The Saga Collection

TSCBASIC

Rep Been

Info and Stats
Number:  
049
Year:  
2006
MSRP:  
$5.99
Definitive Status:  
Needs Resculpt
 
The sculpt is irredeemable. It will take an all new sculpt to make a definitive version of this item.
Suggested Hasbro Action:  
Resculpt (Negligible Priority)
Grade:  
4/10 Bantha Skulls
 
* Bantha Skull is compensated for any purchases made through these Ebay links.
* Bantha Skull is compensated for any purchases made through these Ebay links.
Review by: Bret
Review date: 05/14/2020

Ah, we finally arrive at a brand new figure of a debut character in the line!  I pretty much have always gotten excited when these types of figures are announced.  Back in 2006, this was commonplace, but as the years went on, there of course were fewer and fewer opportunities to make never-before-made characters - that is, until the ST came out.  Now Hasbro has been unable to keep up with the new media, and yet it seems the majority of TVC figures are rehashes or upgrades of figures we already own. 

For a while, I thought this character’s full given name was actually Rep Been.  But Rep is just short for “representative”, which was his title as a member of the Gungan High Council.  While the card insert says “Rep”, the included figure stand does have the full title.  Rep Been, or at least one of the four nearly identical in appearance reps, can be found in the scene where Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Jar Jar Binks are taken before Boss Nass in the underwater city of Otoh Gunga.  None of the Reps have any dialogue.  Later, however, a pair of reps (unknown if one of them is Been), whisper to each other while the heroes appeal to Boss Nass for help in the Sacred Place.

As an action figure, Rep Been is definitely lacking in action.  It has swivel articulation at the head, shoulders, elbows, and wrists, but the design of the headdress renders the head and shoulders useless.  For all intents and purposes, this is a 4POA figure, with only arm articulation.  With that, the figure will only stand there, but can be posed to appear pensive, or give a speech, or stand proudly with his ceremonial staff. 

The paint apps are fairly decent, and there are some nice details throughout, especially with the long sash that hangs down the front of the gown.  Been can hold the included staff upright in his one hand, or he can actually perform a two-handed grip, in a spear-like fashion. 

It’s a nice looking figure, but is really poor from an articulation standpoint. even by 2006 standards.  Sure, it doesn’t need Jedi-Level Articulation (JLA), but something better than what we got would have been nice.  The thing is, I know some of you terrible people are saying, “all he does is stand there, so it’s fine.”  NO HE DOES NOT JUST STAND THERE, YOU FOOLS!  The reps are clearly sitting in their council chairs on Otoh Gungan.  So while there are a few short moments where they stand at the Sacred Place, their main job is to sit.  And this figure fails to accomplish this.

So it’s a tough one.  It looks nice, and it does work standing next to Boss Nass, but he should be able to sit, and should be better than 4POA.  But it’s hard to complain, because I still actually like this figure, and I’m very glad we have it.  So starting with a 4/10 as the base for an under-articulated figure, it loses a point for failing to be able to sit, but gains a point back merely because it exists.  I think I feel safe saying this character will never be revisited, so this is likely your only shot at Rep Been.

* Bantha Skull is compensated for any purchases made through these Ebay links.
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