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Star Trek: Phase Two In 1977, Paramount asked Gene Roddenberry to develop a second Star Trek series. Scripts were written. Costumes and props were designed. Actors were auditioned and hired. However, no episode of Star Trek: Phase II ever aired. For good or ill, the studio decided to scrap plans for a series and turn instead to feature-length motion pictures. The script for the proposed pilot of Phase II was altered to become Star Trek: The Motion Picture. For further information on this "lost" Star Trek series, consult Judith and Garfield Reeves-Steven's fascinating book Star Trek: Phase II (Pocket Books, 1997).

In this series, it seems that the character of Chekov would have been a very active and visible presence on the bridge. In the "bible" for Phase II, he is described as follows:

Lt. Chekov -- Formerly an ensign, the youngest officer aboard, Chekov is now a full lieutenant with years of space adventure behind him. He commands the security division of the U.S.S. Enterprise, and is responsible for matters of security and discipline both aboard the vessel and ashore. He is responsible also for the training of the men and women who make up his security teams. During action stations, his post is on the bridge at the damage control console. The Captain's safety is Lt. Chekov's responsibility, too, very much as the Captain's health is Dr. McCoy's concern.

Viewers of Star Trek: The Motion Picture will recognize the above as being a good description of the character as he appeared in the movie -- and unfortunately, other than having a good opportunity to scream in agony when he was blasted by V'Ger's probe, Chekov's role in the film was not spectacular. Looking at the script in its form as the pilot for Phase II (In Thy Image by Harold Livingstone), the outlook for Chekov was not much better. His dialogue primarily consists of, "Phasers and photon torpedo banks ready, Captain."

Instead of being blasted by V'Ger's probe, he is annoyed by it. In the pilot, instead of one malevolent probe there are multiple small ones that scurry about the ship poking and prying. As security officer, Chekov must try to track them down. He says of one, "That one...! It looks like the pearl ring my Aunt Tasha got from her fourth husband... just like him, phony." When the probe takes over the body of Ilia, it calls itself "Tasha". Other than providing this nickname, Chekov doesn't do much to distinguish himself from the crowd of regulars.

However the description of Chekov's duties is much like the role assigned in Star Trek: The Next Generation to Tasha Yar and later Worf. Both of these characters ended up playing pivotal roles in many of that series' storylines. The security officer is typically included on landing parties and present in a wide variety of dangerous (for the viewer, read dramatic) situations. It is possible that Chekov would have become a much more indispensable character in Phase II than he was in the original series.

It's difficult to judge the part he would have played in the series from the synopses of proposed scripts as printed in Star Trek: Phase II. In Tomorrow and the Stars by Larry Alexander, Chekov would have had a chance to further his reputation as a screamer when he was infected by a deadly toxin, "iridium seven contact". Initial symptoms include the appearance of extensive burns over exposed skin and progressive, painful delirium. The synopsis goes on to say that poor Chekov must be restrained and sedated because in his delirium, he believes he is in the midst of a space battle with Klingons. McCoy insists that they have to get him to a radiation treatment unit on Earth -- which leads to the story's "A plot" in which Kirk is caught in a transporter malfunction and sent back to Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Cassandra by Theodore Sturgeon includes a scene in which Chekov is playing poker with Scotty (Another tradition later carried over to Next Generation). "Cassandra", an alien creature the ship has picked up -- perches on Chief Engineer Scott's shoulder (It's a small alien creature, apparently). The Yeoman in charge of the creature assures Scott that it won't harm him. Cassandra speaks softly into Scott's ear: "All he's got is a pair of eights." Scott doubles his bet. Chekov takes the pot. Scott ruefully comments, "She can hurt you."

The game continues and in a later hand, Scott challenges Chekov to call him if he believes the chief engineer is bluffing. Chekov folds. Scott grins and reveals his hand. Chekov moans: "All he's got is a pair of eights." Which is, of course, what Cassandra had said earlier.

To Attain the All by Norman Spinrad contains a scene in which under the influence of yet another alien presence Chekov and Sulu adopt one another's characteristics. Chekov is now loquatious. Sulu is terse.

The Savage Syndrome by Margaret Armen and Alfred Harris has the crew degenerating to the level of wild animals after an attack from an alien probe. Chekov is part of a "pack" that challenges Kirk for command. Now wouldn't that have made for some must see TV?

A few of the scripts commissioned for Phase II (Devil's Due and The Child) ended up becoming Next Generation episodes. It is therefore possible to imagine what Phase II versions of these episodes might have looked like. However, casting introduces an element of uncertainty to the mix. How would these shows differed when the lines were spoken by actors from the original series? What would have been lost or gained? The physical and personal attributes brought to the characters by the actors who played them vary so greatly that is difficult to imaginatively substitute one for another. However, looking at the development of the role of chief security/tactical officer that took place in Phase Two makes one wonder how much of a coincidence it was that the creators of the Next Generation gave one chief security officer (Tasha Yar) a Russian name and another (Worf) Russian parents.

Copyright © 1997 Teegar Taylor.
This page last updated July 4, 1997