Speaking of pilots, let's compare the exceptional pilots of two favorite Enterprises: Travis Mayweather and Pavel Chekov. (Over time NCC-1701-D went through Worf and Wesley and Data to finally a silent face - usually good looking - steering the ship.) Both men began their career young, in their early twenties. Chekov was an academy graduate on the fast track; in contrast, as the first "boomer" officer in Starfleet (as well as one of the first such officers, period!) Mayweather's moved more by the need to explore. Unquestionably he's spent more hours in space than any of his human crewmates, and it might also be true with respect to his extraterrestrial mates as well.

Both are affable if not talky and rarely take offense (unless you insult their keptin). As Chekov always spins the day's story into some testimonial to Russian achievement, Mayweather similarly seems eager to work a relevant ghost-story into the mix. (Obviously they share a deep sense of humor too.) Chekov seems more the ladies' man ("I Mudd", "The Apple", "The Way To Eden") but Travis has, after all, sampled the marvels of Draylax ("Broken Bow"). It's interesting that Mayweather comes from a larger family ("Horizon") while Chekov is an only child ("Day of the Dove").

Both have a tendency towards damage - Chekov in the ear, the wrist, Klingon (or mirror universe) agonizers, not to mention a skull fracture (and subsequent torn meningeal artery and epidural hematoma) received while falling a deck on a "nuclear wessel." (What was that TSFS-TVH outfit he wore anyway? Maybe the costumer took Russian designs into account but it still looks odd.) Travis has injured his legs not once but twice already ("Two Days and Two Nights", "The Breach"). Will more follow?

Advancing to weapons officer later in his career, Chekov is deadly with phasers ("Journey to Babel") and photon torpedoes (TWOK), sorta useful with his fists ("Gamesters of Triskelion", "The Trouble with Tribbles" ) but maybe a little less so with pistols ("Spectre of the Gun"). Travis is not ignorant of military tactics either, doing a good job whether helping his brother or guarding a Vulcan ("The Seventh"), and comfortable with martial arts ("Marauders").

For that matter, why aren't the computers flying the ship anyway? One would think maneuvers performed at high speed might prove impossible to humans. (Even today's faster jets require constant computer oversight.) Whatever the case, the fact remains that such souls exist to lead us onwards. They're an asset in tight situations with which any captain should be pleased.


Back to Dr.TOS
Back to top