The Wrath of Khan and Classic Literature. Nicholas Meyer, upon putting his stamp on the Star Trek universe with The Wrath of Khan, introduced classical human literature to the franchise in a way never before seen. Khan Noonien Singh's bookshelf on the wreckage of the SS Botany Bay displayed a host of significant texts—from Shakespeare to Milton—which spoke to his grandiose fate as one of the galaxy's most dangerous villains.

In this episode of Primitive Culture, hosts Duncan Barrett and Tony Black delve into the literature that Meyer brought to his first Star Trek film, focusing heavily on Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities and Melville's Moby-Dick, discussing how they connect with and reflect Khan and his nemesis: Admiral James T. Kirk. Along the way, it's Tony's turn to recount his Star Trek origin story.

Chapters Intro (00:00:00) Tony's Star Trek Journey (00:02:25) What do books represent? (00:13:18) A Tale of Two Cities (00:21:07) Moby-Dick (00:33:37) Nick Meyer's Bookshelf (00:42:47) Paradise Lost (00:52:37) King Lear (01:01:24) Final Thoughts (01:06:55)

Hosts Duncan Barrett and Tony Black Production Tony Black (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Brandon-Shea Mutala (Patreon Manager)