Star Trek Finally Has A Heroic Version Of Khan After 58 Years

Warning: SPOILERS For Star Trek: Section 31It took 58 years, but Star Trek: Section 31 has introduced a heroic version of Khan Noonien Singh (Ricardo Montalban), at last. Introduced in Star Trek: The Original Series' classic episode, "Space Seed," Khan is considered Star Trek's greatest villain and Captain James T. Kirk's (William Shatner) most famous enemy. A powerful, ingenious, and deadly genetically engineered tyrant from 20th century Earth, Khan unforgettably returned to wreak havoc in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.

Khan was Star Trek's first genetically engineered Augment. Within theStar Trek universe, the fear of another Khan is considered the primary reason why genetic augmentation is banned by the United Federation of Planets. However, Star Trek has introduced some heroic Augments, as well, including Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Dr. Julian Bashir (Alexander Siddig) and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Lt. Commander Una Chin-Riley AKA Number One (Rebecca Romjin). But neither Bashir nor Number One are a mirror image of Khan.

Section 31’s Alok Sahar Is The Heroic Version Of Khan Star Trek Waited 58 Years For

Alok Is The Anti-Khan Of Star Trek

One of Star Trek: Section 31's major revelations is that Alok Sahar (Omari Hardwick) is an Augment, and his backstory echoes Khan's but with opposite results. Alok is a human from the 20th century who fought in Earth's Eugenics Wars. An Augment named Giri the Marked turned altered Alok's genetic makeup, giving him superhuman strength and abilities. Alok was forced to commit atrocities by the Augments until they fled Earth. Centuries later, Alok was revived and joined Section 31.

Alok's history is similar to Khan's, who was the most feared of Earth's genetically engineered tyrants. Khan and his followers also fed Earth after the Eugenics Wars, and he was revived by the USS Enterprise in the 23rd century. However, Khan sought power and destruction, whereas Alok Sahar has a heroic core. Alok's reasons for joining Section 31 weren't fleshed out, but the fact that he's using his powers to protect the Federation makes him the heroic inverse of Khan.

How Star Trek: Section 31 Failed Its Heroic Khan

Alok Sahar, We Hardly Knew Ye

Alok, Quasi and Georgiou in action in Section 31

Unfortunately, Alok Sahar is a victim of the many issues that led to Star Trek: Section 31's poor reviews and fan reception. Alok's backstory as an Augment fighting for the Federation is intriguing, and one of the few precious connections to Star Trek canon in Section 31. Yet the first Star Trek streaming movie doesn't sufficiently develop Alok or the rest of Section 31's characters. Section 31 only hints at Alok's cunning and resourcefulness, and Sahar is ultimately presented as a generic, fist-fighting action hero.

No Section 31 sequel would leave numerous unanswered questions about Alok Sahar.

Star Trek: Section 31 is hopeful for a sequel, but this future is now in doubt. Sadly, this could mean Alok Sahar's lone Star Trek adventure is a one-and-done. No Section 31 sequel would leave numerous unanswered questions about Alok Sahar. It would be a disappointing outcome for Star Trek's first true opposite number for Khan after nearly 60 years.

Khan's Descendant In Strange New Worlds Isn't A Heroic Augment

Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh Is Not Like Khan

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds introduced its own connection to Khan in his descendant, Lieutenant La'an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong). The Security Chief of the USS Enterprise comes from Khan's genetic line. However, La'an is human and has displayed no proof that she inherited Khan's enhanced physical abilities, like super strength. Yet La'an has harbored a lifelong shame of her ancestor and fears that she could become as evil as Khan.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2's "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" altered the Star Trek timeline so that Khan was a boy La'an met in 2022 Toronto.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds flips expectations by making La'an's best friend and mentor, Number One, an Augment. Despite Khan being her ancestor, Lt. La'an Noonien-Singh has repeatedly proven her compassion and heroism, making her decidedly unlike Khan. Star Trek: Section 31's Alok Sahar turns out to be Khan's heroic opposite number, defending the Federation Khan once opposed.