There's some great potential for Star Trek characters to get their due in audio dramas, and the franchise should explore that!
A big project coming for Star Trek fans is the upcoming Khan audio dramatization. Naveen Andrews steps into the role Ricardo Montalban made iconic as Khan Noonien Singh, the genetically engineered tyrant who clashed with Kirk in "Space Seed" and The Wrath of Khan film.
The audio drama will focus on Khan in his exile on Ceti Alpha V, explaining how he survived and what turned him into the madman of the second film. It will use some books and comics for the tale, but the push is an audio drama of a story that was ignored on film.
It makes fans wonder what other Trek characters could benefit from an audio series. Sure, there are the big ones of the main crews, but also a lot of recurring characters who would be intriguing to explore. They could focus on their pasts and some "in-between episodes" adventures while also providing excitement for Trekkies. These are some characters who could easily be stars of their own Trek audio dramas and fans would love to hear them get their due.
Harry Mudd
He appeared in just two episodes of The Original Series, but Harcourt Fenton Mudd became a huge favorite. Roger C. Carmel was wonderful as this smarmy con artist who kept getting into trouble. There have been several books and comics featuring Mudd, yet so little is known about him, and an audio drama can be a pleasing showcase.
An obvious idea is Rainn Wilson reprising the role from Discovery. It could touch on Mudd's past and what made him this way, yet a fun idea is Mudd spinning a grand tale that's all false. Having him bumbling into escapades would be great comedy and give Mudd more of a spotlight.
Garak
There is some precedence for this as Andrew Robinson voiced an audio adaptation of his novel A Stitch in Time. This shows what Garak was doing, helping to rebuild Cardassia after DS9 ended while also discussing his past with the Obsidian Order. A full dramatization would be better, showing Garak's childhood and what slowly shaped him into the duplicitous figure we know.
A big focus would be on how Garak became a feared force in the Obsidian Order, the circumstances leading to his exile, and clashes with Gul Dukat. Of course, hanging over everything would be a question of how much of this tale is true and how much is Garak's usual lies. Still, a focus on this character would be fun, especially if Robinson reprises his role as the beloved antihero.
Dax
We know about Jadzia and Ezri, but not as much about the other seven hosts for the Dax symbiote. That's a lot of potential for a series of audio dramas that can explore each host's journey across the galaxy. Not to mention it'd be more interesting having a rotating cast of leads as Dax's various hosts with his/her adventures, friendships, and romances across time.
Dax has had multiple families that deserve a spotlight and could offer fascinating looks at Trill culture, which we don't know that much about. It'd also be fun to explore how this being reacts to different bodies and cutting off their old lives. With so many centuries to explore, a Dax audio series is an obvious pick for fans.
Enterprise season 5
Enterprise never got a proper ending. Its much-maligned finale was more an extended Next Generation episode and the characters got too much short shrift from the fandom. A full live-action revival is unlikely, but audio dramas of a fifth season would fit perfectly. It can use some of the ideas for a fifth year, including scene-stealer Shan joining the crew full-time.
Scott Bakula and the rest of the cast would likely be open to reprising their roles and showing how they built on the founding of the Federation. It could also lay the seeds for events like the Earth-Romulan War and other hints at Starfleet's future. More importantly, it will give Enterprise the chance it was denied to close out on its own terms and be just as good as the other Star Trek shows.
Sarek
Everyone knows what a compelling figure Spock is, yet it's past time his father got a spotlight. While Sarek is revered within Star Trek, an audio drama series can show how he became so famous and respected as a diplomat. His involvement in key events in the Federation's history would be a fine focus, along with a look at Vulcan culture.
A big turn can be Sarek's relationship with Amanda, how they met and how it felt marrying an Earth woman. There's also the obvious tension between Sarek and a young Spock, including their falling out. A series focusing on Sarek will not only showcase a great character but also provide further insight into Spock to honor an important member of the Trek family.
Star Trek: Khan podcast premieres September 8.
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