Today we’re reviewing another droid!  This one is not of the combat variety.  TC-14 was a silver protocol droid with feminine programming that served aboard the Trade Federation’s flagship.  It was sent by Nemoidians to “greet” the Republic Ambassadors Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi and escort them to a meeting room.  TC-14 then reported back to Nute Gunray that she believed the ambassadors were Jedi.  TC-14 returned to the meeting room to stall, and offered the Jedi refreshments while Nute Gunray consulted with Darth Sidious as to their next move.  TC-14 was present in the meeting room when poison gas was injected through the vents in an attempt to kill the Jedi.  Both of them drew their lightsabers, which startled TC-14 into dropping her tray of drinks.  When a group of battle droids approached the closed meeting room doors after being ordered to get rid of whatever was left, TC-14 exited the room, was a bit confused by the waiting battle droids, and then was on her way.  She just missed the Jedi emerging unharmed to easily wipe out the battle droids.  TC-14 may have been destroyed with the control ship at the end of the film, or perhaps it was brought down to Naboo to serve Nute Gunray while he occupied the palace.  Either way, we hardly knew ye.

Here’s a bit of strange trivia;  The voice of TC-14 was that of Scottish actress Lindsay Duncan.  She has won Tony awards, and has had an accomplished TV and film career, including a role in the 2014 film Birdman, which starred Michael Keaton and won an Oscar for Best Picture.  For anyone who watched the HBO series The Leftovers, she had a small role in the third season, but arguably stole the series with one amazing monologue about losing her three children during the “Departure.”  If you didn’t see it, take my word for it, it was awesome.  But it doesn’t end there.  Lindsay Duncan, who happens to have been appointed Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE), is married to Hitlon McRae.  Do you know who Hilton McRae is?  Do you?  He played Green Leader Arvel Crynyd, the man who sacrificed himself to bring down the Executor above Endor. 

TC-14 is a 5POA protocol droid figure that seems based on contemporary C-3PO figures.  The main difference in the sculpt is that each of TC-14’s hands is formed into a tight C-grip so that she can hold her refreshemnt tray accessory.  Otherwise, it’s painted in a striking bright silver vac-metallization.  To provide some depth, there are some paint details on the photoreceptors (“eyes” to you civilians), palms, and the abdomen wiring, as well as some dark wash to the knees.  It’s a great looking figure, although it lacks any advance articulation that you’d find today in super-articulated protocol droids.  It has swivel joints at the neck, shoulders and hips.  It’s sculpted in a very slight non-neutral stance with one foot a bit forward of the other.

The aforementioned tray has two handles which fit nicely in TC-14’s hands.  It has 2 silver cups which are sculpted onto the tray, so it’s kind of a trick TC-14 likes to play on unassuming guests that when they go to take a glass, it’s stuck to the tray. HA HA!  Joke’s on them!  In TC-14’s nervousness due to her realization that the ambassadors were Jedi, she decided to skip that trick on this occasion.  In addition, there is a silver container, possibly a decanter of sorts (or perhaps something else for larger scale figures, wink wink nudge nudge), This piece is removable, but can be secured fairly well via a peg in the center of the tray, so it doesn’t keep tipping over.

Overall, it’s a simple figure, but the awesome shiny silver paint job and the well-executed refreshment tray accessory makes this a figure worth owning.  It is the only TC-14 figure to date, an doesn’t seem like a candidate for an update any time soon, even though it would be great if it could get modern super-articulation.  It’s an excellent figure for your display, in the meantime.  6/10.