alpha V. This is repeated during Khan’s powerful monologue at the end of the episode. A transition back from Khan on Ceti Alpha V to the present day, on the Excelsior.
As Happy Prologues To The Swelling Act
Star Trek: Khan is off to a strong start, which is only strengthened with the addition of ‘Do Your Worst’. This is the Star Trek storytelling I’ve been missing for some time now. Compelling and complex characters, emotive drama, wonderful dialogue, an evocative score, excellent performances… and of course, simply brilliant writing.
So, what’s in store for Khan and his people next? Yes, we know how this all ends. We have the masterpiece that is The Wrath of Khan, which tells that story. But this audio drama is exploring a Khan we’ve never seen before, during a time we know little about. This is driving some exciting and captivating storytelling and character development, which I hope we see more of. If this series continues to deliver episodes of this calibre, it’s set to be the best Star Trek media released in recent years.
More From Trek Central
📰 – Review – Star Trek: Khan – Episode 2 ‘Sheherazade’
🔥 – Review – Fanhome’s Issue #10 – U.S.S. Dauntless
🔎️ – Review – Star Trek: Scouts’ First Adventures
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