.

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. Two more new BSG characters are added with this 2-pack, and it’s always nice to see people who haven’t before had a figure, especially for an ensemble cast like Battlestar.

Packaging

The packaging is exactly the same as the previous waves, nothing new here. It’s still the best designed Minimate 2-pack though, with the bubble shaped like a Colonial pilot helmet.

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

Lieutenant Felix Gaeta

First up in this two-pack is Felix Gaeta, tactical officer on the bridge of the Battlestar Galactica. He also served for a time as President Baltar’s Chief of Staff.

It’s clear that despite the best attempts this Minimate bears little resemblance to Lieutenant Gaeta. This is more to do with the limitations of the Minimate head than any fault on the designer’s part. Gaeta has a narrow face, Minimates don’t. So though the expression is very much Gaeta – particularly the laconic gaze – the effect is spoiled by the nature of the cylinder it’s been printed upon.

As part of the bridge crew, Gaeta’s outfit is exactly the same as CAG Starbuck and I see no need to review it again. Gaeta is supplied with an alternate hand that looks as though it’s holding a key. I’m not sure if it’s something to do with engaging the Galactica’s FTL drive, or if it’s part of the protocol for arming the ships arsenal of nuclear missiles? Regardless it’s always nice to see a new one-off piece.

Apart from the alternate hand Lieutenant Gaeta comes with no other accessories.

In conclusion: New BSG characters are always welcome but this figure is nothing to write home about.

MMC Score – 6 out of 10

Specialist Cally Tyrol

Chief Tyrol’s wife and the mother of his child. Callandra Henderson Tyrol is also an engineering specialist on the Galactica.

This can’t be right. A Battlestar Galactica Minimate that’s smiling? Aren’t they all supposed to be angsty and broody? Even Cally is usually looking a bit depressed in most of her scenes yet the Minimate is all happy and chirpy.

I’m glad about that. There is just a hint of Cally to this mate. As with Gaeta it’s something around the eyes that helps carry off the likeness. The hairpiece is also new. It could perhaps have done with sharper bangs framing the face but overall it’s a nice looking Minimate and will stand out in any collection due to the primary colours of its body and the cheerful expression on its face.

I was going to dismiss reviewing the rest of the figure as I’d assumed the deck hand overalls were exactly the same as those of Chief Tyrol. However there appears to be a slight difference in that Cally’s coverall appears to be a shade darker than Tyrol’s. I don’t know if that’s intentional or a production error? But side by side it’s very noticeable. Not only is the orange a shade darker but the equipment pouches on the green portion of the uniform are also darker and don’t contrast in the same way as those of Chief Tyrol. There’s also a very noticeable tampo error on the cuff of Cally’s right arm. It appears the ripping of the cuff has gone slightly beyond where it should have ended. Not too jarring, but the left cuff is fine, so it makes the error stand out more.

Cally is accessorised with a clipboard. Don’t hold back on those accessories DST fellas!

In Conclusion: A little ray of sunshine in what can sometimes be a dark and dour collection of Minimates.

MMC Score – 7 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

[starratingmulti id=”1″]

[starratingmulti id=”2″]