We Star Trek fans always end up having a favorite character, no matter which series we watch. Some seek out the uncommon alien, such as Spock, Neelix, or Quark, while others enjoy the fallibility of human characters, like the original series Enterprise navigator, Pavel Chekov.
Chekov joined the Enterprise crew in season two of the original series to bring a sense of youth and playfulness to the bridge, and to draw in younger viewers (especially teenage girls). He had some great moments, so let’s take a look at four episodes where our resident Russian stood out, made us laugh, and even showed us his softer side.
1. “The Gamesters of Triskelion”
In “The Gamesters of Triskelion” (S02E16), Kirk, Chekov, and Uhura find themselves whisked away to a strange planet where beings called “The Providers” capture people and aliens from all over the galaxy and force them to fight each other for entertainment and gambling games.
This is a fun Chekov episode, as not only does he prove to be a scrappy fighter, but the scene with Tamoon (Jane Ross) absolutely steals this episode! She’s obviously taken with the handsome young navigator, who has no idea how to fight off her advances. Fans of The Office want to say the show invented breaking the 4th wall, but the way Chekov seems to plead for the viewer’s assistance when Tamoon mentions them being possible mates is decades ahead of its time!
2. “The Deadly Years”
When a landing party beams down to Gamma Hydra IV in “The Deadly Years” (S02E11), Kirk, Spock, Scotty, Dr. McCoy, and the episode’s “he’s/she’s-dead-Jim” character Lieutenant Galway, begin to age rapidly upon returning to the ship with the last of a scientific survey crew, who also appeared to have aged rapidly. While Chekov also beamed down with that landing party, he seems unaffected.
This is a standout Chekov episode because it gives the young ensign depth, from being frightened of a dead body to complaining to Sulu about all the medical tests he’s enduring (with Sulu looking highly amused) when the captain and Spock aren’t around. His dour humor in that scene elevates the entire episode!
3. “Spectre of the Gun”
When the Enterprise attempts to contact a species called the Melkotians, the aliens punish the landing party of Kirk, Spock, Scotty, McCoy, and Chekov by placing them into an inescapable reenactment of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. They quickly discover that all the other people in Tombstone see them as those who, in reality, faced the Earps and Doc Holiday and lost the gunfight.
This is the first episode of season 3, and it gives us the softer side of Chekov, with a side of light comedy as he indulges himself in the affection of the woman who sees him as Billy Claiborne. He’s also compassionate with her when she proposes marriage and even gives his life to protect her from Morgan Earp (or so it seems—please, don’t ask fans about that ending, we were just relieved we hadn’t lost Chekov!)
“Journey To Babel”
In “Journey To Babel” (S02E15), the Enterprise is filled with ambassadors from all over the galaxy for a trip to a conference concerning a planet’s admission into the Federation, including Spock’s father, Sarek. Tensions rise as a Tellarite ambassador is found murdered, someone tries to kill Kirk, Sarek falls deathly ill, and a mysterious ship stalks Enterprise.
Chekov shines in this episode during his moments on the bridge. Not only does he take over as science officer while Spock endures a blood transfusion that will save Sarek’s life, but he operates the ship’s phasers with an efficiency beyond his age. We get glimpses of the confident commander he’ll become, and it’s a fine sight to see.
It’s a shame that fans never got too much information on Pavel Chekov’s backstory because he was mostly there for youthful appeal. Even so, it’s difficult to imagine the original series without him!
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