An Exclusive Interview with Walter Koenig: The Original Series & The 7th Rule Podcast

Article Overview

The 7th Rule podcast has an exciting addition with the inclusion of Star Trek icon Walter Koenig. In this new segment, Walter will offer his insightful analysis and share captivating behind-the-scenes stories while reviewing episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series.

Koenig and podcast host Cirroc Lofton offer a fresh take on The 7th Rule as they revisit the 1960s Star Trek, providing an intriguing perspective for new and long-time fans alike. Starting in early 2024, Koenig's season on the podcast can be supported through its Indiegogo campaign.

Star Trek icon Walter Koenig, famously known for his role as Ensign Pavel Chekov in Star Trek: The Original Series, is teaming up with Cirroc Lofton and Ryan T. Husk on The 7th Rule podcast. They will be reviewing episodes of the classic series, providing fans with a unique and insightful perspective. Despite being a beloved member of the cast, Koenig hasn't revisited his own episodes since the 1960s. Adding to the excitement, Lofton, who starred in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, will be experiencing the 1960s Star Trek for the first time. With Lofton's fresh perspective and Koenig's witty anecdotes and behind-the-scenes memories, The 7th Rule promises to be a captivating weekly event for Star Trek enthusiasts. Be sure to mark your calendars for early 2024 when Walter Koenig's season kicks off, and show your support for The 7th Rule through its Indiegogo campaign.

Walter Keonig Talks About Joining The 7th Rule Podcast & His Star Trek Memories

Interview with Walter Koenig: Reflecting on his Journey with The 7th Rule, Cherished Star Trek Quotations, and Meeting Anton Yelchin.

Our website: Let's dive right into the main purpose of your presence here today - to make an exciting announcement. We are delighted to share that Walter Koenig has joined forces with Cirroc Lofton and Ryan T. Husk on The 7th Rule podcast. Together, they will be reviewing episodes of the beloved Star Trek The Original Series. This is truly remarkable. We are curious, how did this collaboration with The 7th Rule podcast come about? What convinced you to join?

Now that you have joined Star Trek for season 2 as Mr. Chekov, will you also be rewatching and reviewing season 1?

Walter Koenig: Absolutely not. When I recently stumbled upon Star Trek while browsing channels with my new remote, which incidentally dates back to the 60s, I caught a glimpse of the unrealistic styrofoam rocks and immediately dismissed it. I quickly changed the channel without giving it a fair chance.

Producer Ryan T. Husk has confirmed that The 7th Rule with Walter Koenig will commence by delving into a review of the second season of Star Trek: The Original Series.

There has always been a burning question in my mind that I've wanted to ask you. In Star Trek II, there is this incredible moment where Khan inserts the eel into your ear. Khan acknowledges Chekov and utters the words, "I never forget a face." However, you were not present in the first season. I recall reading somewhere that you brought up this discrepancy during the filming of the movie. Did you indeed highlight this issue?

Walter Koenig admitted to being part of the first season of Star Trek. In the show, his character, Chekov, was working in the boiler room and suffered from a condition known as malapropski's malady. Chekov, feeling unwell, sought refuge in the bathroom for several hours. Meanwhile, Mr. Khan, who had genetically engineered kidneys that were about to explode, desperately pleaded with Chekov to let him in. Finally, when Chekov emerged from the bathroom, Khan approached him and exclaimed, "I will never forget your face." This incident provides a clear explanation for everything.

Walter Koenig shared an intriguing anecdote related to this story, which is quite old and has been told numerous times before. However, something remarkable happened recently. A young man, probably around 20 or 21 years old, approached me after hearing the story I just recounted. He asked me, "Is it true?" Surprisingly, I responded, "No, no, I actually made it up." To my utter astonishment, John, the young man looked at me earnestly and declared, "Well, I'm going to consider it canon." With that, he walked away, firmly believing that the story was indeed real. This incident truly makes one wonder about the subjective nature of truth.

A good story should only be considered canon if it provides a more accurate and improved account of what truly occurred. So, when was the last occasion you viewed your previous Star Trek episodes? Has it truly been numerous decades, or do you stumble upon them every now and then and take the time to watch?

Walter Koenig: No, I did watch the Picard episode. The reason being that my voice was featured in it. And I genuinely believed it was an excellent episode. It was skillfully executed and displayed innovation. However, what was the name of the character again? Picard? What was his name?

Are you referring to Patrick Stewart?

Walter Koenig: Yes, that's right! I wanted to express my gratitude for his exceptional talent as an actor. He truly shines with his multifaceted and nuanced performances. It was an absolute delight to witness his brilliance on screen. I must say, I also enjoyed the entire cast of the show. Interestingly, Todd [Stashwick], who appeared in Picard, happens to be my neighbor. It's quite amusing how we met while walking our dogs, back when I still had one. On a separate occasion, I had the pleasure of watching an episode of Picard at Todd's house, alongside Terry [Matalas], the showrunner. It was a delightful experience, though I'm not entirely sure why I'm rambling about it. Anyway, that's the story.

It was an incredible experience to not only hear your voice, but also to listen to Anton Chekov, whom I believe is Pavel's descendant. It is truly a testament to the remarkable legacy he carries.

Walter Koenig: I had the pleasure of meeting him, Anton Yelchin. He was a brilliant and charming young man, exceptionally talented. It is truly astonishing how he accomplished so much in such a brief period, far exceeding my own achievements. His talent deserves our utmost admiration. The news of his passing is truly heartbreaking.

Yeah, it's a tragedy. He was taken from us too soon. You and him were the only ones to ever portray Pavel Chekov, at least in the official Star Trek canon. So, it's still quite rare to be associated with that role. Are there any episodes from the old show that stand out to you? Do any thoughts come to mind when you think about the original Star Trek series?

Walter Koenig: Yeah, I particularly enjoyed the episodes where I got to visit different planets. Those were the ones where I had some action and was more involved in the overall story. I also liked it when Chekov would share something personal, nothing too deep, but enough for the audience to connect with him as a character. As actors, we strive to fully engage with the story, so that the audience can relate to us, cheer for us, and picture themselves in our roles. So, yeah, those episodes where I went to different planets.

"Spectre of the Gun" was my favorite episode. It's one of those intriguing little stories that arise from mistakes or unintended circumstances. If there had been more funding available, the episode might have been shot differently. However, due to the network's concerns about Star Trek's budget, they decided to create the illusion that the events weren't real. By treating it like animation, we could explore preposterous incidents and then reveal that they were only in our minds. The premise was that if you didn't believe the gunfight at the OK Corral was going to happen, then it didn't. But if you believed it, then it was. However, it should be noted that when Chekov was shot, there was a sense of permanence because we didn't know it was an illusion at that point.

Curiously, I approached the editor with a self-destructive impulse and mentioned that Chekov could come back from the dead since he didn't know it was an illusion. I hoped they would provide an explanation that made sense within the logic and structure of the story. However, their response was simply, "Yeah, we thought about it. We said screw it." They didn't really address the issue. Instead, they claimed that Chekov considered the only real thing to be the girl. It doesn't make sense for one thing to be real and the other not, but that's how they justified Chekov's survival. It's an interesting tidbit that many people might not know.

No, I actually didn't.

Walter Koenig: John, you didn't know it. And I'm very surprised, a little disappointed, a little disillusioned that you didn't know that.

I'm here to be enlightened by you, sir.

Walter Koenig: Yes.

Was that your favorite performance as Chekov? Is there another scene that you're that you're proud of? Something that you did that sticks out in your mind?

Walter Koenig: I don't know. We had two directors, Mark Daniels and Joe Pevney in the second season. Joe Pevney directed an episode of the Alfred Hitchcock hours that I starred in alongside James Caan, who I went to school with. Joe Pevney always encouraged me, telling me I would be great and become a star. It was nice to hear, even though I didn't fully believe it. When I came in for the audition, Joe Pevney was there, which gave me some reassurance. However, Mark Daniels was also present. From the first moment I met Mark Daniels, I perceived him as having a sour disposition, although I later realized that was inaccurate. Throughout the filming of the episodes, I never saw him smile.

In some of the Star Trek episodes, there was an attempt to give Chekov some light moments. For example, he would say something like, "Oh, yeah, it was invented by a little old lady from Leningrad," or something along those lines. However, Mark Daniels never smiled during those moments. So, I started to believe that he hated me. As an actor, I can be neurotic and insecure (laughs). But then, we did "I, Mudd." I had a line, although I can't recall what it was exactly. I delivered the line with a touch of wistfulness about these lovely ladies, and to my surprise, Mark Daniels was smiling! I thought to myself, "Wow! I actually got him to smile. This is the greatest accomplishment!" That's my response.

That's an incredible response. One of my favorite moments portraying Chekov was in Star Trek IV when you were taken to the hospital. I found it absolutely hilarious how you continued to envision yourself as Captain Pavel Chekov while being wheeled around. The comedic aspect of that film was superb, and you truly excelled in your performance.

Walter Koenig: It was the film that I enjoyed the most and considered to be my best work. I also believe it showcased the strongest collaboration among the cast. Nick Meyer made a deliberate effort to include everyone in the film. Unfortunately, George [Takei] faced some challenges as the sun set and a stubborn child refused to perform his scenes opposite him as planned. George had a wonderful scene, which I had actually come up with and guided him on how it should play out. He would have executed it beautifully, but the child refused to cooperate. We even considered involving his older brother to substitute, but as soon as the younger sibling realized his brother would take over, he suddenly agreed to do it. By that time, however, the sun had already gone down, and we never had the chance to shoot the scene.

The scene in the truck between Leonard and Bill was iconic and exceptionally well-executed. Their comedic chemistry was outstanding, and the story itself held great significance. It delved into the core themes that originally inspired Star Trek, such as humanitarian and civic issues, as well as the environment. Despite being a message-driven narrative, the storytelling was so masterful that it never felt burdensome. Instead, it was effortlessly absorbed. In my opinion, although it may hold no value, I believe it to be the finest of all the Star Trek shows we have done.

I would confidently assert that it ranks among the top films, if not the most enjoyable one. From start to finish, it remains thoroughly entertaining, providing a delightful viewing experience. Even now, it stands as one of my all-time favorites.

Walter Koenig: I wasn't talking about the other series. I'm just talking about Star Trek. Our Star Trek. Okay. I haven't seen the series.

Pavel Chekov's story remains incomplete. While you portrayed Chekov in fan projects like Star Trek: Renegades, the last official portrayal of the character was in Star Trek Generations. As a writer, have you ever considered how Chekov's story concludes? What do you think might have happened to him and how his life unfolded?

Walter Koenig: This is an excellent and relevant question. When I received the script for Star Trek VI, I was greatly disappointed. I believed that each of us, including Nichelle [Nichols], George, Jimmy [Doohan], and myself, should have been given a personal moment as our respective characters. Such moments would allow the audience to understand our characters, how they respond and cope with crises and emotional situations, rather than focusing solely on life and death. It's important to delve into their inner thoughts and evaluations, to understand their reflections on the circumstances they face. Who are these characters truly?

It is not just their diverse backgrounds that make them commendable, but also their ability to work together harmoniously. However, this understanding is largely implied rather than explicitly shown through dialogue and communication. We do not witness them being placed in conflicting situations where they must make difficult choices. What if Scotty had to decide whether to save Uhura or Chekov? We would never see that on our show. But if it did happen, and he chose to save Uhura despite any potential reasons not to, we would gain valuable insight into his character. We would see that he is the type of person who remains loyal and supportive in times of need. I wish the secondary characters had been given the same opportunity for development so that we could truly root for them.

Bill, Shatner made a comment that initially seemed harsh but was actually quite accurate. He called us secondary characters, subordinates who were mentioned at the end of the episode titles. If it hadn't been for our encounters with fans at conventions or the numerous people who showed their support, we would have never realized how much the audience cared for us. Their exchange of ideas amongst themselves enlightened us to our significance on the show. Once we received their stamp of approval, we believed we deserved more recognition. As actors, we all feel deserving of more. And in our case, each member of our talented cast did indeed deserve more recognition. The audience, however, made it clear that we were capable of so much more. Consequently, we voiced our complaints and took exception to the way we were treated. Perhaps our outcry was disproportionate to our contributions to the show. We provided plotlines, but we did not delve into how we dealt with emotional situations, our pain, our joy, our care for one another, or the sacrifices we were willing to make. These aspects were missing from our portrayals compared to the other actors who, looking at their pictures, have become beloved by the audience.

I mean, when DeForest [Kelley] was alive, he was like a grandfather figure to a lot of fans. Jimmy became like an uncle. And I remember how much they loved Jimmy. And the same goes for Nichelle and George. So we gave them the gift of our pure and passionate joy and enthusiasm. By giving them that, the people who created Star Trek had to acknowledge it to some extent, and give these supporting characters a little more importance than before. They could have done even more. I believe Jimmy is a fantastic actor. Unfortunately, you didn't get to see how good he really is/was. He's incredibly versatile. And I have to quickly mention, before I forget and shame on me, the writers. The writers are the ones who brought depth to the characters. They made it possible for us to fully immerse ourselves, and they are incredibly important to the whole concept of Star Trek. The writers often didn't receive the recognition they deserved. Anyway, I'm just going on and on. That's what happens when you reach 87 years old. (laughs)

No, sir. You have some fantastic points to make. You know, if your show was made today, your characters would have fully developed storylines and be completely fleshed out.

Walter Koenig confirms that in the current show, Strange New Worlds, every character is fully developed. He expresses regret over the fact that characters like Chekov, Sulu, and Uhura did not have the same opportunities for development in the 60s or even in the Star Trek films, as mentioned in Star Trek VI.

Walter Koenig acknowledges the changing times and the need to consider the perspective of when events occur. He highlights the popularity of the character Chekov, mentioning his experience at a fan convention in Russia where only two people auditioned for the role. He suggests that in today's industry, auditions would require multiple rounds due to the significance of such roles and their impact on a global audience. Koenig also reflects on how Chekov was initially a minor character in the 1960s version of the show, emphasizing that the lack of competition allowed him to be a part of the series for so long. He humbly admits that there were numerous other actors who could have performed the role just as well, or even better. Koenig concludes by stating his self-perception as a good actor but acknowledges that he does not boast about his achievements. He humorously declares that he has finished discussing the topic.

About The 7th Rule

Founded by Deep Space Nine's Cirroc Lofton and Aron Eisenberg, along with producer Ryan T. Husk and Malissa Longo, The 7th Rule is a Star Trek podcast. Initially focusing on reviewing every episode of DS9, they have now expanded their scope to include every episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. In 2024, Walter Koenig joins The 7th Rule as they embark on reviewing the second season of Star Trek: The Original Series.

Check out our interview with The 7th Rule's Cirroc Lofton

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am excited about the news that Walter Koenig will be joining The 7th Rule podcast to review episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series. Koenig's insights and behind-the-scenes stories will be a great addition to the podcast, and I'm looking forward to hearing his perspective on the classic series.

I'm also intrigued by the fact that Koenig hasn't revisited his own episodes since the 1960s. It will be interesting to see his reactions to the episodes and how his perspective has changed over time. I think this is a great opportunity for fans of Star Trek to get a new perspective on the series and learn more about the making of the show.