Synopsis: Khan and Richter return to the settlement and are celebrated, until tragedy strikes.
This episode can be seen as an illustration of Carl (C. G.) Jung’s concept of inflation—the puffed up feeling that occurs when the conscious ego identifies too closely or for too long with the god-like power of an unconscious archetype.
In “Do Your Worst” while Khan was alone and searching for Richter outside the settlement, he yelled out a challenge at Ceti Alpha V: “Is this how it is to be between us Ceti Alpha V? Are you testing me? Do your worst. I will prevail.” (Beyer et al., 2025, 3:29) He then found Richter, who was suffering from head pain to the point that initially he did not recognize Khan. They were on their way back to the settlement when they were attacked by something that spooked Richter into climbing up a tree. Richter fell out of the tree and broke his ankle, which meant that Khan had to carry him the rest of the way back .Eventually, Khan arrived back at the settlement carrying the injured Richter. After leaving Richter with Ursula in med lab for examination, Khan went to get some rest. McGivers fallowed him to try to soothe his pain. He was swimming, and when he came out and McGivers asked him why he continued to risk his life to save his people, and Khan replied: “My life is not my own, it belongs to them” (Beyer et al., 2025, 23:17). Meanwhile, Sylvana came to see Richter in med lab. He woke up hysterical, hit Sylvana and killed her. Afterward, Ursula told Khan that there was an alien toxin inside Richter and that others in the settlement might already be infected by what he had. She told Khan that the only way she can determine what was affecting Richter was through an autopsy. Khan went to Richter. He told him that he was like a son to him and apologized for failing him. Richter forgave him. Khan killed him. Khan then ranted at the planet and vowed to destroy its monsters and that he will never bend to its will.
In this episode, Khan is again portrayed as identifying too closely with the god-like power of an archetype. This is exhibited in his actions, going out alone to find Richter, carrying him into camp to save his life, and then acting as both judge and executioner when he killed Richter to save his people. It is also heard in his words, when he told McGivers that his life did not belong to him, it belonged to his people. This demonstrated that he did see himself somehow as being above them. And he also exhorted at the planet to do its worst to him and his people because he would never bend to its will. All of these indicated that Khan was feeling god-like, or what Jung called inflated. And while some inflation is necessary to motivate someone to start the work required for greater self-knowledge, it can be dangerous if the inflation lasts too long. Just as here, Khan needed his inflation to inspire his people to create the new settlement on Ceti Alpha V. However, history is plagued by leaders that were inflated too long without realizing it, which may very well be the case here.
Reference:
Beyer, K. (Writer), Mack, D. (Writer), & Greenhalgh, F. (Director). (2025, September 22). Do your worst (Season 1, Episode 3) [podcast episode]. In A. Baiers, M. Barton, K. Beyer, R. Greenhalgh, A. Kurtzman, R. Roddenberry, & T. Roth (Executive Producers), Star trek: Khan. Eye Podcast Productions, Inc., Secret Hideout, Roddenberry Entertainment.
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