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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. In this set two more of Galactica’s ensemble cast get the Minimate treatment.

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

President Laura Roslin

First up in this two-pack is Laura Roslin, the minor politician who was suddenly thrust into becoming President of what remains of the colonies after the vicious Cylon assault. She’s a no-nonsense, pragmatic kind of woman who has made plenty of mistakes along the way. Her hatred of the Cylons was well illustrated when she ordered an early infiltrator be thrown out of an airlock.

This isn’t a bad looking Minimate, but it’s no Laura Roslin. The cheekbones have been set too far back and there isn’t enough weathering to the face. The hair’s a nice piece with its feathering at the sides and length falling down Roslin’s back.

The body is really where this ‘mate comes into it’s own. Although it’s just a human in a business suit it’s extremely well done. I am so impressed with the quality of the tampo applications on this figure. All those pinstripes could have been an absolute nightmare, creating an overly fussy Minimate. What we end up with is a really classy looking ‘mate. All the lines are straight, furthermore all the lines remain straight despite running across three different surfaces. Cleverly the designer has opted to keep the lines on the jacket lapels running straight with the rest of the suit, rather than attempting a contrast. The attention to detail and design leave us with a very elegant looking female Minimate.

Roslin is accessorised with the golden arrow of Apollo (an artifact she tasked Starbuck with finding). At least it’s not a clipboard!

In Conclusion: Besides from the face appearing too young, it’s a great looking ‘mate.

MMC Score – 8 out of 10

Tom Zarek

Tom Zarek, a former dissident and activist, has worked his way up the the political system to become is part of the elected body, the Quorum of Twelve; the legislative branch of the government.

This is one of the best likenesses I’ve seen so far in the Modern BSG line. The essence of the older Richard Hatch has somehow been distilled into that little chunk of rounded plastic. It’s surprising that Hatch’s features translate so well into the Zarek ‘mate considering how bland the Classic BSG Apollo is. It’s also surprising that Zarek looks his age while his pack-mate (Roslin) looks 20 years younger than she should do.

As far as the body goes it’s just a basic human minimate figure with a new jacket piece. It looks as though Zarek’s wearing a chain of office (or similar) over the top of his jacket but it’s been a fair while since last I watched BSG so I can’t be 100% sure of that. Underneath the jacket piece is a fairly mundane shirt’n’ tie combination. Nothing to get excited about though. Zarek’s completed by plain black feet and brown legs. Woo!

Zarek has no accessories.

In Conclusion: A good take on an important background character.

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