Star Trek: Khan is reinvigorating the franchise following on the heels of a disappointing third season of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. The new audio drama takes Trekkies to the world of Ceti Alpha V with Khan Noonien Singh and his Augments, and it is actor Naveen Andrews who has been tasked with portraying the man Captain James T. Kirk exiled to the doomed planet. So, how did Andrews prepare to voice the iconic Trek character? Well, he definitely went back and watched the late Ricardo Montalban’s performance. Andrews said in an interview via TrekMovie.com:
“Well, these things [‘Space Seed,’ Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan] were definitely there to be used as reference points or research. What was most practically helpful to me was the actual episode from Star Trek ['Space Seed'] that Ricardo Montalban was the central character […] I felt that what Ricardo Montalban did set a template. I didn’t see anything that could be better than that, to be honest.”
The new podcast accentuates the relationship between Khan and his future wife, Marla McGivers, who was exiled to Ceti Alpha V with the Augments. Given that revelation, it shouldn't surprise Trekkies to learn that Andrews feels this Star Trek tale is in fact a romance. Andrews said in the same interview:
“I saw it as a love story. And it was also an opportunity for me, and I think the audience, to see in the way that they interacted, that Khan — almost against his own volition — was actually quite human, and that means flawed. But also, in terms of what we did in the podcast, you’re allowed to see his certain kind of idiosyncrasies and the ability to be self-deprecating.”
Ricardo Montalban's Khan was hellbent on revenge in The Wrath of Khan, but Trekkies have caught glimpses of the tyrant's softer side thanks to his affection for Marla McGivers in the Star Trek: The Original Series season 1 episode, "Space Seed" (1967). However, the audio drama's focal point is now that relationship, along with how Khan's people are surviving the perils of their so-called paradise.
Star Trek: Khan is not to be missed! For those who haven’t had the opportunity to listen to the audio drama yet, check out Redshirts Always Die’s review of episode 3 “Do Your Worst.” And be sure to share your thoughts about the new podcast with us on our Facebook and X pages.