Wot i Fink : The Thirteenth Doctor’s TARDIS Character Options Figure Review

[@CaptainJimiPie]

*_IMPORTANT NOTE : Please read before commenting_* Since recording this video the release date of these has been brought forward and it is available now in various stores and sites online.

[@monosupreme1]

I don't mind them using the classic sculpt, I prefer it to Jodie's as I don't like the shape of her TARDIS. No interior card, I get, they were fit in a particular way for the flight control TARDIS', but the classic boxes don't allow for that, in a mass production scenario. But the one thing that really baffles me, is the inaccurate windows, we have a new lamp, why not the windows? Especially for the price tag of 24.99. SURELY that would cover the cost of new windows. Considering we got new bases for the B&M TARDIS', this isn't asking for much.

[@CaptainJimiPie]

With all due respect I think you're making the same mistake that many do (and I'm including myself in that before I learn more) about actually what goes into making figures and toys etc. It costs thousands of pounds to make tooling for new figures, so doing something like just making a new tooling for the windows would be expensive, and the chances are that they already stretched their budget to give us the new lamp and roof...it would have been far more cost effective to give us nothing at all. As for the new bases on the B&M classic TARDIS's then, on the classic TARDIS's they used the existing tooling with a new base, on this they've used existing tooling with a new roof, you can't really use the former to justify the latter being better considering it's the same thing. So all things considered, such as having to work to a very strict budget, the time taken for design, QC, making new tooling, adding electronics to it, not to mention all those involved in the process being paid and the manufacturing costs in their thousands...selling it to us at £24.99 is actually insanely cheap!

[@Planet360YT]

Bit of an odd question but what’s the plastic quality like? If you put a light in it does it shine though the plastic or just the windows?

[@CaptainJimiPie]

I'd say it's about in the middle, it's certainly not as thick as the original classic boxes but it's not a thin as the B&M ones

[@KapybaraKSP]

Now I think about it,the flashing light is really good because then it means when animating with it, doing the landing sequence is easy cause it would flash constantly so you don’t need to time it or something...

[@CaptainJimiPie]

That's a very good point

[@warrengraham5145]

From the same guy who tore into the 3rd Doctor and TARDIS set, someone has rather drastically changed their tune.

[@CaptainJimiPie]

Well out of curiousity I went back I rewatched my review before replying and whilst I might have been a bit harsh in what I said I still stand by it and I think I was justified in my criticisms, which in a way is proven because you can see the improvements they've made in subsequent classic TARDIS releases. The Third Doctor set was the first classic TARDIS released in 8 years and with a far more restricted budget than the original release so of course it's not going to be as good, and as I had to actually buy it rather than being allowed to review it in advance, I'm obviously going to critique it more closely. At the time I made that review (and past ones) like many I didn't really understand what went into the production of figure sets but after actually looking into it and being able to talk to those involved I have a much better perspective on what being produced within the quite tight limitations of their budget. Just because I said one thing a couple of years ago doesn't mean I still think the same today, people can change their views

[@warrengraham5145]

@@CaptainJimiPie True, I think Character could have done with waiting a little longer before releasing this though. So they could perhaps funnel the profits made from their other phenomenal new figures. Not to say it isn't a gorgeous looking new TARDIS variant, because it is but it could have done with a little more time and thought. A slightly less taller roof could have benefitted this TARDIS to mimic the proportions of the onscreen prop. It's lovely however.

[@CaptainJimiPie]

That's not really how it works, their budget is often based on sales predictions so cutting the TARDIS out of the range, even with the intention of release a more screen accurate version later, would have meant their sales wouldn't have been as high there for even less budget to make it. The whole point of not releasing the prototyped version was because they couldn't afford it so what they've given us here whilst not 100% accurate is the best they could do. Even just a month or so back they said they had no plans to release a Dhawan Master but it's a possibility depending on how well the current and future figure sell...ultimately it's really down to us as customers to keep the range going, but the problem is it's a vicious circle of entitlement where some fans say refuse to buy merchandise unless it's exactly what they want, which then leads to the company taking a hit, therefore having to cut more corners in what they release in future leading to fans refusing to buy the merchandise unless it's more accurate. As I said it's worth looking into what actually goes into figure production, it's a lot more complex than people think.

[@Mxtt_Hxll]

Are you planning on customising this official release to be a little more prop accurate with the notches and raised base?

[@CaptainJimiPie]

No, but that's only because I've already done it with a previous TARDIS release kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZLbcnaahdVra7M

[@timemeddler7730]

I put custom interior cards for the B&M classic Tardis Sets, I mean it's not so difficult, without electronics they are easy to disassemble.

[@CaptainJimiPie]

I never bothered myself as I always have them closed on display, but I know alot of people do, however the classic TARDIS's weren't initially designed to feature interior cards so putting them in now would be possible but could also potentially require a redesign & extra expenditure. Especially as many fans would probably them say they also wanted interior lights and console room sounds when the doors are open to...the sad truth is if CO cut things like that to save money then some fans will say it's not enough, but if they gave the fans what they wanted they'd have to charge much higher prices or risk going out of business. As you say it's not difficult to do it ourselves so some people need to stop expecting so much and be happy with what we do get!

[@timemeddler7730]

@@CaptainJimiPie Exactly ! I mean they aren't even that expensive, i would almost say that they are cheap to get when you compare the prices to other toys like lego, atleast when you don't have to import them to germany like I have to xD

[@CaptainJimiPie]

Indeed!

[@ShowaddywaddyFan]

This is definitely the actual release

[@CaptainJimiPie]

Well...yes...I know it is, not sure why you're pointing this out to me?

[@KapybaraKSP]

Yes, what are you getting at aha?

[@fionasconstellation5372]

I honestly think this looks excellent. I'm so excited for this to be released, even with the cutbacks it still looks incredibly close, if a little bit skinny, but that's far from a deal breaker as far as I'm concerned. Excellent review!

[@CaptainJimiPie]

Thanks, it is certainly going to be very popular and well worth getting one!

[@CyberDoctor-tc8tc]

Yay!!!!!! Thank you for uploading

[@CaptainJimiPie]

No worries!

[@flyingtardisOfficial]

i really like the look of this, and looking forward to seeing if i end up preferring my custom one over it or not :P i do have a couple of minor gripes mind, the lamp seems a little thin for my liking, just looks odd and a little prone to breaking, and the lamp continues to flash when in landed mode and that kind of looks strange, especially as i'm p sure it just stays illuminated. either way ive done my pre-order, as i can see these going almost instantly

[@CaptainJimiPie]

The lamp is very securely fixed in place and isn't "thin" in it's build so I wouldn't imagine it would easily break off unless you were really throwing the TARDIS around. As for the lamp it does flash when in "landed" mode, which it doesn't do in the show, but as far as I'm aware all the previous lights & sounds TARDIS models also always flash when in "landed" mode

[@flyingtardisOfficial]

just checked a few reviews of first and 4th boxes, and ye, they don't flash in "landed position, i have a feeling the flashing is an artifact of having the flashing once "taken off" if it was at all possible to use the smith chip from the first release minus the console sound, i think that would be a good way to sort the issue out, but its not a deal breaker, and i'm sure i can put an inline switch in so the lamp stays illuminated, it'll be a pain to work out but i'll fathom it out somehow

[@CaptainJimiPie]

That is strange as I'm sure mine flashes in the landing position, I haven't got batteries in my Fourth Doctor TARDIS one but I do in the Seventh Doctor one and after just checking it it does flash in landed mode so I'm not sure, it could be faulty to be fair, I've had it for a long time. I do know that the new series TARDIS's I have all have the lights flashing in landed mode though as I checked them earlier too and they are all in full working condition...it's possible that maybe some do and some don't? Either way there will be a way around making it stay on but I always display them with lights off myself so it doesn't really bother me personally

[@Mr-yj4qz]

Would this work as an 8th doctor tardis custom?

[@CaptainJimiPie]

If you wanted to use it for that you could, but you can do it just as well with the existing Classic TARDIS's kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5DdkpepZpJnpdk

[@Mr-yj4qz]

@@CaptainJimiPie Does this come with the old base or the new smaller one? Also do you think CO will reuse this roof and sign for other classic tardises like an 8th doctor or 2nd doctor tardis?

[@CaptainJimiPie]

The base is shown in the video, and I don't have any official connection to CO, I'm just a reviewer, so I don't know anything about what they may do in future

[@SonicTimewarp]

Quick question since you don’t really point it out, but I’d that a new bulb or is it the 11th Doctor’s bulb? Because to me that looks like 11th’s bulb. (And yes I’m aware of the cutbacks he mentioned in the video.)

[@CaptainJimiPie]

They look very similar but it is in fact a new bulb sculpt

[@omarmalik4939]

Great review! I agree, for a while most of us believed there would be no official 13th Doctor Tardis release, so this is good news.

[@CaptainJimiPie]

Thanks! It is a great product, they'd done very well to bring us something within the limitation of what they could do

[@ClonePilotSwoop]

When it comes to using a Classic or New Who box, just judging from the actual prop box in the show, the Classic box definitely has the better dimensions to scale with the Jodie figure. And I thought that was kind of a cool change for the prop box. In Twice Upon A Time, you see the 1st Doctor make some comment about the TARDIS being bigger, etc... And clearly that hurt the TARDIS's feelings so for the new Doctor, she changed herself up a bit. If you get a chance, it would be cool to see some pictures, maybe on Twitter or FB of this 13 Box next to the 10th Flight Control and the 5th B&M just to see the color differences. Here on screen, it looks similar to 10's box coloring, but that could be lighting. Great review. Can't wait to pre-order this!

[@CaptainJimiPie]

The Thirteenth Doctor prop is probably best described as a "classic TARDIS in new series proportions", style wise it's definitely classic so it makes sense to use a classic TARDIS toy but size wise it is closer to a new series TARDIS. As I say in the video, you can't get away from the fact it is smaller but it does look closer to what we see on screen in terms of it's style. I will be trying to get some pictures of it to put up on my Twitter soon as I know more people would like to see comparisons between the different TARDIS's but in the hand I'd say it's closer in colour to an original Fourth Doctor electronic TARDIS

[@ClonePilotSwoop]

@@CaptainJimiPie Oh, the original 4th, huh? I don't have that one, so the good news is this one will stand out in my set. I have the 1st Electronic, the B&M 3rd, B&M 4th with the white Police Box signs, B&M 5th, 10th Electronic, and 12th Electronic boxes. So I'm really excited to get this. I'll have to pay the shipping to US, but I figure I've paid $70 - $80 for B&M non-electronic boxes, so I can't really stand on this shipping cost to say no to this one.

[@CaptainJimiPie]

It is well worth the price, shipping is annoying (having ordered things from the US before I get that haha) but you will be very pleased with the final product!

[@StudiosMurphy]

It's great we finally have a tardis to go along side the 13th doctor figure because it looks fantastic, can't wait to pick one up later this year

[@CaptainJimiPie]

They have done a wonderful job on this, especially given the cut-back from the previous one, they really have made this one look just as good!

[@TheDarkWilliams1963]

this looks amazing, yes it does take away from it the fact that it doesn't have the notches on the side posts and no interior card or lights, but it is understandable on why they have done this. all those people who say this is going to be a waste, just be glad we are getting a new electronic TARDIS. i do care about it not having the notches or interior lights or card but all i want is a semi accurate tardis for my 13th Doctor action figure collection shelf.

[@CaptainJimiPie]

Exactly, as I said it's because fans are buying less figures that their budget for producing new ones is getting smaller, Al has already said on GBase that the sales of these figures may determine if we could possible get things like a figure of the new Master next year. So really it is down to us to make sure these, and all the other figures sell well if we want to help improve the range!

[@TheDarkWilliams1963]

@@CaptainJimiPie yes. and omg you replied to my comment thank you :) you are amazing at making custom figures i'm so jealous that you have the skills to make your custom figures.

[@CaptainJimiPie]

No worries, I do my best to reply to any and all comments I get, as for customs, anyone can make them, it's mostly about having the patience & practice to build up your skills. I didn't get to where mine are today with practicing and even now I'm still learning and improving!

[@lukesolo7930]

I am so happy with this I am going to get this on my b-day I just wish they made the windows yellow like the 5th doctor tardis b&m set

[@CaptainJimiPie]

I did think about that myself but to be fair when not illuminated they are more white, if you put a small yellow light inside them you could probably achieve the desired effect

[@TheFallofTheEleventh]

@CaptainJimiPie just curious. Do the windows light up if you shine a light through them? I might customise it and put an LED inside

[@CaptainJimiPie]

Yes they do, so putting a light inside would make them light up

[@TheFallofTheEleventh]

CaptainJimiPie good to hear! And what about the police public call box sign on the top?? I’m assuming it’s just a sticker but does that allow for light to travel through as well?? Great review as well

[@CaptainJimiPie]

I haven't take it apart but assuming it's unaltered from the standard classic box then it wouldn't let light through, however it would be possible (although maybe not easy) to modify it to do so

[@TheFallofTheEleventh]

CaptainJimiPie ah thanks for the info! Hopefully you could get some more of them and do some custom videos! Would love to see that from you man!

[@CaptainJimiPie]

Probably not something I'd do tbh, purely because I've already done a custom TARDIS for each Doctor

[@quinnparsons9062]

I COMPLETELY agree with the "entitlement" within collecting circles, I myself am part of a big group and the amount of people who have slated this wave of figures and said they won't buy them because it will show CO that there is more interest in classic series figures. They just don't seem to understand that it just doesn't work like that.

[@CaptainJimiPie]

Very much so, and it's also worth pointing out that the figures are no longer marketed as "collectables/collectors series" figures, they are now just called Action Figures. The only exception to this is the B&M triple packs which are marketed as "Collectors Set" but along with the limited edition sticker this was just part of the range agreement with B&M, it doesn't mean they're actually rare/collectable...maybe in 10 years time but right now they are worth what they are selling for.

[@ThornOfSociety]

Not sure how making a smaller tardis with electronics would cost less than a slightly larger one with none(with or without interior card). That said it still looks good and I can see this being used for an 8th Doctor tardis. Also in fairness at times I have wondered if the new series tardis toys have been slightly too big.

[@CaptainJimiPie]

A new series TARDIS would have most likely featured interior lights, interior card, spinning/vortex effects, which in turn means extra electronics, parts & plastic to make it up. By using a classic sculpt which has minimal electronics & is just an empty box they actually have quite a bit less to make in terms of production which no doubt equals to saving productions costs. The most positive thing to take away from this is, providing B&M are agreeable, this does open up the POSSIBILITY of future classic TARDIS releases (or maybe even re-releases) having lights & sounds in future...it's unlikely but something to consider.

[@ThornOfSociety]

@@CaptainJimiPie That is true and I can see going smaller if electronics were always planned and I do like it overall and as I said I can see it being reused for an 8th Doctor tardis of which wouldn't have happened had it being a new series build. Just saying if they weren't planning electronics at first the new series would have been a bit cheaper than classic with electronics. I do hope we get more classic ones in future, like a 7th tardis rerelease etc;

[@CaptainJimiPie]

As far as I'm aware the new prototype was always going to have electronics but even if they hadn't then the extra plastic & insert card would have still cost money. The only real new thing on this one is the roof/lamp pieces, the base box and even the electronics are all existing parts so it's understandable why they'd choose that route. Either way as I said it does show the potential of future re-releases, so fingers crossed.

[@ajbartwork360]

I would’ve liked a better look at the roof and lamp. Apart from that. Wonderful review👍🏻

[@CaptainJimiPie]

It can be difficult at time to get it all on screen, without having to adjust the camera around a lot, so I try to get as much on screen as I can but it's not always possible. The roof does look good through and the lamp is not dissimilar to that on The Eleventh Doctor TARDIS, but it is a whole new sculpt

[@ajbartwork360]

CaptainJimiPie thank you very much

[@CaptainJimiPie]

No worries!

[@ShowaddywaddyFan]

I might preorder it when I come back to the UK

[@CaptainJimiPie]

It's well worth it!

[@jcrossan1351]

Although it is a shame we didn’t get a new sculpt I’m just glad we got it however I think they should’ve used the new series box because of the square windows

[@CaptainJimiPie]

Exactly, the new sculpt would have been nice but ultimately they could have just decided to give us nothing at all to save costs even more, but the fact that they still brought us this is something we should be very thankful for!

[@Joshml98]

I wonder if this line does well they might release the original prototype further down the line

[@CaptainJimiPie]

I would imagine that's unlikely, it would certainly please lots of people but I doubt it would happen

[@KapybaraKSP]

Ah, here it is as you promised! Can’t wait!

[@CaptainJimiPie]

It is great, perhaps not what people would have liked to have seen but CO have really done the best with what they could!

[@KapybaraKSP]

CaptainJimiPie yeah! And now I can make customs and re use this to have some electronics in them! I might just buy one but if I want to make a custom one I can always get another

[@CaptainJimiPie]

It will certainly be a popular box for customising I think!

[@douglassmith1516]

Can't wait to get this

[@CaptainJimiPie]

They are great!

[@BruhJoshHill]

Have you got everything else to review as well? (Graham, 13 and Judoon)

[@CaptainJimiPie]

At present time I've only got The Thirteenth Doctor too which is currently being uploaded, but we'll wait and see if anymore turn up. I'm still just amazed and excited I've gotten these though, it's much more than I expected!

[@BruhJoshHill]

CaptainJimiPie these really do look amazing. You are really lucky to have gotten these advance copies!

[@CaptainJimiPie]

I am indeed, and extremely thankful to CO & their PR company for giving me these opportunities to share them all with you, plus it is gets more people buying them I'm doing well!

[@CrossoverKid92]

Yknow what, I'd actually be really tempted to buy this and the Recon Dalek... (I seem to be collecting TARDISes lately)

[@CaptainJimiPie]

It is very good, not quite what many were expecting but they'd got it pretty damn close and it's great quality!

[@Diamond_Squid]

The final one leaked was Graham - can’t wait on that

[@CaptainJimiPie]

Graham wasn't leaked, he was already formally announced alongside the others

[@Diamond_Squid]

CaptainJimiPie that makes more sense / just use to things being leaked as devs and official peoples don’t release anything these days

[@CaptainJimiPie]

Unfortunately that's just the way it is these days, but I do know that CO and the BBC are taking security of info about the new series very seriously (as they should) so it's very much dealt with on a need to know basis. And on a personal note this is an incredible honour to review this kind of merchandise in advance so the last thing I would do is risk that by asking questions or risk leaking anything

[@JackSepticeyeFan-fu6zd]

It's already now out it's the 27th of March now

[@CaptainJimiPie]

Yes I know but at the time I recorded the video they hadn't pushed the release date forward

[@MichaelCarter1967347053]

once it hits the us, i'm gonna get that tardis to replace my flight control tardis that i lost years ago

[@CaptainJimiPie]

It is a great model, they'd put alot of work into giving us something as close to the Thirteenth Doctor's TARDIS as possible within the limitations of their production

[@ejyxx5534]

WHY IS THERE NO SPINNING FEATURE

[@CaptainJimiPie]

The original prototype probably did have that, however adding that to a classic box moulding probably wouldn't have been cost effective...hence why no other classic TARDIS's have it

[@fattestboyslimmer2403]

Amazing great!

[@CaptainJimiPie]

It is a great model, really looks the part even as a classic TARDIS!

[@fattestboyslimmer2403]

@@CaptainJimiPie you could use it as a bill hartnell box!

[@CaptainJimiPie]

I mention that idea in the video myself, the colour tone is not dissimilar

[@fattestboyslimmer2403]

@@CaptainJimiPie I was talking about your review! And the tardis is great!

[@CaptainJimiPie]

Ah ok, no worries! It is indeed!

[@Simon83O79]

For kids its perfect I rekon but for die hard collectors such as myself. Im just really disappointed in this. If they had gone for the prototype then I would have brought it. And I understand your thing about buying things so they can do better. But I just dont wanna buy something that I wont like when I can and have now done better myself. But as I said. For kids and a standard collector, perfect. For a die hard collector such as myself who goes insane over just the placement of a lamp..... Na lol. Tbh your custom one even with just the notches I woulda gone for cause that is pretty good. If you are curious, This is my kit I created, (Painted and assembled by a client who commissioned one) prntscr.com/qwjwm4 What do you think?

[@CaptainJimiPie]

I do take your point about how it's not for some people, but it is worth noting as well this latest range has removed the "collectors" element from it's name and they are marketed as action figures, so I think they are back to focusing more on the toys side of the range rather than collectors. Your custom version is fantastic, and thank you for your kind words about mine but that is also another point worth noting, as I'm sure you can appreciate there is a big difference between making a custom version and a mass production item. Customisers aren't neccsarily subject to the stringent rules and limitations that a mass production company is, and not everyone (myself included) has your fantastic skills and equipment to make something closer to what was seen on screen. The fact that CO made the prototype one to start with shows that they did want to bring us something completely new rather than just settling from something made from parts right from the start, and personally I can appreciate they went to that effort even if it's not what we ended up getting. Ultimately I can understand people not wanting to buy something they don't like as a collector but from a customisers perspective I would say it's worth buying as it could be turned into something else, and the lights & sounds are a good bonus to that.

[@chancetheboy8487]

I'm disappointed. Genuinely. I get the reasons, and points. And yes I know we got it! I'm still going to get this. Because it is beautiful! But I just think they could have done a little better.

[@CaptainJimiPie]

The whole point though is they TRIED to do better but ultimately because of their budget and the increase in production costs they HAD to utilise what existing parts they could instead. After all they could have very easily given us nothing at all but they gave us what they could, and I for one appreciate that greatly! The most positive & helpful thing to do is look past the it's inaccuracies, buy it to help increase the budget for future figures and most of all be thankful we are still getting merchandise at all!

[@chancetheboy8487]

@@CaptainJimiPie Im afraid I just cant agree, Remember how good CO used to be? Remember the 10th doctors box? the fact that this is really where we've gone a decade later is sad to me, two sound effects and opening doors, and some lights thats it. Remember what character used to release? they went out of their way to make it. What are they doing now?! I know, buget is a big thing, but I really do think its a shame this is so- Frankenstein. And the fact the CO head of Doctor who figures literally had to show people how to put in a card, shame. Sorry.

[@CaptainJimiPie]

No offence but I think you don't agree because you haven't fully grasped the real issue. Yes way back in the day CO's products were superior to today, I'm not disputing that at all, but it's not way back in the day anymore. The Doctor Who figure range just isn't as popular as it once was, and it's been that way for a long time, way back before they started reusing old figures to make new ones, and because of general financial inflation the cost of making figures has gone up which in turn is WHY they've had to start reusing old sculpts to make new things. You're saying you know budget is a big thing but I don't think you quite understand HOW big of a thing it is, making a new figure from scratch, designing it, making the castings, making tests shots, and repeating that until they are finally able to make the figures themselves, costs THOUSANDS, and then on top of that there's the packaging, all the legal & licence regulations on top of that...it's a HUGE amount of work that has to be undertaking within a very strict and limited budget. I think before you place the blame at CO's feet you really need to understand what is entailed in making figures as a whole, and I'm saying that as someone who used to be the same in thinking we were getting rather short changed, but since looking into it more and actually talking to those involved in making the figures I've come to realise that we're VERY lucky to get what we are getting now because they are stretching their budget to the absolutely maximum to ensure that we as fans still get figures, even if they aren't EXACTLY what we wanted...but that's life...you can't always get what you want.

[@rockandrollfan470]

Personally hate it. It will look rubbish on display with my other new who tardises. So upset with it. Not even a card put inside. There are some up sides. But I am angry about it

[@CaptainJimiPie]

Each to their own but to be fair I think you should reserve judgement until you actually see on in person. As I said in the video it's not the one everyone wanted but they have really done alot to make it look the part and things like using a classic TARDIS & lack of card inside is due to reasons of cost & build...which ultimately is down to us fan who buy the merchandise because the more we buy the better their budget and the lesser their production limitations