TC-14 Protocol Droid - EI - Basic

Silver-plated protocol droid TC-14 serves her Trade Federation masters well when she suspects the Jedi identities of Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The opening of Episode I started intriguingly, but that curiosity didn’t last long or throughout the rest of the film. The environments were strangely familiar (after all, it is space) and a recognizable protocol droid (this time with feminine programming) was one of the very first characters to walk across the screen in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Immediately likable, TC-14 looks a great deal like a protocol droid from the Original Trilogy, U-3PO specifically. Lucas sought out to dispel the myth that all droids have masculine programming, and as such we find out that TC-14 is actually “female.” An elegant droid with shiny chrome plating, she welcomes two guests (who we quickly find out are Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi) to the Neimoidian Trade Federation vessel and offers them drinks before the supposed meeting was to take place. It never did. The Jedi's lives are threatened with poisonous gas, and then everything goes awry. We suddenly see TC-14 Protocol Droid scurry out from the smoke and laser blasts while still holding her survey tray and she is never to be seen again. She is popular with the association of being a protocol droid. And quite frankly, that’s enough reason for us!are Hasbro and other licenses believe that’s reason enough too.

TC-14 Protocol Droid is part of one of the final waves of the Episode I line before it came to a close in early to mid-2000. In short, this meant that TC-14 Protocol Droid barely had a shelf life and many collectors never saw her or wave mate R2-B1 in stores at all. As such, TC-14 Protocol Droid quickly became one of the most sought after figures in the entire Episode I line. Admittedly, while the articulation and even the sculpting on TC-14 Protocol Droid are weak at best, we still think that she holds her own as a decent action figure. And quite frankly it’s her accessories that make her even more interesting than she already is. She’ll likely need another run at retail, so let’s hope that’s in the plans at Hasbro. (Editor’s Note: TC-14 was indeed re-released in 2007’s TAC Saga Legends line with a few paint operation minor changes and a new date stamp.) TC-14 Protocol Droid comes with a unique carafe and serving tray. The carafe has a hole in the bottom of it, and a plug is on the serving tray. The carafe can be plugged into the tray, and then the tray can be placed in the droid’s hands. Hasbro cleverly designed her arms to accommodate holding the tray in a believable screen accurate manner, and quite frankly she looks beautiful when fully accessorized.

She may have had a small part in the film, but Hasbro took great care in making an excellent action figure interpretation of her. The paint job TC-14 Protocol Droid is very nice. The shiny chrome finish is even, and there is evidence of dirt or grease accumulation in the joints (like her shoulders for example). You can even see colored wiring in her torso and the backs of her knees. The head sculpt is a little bit strange for the standard protocol droid. It’s a little too oblong. We wish Hasbro would have perfected its design being approving it for release this way. There is something bold and beautiful about TC-14 Protocol Droid, and she looks cool as a silver/chrome droid against black and red packaging. TC-14 Protocol Droid may be an odd choice for an action figure as she had such a small part in the film, but once again that’s what makes the Star Wars brand such a unique and special thing. Along with TC-14 Protocol Droid comes a CommTech chip which allows the figure to quote the very few lines of dialogue she had in The Phantom Menace. It also serves as an action figure display stand when not being used as it was originally intended. Altogether, TC-14 Protocol Droid is a fine addition to the Episode I line. We’re glad Hasbro made her.