WARNING! The following contains SPOILERS from Star Trek: Khan episode 3, "Do Your Worst."
Star Trek: Khan episode 3 had Khan invoking the title of “Do Your Worst,” which easily falls into the category of “tempting fate.”
The episode opened with Dr. Rosalind Lear listening to more logs while noting the odd sound of small meteors hitting the shields. Ensign Tuvok explained it was Captain Sulu wanting to replicate the sound of rain, which he found soothing. It’s a nice touch and perfectly segues to the log of an older Khan Noonien Singh saying he can’t remember when rain last fell on Ceti Alpha V and the guilt over losing Joaquin.
The main part of the episode is Khan tracking Richter while the rest of the Augments and Marla McGivers handle his absence. It brings up more of the tension Marla has among the Augments to the point she outfits her shuttle with chimes to warn her of someone coming. That includes Ivan, who openly blames Marla for their misfortunes despite evidence.
This is one case where this being a prequel adds to the power of the storyline. When one Augment puts together scanners that indicate Ceti Alpha VI may be unstable, Marla says it’s not a concern, as it would take millions of years to become serious. However, the audience knows it’s only going to be five months before that planet explodes.
Likewise, when Khan finds young Richter, he’s baffled at the man howling on about “something inside me,” and how he oddly is compliant following Khan’s orders. That’s obviously the Ceti eel inside him, which means we also know Khan’s orders for Richter to “keep fighting” are going to lead to tragedy, which it does. Knowing what's to come is what gives this story its true horror.
Actor Naveen Andrews continues to impress as Khan with the opening segment of the older man juxtaposed with the younger Khan declaring that this world will not stop him, while another Augment gives a chilling line of “there’s nothing that can break Khan.” There is discussion among the Augments that Khan isn’t perfect, noting a time in Baghdad where he was "outnumbered and outgunned" and "never seems to know when he’s lost.” That’s countered by another pointing out, “That’s because the minute something doesn’t go his way, he changes the plan. All things remain possible in the liminal space between losing and admitting defeat.”
That’s a brilliant touch in that it shows Khan and James T. Kirk are more similar than they like to believe, neither buying the “no-win" scenario. Sadly, while Kirk is able to overcome that over the years, Khan is still stuck in the mentality he will persevere, no matter the odds, setting up his fall. His reaction to being forced to kill Richter is heartbreaking as we know things are only to get worse for him.
There's also the pregnancy subplot that's coming along and sure to add more drama to things. The series is getting better as the ticking time clock to the inevitable ruin of Ceti Alpha V winds down, and Khan’s control is only going to snap. That tension is what makes every episode a must-listen.
Star Trek: Khan airs Mondays on YouTube and various podcast formats, and be sure to share your thoughts about the exciting audio drama on Redshirts Always Die's Facebook and X pages.