Character Analysis
Poor Chekov. He's the Rodney Dangerfield of The Search for Spock. No respect, no respect at all.
Originally the navigator and security officer aboard the Enterprise, Pavel Chekov joins the crew in their quest to rescue Spock.
The thing is, Chekov has nothing to do. Whereas the other characters each use their skills in a scene to assist Kirk, Chekov just kind of hangs out, chilling on the comm. They even dress him in a salmon-colored onesie with a Pinocchio collar. (The man just got done being brainwashed by Khan in the last film. He's suffered enough!)
Even given this, the Enterprise's crew is his family, and when one of its members needs help, Chekov is there for them. When Kirk gives the crew the option to leave so they won't suffer the consequences of their treason, Chekov simply replies:
CHEKOV: Admiral, we're losing precious time.
As a result, he still manages to play an important part thematically in his display of loyalty. (Also, their haste might explain why Chekov couldn't find the time to put on his big boy clothes.)