or decades, avid Star Trek fans waited for more. Their favorite show—which they elevated in status from a simple "Wagon Train in space" TV show to a desirable universe fans wished they could live in—ended prematurely, and in their need to fill the void left where Kirk and Spock had once been they created Star Trek fandom.
In answer to this came Star Trek: The Motion Picture. It fulfilled the wishes of many fans, but wasn't exactly a huge box-office smash. A TV series based on the film died in preproduction, and when Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was announced, it seemed Trek fans would be relegated to a film every few years, hardly enough to sate their thirst for more Trek. Luckily, this second film was a huge success and is still revered as the best of the Star Trek film franchise.
In 1987, die-hard fans got their wish when the Starship Enterprise flew across the TV screen for the first time in 20 years in a promising new venture called Star Trek: The Next Generation, but this newer, larger Enterprise wasn't helmed by Capt. Kirk. It is now decades later, and sitting in the captain's chair is Jean-Luc Picard. His second officer is an android named Lt. Cmdr. Data, whose strongest desire is to become human and find his roots.
Sideshow Toy's continuing line of Star Trek busts now includes Capt. Jean-Luc Picard and Lt. Cmdr. Data cast as polystone sculptures that measure approximately 7 inches in height, sitting on bases that include insignia of branch of service and character name.
Each bust comes in a box colored in the red and black—Starfleet uniforms' command colors and scheme—with images of Picard and Data, screenshots from the series and information bordered in the familiar design of the new Enterprise's computer panels.
The busts' bases feature Star Trek: The Next Generation's logo, the characters' names, the signature of the artist (Olaf W. Hartvigson) and copyright information, and are hand-numbered in a run of 5,000.
Art is not an exact science
It took a few seasons for Star Trek: The Next Generation to find its mature groove, but reaction was enthusiastic. Soon, fans who adored Capt. Kirk, Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy now made room in their hearts for Capt. Picard, Lt. Cmdr. Data and Cmdr. Riker. With this newfound appreciation came the natural desire for tangible representations of their heroes.
It seems that no matter how saturated the market is with Star Trek merchandise, there is always room for more. Sideshow's contribution to the massive marketing blitz is a series of very elegant, well-crafted busts that belong equally in an executive boardroom and on a home toy shelf.
Capt. Picard's likeness, that of Patrick Stewart, previously known to science-fiction fans for his role as Gurney Halleck in David Lynch's film Dune, is good. The balding head is smooth and even has the prominent protrusion at the peak that is characteristic of Stewart's head. The hair is painted in a multi-toned gray, and works rather well. The uniform is smoothly carved and beautifully painted with crisp, sure lines. The pips that signify rank are well rendered, as is the Starfleet insignia on Picard's chest.
Two traits stood out among the cast upon my very first viewing of the Next Generation's premiere: that every actor on the bridge of the Enterprise was thin, the common look of the starving actor, and almost without exception each had a nose that was unmistakably a bit larger than average. The bust shows Picard in later seasons, when new uniforms with Nehru collar were introduced, and Picard has filled out a bit. I can confirm that the nose is accurately sculpted.
Data's features are also well presented. Actor Brent Spiner, probably best known prior to this role as Bob Wheeler in frequent appearances on the sitcom Night Court, will now forever be associated with his robotic alter ego, Data. The painting of Data's face stands out as the winning feature of this bust. It is a kind of pearlescent sheen that portrays his inhuman nature, but his expression is wide-eyed in that kind of permanent wonder that was the hallmark of his character. And yes, Data's nose stands out accurately as well.
Also available from The Next Generation is Klingon Lt. Worf, and from the original series that started it all, Dr. McCoy, Scotty, an Andorian and, exclusively through Sideshow's Web site, Gorn Captain and Klingon Captain Koloth.
