Literary Treks 394: The Chekov Book / by Matthew Rushing

Greg Cox: Identity Theft.

Running Time: 1 hour 23 minutes 37 seconds

Pavel Chekov is a reminder that some Star Trek characters do their most interesting growing just outside the spotlight. Known for his youthful enthusiasm, sharp wit, and loyalty to the Enterprise, much of Chekov’s development is implied rather than shown on screen. That makes tie-in novels an ideal space to explore characters like him in greater depth, filling in the moments between episodes and missions.

In this episode of Literary Treks, hosts Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan are joined once again by author Greg Cox to discuss his new Original Series novel, Identity Theft. Mostly taking place in the movie-era, we finally get Chekov in the spotlight. We discuss Chekov's identity crisis, getting off the bridge, how this is absolutely not a sequel, and much more!

In the news segment we discuss a new book announcement as well as some Lower Decks comics from IDW.

News

New Book Announcement (03:28)
Lower Decks Comics (09:45)

Feature: Greg Cox

Greg's Star Trek (18:49)
About the Cover (23:20)
Strange Unfamiliar Aliens (26:09)
Pretending to Be Chekov (31:00)
Chekov's Love Interest (34:02)
Writing Chekov Played by a Different Character (36:49)
Getting Off the Bridge (39:33)
Breezier and Funnier (42:18)
The Exiles (49:14)
The Audiobook (56:21)
Sulu (59:25)
Not a Sequel (1:02:47)
Remembering Margaret (1:09:57)
What's Next for Greg? (1:13:25)
Closing (1:19:01)

Hosts

Casey Pettitt and Jonathan Koan

Guest

Greg Cox

Production

Matthew Rushing (Editor and Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Greg Rozier (Associate Producer) Casey Pettitt (Associate Producer)

More Recent Episodes of Literary Treks…
Literary Treks 394: The Chekov Book
Literary Treks 394: The Chekov Book

Greg Cox: Identity Theft. We discuss the book taking place in the movie-era, we finally get Chekov in the spotlight. We discuss Chekov's identity crisis, getting off the bridge, how this is absolutely not a sequel, and much more!

Literary Treks 393: Go with the Flow
Literary Treks 393: Go with the Flow

David Mack: Ring of Fire. With David Mack we dive into the book's ensemble of characters, high-action set pieces, Spock delivering a memorable beatdown, and Pike's continued growth as a captain.

Literary Treks 392: The Dog Belonged to Lower-Case Q
Literary Treks 392: The Dog Belonged to Lower-Case Q

Gateways: What Lay Beyond. We discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly, and talk about their vision for the series were it to be written today. Also covered is The Lore War comics, the concluding crossover between the Star Trek and Star Trek: Defiant comics from IDW.

Literary Treks 391: Nick's Vision
Literary Treks 391: Nick's Vision

Interview with Star Trek: Khan writers Kirsten Beyer and David Mack. We speak with Star Trek: Khan writers Kirsten Beyer and David Mack. They talk about the writing process, casting and recording, making it sound like Star Trek, allegory, the mind of a villain, and much more!

Literary Treks 390: A Layered Point of View
Literary Treks 390: A Layered Point of View

Gateways: Cold Wars. We discuss the New Frontier series and characters, the overall plot, growing up too fast, a clean ending, and more!

Literary Treks 389: The Golden Era
Literary Treks 389: The Golden Era

Gateways: No Man's Land. Topics include characterizations, Janeway-Chakotay shipping, Seven instigating a slave uprising, not one but two murder mysteries, and, oh yeah, the gateways. Plus, we ask a very important question: What happens to Fluffy?

Literary Treks 388: The Hirogen “Threat”
Literary Treks 388: The Hirogen “Threat”

Gateways: Demons of Air and Darkness. We discuss title questions, the opening, the treat of the book, Kira’s leadership, the “threat”, Shar and Nog, Quark, Ro, the reveal, the same scene, our ratings and final thoughts.

Literary Treks 387: Classic Trekkian Pew-Pew
Literary Treks 387: Classic Trekkian Pew-Pew

James Swallow: Toward the Night. We discuss the genesis of the book, the focus, introductions, dynamics, La’An, the Klingons, the planet, in the future, coming soon and our final thoughts.

Literary Treks 386: This is the Story We Needed
Literary Treks 386: This is the Story We Needed

Gateways: Doors Into Chaos. We discuss this feeling like a beginning, getting lucky, crew movement, used well, Riker, connections, Picard, the conference, building excitement, our ratings and final thoughts.

Literary Treks 385: A Better Introduction
Literary Treks 385: A Better Introduction

Gateways: Chainmail. We discuss the Challenger, it being out there, character work, worldview differences, drawbacks, Riutta and her people, use of the gateway, timey-whimy, thematic link, by the end, a page from Kirk, our ratings and final thoughts.

Literary Treks 384: You Gotta Have Some Klingons
Literary Treks 384: You Gotta Have Some Klingons

Star Trek: Gateways: One Small Step. We discuss the new series, the virus, impersonating Kalandans, the Klingons, the gateways, restructuring, something that works well, our ratings and final thoughts.

Literary Treks 383: Where Did That Come From?!
Literary Treks 383: Where Did That Come From?!

The Pandora Principle. We discuss, development hell, get him out of the way, the first chapter, Saavik, a positive or negative, mystery boxes, what?, disjointed, our ratings and final thoughts.

Literary Treks 382: Una By Una
Literary Treks 382: Una By Una

Una McCormack: Asylum. We discuss starting the book, timelines, the Academy storyline, lectures, and interesting friendship, the mystery, themes, writing the SNW crew, references, using talents, heartbreak, a fun note, where to find Una and our final thoughts.

Literary Treks 381: Everybody Dies
Literary Treks 381: Everybody Dies

The Nanotech War. We discuss the book not being numbered, first impression, first contact, B’Elanna and Seven’s arcs, putting everything back in the box, wrapping up with our ratings and final thoughts.

Literary Treks 380: The Old Issue
Literary Treks 380: The Old Issue

Catalyst of Shadows. We discuss an Uhura story, Crusher vs Pulaski, the rest of the cast, other characters, the mystery, trauma, flashbacks and timelines, plus our ratings and final thoughts.

Literary Treks 379: The Series’ Dad
Literary Treks 379: The Series’ Dad

Deny Thy Father. We discuss the story, the connective tissue, as snapshot, a change, political thrillers, big action, how it all turns out, cameos, Star Trek stories, ratings and final thoughts.

Literary Treks 378: Lots of True Crime Podcasts
Literary Treks 378: Lots of True Crime Podcasts

Greg Cox: Lost to Eternity. hey discuss, being back with a new book, the genesis of the book, Saavik, a new species, the antagonist, bringing it together, writing 2024, no Past Tense, approvals, what’s coming up and final thoughts.

Literary Treks 377: Already Unlikeable
Literary Treks 377: Already Unlikeable

Well of Souls. They discuss their expectations, kind of being in it, other characters, the structure, doing too much, ending with their ratings and final thoughts.

Literary Treks 376: I Didn’t Know I Needed That
Literary Treks 376: I Didn’t Know I Needed That

Dayton Ward: Pliable Truths. We discuss the genesis of the book, Picard’s struggle, similar themes and true evil, an inconvenient truth, the O’Briens, cameos, the Oceanside, capital Qs, the end, where to find and what’s next plus our final thoughts.

Literary Treks 375: It Clicked
Literary Treks 375: It Clicked

Comics Catch Up. They discuss being new to Star Trek comics, Picard’s Academy, The Scorpius Run, Sons of Star Trek, Star Trek, Star Trek: Defiant, wrapping up and their final thoughts.

Literary Treks 374: Retreating Into Themselves
Literary Treks 374: Retreating Into Themselves

The Art and Making of Star Trek: Picard. We discuss a new show, kicking off the story, had it been done before, seasons 1-3, is anything missing, our ratings and final thoughts.

Literary Treks 373: Rogue Nation
Literary Treks 373: Rogue Nation

David Mack: Firewall. We discus the background of the story, writing in the Picard timeline, Seven’s emotions, an anchor, getting in the way, new characters, the spy element, staying true, the framing device, production, making the map, what’s next for David and our final thoughts.

Literary Treks 372: The Ties That Bind
Literary Treks 372: The Ties That Bind

The Art of the Impossible. We discuss the Cardassian and Klingon conflict, the juxtaposition, Curzon, many characters, other things, our ratings and final thoughts.

Literary Treks 371: Frenemies
Literary Treks 371: Frenemies

The Sundered. We discuss characters on the cover, the Neyel, the Tholians, responsibility, communication, connections, our ratings and final thoughts.

Literary Treks 370: A Father Talking to His Son
Literary Treks 370: A Father Talking to His Son

Derek Tyler Attico: The Autobiography of Benjamin Sisko. We discuss the framing device, the family, Academy years, early career, Curzon, filling in more details, in the Celestial Temple,, ending with Benny, one last question, where to find Derek and our final thoughts.

Literary Treks 369: Kirk's Joker
Literary Treks 369: Kirk's Joker

John and Maria Jose Tenuto: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan: The Making of the Classic Film. We discuss their Star Trek history, passion, Gene Roddenberry, a new captain, many scripts, an unsung hero, surprises, what to put in the book, never surpassed, favorite part, where to find them online and our final thoughts.

Literary Treks 368: Set the Stage
Literary Treks 368: Set the Stage

Making it So. We discuss his early life, theater life, leading to Picard, left out, Star Trek work, other movies, Star Trek Picard, further stories our ratings and final thoughts.

Literary Treks 367: The Anakin Skywalker of the Series
Literary Treks 367: The Anakin Skywalker of the Series

Cast No Shadow. We discuss unpacking Valeris, Spock's small role, unpacking the conspiracy, fueling hate, Elias Vaughn's first mission, one last question, our ratings and final thoughts.

Literary Treks 366: Helicopter Parents of the Galaxy
Literary Treks 366: Helicopter Parents of the Galaxy

The Buried Age. We discuss Picard's buried age, failure, the Manroloth, the science, setting up TNG, our ratings and final thoughts.

Literary Treks 365: A Huge Side Quest
Literary Treks 365: A Huge Side Quest

Rebels: The Liberated. We discuss the natives, the Liberated, the past, how bad was it, our ratings and final thoughts.

View Full Episode Directory