Spoilers ST: Khan by K. Beyer, D. Mack & N. Meyer Review Thread

[Avro Arrow]

Blurb:
Star Trek's most iconic villain Khan is back!

The anxiously awaited scripted podcast series, STAR TREK: KHAN will premiere on Star Trek Day (September 8, 2025)!

STAR TREK: KHAN explores the untold events on Ceti Alpha V, chronicling Khan's descent from a superhuman visionary into the vengeful villain seen in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. The first of nine episodes will be available to stream wherever you get your podcasts, with new episodes premiering every week.

Naveen Andrews (Lost) voices the iconic role of Khan Noonien Singh, and is joined by a stellar cast, including Wrenn Schmidt (For All Mankind) as Lieutenant Marla McGivers, Sonya Cassidy (Reacher) as Dr. Rosalind Lear, with Star Trek veteran Tim Russ (Star Trek: Voyager) reprising his role as Ensign Tuvok and the legendary George Takei (Star Trek) as Captain Sulu. Supporting voice cast includes Olli Haaskivi (Oppenheimer) as Delmonda, Maury Sterling (Homeland) as Ivan, Mercy Malick (Mr. Mayor) as Ursula, and Zuri Washington (Life with Althaar) as Madot.

Star Trek: Khan is based on a story by "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" writer and director, Nicholas Meyer. Kirsten Beyer and David Mack serve as writers on the podcast. Star Trek: Khan is produced by CBS' Eye Podcast Productions Inc., Secret Hideout, and Roddenberry Entertainment. Executive producers include, Alex Kurtzman, Aaron Baiers, Kirsten Beyer, Molly Barton, Carly Migliori, Fred Greenhalgh, Trevor Roth and Rod Roddenberry. Robyn Johnson serves as Co-Executive Producer, and the podcast was directed by Fred Greenhalgh. Realm serves as the production studio for the series.

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This thread is designed as a review/discussion thread for the series as a whole. The poll is set up so that the ratings will be available on the TrekLit Review Thread page, so it can be compared as a whole to other Star Trek books and audios.

Please note there will be spoilers for the entire run of nine episodes in this thread!

Here are the average ratings for the individual episodes so far, as of now:
Episode 1 - 7.73 (30 votes)
Episode 2 - 6.89 (19 votes)
Episode 3 - 7.13 (15 votes)
Episode 4 - 7.67 (12 votes)
Episode 5 - 7.67 (18 votes)
Episode 6 - 6.29 (14 votes)
Episode 7 - 8.37 (8 votes)
Episode 8 - 6.89 (8 votes)

Individual episode review links:
Episode 1 - "Paradise"
Episode 2 - "Scheherazade"
Episode 3 - "Do Your Worst"
Episode 4 - "Magical Thinking"
Episode 5 - "Imagination's Limits"
Episode 6 - "The Good of All"
Episode 7 - "I Am Marla"
Episode 8 - "Original Sin"
Episode 9 - "Eternity's Face"

 

[Laura Cynthia Chambers]

Maybe include links to each episode thread (as they'll eventually fall down the forum list).

 

[Miami Vice Admiral]

I think overall the characterizations were off from the source material but if treated as its own thing it was pretty good.

I don’t really know who the target audience was. Given that it’s about a specific period in a classic character’s life I thought it would be aimed at hardcore fans, but listening to it, it seemed more focused on newer/younger fans.

Did it add anything for me to Space Seed or TWOK? No absolutely not. However, I’m glad they made it because I think the production was great and I’d love to see more.

 

[Avro Arrow]

Maybe include links to each episode thread (as they'll eventually fall down the forum list).

Good idea, thank you! I have added the links to the OP.

 

[Zarm]

As a character study of Khan, this series ultimately fails, for me; his early character does not match his Space Seed portrayal, and his motivations for 'becoming' his TWOK portrayal just don't add up. This is a connective story that doesn't really connect on either end.


Khan's character seem to go through multiple phases:

Spoiler: Plot spoilers, just in case

-Domineering, possessive, arrogant, proud, bold conqueror Khan from Space Seed

-Selfless, emotionally-sensitive, good-leader Khan (the first three episodes)

-Bloodthirsty shortsighted moron Khan (after the Elborean landing)

-Familiar, treacherous, bold, powerful Khan (ship-building phase)

-Deceptive, irresponsible loving daddy Khan (Episode 8 and 9)

-Suddenly forgiving 'Who knows what he could've become' good man Khan (created by Marla's Cortes speech)

-Offscreen rage-Khan

-Offscreen TWOK Khan

And unfortunately, to me at least, it doesn't really feel like exploring or revealing multiple facets of a complex and layered individual. It just felt like random, sudden personality shifts, veering in one direction or another without much connective tissue to the previous state.

The production was well-acted. The plot managed to surprise, but that came at the cost of its later credibility as it had to put things back on-track. And the writing was... technically good, but the characterization issues never really stopped plaguing it. And since neither the character study or the plot came off unscathed, I feel like this ended up kind of a failure, content-wise; it doesn't succeed in telling a story that works.

However, the writing was good- I would love to see more in this format, this style, even these authors... just tackling a new subject matter rather than a hand-me-down repurposed midquel. I am sure much good could come of that; this one was hobbled more by what it was constrained to be, than by any failing of talent in the creative team.

 

[Turtletrekker]

I have to disagree with the people who thought the characterization was off. I saw a natural progression from the Khan that we saw in Space Seed to the Khan we saw in Star Trek 2. The fact that he wasn't exactly the same person here that he was in either of those other productions is kind of the point. He went on a journey. A long road getting from here to there if you will.

In the end, I thought it was very powerful and satisfying and added depth and nuance to the Khan character. The writing and performances almost made you feel for him. Almost. In the end, Khan couldn't help but be Khan. And, again, I think that was kind of the point.

I really enjoyed the Rosalind Lear arc, and retroactively realized that this entire story was actually her story rather than Khan's. I would very much like to see this character utilized again.

 

[Miami Vice Admiral]

I have to disagree with The people who thought the characterization was off. I saw a natural progression from the Khan that we saw in Space Seed To the Khan we saw in Star Trek 2.

For me, I think he was too unrecognizable in the beginning from Space Seed, near the end he showed more of the character seen in that episode but by then it felt too little too late for me to buy in that it was the same character. Maybe if it had taken a couple episodes for kind vulnerable Khan to show his head after Marla’s influence I would’ve been more on board.

Before this series I always pictured Khan’s journey on Ceti Alpha as being Evil space seed dictator khan for a while, to kind husband khan after getting settled, and then into crazed lunatic after Marla dies.

I do agree with you about his character in the end and I really liked the way the writers reconciled kind of “undid” his final character development. Very tragic.

I suppose I can see this Khan going into TWOK but I can’t see him coming from Space Seed if that makes sense. In the series I see Khan the vengeful madman, but I never saw Khan the ambitious, arrogant dictator.

 

[Christopher]

The fact that he wasn't exactly the same person here that he was in either of those other productions is kind of the point. He went on a journey.

Thank you. It amazes me how many people don't get that, accusing someone of being "out of character" in what's explicitly an origin story, like the Kelvin movies, or something where they're put in an extreme situation where anyone would act differently than normal, like when Khan weeps at Marla's death. Being in character doesn't mean acting exactly the same way in every situation.

Before this series I always pictured Khan’s journey on Ceti Alpha as being Evil space seed dictator khan for a while, to kind husband khan after getting settled, and then into crazed lunatic after Marla dies.

Except why would he have been an evil dictator when he was among his own followers? Look at historic conquerors like Alexander and Genghis -- they were utterly ruthless to their enemies, but fair, benevolent, and tolerant toward their willing subjects. It's only natural that Khan would be the same. When he's on the Enterprise, an unfamiliar environment surrounded by outsiders, he's a ruthless conqueror. When he's on CA5 surrounded by his own loyal friends and comrades, he's a benevolent leader. That's not a change in his character, just a change in his context. Heck, in "Space Seed" when Khan revived his people, we glimpsed the warmth and camaraderie among them. This just extrapolated from that.

 

[Miami Vice Admiral]

Except why would he have been an evil dictator when he was among his own followers? Look at historic conquerors like Alexander and Genghis -- they were utterly ruthless to their enemies, but fair, benevolent, and tolerant toward their willing subjects. It's only natural that Khan would be the same. When he's on the Enterprise, an unfamiliar environment surrounded by outsiders, he's a ruthless conqueror. When he's on CA5 surrounded by his own loyal friends and comrades, he's a benevolent leader. That's not a change in his character, just a change in his context. Heck, in "Space Seed" when Khan revived his people, we glimpsed the warmth and camaraderie among them. This just extrapolated from that.

Definitely true. Maybe I just was too shocked at seeing a kind Khan to consider the circumstances. However, in my personal vision of Khan I still he think he would have been a harder master than seen in the series.

 

[Zarm]

Thank you. It amazes me how many people don't get that, accusing someone of being "out of character" in what's explicitly an origin story, like the Kelvin movies, or something where they're put in an extreme situation where anyone would act differently than normal, like when Khan weeps at Marla's death. Being in character doesn't mean acting exactly the same way in every situation.

With all the respect, that makes it feel like you are the one who is not getting the complaint. Of course we expect the character to go on a journey and undergo some changes. But the starting point is directly after an established characterization. And as a lengthy discussion has already ensued in previous threads - some of us found him completely lacking in the basic character traits, and the overall world of you that would inform his character in the way he interacts with individuals - that were present in space seed. At that point, he is out of character because his character is not yet had any time to change. And though he is interacting in a different situation and context, certain core attributes of the way he views his interactions with other people, the way he views himself and the world, and general character traits like pride that we present whether he is addressing friend or foe, we're seemingly absent. Well other traits that were clearly absent in his basic character and worldview in the episode, seemed to us to be added. This is not a failure to understand that the character would interact differently in different context or situations, or that it would change over time. Both of those points are clearly understood. But the point those of us making the complaint we're making, was that there are certain base attributes that are going to be present no matter what.

Jim Kirk may be put in different situations than the command of a starship that we saw him in at any given episode. But he's never going to be shy, hesitant, and stammering. He's never going to be cowardly and gibbering at a loss for words. Whatever situation he meets, he's going to meet with a certain self-assuredness. A certain rye humor, and a certain temper. Now how those elements appear at any given time may vary. We may see him vulnerable in some situations where he has not been in others. We may see aspect of his character in different episodes that, had we only had the sample size of a single episode, would not have been demonstrated in that single episode, and thus see new aspects of his character. But there are also certain aspects that are simply not within his established character to begin with. Or other traits or parts of his worldview that affect the way he will interact in any given situation that are simply going to be there no matter what. Kirk may be ruthless and keep his cards close to his chest when bluffing baylock and full of self-doubt and openly vulnerable to McCoy while questioning starting a war with the romulans. He may be charming and tender when romantica woman that he really loves. But there are still certain aspects of his character, a certain straightforwardness, a way of approaching any given relationship, be it friendly or adversarial, that will still underpin all of those responses. There is a base core to his character that will be there, that simply saying, will he's reacting to different people in different situations, will not remove. And in my judgment at least, and presumably others making the complaint, those core aspects that were demonstrated by space seed were absent even if different behaviors in different modes of relationship would account for some differences, the basic arrogance, the basic world of you, the basic way that he relates to other people and sees himself in relation to other people, how quick to temper he is, various aspects like that simply seemed to be absent from the starting characterization, which would have no valid reason to have fundamentally shifted from the man he was a few days prior. And likewise, a man with a sensitivity to the emotions of others as demonstrated by this Khan- that actually pontificates if he's actually known what love was or has concern for the embarrassment and emotions of his followers- would seem to be hard pressed to relate to someone like Marla in the episode Space Seed in the way that he did unless he was completely suppressing every vestige of that aspect of his personality at all times during his interactions with her. It seems to be a trait that simply wasn't present, that is now present in this version, not because he has had time to change and grow and develop some level of empathy, but simply because it was supposed to have always been there and yet never evidenced in the source material that we have for him.

If you want a fuller listing of the differing traits, as I said, I have already discussed this at length and I think the episode two and three thread.

But again, the answer to this challenge - and the second paragraph I left off of the quote, regarding different context - is Already present at length there. The reader's digest version simply being, differing context may replace hostility with friendliness, but if a man is arrogant, he will be arrogant in both. And there are core aspects of Khan that these detractors like myself would say should be present in every situation that were simply lacking in this con. Aspects that would not be situational, but would be at the core of the character's personality no matter what mode of social situation or relationship he is in. Those were the aspects that did not match, and why we called this con out of character. One that underwent a journey - but underwent that journey from a starting point that was not in character with the starting point he should have begun with in the first place.

Apologies if voice to text has introduced any major typos.

 

[Zarm]

(Side note: And of course, you are entirely free to disagree with that viewpoint! I'm just trying to more accurately articulate what the viewpoint *is*.)

 

[Turtletrekker]

Definitely true. Maybe I just was too shocked at seeing a kind Khan to consider the circumstances. However, in my personal vision of Khan I still he think he would have been a harder master than seen in the series.

And yet, canon does nothing to support this. We know that there were no mass murderers or genocides during his reign, which would imply a more benevolent style of leadership even if it's still dictatorial.

 

[Lord Garth]

My average for every episode of Star Trek: Khan was an 8.9, which rounds up to a 9. So, I voted "Outstanding". It really did allow us to see different facets of Khan, showed up us step-by-step how things got from "Space Seed" to The Wrath of Khan, and filled in all the gaps in a believable way. It also added more depth and dimension to what happened on Ceti Alpha V. I'm glad the framing story took place shortly after Generations. Basically, just after where the TOS Movies left off, and keeping everything still within that era.

More detailed thoughts later, as I have time, but like I said before: this was the true Star Trek find of 2025.

 

[Miami Vice Admiral]

And yet, canon does nothing to support this. We know that there were no mass murderers or genocides during his reign, which would imply a more benevolent style of leadership even if it's still dictatorial.

Yes it implies that, but it doesn’t mean he’s a really nice guy to work under. He can still be an arrogant, combative, and insensitive person. On the other hand it also could imply he ruled with a very strong hand, which is how he kept people like Ivan from committing genocide during his reign. A dictatorship is still a dictatorship. He ruled 1/4th of the world’s population, I don’t think he got there by negotiation. Like I said, this is just my personal vision, but I agree with Zarm that key character traits are missing.

I forgot to mention earlier, but I agree that I’d like to see Kali come back. I’d love to see a follow up novel of Sulu and Kali finding the elborean Homeworld.

 

[Zarm]

And yet, canon does nothing to support this. We know that there were no mass murderers or genocides during his reign, which would imply a more benevolent style of leadership even if it's still dictatorial.

Right. Still dictatorial. Which is where 'a hard man's would fit in.

'No mass murders' does not equate to 'emotionally sensitive, kind, selfless man', or preclude 'harsh, prideful man.' Like, I know dozens of people, from sweet and kindly to sour and grouchy, prideful or humble or giving or selfish. None of them have committed any genocides. :-) That in itself is not a barometer of personality.

 

[Turtletrekker]

That's good because this podcast didn't show us an "emotionally sensitive, kind, selfless man." It did, however, show us a man with nuance and layers and not a one-dimensional cliche.

 

[Zarm]

That's exactly what it did not do. (That was literally what my first post said). It showed us a man with completely different basic character traits than we saw in Space Seed.

But sure, a man concerned whether he hurt Marla's feelings, pontificating on whether he'd ever known true love, and worried about embarrassing his two amorous young followers is not emotionally sensitive or kind. A man who considers himself a servant of his followers and stays behaving and, putting his life at risk to rescue one in peril, carry him on his back for hours or days at a time to bring him back to safety, isn't selfless. If that's your interpretation.

 

[Turtletrekker]

Then we are in disagreement. Because I felt it did exactly that.

 

[Christopher]

He ruled 1/4th of the world’s population, I don’t think he got there by negotiation.

Genghis Khan's empire was comparable in size, but again, he was ruthless to those who opposed him but generous and tolerant to those who supported him. Which is exactly how Khan Noonien Singh behaved throughout this miniseries. With his own loyal followers, he was a benevolent ruler, but we saw his ruthlessness when anyone crossed or defied him, we saw his ferocity against the hazards of the planet, and we saw his belligerence and paranoia in his reaction to the Elborians. We saw how he defaulted to authoritarianism and a kill-or-be-killed mentality toward outsiders, and how it took years for Marla and Delmonda to soften him even moderately.

 

[Miami Vice Admiral]

Genghis Khan's empire was comparable in size, but again, he was ruthless to those who opposed him but generous and tolerant to those who supported him. Which is exactly how Khan Noonien Singh behaved throughout this miniseries. With his own loyal followers, he was a benevolent ruler, but we saw his ruthlessness when anyone crossed or defied him, we saw his ferocity against the hazards of the planet, and we saw his belligerence and paranoia in his reaction to the Elborians. We saw how he defaulted to authoritarianism and a kill-or-be-killed mentality toward outsiders, and how it took years for Marla and Delmonda to soften him even moderately.

Yeah I did enjoy the series a lot more near the end because of the things you mentioned. The first few episodes were the killers for me. I think if the series had started about halfway in I would’ve been much more on board. We’ll have to agree to disagree on how accurately the show captured the established character, but I do agree that the Khan character in the miniseries is multifaceted and nuanced.

I think my favorite episode was the finale because of how they showed him at his best and worst. I agree with Tuvok that him letting Delmonda on the ship was kind of his defining moment showing that there was something good inside.

I really want more on the Elboreans. I think the writers were wise not to let them overshadow the Khan storyline, but I really hope we get to delve deeper into why they left and what they as a species are up to in the galaxy.

And I did quite enjoy all the poetry, very Star Trek. I’ve heard Mack is a Rush fan so I wonder if the ending was at least a little bit of a wink to Xanadu

Anyway I liked the series even if I had a hard time believing it really was Khan