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Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is the newest entry in the venerable Star Trek franchise. It is a prequel to the 1960s TOS, featuring Captain Christopher Pike and the crew of the Enterprise, which precedes James T. Kirk's command. The series blends episodic space travel with character histories, featuring younger versions of characters such as Spock and Uhura in their early days in Starfleet.
For longtime Star Trek fans, one question that is often asked is, "Where is Pavel Chekov?" Chekov is best remembered as a central crew member of TOS, but he has not been presented thus far in this prequel. The reason can be found in Star Trek's rich timeline, which the producers of Strange New Worlds have decided to respectfully adhere to.
Who is Pavel Chekov in Star Trek?
Pavel Chekov is a character from season two of TOS, which was released in 1967. Walter Koenig portrayed him as a navigator and in tactical operations on the Enterprise. The character is also remembered for playing a younger generation of Starfleet officers and being Russian during an era when the Cold War permeated popular culture.
In more modern years, Anton Yelchin portrayed Chekov in the alternate universe Star Trek films. These renditions brought him to a new generation but did not change his position in the primary timeline. In longtime fans' eyes, Chekov's lack of presence in Strange New Worlds is evident, yet it is consistent with how his life was originally established.
Why will Chekov not appear?
Chekov does not show up in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds due to the timeline that excludes him. According to ScreenRant, the executive producers, Akiva Goldsman and Henry Alonso Myers, also verified that Chekov "doesn't make sense" for the series. Their reason is simple: Chekov boards the Enterprise only later in the Star Trek timeline, when he is a fresh Ensign in the late 2260s.
Strange New Worlds is set earlier, from 2261 to 2265. Throughout these years, Chekov would be in his mid-teen years or possibly just beginning at Starfleet Academy. According to fan forums on Reddit, this is too young for him to be on Pike's Enterprise. Adding him now would cause continuity problems and go against the original introduction of the character.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and the role of continuity
One of the signature aspects of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is the way it navigates nostalgia balanced with respect for hard-set canon. The series introduces us to the familiar names of Spock, Uhura, and Scotty, but always in the right time period. These characters were on the Enterprise at the time it was under Pike's command, so their inclusion is natural.
Chekov's situation is unique. Because he only needs to show up later, the writers have made a conscious decision not to introduce him sooner. This is part of an overall plan: making sure each character shows up where they need to in the timeline.
To die-hard fans, it maintains the sanctity of years of myth-making. To new viewers, it maintains consistency in the story and prevents confusion over when each is supposed to be from.
Could Chekov appear later in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds?
The door remains open for Chekov's return later in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, but no plans have been announced. According to ScreenRant, the producers have kept the possibility open that he might be referenced as the show's timeline approaches the years of the TOS.
Some fans propose that this can be accomplished in a brief cameo appearance, as a name-drop, or in an end sequence that directly transitions into Kirk's Enterprise.
But judging from how writers have approached introducing characters up to this point, it is not hard to believe that Chekov will show up only if it fits the story's development. Like Scotty's introduction, the series introduces legacy characters only when the timeline permits.
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Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is available to watch on Paramount+.
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