Star Trek’s Walter Koenig Wishes The Original Series’ Supporting Cast Were Treated As “More Than Just Furniture”

Walter Koenig wishes supporting characters like Mr. Chekov were given more to do in Star Trek: The Original Series. Koenig portrayed Ensign Pavel Chekov in Star Trek: The Original Series seasons 2 and 3, and in seven Star Trek movies. Walter now reviews episodes of classic 1960s Star Trek, providing his invaluable memories and insight on The 7th Rule podcast hosted by Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's Cirroc Lofton and Ryan T. Husk.

During The 7th Rule's review of Star Trek: The Original Series season 2, episode 15, "The Trouble With Tribbles," Walter Koenig highlighted the winning performances of TOS' supporting characters, especially James Doohan as Scotty and Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Uhura. Koenig noted how "The Trouble With Tribbles" let the USS Enterprise' supporting characters be a "valuable part" of its comedic romp, and proved they were "more than just furniture." Read Koenig's quote and watch the video below:

The one thing this episode showed, perhaps more than any other, is the fact that [Star Trek’s] supporting actors could contribute, could add to the story. Jimmy [Doohan], Nichelle [Nichols], Chekov, we were all up to being a valuable part of the show. We should have been taken advantage of more often, I think. These are competent actors who are more than just furniture.

And this episode showed that Jimmy was the life of [it]. Nichelle was not only gorgeous, but really functioned very well in her role. And I was okay! So I’m surprised that somebody didn’t say, we have this potential area of professionalism that we’re not really using as well as we could.

"The Trouble With Tribbles" Used Star Trek's Supporting Cast Better Than Most TOS Episodes

Scotty, Uhura & Chekov Provided Some Of The Most Memorable Moments

One of the reasons "The Trouble With Tribbles" is an all-time classic and a fan-favorite Star Trek: The Original Series episode is, indeed, because writer David Gerrold's teleplay gave Scotty, Uhura, and Chekov moments to shine. From Uhura cooing over a Tribble to Scotty and Chekov brawling with Klingons, to Scotty hilariously admitting why he started the fight to Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), "The Trouble With Tribbles" was a rare showcase for the talents of Star Trek's supporting characters.

Walter Koenig's familiar lament that Star Trek: The Original Series emphasized the core trio of Captain Kirk, Spock (Leonard Nimoy), and Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley) continues to ring true. Most Star Trek episodes reduced Scotty, Uhura, Chekov, and Mr. Sulu (George Takei) to catchphrases and their functions on the Starship Enterprise as plots required. "The Trouble With Tribbles" is eternal proof that the USS Enterprise's supporting cast were more than just "furniture," and should have been "taken advantage of more often," as Walter Koenig says.

Our Take On Star Trek: The Original Series' Failure To Better Utilize Supporting Characters

This Doesn't Happen In Modern Star Trek

The way Star Trek: The Original Series' underutilized Scotty, Uhura, Sulu, and Chekov is even more glaring when judged through the lens of how Star Trek TV series are produced in the present day. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, for example, more vividly explores its characters, and that series has a much bigger cast and fewer episodes than TOS. Watching 1960s Star Trek today, it can be frustrating how little to no backstory and character development was offered to Uhura, Chekov, Sulu, and Scotty.

"The Trouble With Tribbles" without Scotty and Chekov slugging it out with the Klingons or Uhura cooing over Tribbles is unimaginable. Kirk, Spock, and McCoy did not lack for spotlight in "The Trouble With Tribbles" while still sharing it with the Starship Enterprise's supporting characters. It's a shame that more Star Trek: The Original Series episodes didn't attempt to give Scotty, Uhura, Chekov, and Sulu the kind of emphasis they'd receive if the original Star Trek series was produced today.