As was to be expected when Playmates launched their new Star Trek Universe line, the newer Trek properties were going to be a key part of that launch. While it was a bit too early perhaps for Strange New Worlds, we do have representation in Series 1 for Star Trek Discovery. Commander Saru is one of those Discovery figures and arrives on the same generic card as the other figures, with an image of him to the top left of the card front and his name and rank on a white panel to the left of the blister. The rear of the card is standard across all figures - there is no synopsis or background info, just some images of the other Series 1 releases. While the TNG and Wrath of Khan figures do have alternative card backs in circulation paying homage to the original Playmates line - the Discovery releases only exist (as far as I know) on this standard Star Trek Universe card.
With all the other Series 1 releases being essentially male humanoid figures, Saru was always going to be an interesting figure in terms of how well the line handled Alien species, especially as many now have major roles in the newer properties - Saru being a prime example of that. I am pleased to say Saru does not disappoint in terms of looks - the dodgy promo images initially circulated do not do him justice. He is a much slimmer and taller body that than other releases, which does give hope that true scale is being observed to some degree. The face sculpt is fantastic and quite eerie considering the scale with a real depth to the eyes in particular. The Kelpian skin markings around the head are replicated and the same physiology of the Kelpian’s are replicated in Saru’s hands and feet.
The uniform is as seen in Season 1 of Discovery and is cast in a deep blue with the gold trim very neatly added down each middle of the tunic, and the two gold panels recreated either side of the torso. There is also a neatly painted gold Starfleet badge. Down into the legs, the Gold trim continues and the boots are finished off with a silver sole.
Saru sports the standard 13 points of articulation and has a slightly wider range of motion thanks to his slimmer arms and legs. Unfortunately, the Kelpian feet do pose an issue in having Saru stood on his own as the balance point is really hard to obtain and the figure naturally wants to fall backwards under most positions. You will find you need to use the supplied simple grey Starfleet stand, or an aftermarket version.
The other accessories with Saru do buck the trend set out with some of the other Series 1 figures. We get a phaser and a data bad cast in black plastic. These are both much better scaled to Saru than any of the other phasers or Tricorders we’ve seen, and while they aren't painted either the black is much more accurate and the detail in the sculpt is crisper. Saru also has a Kelpian knife accessory, cast in white. All of the supplied accessories can be fitted into either of Saru’s hands.
Commander Saru is perhaps the strongest of Series 1 in terms of showing what this new iteration of the Trek line is capable of. Nearly all the parts combine brilliantly - a great sculpt, a well-proportioned body, crisp paintwork, and good accessories. His only downside is how to pose him thanks to the design of the Keplian feet and even that can be overcome with the display stand. Roll on more Aliens in the line - let’s see what Playmates can do with the Borg, Klingons, Ferengi, Changelings and more.
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About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...
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