How can Chekov be there?

Rating: 10/10 (1 May 2009)

Although the movie is not out yet, there is one point of contention in the casting/crew. Pavel Chekov did not appear until the second season of the original series as a "green" recruit. He was never a character in the first season. Right away that made his appearance here seem out of place. Indeed, according to the archives on www.startrek.com, Pavel Chekov graduated (graduates?) from the Academy in the year 2267. Jim Kirk graduated in 2254, a full 13 years earlier. If we assume that they graduated as college age students (early 20's or so), that would have made Chekov about 12 when Kirk graduated. Indeed, the same archive puts Kirk's birth year as 2233 so he was indeed 21 upon graduation and Chekov's birth year was listed as 2245 so he was 22 upon graduation. In the original series, Kirk was in his mid 30's as Captain so that would have made a new recruit Chekov in his early 20's so that works out. However, in the new movie, Kirk and Chekov appear to be working side by side right out of the Academy. I think Mr. Abrams made a goof by including Chekov in this original crew movie. This may sound over the top goofy but we are dealing with an old, well established franchise that has certain norms and constants that should be acknowledged. Putting Chekov in this movie appears to be an error. However, as I said, the movie has not even hit the screens yet so there could be some odd explanation (distant cousin, father, etc. Pavel Chekov is listed as an only child so it's not some kind of twin brother thing) but it will still strike the Trek faithful as odd.