From The Making of Star Trek by Stephen Whitfield and Gene Roddenberry (New York: Ballantine Books, 1968) pages 250-251.

The character of Chekov is played with all the impetuousness of youth. All ensigns seem universally 22 years old, but he is portrayed as being reliable and dependable, with a good had on his shoulders in spite of his youth.

This is his first space assignment. Officially, he's a navigator, but he's also able to be assigned to various points around the ship. If he is ultimately going to be a command officer, he has to have a working knowledge of the ship. He may be transferred down into Engineering at some point, or take over the helm, and very frequently takes over Spock's library computer if Spock is not there. He may prove to have a logical, analytical enough mind to qualify in that area. Possibly he would move up to Science Officer some day. Spock feels that Chekov is good material to work with and has potential, but they are not pals or buddies.

He was born in Russia, near Moscow. Chekov comes from a middle-class family. Pavel is his first name, which means Paul in Russian.

He is a nice young man, with the normal strong twenty-two year old urge for young ladies. Still, he is nowhere near ready to settle down yet. He probably will make a career of the Space Service, is a dedicated young officer to is believed by Capt. Kirk to have the potential of being a future star ship commander.

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