JJ Abrams confirms ST4 and not recasting Chekov

He also dreamed up a revolver.

 

It's not about being allowed to like or dislike, but 'why' for story's sake? Did he travel to Japan? Did he have a girlfriend or wife in Japan? (I would say boyfriend, but this was 1960s television). Did something significant happen in Japan that would make him - hypothetical white character - dream up said samurai? Did he watch an old Earth Kurosawa film that scared him?

Yeoman Barrows wanted to be a princess, based on the environment, so a princess outfit appeared. Kirk was reminiscing about a bully and a past lover for a particular reason, so they - Finnegan and Ruth - turned up.

Even McCoy suddenly thought about the white rabbit since it seemed like they were in 'wonderland'...and guess what was dreamed up.

And it was stated or hinted in a previous episode (as well as that particular episode) that Sulu liked old Earth weapons, so it was expected.

 

There's lots of reasons Sulu could've been thinking about Samurai, there's lots of reason Vanilla White Guy #47 could've been thinking about Samurai. One ten second bit doesn't really sell that he is of Asian heritage when you look at the totality of the character's appearances.

 

I thought his previous hobby was botany?

 

People have multiple hobbies. Too, Sulu showed himself to be a fencer (or have some passing interest) in "The Naked Time."

As stated before:
For me it was sold because Sulu was Japanese/Asian and it made sense for the samurai to show up. Yeah, there could have been many reasons as to why it showed....but I guess it could have been due to a story Mommy told or something from his familial bloodline...etc.

It was a white guy, I would question it....and would want more information. What happened to him that he would suddenly dream up a samurai? Previous dreams that had turned up in the episode had context, so this hypothetical dream shouldn't be different.

 

Yet, you seem to have no issue with him finding an American revolver.

So an Asian man, walking on a new world for the first time thinks about American firearms...

 

You ignored my previous post. It was already hinted that he had an interest in old Earth weapons, like the saber (e.g. "The Naked Time"). Not too mention, Sulu, the character is Asian-American...even though it's established he was from San Fran in the 4th film. Too, his excitement finding the revolver shows his obvious interest.

Let's go back to our hypothetical white guy who dreamed up the hypothetical samurai: If the scene with the revolver was a scene with our white guy finding a katana blade with high enthusiasm and telling Kirk he enjoys feudal Japanese history....then that would set up the eventual meeting with said samurai.

 

Many reasons why a hypothetical white guy could think up a samurai. He could have an interest in history, and was recently reading about samurais, maybe there was a samurai figure in Earth pop culture of the 23rd century. Yeah, being on the planet reminded him of the setting of an old Sammy the Samurai story, and there you go, Sammy the Samurai pops up.

 

Of course there are many reasons. It's up to the writers to relate that to the audience (ie. give context) rather than something show up without explanation.

A mediocre writer would just have the character find Sammy the Samurai without explanation. Whereas a good writer would set it up beforehand or foreshadow Sammy's appearance(i.e. give the audience an explanation)...as aforementioned in my earlier posts.

 

^^Oh, that's easy. Have a scene near the start where Harold the Vanilla White Guy is reading a book about Sammy the Samurai. Then when Harold the Vanilla White Guy beams down to the planet, he meets Sammy the Samurai.

Shit, I think I'm onto a fan fic here.

 

Where it is mention he goes through hobbies quickly, His interest in fencing is for sport and exercise, not as a weapons collector

 

Making the Asian guy dream up a Samurai sounds like the simple, easy and stereotypical route.

 

Oh, I agree.

I think in my review for the episode (in the TOS section of the site) I mentioned how it was a bit stereotypical.

 

Kill him off (off-screen, between movies 3 and 4). Replace him with a female relative. Same last name. Call her Chekov.

Done.

 

That won't confuse the masses for sure.

 

Pavelina Chekov!

 

The masses don't care.

And it would all be explained in the narrative. Address Pavel's death early in the film with a tribute by the crew, then introduce Alexa near the end of the film, maybe in a different role, head of the armory or something similarly badass.

 

I think it would be more fun to introduce Ensign Pavelina Chekov at the navigator's station with no explanation. Recast Chekov as a woman midstream. A certain group of people would have massive coronaries!

 

They could replace Chekov with Saavik. The timeline is borked anyway.