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The re-imagined Battlestar Galactica makes it to season 4 on the tube and wave 4 in Minimates form. This wave adds a few more characters, both main cast and background, to the mix. Up first for review are Doctor Baltar and Doc Cottle.

Packaging

The packaging is exactly the same as the previous waves, nothing new here. It’s still the best designed Minimate 2 pack though.

Around the back there’s a slight change. The inclusion of the Previews exclusive Kat and Mortar Cylon means that there are five sets in the wave instead of the usual four. A departure from the norm in two ways. To the best of my knowledge this is the first time a wave of 2″ Minimates has consisted of more than four packs. Secondly (and again to the best of my knowledge) this is the first time an exclusive has been considered to be an official part of a wave.

[Editor’s note:- I’m sure that the Previews exclusive isn’t strictly counted as part of wave 4, as it wouldn’t be part of the wave 4 case assortment, rather an additional pack that the retailer could order.

Although lots of waves have had exclusives to go with them, most of the time the exclusives themselves are not featured on the back of the regular cards in the same way this wave has. Off the top of my head I can only think of the exclusive “Trouble With Tribbles” 3″ Kirk who had the unproduced wave 2 Minimates pictured with him.]

The Figures

Doctor Gaius Baltar

First up in this two-pack is Baltar as seen in the first season, back when he was considered a trusted member of the Galactica crew.

This is our second Gaius Baltar Minimate in the modern line and is a big improvement on the first. For a start it actually looks like the character in question. In fact the likeness on this ‘mate is so good and yet so simply rendered that it’s a puzzle how the President Baltar figure failed so spectacularly. It’s possible that the inclusion of the glasses and that slightly pouty expression may have something to do with it.

Other than that though we have a fairly plain ‘mate, The lab coat is nothing special, and the chest block underneath is just a plain grey block with no detailing at all. However this shouldn’t detract from the overall look of the ‘mate as it’s trying to depict a real person and not a cartoon character.

Baltar is finished off with dark grey legs and black feet. He is accessorised with a rack of test-tubes. No doubt full of Cylon blood that he’s going to report is human. He’s a git that Baltar!

In conclusion: Nice to have a decent looking Baltar at last.

MMC Score – 7 out of 10

Doc Cottle

Doc Cottle is the Galactica’s curmudgeonly ship’s surgeon. He’s like Bones from Star Trek with a really bad hangover. I’m sure Galactica’s writers paid a little homage to Bones by having Cottle retort to the question ‘Is he going to make it?’ with the answer ‘How should I know? I’m not a psychic!’ He also smokes like a chimney, even in his consulting rooms. Doc Cottle’s great.

A great acid test for Minimates based on real people is to show them to a non Minimate fan and ask them who they think they’re looking at. I didn’t even need to do this with Cottle. When I brought the ‘mates down to the computer room to start the wave 4 reviews my wife said ‘That Minimate of the doctor from Battlestar Galactica is really good isn’t he?’ And she’s right (of course she always is), he is. The likeness on this ‘mate is pretty much spot on. The mournful expression is Cottle to a T. Top work DST/AA fellas.

Like Baltar, the rest of the ‘mate is nothing special. Cottle wears exactly the same lab coat though underneath at least there’s a bit more detailing representing what appears to be green scrubs with a shirt or vest beneath. I have to say I’m a tad disappointed at the paint smears on the inside and outside of the lab coat. It’s an all-white piece, there’s no reason whatsoever for it to be anywhere near wet paint.

Cottle has just a clipboard for an accessory. The lack of a cigarette in his hand does let the character down just a tad.

In conclusion: Excellent likeness, especially for a background character.

MMC Score – 8 out of 10

Agree? Disagree? Why not vote for yourself below, or comment further over at the Minimate Multiverse MMC Review Forum.

Review and pictures by Rad Kerrigan

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