1. Star Trek: Khan
By far, the Khan podcast represents Star Trek's most fascinating (in the best way possible) moment in 2025. The nine-episode audio drama beautifully filled in the gap between the Star Trek: The Original Series episode “Space Seed” and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Khan Noonien Singh and Marla McGivers’ exile on Ceti Alpha V with the super-powered Augments was further complicated beyond the world’s own built-in dangers when a mysterious alien race crash-landed on Khan’s kingdom.
The wonderfully written story was woven together between Marla’s log entries and with the person who examined them, the mysterious Dr. Rosalind Lear, who was a woman on a mission — and who harbored a dangerous secret. At Starfleet's behest, Captain Sulu, voiced once more be George Takei, of the starship Excelsior begrudgingly transported Lear to the wasteland known as Ceti Alpha V. Sulu did his best to defend the actions of Captain James T. Kirk, who, of course, sentenced Khan and his people to their internment on what turned out to be a doomed planet.
For some reason, many fans chose to ignore the Khan audio drama because it was just that. Khan plays perfectly as an engaging audiobook, with Naveen Andrews bringing out Khan Noonien Singh’s humanity, which is a side of him Trekkies have never truly witnessed before. Khan not only had to balance ruling the Augments against his growing love for Marla, but the superhuman from The Eugenics Wars faced even more adversity when the Elboreans crash-landed on Ceti Alpha V.
I can’t recommend Star Trek: Khan enough. It’s a shame the must-listen audio drama goes overlooked, but it’s release was by far and away the most fascinating moment for the franchise in 2025. I also urge those Trekkies who haven't seen Star Trek: Scouts to check out the series with their kids. Have a Happy New Year, everyone!
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Live long and prosper, Trekkies!