RedArremer

Do you think your appearance in Star Trek: TOS had any impact on US-Russia relations? In particular, do you think public perception of Russians was softened by the likable Chekov among American viewers who might otherwise have been distrustful of anyone from Eastern Europe during a time when competition between the East and West was pitched?

Thanks for the insightful reply. TOS was before my time, so I had no idea that the fans were so young. Star Trek seems like an IP that appeals to a thoughtful audience, so I presumed college-age adults would be the primary audience. I wonder how many of those kids went on to see the cold war as a silly thing as they grew up.

It's an incredibly insulting accusation

Bullshit. It's insulting to accuse someone of doing what they're doing?

The cynic in me says that he just went for the quickest route to fulfil his obligations

Prison is still prison, even if it's not the barbaric dungeons that we employ in the US.

It's not cynicism to believe that someone who has opted for the worst possible scenario and eloquently explained the matter of conscience that led to the decision--it's just plain negativity.

Cynicism implies some preference for truth and reality. You're just looking for a reason to undermine OP and doubt that people can do things for morally upright reasons.