Main
Features
 FOTD
 Toy Fair 2023
 SDCC 2023
 Toy Fair 2020
 NYCC 2019
 SDCC 2019
 Toy Fair 2019
 SDCC 2018
 Toy Fair 2018
 HasCon 2017
 SDCC 2017
 Toy Fair 2017
 SDCC 2016
 Toy Fair 2016
 SDCC 2015
 Toy Fair 2015
 SDCC 2014
 C2E2 2014
 Toy Fair 2014
 SDCC 2013
 C2E2 2013
 Toy Fair 2013
 SDCC 2012
 C2E2 2012
 Toy Fair 2012
 NYCC 2011
 SDCC 2011
 Toy Fair 2011
Archives
 Books
 DVD
 Music
 Statues
 Prop Replicas
 Toys
 Video Games
Credits
Contact


This site is part of Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and Entertainment Earth affiliate programs. We may earn a commission when you click one of their links.


Related Links:
16bit Tumblr
16bit Twitter
16bit Instagram
ASWN
EE Podcast
Galactic Hunter
Glyos News
OSM News

Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action Figure Playmates, 1994
Day #762: October 4, 2013
Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action Figure Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien
Before The Decline

Star Trek: The Next Generation Year 3
Item No.:
Asst. 6070 No. 6033
Manufacturer: Playmates
Includes: Search Light, Medical Monitor Kit, Field Kit, UV Light Source Module, Federation Action Base, Space Cap (POG)
Action Feature: n/a
Retail: $4.99
Availability: 1994
Other: Sample #79,057

  PREVIOUS RSS NEXT  

Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action FigureDuring the end of its 7-year run, Star Trek: The Next Generation was a big deal. It sold TV Guide! Playmates kept it safe, with lots of new versions of main characters - even when they looked nothing like the actor, like the bizarre Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien. I remember being very excited for him because he was so different, but he wasn't hugely popular - my sample is near #80,000 and they made more than that. This series of 8 figures on the cardback had 6 characters that already had multiple figures - so if you were me in 1994, your love of the show was chafing against your desire to not buy Picard as a Romulan, which at the time I write this I have not yet done.

The story on the show was this: LaForge was on some away team mission where he had this thing in his genetic make-up that rewrote him as this weird brown glowing alien. The regular release is brown with blue veins on it, looking more like a Wayne Barlowe design. ToyFare/Wizard magazine had an exclusive clear blue version of this figure. Under black light, the brown version isn't much to look at - see below.

The 5-inch action figure was weird, but refreshing at the time. It was a memorable episode, and Playmates was bent on reusing tooling and doing a whole mess of head-swaps which got old fast. Geordi here was all-new, but looked nothing like LeVar Burton under all that make-up. The Reading Rainbow host had been several figures in the 1990s, but this one didn't look like any of them - which was sort of exciting, mostly because how many LaForges in uniforms do you need? (At least three for the TV show and 2 for the movies.)

Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action FigureWith 12 points of articulation, LaForge held to the standard of the line's early years - he was meant to be posed, he had no problems standing, and the sculpt was largely good. The figure is glossy brown plastic with blue veins, and his face had yellow cat-like eyes with dark brown around his eyes and mouth with pink lips. Three-fingered hands could easily grip his accessories, and his feet were basically flippers or footie pajamas. The design does nothing to hide articulation, so the waist and hip joints are sort of in-your-face.

LaForge was almost feral at this point in the episode, so the alien's gear is really for your other figures - a UV-scanner helped see him in the planet's atmosphere, and the tracking gear could go to Riker or another character needing to beam down to any planet to find weird sciencey stuff. For collectors at the time, I believe the UV-scanner was the most interesting "new" piece in the set - similar accessories were sold with other figures, so they're just OK. The Field Kit has storage space for a PADD (not included) and a bunch of sculpted, non-removable gear on the inside. A label on the outside provided deco and looked pretty great - but the gear is all baby blue, which is sort of obnoxious.

In 1992, Star Trek was white-hot, which it remained in 1993 despite almost half the line (and certainly all of the first new figures) being largely remakes of the 1992 batch. By 1994, things were slowing down as the show was in its 7th Season (hence the golden sticker on LaForge's packaging, not shown) and Deep Space Nine didn't carry the audience quite as well. The momentum was running out, but don't let this figure's worthlessness scare you off - ignoring the TV show, it's just a cool alien toy at a great price these days. If you want a weird figure that's well-made, get it. If you're a die-hard Trek fan, this may be boring to you - but alien collectors? Get one.

--Adam Pawlus

Additional Images

Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action Figure Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action Figure
Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action Figure Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action Figure

Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action Figure Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action Figure
Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action Figure Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action Figure
Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action Figure Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action Figure
Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action Figure Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action Figure
Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action Figure Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action Figure
Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action Figure

See more Playmates figures in Figure of the Day:
Day 54: Playmates Classic Star Trek Spock Action Figure
Day 57: Playmates Classic Star Trek Dr. McCoy Action Figure
Day 61: Playmates Classic Star Trek Scotty Action Figure
Day 71: Playmates Classic Star Trek Uhura Action Figure
Day 81: Playmates Classic Star Trek Sulu Action Figure
Day 89: Playmates Classic Star Trek Captain James T. Kirk Action Figure
Day 105: Playmates Classic Star Trek Chekov Action Figure
Day 149: Playmates Star Trek Combat Action Worf
Day 229: Playmates Gormiti Multiplep and Steelblade
Day 237: Playmates Gormiti Blind Fury and Ancient Jellyfish
Day 243: Playmates Gormiti Florus the Poisoner and Clear Ancient Jellyfish
Day 259: Playmates Gormiti Mantra the Implacable and Clear The Severe Guardian
Day 312: Playmates Gormiti Barbataus, Tormenter, Bullrock, and Dedalus
Day 327: Playmates seaQuest DSV Darwin the Dolphin Action Figure
Day 335: Playmates Gormiti Spores, Cannon Trunk, Hypnofrog, and Carrapax
Day 342: Playmates Gormiti Alos the Hypnotiser and Clear Delos The Count of the Seas
Day 354: Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mike, the Sewer Surfer Action Figure
Day 400: Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Raph, the Space Cadet
Day 488: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lieutenant Commander Data in First Season Uniform Action Figure
Day 513: Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Mutant Raphael
Day 514: Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mike as Frankenstein
Day 515: Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Bride of Frankenstein April
Day 516: Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Raph as the Mummy
Day 517: Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Don as Dracula
Day 518: Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Leo as the Wolfman
Day 519: Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Invisible Man Michaelangelo
Day 520: Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Creature from the Black Lagoon Leonardo
Day 525: Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classics Michelangelo
Day 673: Playmates Gormiti Murena Den Playset with Hammer the Predator Figure
Day 731: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Counselor Deanna Troi Action Figure
Day 755: Playmates Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Quark Action Figure
Day 762: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action Figure
Day 767: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Captain Picard in Duty Uniform Action Figure
Day 772: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Klingon Warrior Worf Action Figure
Day 777: Playmates Toys Monster Force Creature from the Black Lagoon
Day 815: Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classics Bebop
Day 832: Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classics Rocksteady
Day 964: Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classics Raphael
Day 986: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Dathon Action Figure
Day 991: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Ambassador Spock Action Figure
Day 1,048: Playmates Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Chief Miles O'Brien Action Figure
Day 1,061: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Q Action Figure
Day 1,173: Playmates Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Morn Action Figure
Day 1,181: Playmates Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Commander Gul Dukat Action Figure
Day 1,271: Playmates Star Trek Grand Nagus Zek Action Figure
Day 1,309: Playmates Star Trek Elim Garak Action Figure
Day 1,316: Playmates Gormiti Insecticus and Branchtearer the Furious
Day 1,317: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lieutenant Worf in Starfleet Rescue Outfit Action Figure
Day 1,331: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Captain Scott Action Figure
Day 1,359: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Vorgon Action Figure
Day 1,701: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Ferengi Action Figure
Day 1,819: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Mordock the Benzite Action Figure
Day 1,854: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lieutenant (J.G.) Geordi LaForge Action Figure
Day 1,887: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lieutenant Natasha Yar Action Figure
Day 1,902: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Cadet Wesley Crusher Action Figure
Day 1,923: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lieutenant J.G. Worf in First Season Uniform Action Figure
Day 1,936: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation K'Ehleyr Action Figure
Day 1,974 Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lieutenant Barclay Action Figure
Day 2,005: Playmates Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Odo Action Figure
Day 2,020: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Commander Sela Action Figure

See more Star Trek figures in Figure of the Day:
Day 54: Playmates Classic Star Trek Spock Action Figure
Day 57: Playmates Classic Star Trek Dr. McCoy Action Figure
Day 61: Playmates Classic Star Trek Scotty Action Figure
Day 71: Playmates Classic Star Trek Uhura Action Figure
Day 81: Playmates Classic Star Trek Sulu Action Figure
Day 89: Playmates Classic Star Trek Captain James T. Kirk Action Figure
Day 105: Playmates Classic Star Trek Chekov Action Figure
Day 149: Playmates Star Trek Combat Action Worf
Day 488: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lieutenant Commander Data in First Season Uniform Action Figure
Day 675: Mattel Hot Wheels Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise
Day 731: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Counselor Deanna Troi Action Figure
Day 755: Playmates Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Quark Action Figure
Day 762: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lt. Commander LaForge as a Tarchannen III Alien Action Figure
Day 767: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Captain Picard in Duty Uniform Action Figure
Day 772: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Klingon Warrior Worf Action Figure
Day 986: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Dathon Action Figure
Day 991: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Ambassador Spock Action Figure
Day 1,048: Playmates Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Chief Miles O'Brien Action Figure
Day 1,054: Bif Bang Pow! Star Trek: The Next Generation Lieutenant Worf
Day 1,061: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Q Action Figure
Day 1,173: Playmates Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Morn Action Figure
Day 1,181: Playmates Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Commander Gul Dukat Action Figure
Day 1,271: Playmates Star Trek Grand Nagus Zek Action Figure
Day 1,309: Playmates Star Trek Elim Garak Action Figure
Day 1,317: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lieutenant Worf in Starfleet Rescue Outfit Action Figure
Day 1,331: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Captain Scott Action Figure
Day 1,359: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Vorgon Action Figure
Day 1,701: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Ferengi Action Figure
Day 1,819: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Mordock the Benzite Action Figure
Day 1,854: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lieutenant (J.G.) Geordi LaForge Action Figure
Day 1,887: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lieutenant Natasha Yar Action Figure
Day 1,902: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Cadet Wesley Crusher Action Figure
Day 1,923: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lieutenant J.G. Worf in First Season Uniform Action Figure
Day 1,927: Funko Pop! Movies Star Trek Beyond Captain Kirk (Survival Suit) Pop! Vinyl Figure
Day 1,936: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation K'Ehleyr Action Figure
Day 1,945: Mega Construx Heroes Star Trek: The Next Generation Captain Picard Action Figure
Day 1,949: Eaglemoss Collections Movies Star Trek U.S.S. Defiant NCC-1764 Special Glow in the Dark Issue Die-Cast Metal Vehicle
Day 1,962: Eaglemoss Collections Star Trek U.S.S. Defiant NX-74025 Best Of Issue Die-Cast Metal Vehicle
Day 1,974 Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Lieutenant Barclay Action Figure
Day 1,975: Eaglemoss Collections Discovery Star Trek U.S.S. Discovery NCC-1031 Die-Cast Metal Vehicle
Day 2,005: Playmates Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Odo Action Figure
Day 2,020: Playmates Star Trek: The Next Generation Commander Sela Action Figure
Day 2,094: Eaglemoss Collections Enterprise Star Trek Discovery Special U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Die-Cast Metal Vehicle
Day 2,354: Playmobil 70548 Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Playset
Day 2,642: Super7 Star Trek: The Next Generation Armus ReAction Figure
Day 2,665: Super7 Star Trek Live Long and Prosper Spock ReAction Figure
Day 2,675: Mego Star Trek: The Motion Picture Spock
Day 2,727: Super7 Star Trek: The Next Generation Wesley Crusher ReAction Figure
Day 2,731: Super7 Star Trek: The Next Generation Dr. Beverly Crusher ReAction Figure

Want to buy this figure? Check Star Trek availability at our sponsors:
Entertainment Earth

HTML Comment Box is loading comments...

Click Here for 2012
Figure of the
Day 2013
January 2013
12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031
February 2013
12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
2425262728
March 2013
12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31
April 2013
123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930
May 2013
1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031
June 2013
1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30
July 2013
123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031
August 2013
123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
September 2013
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930
October 2013
12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031
November 2013
12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
December 2013
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293031
Click Here for 2014

16bit.com is best not viewed in Apple's Safari browser, we don't know why. All material on this site copyright their respective copyright holders. All materials appear hear for informative and entertainment purposes. 16bit.com is not to be held responsible for anything, ever. Photos taken by the 16bit.com staff. Site design, graphics, writing, and whatnot credited on the credits page. Be cool-- don't steal.
We know where you live and we'll break your friggin' legs.