Figure of the Day: Day 229: Bail Organa

BAIL ORGANA Republic Senator
Revenge of the Sith Collection 2
Item No.: Asst. 85174 No. 85288
Number: III-15
Includes: Blaster, cloak, display base
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $5.25-$6.99
Availability: April 2005
Appearances: Revenge of the Sith

Bio: Bail Organa, a senator from Alderaan, sees how the Republic is being ruined. When the situation becomes even more treacherous for loyal members of the Republic, he lends his support in the fight to save the galaxy. (Taken from the figure's cardback.)

Image: Adam Pawlus' toy shelves.

Commentary: Most figures had a two-word selling point on the front of the packaging in 2005, like "Wookiee Rage" or "Jedi Knight." Bail Organa got saddled with "Republic Senator" which may as well have been "Intergalactic Dentist" or "The Figure You Didn't Ask For." Sure, he had a decent role in the movie, but after all the dust settles he's not really an action hero in this flick, and the droves of unsold Bail Organas at a lot of smaller stores to this very day attest to the fact that having a famous adopted daughter doesn't make you a good action figure.

The figure itself is a good one, though-- while the beard isn't quite as perfect as one might hope, the costume is represented well, there's a holster for his blaster, he has articulated knees, and that big poncho cloak can come off. There's a lot of subtle wrinkles in the costume, but the problem is that it's a boring costume. Ball joints or no, it's a guy in a grey toga with no nifty helmets or colorful laser swords to dress up the figure. It's possible this figure may have been more popular if he had his ship-- after all, is there anyone out there who doesn't want a nice Tantive IV? (Oh yeah, everybody but me, since nobody asks about it in the Hasbro Q&A or mentions it on forums ever.)

Collector's Notes: The figure was repackaged in 2005 as a Wal-Mart exclusive, this time packaged with a baby Princess Leia instead of his display base. It was a superior accessory, and the one most collectors would want to go after. This figure can be had quite cheaply if you can find it, so don't go paying a premium for him unless he has the baby.

Day 229: December 21, 2006