Post by B5Erik on Aug 9, 2015 17:46:22 GMT
Everyone who likes Star Trek knows Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. They're the big three characters on the show and in the movies. Pressed for a big four most people would add Scotty to that list (and rightly so). But the one character who did the most for the show, while getting the least attention and recognition for doing it, was Pavel Chekov, as played by Walter Koenig. While Sulu got a lot of love for being an adventurer and bit of a futuristic swashbuckler (thanks to his scenes with the sword in The Naked Time), Chekov has largely been overlooked by a lot of fans. But he brought a lot to the table.
Both Gene Roddenberry and Paramount wanted to add a younger cast member to the crew to appeal to younger audiences, particularly teenage girls (a demographic that the original Star Trek didn't do so well with). So at the suggestion of director Joseph Pevney, Walter Koenig was signed to play Chekov. He was given a Davy Jones (the Monkees - HUGELY popular at the time) haircut, and given a brash personality with a wise cracking sense of humor. He was just what the show needed to come back to Earth a bit - to be more accessible and more fun.
Chekov could be both the smartass of the crew as well as the passionate, emotional one with the quick temper at times. He took on some of Scotty's personality, basically, but with a youthful exuberance. Koenig was the perfect actor for the role thanks to his ability to handle both the dramatic scenes and the comedic moments with equal flair (and a seeming ease), and the character became extremely likeable. His presence is missed in those episodes where Chekov does not appear.
His parts in the movies were often comic gold ("Absolutely I vill not interfere!"), but he also had some great dramatic moments, too, as in Star Trek II The Wrath Of Khan. Koenig is a far better actor than many people realize (just check out his work on Babylon 5 as one of the most polite, charming bad guys ever).
So let's hear it for the unheralded member of the team - Pavel Chekov! (And the actor who brought him to life - Walter Koenig!)
Both Gene Roddenberry and Paramount wanted to add a younger cast member to the crew to appeal to younger audiences, particularly teenage girls (a demographic that the original Star Trek didn't do so well with). So at the suggestion of director Joseph Pevney, Walter Koenig was signed to play Chekov. He was given a Davy Jones (the Monkees - HUGELY popular at the time) haircut, and given a brash personality with a wise cracking sense of humor. He was just what the show needed to come back to Earth a bit - to be more accessible and more fun.
Chekov could be both the smartass of the crew as well as the passionate, emotional one with the quick temper at times. He took on some of Scotty's personality, basically, but with a youthful exuberance. Koenig was the perfect actor for the role thanks to his ability to handle both the dramatic scenes and the comedic moments with equal flair (and a seeming ease), and the character became extremely likeable. His presence is missed in those episodes where Chekov does not appear.
His parts in the movies were often comic gold ("Absolutely I vill not interfere!"), but he also had some great dramatic moments, too, as in Star Trek II The Wrath Of Khan. Koenig is a far better actor than many people realize (just check out his work on Babylon 5 as one of the most polite, charming bad guys ever).
So let's hear it for the unheralded member of the team - Pavel Chekov! (And the actor who brought him to life - Walter Koenig!)
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