It's an interesting point. He had far more to do in Star Trek II (he was an XO of a new ship!), and Star Trek IV (Nuclear Wessles...) that were more memorable.

We know Nichele Nichols objected to saying the Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Line, and that was given to Chekov. They even cut some scenes were Uhuta showed the competence of a good comms officer.

While I really appreciated the return of Grace Lee Whitney having a career (told through cameos), I also see an alternate version with Chekov as Sulu's XO, rather than going from an XO in ST2 to a helmsman again - something he did as an ensign.

Perhaps he could have