Review: 11385 Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Bridge
Posted by CapnRex101,
Star Trek celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2026 and 11385 Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Bridge seems like a superb concept to mark the occasion. The command bridge aboard the NCC-1701 is a classic location and one that should be perfect for a LEGO diorama.
Indeed, I mentioned the possibility when speculating about LEGO Star Trek in 2024, but I am slightly surprised by its execution, extending beyond the bridge and into the transporter room. The result is a model bigger and more expensive than I expected, though it does look impressive.
Summary
11385 Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Bridge, 1,701 pieces.
£159.99 / $199.99 / €179.99 | 9.4p, 11.8c, 10.6c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
The bridge and minifigures are outstanding, but the transporter room and price are not
- Bridge is brilliantly detailed
- Great accuracy throughout
- Neat turbolift door function
- Excellent selection of minifigures
- Odd composition for display
- Huge number of stickers
- Mediocre transporter function
- Quite expensive
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Box and Contents
While the bridge itself looks very detailed and appealing for display, its presentation on the box shows a potential issue with including the transporter room, as the entire assembly lacks visual balance. Moreover, it seems odd to move away from the gold border on 10356 Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D's packaging, but this shade of blue looks nice too.
I knew there would be quite a few stickers included, given the number of consoles and screens found around this set. However, I was surprised to open the instructions envelope and discover two sticker sheets with a total of 44 stickers between them, which is much more than I expected. The repeated designs for the transporter room dramatically inflate the quantity and I wish those were printed, although that may not be possible for reflective decorations.
Minifigures
There are eight minifigures included, covering the full central cast and beginning with Captain James T. Kirk. The famed captain of the starship Enterprise is recognisable in minifigure form, wearing his classic command yellow uniform with an accurate Starfleet emblem and featuring a confident smile, appropriate for Kirk. Ideally, his hair would be swept to the right, but this piece suffices.
Spock, meanwhile, is dressed in a blue sciences division uniform, with a circular detail at the centre of his Starfleet symbol. These uniforms could look rather plain on a minifigure, so I am pleased the graphic designer was able to capture this subtle detail. Spock's unique hair piece and moulded Vulcan ears look marvellous too.
However, my favourite aspects of this minifigure are the facial expressions, differing only by a slightly raised eyebrow, which conveys Spock's character! Captain Kirk is far more expressive and appears troubled by the first of several tribbles included, while Spock comes with a satchel and a communicator, represented by a printed 1x2 tile.
Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott serves as chief engineer aboard the Enterprise and is arguably the hardest character to capture at this scale, without a distinctive hairstyle or particularly iconic expression. Nonetheless, I think this cheerful design works and the metallic gold Starfleet symbol is authentic once again, including the spiral engineering sigil.
The same detail appears on Lieutenant Nyota Uhura, although her uniform is otherwise very different. The dual-moulded legs look excellent and I think the hair element was a good choice among those already in production, albeit not an exact match for any of Uhura's hairstyles from the original series.
Uhura only features one expression, unfortunately, but her familiar headset is included, as the Enterprise's communications officer. Scotty does include an alternative expression and seems concerned to be holding a dilithium container, which uses a pearl dark grey lantern element for the container housing.
Often posted at the helm console in front of the captain, Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu and Ensign Pavel Chekov are both dressed in command yellow. I will take this opportunity to note that all these uniforms should have gold braiding around the cuffs, so it is a shame those accents are not printed on the arms, although they would blend in on the yellow shirts.
Sulu's warm tan head looks reasonable for the character, but using a generic design is slightly underwhelming, particularly without a second expression. Chekov's head is also very common and notably features a frightened alternative face, presumably chosen because the Enterprise's young navigator does have a tendency to panic on occasion.
In addition, I think this hairstyle suits Chekov. The element was created for Will Byers in 75810 The Upside Down and has only appeared a couple of times since, surprisingly, although this is only its second appearance in dark brown.
Dr. Leonard McCoy wears the same uniform as Spock, including the sciences insignia on his badge. I think using the classic male hair element works for McCoy and I am happy to see it in use again. It has not been available in reddish brown since 2019. The double-sided head looks good too, originally designed for Admiral Motti in 75419 Death Star.
I would have been happy with Kirk, Spock, Scotty, Uhura, Sulu, Chekov and Bones, so Nurse Christine Chapel feels like a bonus inclusion. This uniform is once again unique, featuring an accurate seam down the front and a medical cross on the Starfleet insignia, with dual-moulded legs similar to Uhura.
Chapel's double-sided head is new and the figure comes with a bowl of Vulcan plomeek soup, as seen in the second season episode Amok Time. Dr. McCoy, commonly known as Bones, is equipped with a syringe and another printed communicator. I am glad that two are included, so crew members can indeed communicate.
The Completed Model
While some limitations are apparent under particular lighting conditions, the bridge aboard the classic starship Enterprise has a timeless quality and this model captures its design extremely well. The muted tones with occasional pops of vibrant colour are fantastic and I love the use of reddish orange tiles throughout, ensuring the whole set looks cohesive.
On the other hand, including the transporter room and viewscreen arguably leaves the model unbalanced, as mentioned earlier. I like that you can rearrange the modules and the separate pieces of the diorama look great individually, but the transporter room in particular is difficult to integrate naturally. Personally, I think the above arrangement is most effective.
Furthermore, the bridge looks impressive alone. This room has ten sides onscreen, which was probably quite a difficult shape to recreate, but it looks splendid. The front walls are omitted for presentation and I love the elevated platforms around the edge and in the centre. However, the floor in between is missing, even though characters do frequently stand there.
I can understand its absence though because I am not sure how a baseplate or even multiple small plates would interact with the walkway around the room. As you can see, its structure is rather complex, as alternating segments of the walkway are connected via hinge plates, while those in between are attached to clips. The result is fragile, but it looks brilliant from above.
As on many generations of the Enterprise, the captain's chair and helm console are positioned centrally on the bridge. Despite its focal position, the captain's chair is a little overshadowed by those belonging to the helmsman and navigator because those seats are somewhat larger than they should be.
The designer has seemingly tried to prioritise the chairs' shape and colour scheme, which is a laudable goal, but perhaps not at the cost of their proportions. The consoles in front look great though, using stickers for these displays, as well as the prominent astrogator and chronometer in the middle. The targeting scanner and alert status light are also included.
Removing the astrogator panel reveals room for a tribble underneath. Though these creatures look adorable, they are known to reproduce incredibly quickly, which can cause issues as they completely fill their environment. This includes empty mechanical voids, such as this one in the helm console.
The captain's chair can swivel to face any of the surrounding crew stations and it is sometimes known to rock back and forth when the ship is hit, hence the ball joint underneath. Captain Kirk looks excellent seated on his chair, with buttons accurately flanking him on the armrests.
Lieutenant Uhura's communication console is positioned behind the captain, featuring another oversized chair, which partly obstructs access to the platform, annoyingly. However, the actual console is exceptionally detailed, comprising five printed pieces decorated with various buttons and displays. Despite the many stickers included, I am very glad these repeated designs were printed.
The monitors above do require a sticker though, applied on a sand blue window piece. One of these screens shows the Gorn captain, whom Kirk famously battles in Arena, an episode from season one. Having seen the character in minifigure form on this screen, now we undoubtedly need a physical version!
The adjoining stations are assigned to science and navigation, with navigational charts above that station on the left. Ideally, there would be a bit more variety in the controls at each station, for absolute authenticity, but that would probably mean more stickers, so I am happy with only the scope at Spock's science station.
Unfortunately, the seats at each station cannot actually swivel with minifigures seated on them because the figures' legs collide with the controls. Even so, posing a character angled to either side with the chair rotated looks natural, so Uhura and Kirk can still interact, as shown below.
Moving to the opposite side of the bridge, we find the engineering station and the turbolift, with ample space for figures in front of the lift. The single screen at the engineering station matches its appearance during the television series and the turbolift entrance looks superb too, recessed as it should be.
The only feature I find strange is the red light above the turbolift, which is transplanted from the wall above the Enterprise's dedication plaque and turned ninety degrees. Fortunately, there are no errors on the plaque this time and the orange starship diagrams are accurate as well.
The mechanism to open the turbolift doors is clever, but deceptively simple. One door is linked to the top of the Technic lever, while the other door is built on a 1x12 plate that passes through the base and connected to the bottom of the lever. It works smoothly and the doors are exactly in unison; I only wish the Technic elements were better hidden.
Perhaps the medium lavender walls could have been extended further to hide the mechanism, which would make space to pose figures in a corridor scene too. Arguably, the walls should be closer to an off-white, though the lighting onscreen gives them a lavender tint and this shade is certainly more interesting, so I am satisfied with this colour.
The model is obviously not designed to be seen from the back, but there are a few details and accessories found here. The foil clipped to the wall belongs to Hikaru Sulu, inspired by scenes from The Naked Time, when the helmsman abandons his post and wanders about the starship with a sword, under the influence of an alien virus.
In addition, there are several areas of colourful mechanical texture on the outer walls, based on the power conduits and other nondescript technical features seen on the original sets. Skeleton arms, roller skates and spoons are among the pieces used for these details, known by the term GNDN when Star Trek was filmed, standing for 'Goes nowhere, does nothing'!
A new element has been designed for the characters' type-2 phasers. These are hardly shown on the packaging or in official images, which I find bizarre because they look fantastic, with lots of moulded detail and bar connection points on the handle and barrel. Four are provided, stored on a rack behind the navigation station.
The viewscreen would clearly get in the way if placed directly in front of the helm controls, so this section of the bridge can instead be connected to either side with a Technic pin. Applying such a large sticker to a smooth tile is always tricky, but the graphic looks excellent. While the horizontal Klingon icon is taken from a scene in Elaan of Troyius, I think the Klingon shown is supposed to be Kor from season one's Errand of Mercy.
Several more accessories are stored on the back of the viewscreen, including a pair of Vulcan lirpas, a trident scanner and Spock's lute. The trident scanner is pretty underwhelming, named for its three probes, whereas this accessory only has two. The other items look fine though and you can pose Spock holding his musical instrument.
Finally, we reach the transporter room. This is an important location aboard the Enterprise, but one totally disconnected from the main bridge, so it feels superfluous to the set. I wish this had been made available as a separate set, perhaps with a section of corridor to link it to the bridge as a display option, although that is not really how LEGO Icons normally works.
This room is especially dense with stickers, several of which comprise the transporter controls. Reddish orange is a lovely colour for the console and all the details are accurate, including the shroud over the targeting scanner and the energiser control levers. The screen on the wall also matches the show, although it and the controls should be further from the transporter itself.
I like how the base of the transporter is assembled sideways, so it looks very smooth, with dark red carpet and an angled step. There should actually be two steps, but I think the designer was right to prioritise their shape. Moreover, the individual transporter pads are attractive, decorated with shiny silver stickers.
The rearmost transporter pads incorporate a simple play feature, as you can stand a minifigure on each pad and then turn them together to vanish behind reflective panels. This function does work well enough, controlled with a splat gear on the back, but it feels pretty rudimentary for an 18+ model to me.
Also, the shimmering effect more closely resembles the transporters featured in Star Trek: The Motion Picture or Star Trek: The Next Generation than the original series. That said, I think any alternative would involve a more elaborate and larger mechanism, perhaps swapping the whole occupied transporter pad with an empty one, so the simple solution makes sense.
Lovely though the reflective stickers look, including ten more across the back wall, you need to be careful when applying them because any air bubbles are particularly apparent on shimmery stickers. Nonetheless, the spectrum of colours is eye-catching and I am pleased these stickers reach the edges of the transporter pad, even though they finish part way round onscreen.
Turning to the rear of the transporter room, you can see the splat gear with its stopper, so the transporter pads only swivel in one direction. There are no other details or stored accessories here, unlike around the bridge, but there is a conspicuous Technic button.
Pressing the button reveals another compartment inhabited by tribbles! Four are shown in the instruction manual inventory, two medium nougat and two tan, but my set came with two extra medium nougat tribbles. Given their tendency to multiply, I struggle to believe the extra tribbles are coincidental, so maybe the spares are a reference to their ever-increasing numbers, or so the piece count reaches the important number of 1701.
Overall
While not exactly what I expected when imagining this set, 11385 Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 Bridge is an appealing model. The bridge in particular is exceptionally detailed and faithful to the television series, despite my qualms about the oversized crew seats and the lack of floor around the captain's chair and helm.
My greater concern is with the set's general composition, as I think the model is best displayed without the transporter room or viewscreen. Part of me wishes those were actually omitted and the price reduced accordingly, which is a sense heightened by the price of £159.99, $199.99 or €179.99. That seems expensive, particularly with so many stickers, but I think this set will prove too tempting for Star Trek fans to ignore.
157 likes
87 comments on this article
With that number of stickers, I believe this set is part of the Warp Speed Champions theme.
I kinda like it, but I don't. I'll most likely get it because it's Star Trek, but I am also a little confused as it appears quite unique ie. not for play or display
And there I was thinking only Kurtzman could ruin Star Trek, but no... Lego have managed it too. Shame on you Lego, all those stickers are a disgrace and the configuration is aweful.
I’m afraid this is still a day one buy for me, albeit with the VIP points I’ve saved up
@dimc said:
"With that number of stickers, I believe this set is part of the Warp Speed Champions theme. "
...dammit, here, take your Like.
I was disappointed when I first saw it, I would have much rather had a complete Bridge set and then had a separate transporter room down the line..
I am surprised at how negative the reception has been for this set, I find it very appealing! Naturally the price is tough, but not completely mad, just expensive. I think the display value and the play value is balanced pretty well, at least by my standards. The sticker situation is unfortunate but not the most surprising. Obviously everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I understand the desire for a more complete bridge, but the set as it is is basically exactly how I would like it, so I will be getting it once I find a spot for it...
Minor correction
"In addition, I think this hairstyle suits Chekov. The element was created for 40516 Everyone is Awesome in 2021 and has only appeared a couple of times since, surprisingly, although never before moulded in dark brown."
The part was actually introduced in dark brown for Will Byer in The Upside Down but then the part for a new design ID for future appearances.
stupid set to be honest, only for die hard star trek wans wanting the minifigs
When you have 5 identical stickers but still refuse to print
I only see 42 stickers
@watcher21 said:
"When you have 5 identical stickers but still refuse to print"
They are doing that plenty today, its so weird.
@Glacier_Phoenix said:
"Minor correction
"In addition, I think this hairstyle suits Chekov. The element was created for 40516 Everyone is Awesome in 2021 and has only appeared a couple of times since, surprisingly, although never before moulded in dark brown."
The part was actually introduced in dark brown for Will Byer in The Upside Down but then the part for a new design ID for future appearances. "
Thank you. I had a feeling I had seen it in dark brown before, but as you said, I was misled by the part number changing in 2021.
@Harold_of_Vortech said:
"I only see 42 stickers "
A couple of the transporter pad stickers are split in half and applied on 1x2 semicircular tiles, which you may have missed.
@DenDeze said:
"stupid set to be honest, only for die hard star trek wans wanting the minifigs"
I'm a regular fan Star Trek and I like the build here much more than the figs. People are different man.
Wanted to buy this set. But with so many stickers.... thats just insult.
And the price doesn't help anything aswell.
I hope they do that beehive hair piece in brown one of these days. It seems an odd quirk of Lego that we've had one in bright purple and one in bright pink, but not one in either brown or blonde.
I never thought the day would come when I'd see a LEGO tribble!
@dimc said:
"With that number of stickers, I believe this set is part of the Warp Speed Champions theme. "
Zooming noises apply to both....
Really like this set. Loved the original Star Trek but didn't have the slightest interest in 'The Next Generation' so for me this is ideal, just a shame that the original Enterprise ship didn't come first!
I don’t mind the screen being included, but wish it had more wall pieces to complete a 360° bridge. You could remove wall pieces as desired for play, photos, or display.
@CapnRex101 said:
" @Glacier_Phoenix said:
"Minor correction
"In addition, I think this hairstyle suits Chekov. The element was created for 40516 Everyone is Awesome in 2021 and has only appeared a couple of times since, surprisingly, although never before moulded in dark brown."
The part was actually introduced in dark brown for Will Byer in The Upside Down but then the part for a new design ID for future appearances. "
Thank you. I had a feeling I had seen it in dark brown before, but as you said, I was misled by the part number changing in 2021.
@Harold_of_Vortech said:
"I only see 42 stickers "
A couple of the transporter pad stickers are split in half and applied on 1x2 semicircular tiles, which you may have missed."
I assumed this was a savvy reference to Chain of Command from TNG season 6…
Do you know what I think would be really cool? If they did an SNW 'upgrade' set containing SNW-accurate figs of Spock, Scotty, Chapel and Uhura alongside Pike, Una, La'An, Ortegas and Dr. M'Benga. I think that would be pretty awesome, and I'd possibly buy that on its own.
This set does seem alright but it's nothing new nor particularly interesting to me.
@Mister_Jonny said:
"I assumed this was a savvy reference to Chain of Command from TNG season 6…"
A cruel LEGO graphic designer: "How many stickers do you see there?"
Me: "THERE ARE 44 STICKERS!"
Tsk, tsk, not a single rip in Kirk's shirt. Still, the rest looks great, I think I'll be getting this one.
Needs a baseplate or something, technically the Catina didn't have on when opened, but there was one when closed. Sets like Friends and Queer Eye had baseplates.
@LD_Brickmaster said:
"I never thought the day would come when I'd see a LEGO tribble!"
If these don't hit PAB, it's a terrible army-builder failure.
I have two issues with this set. Kirk and Sulu don’t look quite right, and I really wish the bridge had a floor. Other than that, I think it’s great! Stickers don’t bug me in general though
Thank you for an exceptionally detailed review. I think this is a very good playset design, but the price is a little too high and I don't agree with some of the choices of minifigure hairstyle and facial expression.
So the thing is - even if I didn't care about Star Trek in the least, I'd still be able to find a very happy home for printed retro-futuristic tech.
I mean, I'm not a big fan, but I do kind of like the show and/or shows. I imagine the hard-core fans are pretty bummed out about the stickers, (or maybe they're so deliriously happy to finally be thrown a bone that they don't care).
But - I can imagine a future where one day, we might have a minifigure-based Mario-line. Or maybe a Dragon Ball line. Or, I dunno, Street Fighter. You know - franchises I'm really into. I don't imagine I'd be too happy with stickers everywhere, in those scenarios.
Kirk Kristiansen, Ole and I are very disappointed in you.
"Pressing the button reveals another compartment inhabited by tribbles! Four are shown in the instruction manual inventory, two medium nougat and two tan, but my set came with two extra medium nougat tribbles. Given their tendency to multiply, I struggle to believe the extra tribbles are coincidental, so maybe the spares are a reference to their ever-increasing numbers, or so the piece count reaches the important number of 1701"
--> OK, now hear me out... The absolute best in-joke the Lego Group could possibly accomplish... since this set should have about a 2-3 year shelf life, and it will likely have (what?) 4ish production runs? On each subsequent production run, 1-3 additional tribbles should be added over the quantity from the last run with no indication on the box. Imagine waiting to get one of the last sets before it retires and opening up to find 20 or more tribbles.
Do I think they would ever do something like that? Pffft - NO! Such a stunt would lead to less profit margin. Render onto Caesar what is Caesar's... or whatever.
The layout looks very bizarre and makes for an odd display set.
The minifigures look absolutely amazing!
@Freddy_Hodson said:
"I hope they do that beehive hair piece in brown one of these days. It seems an odd quirk of Lego that we've had one in bright purple and one in bright pink, but not one in either brown or blonde."
71004-11 had it, in nougat from the looks of it. Granted, that was over a decade ago, but options do exist.
Maybe for display, the transporter room works best just sitting on a different shelf.
Worst layout among all the tv-show sets
PRO
-If we all buy this, they may make other, better Star Trek sets
CON
-No Khans
@yellowcastle said:
"PRO
-If we all buy this, they may make other, better Star Trek sets
CON
-No Khans"
KAAAAHHHHNNN!
@yellowcastle said:
"PRO
-If we all buy this, they may make other, better Star Trek sets
CON
-No Khans"
"Khan ... I'm laughing at the superior intellect."
It needs a tv studio background and floor with cameras etc to make it pop imo.
Star Trekkin' across the universe.
Only going forward, still can't find reverse.
"No floor" has now joined the 18+ line!
@ CapnRex101: Great review. I hope you made the correct sounds as those clever turbolift doors were opened and shut!
Nurse Christine Chapel is played by Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, Gene Roddenberry's second wife. She also was cast as lwaxana Troi in The Next generation.
The minifigs are great but the rest really sucks... Will wait for a significant discount before buying it.
Considering the sums of money Lego is demanding for these display sets, stickers are unforgiveable, period. This is not some mom-and-pop shop barely scraping by, this is the biggest toy company on the planet. These "Icons" sets should be the pinnacle of Lego, with not a single aspect feeling phoned in.
Ye can neh change the law of physics...
@FlagsNZ said:
"@ CapnRex101: Great review. I hope you made the correct sounds as those clever turbolift doors were opened and shut!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9ilm8PEJlQ
I love how this set looks, I love how many options for posing and play there are, I love the concept, and I’m never bothered by messy unfinished backs but particularly considering the modularity the full finish on this *is* very nice.
The only real flaw is that if I didn’t have someone to apply stickers for me I wouldn’t be able to get it so there’s an accessibility issue. I don’t think they can print that shiny rainbow reflective effect into bricks, so at least for that sticker sheet, I suppose allowances must be made. It’s a real shame they didn’t make more of the others prints instead of stickers, though — several of them look like they could have been done at a decent quality.
Overall much happier with this set than the TNG Enterprise, just… woof, 44 stickers is a bit much.
@yellowcastle said:
" @FlagsNZ said:
"@ CapnRex101: Great review. I hope you made the correct sounds as those clever turbolift doors were opened and shut!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9ilm8PEJlQ"
Yes. Exactly!
40 year trekkie, but this set is a mess and an easy pass.
@The_Sly_Fox said:
"The layout looks very bizarre and makes for an odd display set.
The minifigures look absolutely amazing! "
I agree with you on the minifigures. The set, not so much but the minifigures - definitely.
The part of James T. Kirk in today's Lego Set will be played by actor Chris Pine.
It's like they forgot that hair is more representative of that Kelvin Timeline guy.
Oh well, I'll just swap hairstyles for a different couple.
This captain doesn't look at all like Kirk, IMO. Sulu and Scotty are also uninspired...I think I'll pass on this, much as I loved the show.
@FlagsNZ
"Nurse Christine Chapel is played by Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, Gene Roddenberry's second wife. She also was cast as lwaxana Troi in The Next generation."
And she spent 40 years as the computer on various starships!
I was interested in this set, but with that many stickers at this price point? Absolutely no way.
Some of Lego's competitors have been producing sets with zero stickers and dozens of printed parts, most of which are unique 1-off prints, all while still costing far less per piece than Lego sets and maintaining similar brick quality.
I can understand having lots of stickers for small sets like Speed Champions that have a ton of small decals, many of which are on sloped or curved elements. But for a $200 collector set? Unacceptable.
It isn't just about how difficult/annoying it is to align them properly, and the fact that you only get one shot at it. We all know how Lego stickers can flake and degrade over time, and a set so heavily reliant on them for key elements of the display just isn't acceptable at this price point.
If I'm going to pay such a high premium for Lego, I expect to get a premium product.
"Spock's unique hair piece and moulded Vulcan ears look marvellous too"
Except the hole that someone shot into the back of his head.
@LD_Brickmaster said:
"I never thought the day would come when I'd see a LEGO tribble!"
Indeed, it is rare to see just one, them being born pregnant and all.
I feel after all these decades, that stickers in a lego set should no longer be marked as a point of discussion for reviewing a set. I'm not gonna deny that printed pieces are G R E A T, because stickers are port of the norm. But as someone does other models like Gunpla, I hear "Huge number of stickers" and I'm thinking, whoa, there has to be like 200 hundreds stickers...! Only to learn that it's only like, a couple dozen.
My judgement in stickers aren't placed in their existence, but rather their quality. And here, the stickers look good!
@DenDeze said:
"stupid set to be honest, only for die hard star trek wans wanting the minifigs"
Not at all.
I am a die-hard Star Trek fan and I think the execution of these minifigs is terrible.
First of all, why is it the wrong blue on the science figs? Those were not light blue, rather dark azure oder medium blue.
Next, Uhura famously wore a miniskirt. Why is the minifig wearing boxershorts? Also, why hasn't Sulu got Asian facial features? And what's with Kirk's and Chekov's hairdos?
In general these figs look far more like their counterparts from Strange New Worlds or the JJ Abrahams movies than the TOS versions they are supposed to represent.
Even the knockoff TOS figs that were available years ago looked far better than this.
Add to that the jumbled and incoherent overall look of the set and the gazillions of stickers and you arrive at a terrible set. We don't even have to start talking about the price with all these other negatives.
Makes me even more angry that BlueBrixx lost the license before they had the chance to make bridge and other location based sets. Those would have been all prints and certainly not of a worse overall design. The designers over there had a deep love for and understanding of Star Trek, which was evident from their products. Granted, the building techniques favoured looks over stability or ease of building, but remember that the average BlueBrixx buyer is not the average LEGO buyer.
@Brickerika said:
"I feel after all these decades, that stickers in a lego set should no longer be marked as a point of discussion for reviewing a set. I'm not gonna deny that printed pieces are G R E A T, because stickers are port of the norm. But as someone does other models like Gunpla, I hear "Huge number of stickers" and I'm thinking, whoa, there has to be like 200 hundreds stickers...! Only to learn that it's only like, a couple dozen.
My judgement in stickers aren't placed in their existence, but rather their quality. And here, the stickers look good!"
I’m generally of the opinion that it should be up to the reviewer. A reviewer who doesn’t mind — or likes — stickers shouldn’t be forced to mention it just because some people dislike or struggle to apply them. A reviewer who does mind should be allowed to mention that they perceived the presence or number of stickers as a negative, even if it’s a bit old hat.
I agree that the Lego graphic designers do a really good job, whether it’s stickers or prints. (And that Gunpla models tend to have a lot even for very small kits. I’ve got a couple of little chibi ones on the to-do pile at the moment awaiting stickering from my lovely, and considerably more co-ordinated, assistant and I think they each have about 30 stickers despite being a fraction of the size of this bridge set.)
@Brickerika said:
"I feel after all these decades, that stickers in a lego set should no longer be marked as a point of discussion for reviewing a set. I'm not gonna deny that printed pieces are G R E A T, because stickers are port of the norm. But as someone does other models like Gunpla, I hear "Huge number of stickers" and I'm thinking, whoa, there has to be like 200 hundreds stickers...! Only to learn that it's only like, a couple dozen.
My judgement in stickers aren't placed in their existence, but rather their quality. And here, the stickers look good!"
I can't help but read this defeatism as
"I for one, welcome our new overlords."
@AustinPowers said:
" @DenDeze said:
"stupid set to be honest, only for die hard star trek wans wanting the minifigs"
Not at all.
I am a die-hard Star Trek fan and I think the execution of these minifigs is terrible.
First of all, why is it the wrong blue on the science figs? Those were not light blue, rather dark azure oder medium blue.
Next, Uhura famously wore a miniskirt. Why is the minifig wearing boxershorts? Also, why hasn't Sulu got Asian facial features? And what's with Kirk's and Chekov's hairdos?
In general these figs look far more like their counterparts from Strange New Worlds or the JJ Abrahams movies than the TOS versions they are supposed to represent.
Even the knockoff TOS figs that were available years ago looked far better than this.
Add to that the jumbled and incoherent overall look of the set and the gazillions of stickers and you arrive at a terrible set. We don't even have to start talking about the price with all these other negatives.
Makes me even more angry that BlueBrixx lost the license before they had the chance to make bridge and other location based sets. Those would have been all prints and certainly not of a worse overall design. The designers over there had a deep love for and understanding of Star Trek, which was evident from their products. Granted, the building techniques favoured looks over stability or ease of building, but remember that the average BlueBrixx buyer is not the average LEGO buyer. "
a) the blue colour chosen for the science team looks to me like the best option in LEGO's current colour palette.images from the show clearly show this as a light to medium blue, depending on light and other conditions
b) I think you meant to say that Sulu does not look Asian enough for you. that is of course something only someone would say if they think all Asians should be represented with beady eyes
c) the Chekov hair to me looks quite spot on
d) Uhura is clearly wearing a mini skirt on the fig. would you have preferred a shorter miniskirt, you dirty old man?
e) Bluebrixx could never have made this set since their minifigs were absolute sh1te
f) I am not a fan of Star Trek the OG Series, but might be getting this for the retro vibe
@Trekker42 said:
" @FlagsNZ
"Nurse Christine Chapel is played by Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, Gene Roddenberry's second wife. She also was cast as lwaxana Troi in The Next generation."
And she spent 40 years as the computer on various starships!
"
And she was cast as Lady Morella in Babylon 5. Her idea to reduce the rivalry between fandoms. Love that show too!
That would be another amazing model, but likely would never get made.
Oh, how I wish I had the space for this. Sure, it has its flaws, but what Lego set doesn't? And I echo @CapnRex101's desire for a Gorn minifig, as well as a Klingon and a Romulan.
@Modeltrainman said:
" @dimc said:
"With that number of stickers, I believe this set is part of the Warp Speed Champions theme. "
Zooming noises apply to both.... "
And both themes have an extraterrestrial from the planet Vulcan.
@ra226 said:"Tsk, tsk, not a single rip in Kirk's shirt."
"I see you managed to get your shirt off."
@dimc said:" @LD_Brickmaster said:"I never thought the day would come when I'd see a LEGO tribble!"
If these don't hit PAB, it's a terrible army-builder failure. "
On the one hand, they were created for an IP-based set. On the other hand, so were Captain America's helmet, Bo Peep's bonnet, and Doctor Strange's cape, and they're all on PaB. If they *do* make it there, the temptation to place an entire order consisting of nothing but tribbles is going to be nigh-irresistible...
Trekker42 said:" @FlagsNZ
"Nurse Christine Chapel is played by Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, Gene Roddenberry's second wife. She also was cast as lwaxana Troi in The Next generation."
And she spent 40 years as the computer on various starships! "
All the way from TOS through to the Kelvin Timeline films.
@MrBedhead said:
" @AustinPowers said:
" @DenDeze said:
"stupid set to be honest, only for die hard star trek wans wanting the minifigs"
Not at all.
I am a die-hard Star Trek fan and I think the execution of these minifigs is terrible.
First of all, why is it the wrong blue on the science figs? Those were not light blue, rather dark azure oder medium blue.
Next, Uhura famously wore a miniskirt. Why is the minifig wearing boxershorts? Also, why hasn't Sulu got Asian facial features? And what's with Kirk's and Chekov's hairdos?
In general these figs look far more like their counterparts from Strange New Worlds or the JJ Abrahams movies than the TOS versions they are supposed to represent.
Even the knockoff TOS figs that were available years ago looked far better than this.
Add to that the jumbled and incoherent overall look of the set and the gazillions of stickers and you arrive at a terrible set. We don't even have to start talking about the price with all these other negatives.
Makes me even more angry that BlueBrixx lost the license before they had the chance to make bridge and other location based sets. Those would have been all prints and certainly not of a worse overall design. The designers over there had a deep love for and understanding of Star Trek, which was evident from their products. Granted, the building techniques favoured looks over stability or ease of building, but remember that the average BlueBrixx buyer is not the average LEGO buyer. "
a) the blue colour chosen for the science team looks to me like the best option in LEGO's current colour palette.images from the show clearly show this as a light to medium blue, depending on light and other conditions
b) I think you meant to say that Sulu does not look Asian enough for you. that is of course something only someone would say if they think all Asians should be represented with beady eyes
c) the Chekov hair to me looks quite spot on
d) Uhura is clearly wearing a mini skirt on the fig. would you have preferred a shorter miniskirt, you dirty old man?
e) Bluebrixx could never have made this set since their minifigs were absolute sh1te
f) I am not a fan of Star Trek the OG Series, but might be getting this for the retro vibe"
As for the colour, I have been to dozens of Star Trek conventions and prop exhibitions over the decades, and the actual colour of the real screen used costumes is much closer in tone to dark azure, which iirc is still in production. The publicity shots are often drastically overlit. Just watch an episode of TOS, preferably on Blu-ray.
As for Sulu, I was only talking about his likeness, which the rather bland and generic looking minifig doesn't capture particularly well imho.
Neither do the other minifigs for me.
As for the miniskirt, LEGO could have either used the plastic miniskirt they produce for figs like the ballet girl CMF, or they could at least have provided an appropriate cloth piece. As it is it looks like she is wearing shorts to me. Again, doesn't capture the look at all.
As for BlueBrixx, yes their minifigs are crap, but at least the set itself would have been awesome. Even their advent calendar version of the TOS bridge was all prints and great for the tiny scale it had.
Interesting tidbit by the way. The TOS bridge set and the TNG bridge set had almost the same square footage, even though the Enterprise D bridge looked much more airy and spacious on screen.
Might buy it one day because it is just such a cool set (i do not mind those stickers and i like the modularity of the odd set-up). Not a Trekkie myself, but it tickles my nostalgic sci-fi dna.
Thanks for the review!
@AustinPowers said:
"As for the miniskirt, LEGO could have either used the plastic miniskirt they produce for figs like the ballet girl CMF,"
I'm *assuming* you're remembering the wrong minifig and you don't actually think it would have been an improvement to put her in 71011-10's tutu?
Great review, and based on this assessment, I'm glad I pre-ordered the set. Can't tell you how many times I tried to recreate the "vibe" of this set with some of my LEGO universal sets in the late 1970s, when I was 10-12 years old...and of course, I never came close to this!
The reviewer mentions the out-of-place "red alert" light just above the turbolift entry on this model, and rightly mentions that it's turned 90 degrees as well as moved from its vertical orientation just above the dedication plaque on the filming set. I'm guessing that was the next best place to put it within this design? At any rate, I knew immediately what the transparent red brick was when I saw it on this model, and I think it works. :)
Pre-ordering this set now means that I've picked up a NEW obsession -- I'll be getting the "Restaurants of the World: Greece" as a GWP, although now I realize that I've missed out on the first two in that series, Japan and Mexico. So, OFF to eBay or Amazon I go to overpay for those first two GWPs, to round out THAT new collection. OY.
I'm extremely excited for this! I'm very glad they chose to represent TOS, my preferred flavor of Trek, with a bridge set instead of an Enterprise model. I wouldn't have wished for anything else!
My only two comments:
-The photo at the end of the review of the Riker, Picard, Kirk, and Spock figs has melted my heart. What a fantastic job capturing these characters' personalities in minifig form.
-I always take some objection to the suggestion that Nurse Chapel is some sort of fifth Beatle. Even this review says getting a Chapel fig feels like a nice bonus rather than a necessary inclusion. She's hardly on screen less than Chekov throughout the series, and given Majel's utter importance to all Trek, this set would have felt hollow without her. I only wish she has a lovelorn or swooning expression for replicating scenes with her and Spock!
@southboundyank said:
"Pre-ordering this set now means that I've picked up a NEW obsession -- I'll be getting the "Restaurants of the World: Greece" as a GWP, although now I realize that I've missed out on the first two in that series, Japan and Mexico. So, OFF to eBay or Amazon I go to overpay for those first two GWPs, to round out THAT new collection. OY."
I know that feeling. It's not exactly a series like Restaurants of the World, but I have all of the historical tribute sets (https://brickset.com/sets/tag-Historical-Tribute) except for 40579 Some of them I got with orders, but I shelled out for some of them on Bricklink. And looking at the prices for 40579, I don't feel like completing that collection. Besides, it just didn't catch my interest as much as the other ones did.
@MrBedhead said:
"b) I think you meant to say that Sulu does not look Asian enough for you. that is of course something only someone would say if they think all Asians should be represented with beady eyes"
And that gets into one of my favorite weird SCOTUS decisions, Matal v Tam, wherein a band called The Slants was told they couldn’t trademark their band name because they were all of Asian descent, and therefore the term was derogatory (but that anyone of different ancestry would be fine to trademark the same name). The band won, on 1st Amendment free speech grounds.
"d) Uhura is clearly wearing a mini skirt on the fig. would you have preferred a shorter miniskirt, you dirty old man?"
Jadzia Dax might prefer them shorter.
@MeganL said:
"And she was cast as Lady Morella in Babylon 5. Her idea to reduce the rivalry between fandoms. Love that show too!"
Her casting may have carried more weight at the time, being the inheritor of Gene’s estate, but Koenig’s casting as Bester definitely made a bigger impact over the course of the series (especially if you’ve ever had the chance to read the Psi-Corps book trilogy).
@AustinPowers said:
"As for the miniskirt, LEGO could have either used the plastic miniskirt they produce for figs like the ballet girl CMF, or they could at least have provided an appropriate cloth piece. As it is it looks like she is wearing shorts to me. Again, doesn't capture the look at all."
She has to be able to sit in the chair. Either of those skirts would have made that difficult to impossible.
I actually quite like the design of the set. Although the transporter room was unnecessary, and I agree it makes it unbalanced, there's no denying that that's the most significant other room on the ship after the bridge. The only other rooms that appear repeatedly (engineering and sickbay) are nowhere near as prominent. The price seems high, though, but I'll reserve judgement until I have it in hand.
For some reason I'm not loving the minifigure faces--somehow they just aren't looking like their real life counterparts to me, unlike the Enterprise D figures, which look spot on.
"We are... 40 light years outside of the Buttermilk Nebula. Although, it is possible.... Yeah, it's a sticker." - Captain Troy Barnes
@PurpleDave said:" @MrBedhead said:"Uhura is clearly wearing a mini skirt on the fig. would you have preferred a shorter miniskirt, you dirty old man?"
Jadzia Dax might prefer them shorter."
"I think I'm going to like the Twenty-Third Century." But it's not just Jadzia, considering the whole female uniform came about because Grace Lee Whitney wanted to show off her legs. And apparently, there are shots where you can see Nichelle Nichols hiking her own skirt up, as well. I'm going to start rewatching the series on September Eighth, I'll have to remember to keep an eye out for that.
@Andrusi said:
" @AustinPowers said:
"As for the miniskirt, LEGO could have either used the plastic miniskirt they produce for figs like the ballet girl CMF,"
I'm *assuming* you're remembering the wrong minifig and you don't actually think it would have been an improvement to put her in 71011-10 's tutu?"
I was thinking of this piece:
https://brickset.com/minifigs/bdp271/art-factory-ballerina-student-girl-white-dress-with-ruffled-collar-white-medium-legs-dark-brown-hair-with-two-buns-on-top-white-skirt
And @PurpleDave: yes, she couldn't sit down with that piece, but for anyone who wants to pose her sitting down there's always the option to simply leave the piece off.
@AustinPowers said:
" @Andrusi said:
" @AustinPowers said:
"As for the miniskirt, LEGO could have either used the plastic miniskirt they produce for figs like the ballet girl CMF,"
I'm *assuming* you're remembering the wrong minifig and you don't actually think it would have been an improvement to put her in 71011-10 's tutu?"
I was thinking of this piece:
https://brickset.com/minifigs/bdp271/art-factory-ballerina-student-girl-white-dress-with-ruffled-collar-white-medium-legs-dark-brown-hair-with-two-buns-on-top-white-skirt
And @PurpleDave: yes, she couldn't sit down with that piece, but for anyone who wants to pose her sitting down there's always the option to simply leave the piece off."
I don’t think they’d give her a removable skirt _and_ a dual-molded/printed skirt as well, so the only other option is to just have her sit there in a speedo.
Fine! We'll give Uhura something similar to 71037-10 instead! Now if you don't sit down, I'm turning this spaceship around!
Another dream set becoming a reality for me, I love it so much, and can’t wait to own it. Thank you LEGO. Please continue the Star Trek series with new models too, ships like the original Enterprise, Klingon bird of prey and Borg Cube. Gotta have the bridge of the Enterprise D getting the same treatment as this set too, even if it means some repeat minifigures (can introduce some variants, and Chief O’Brien is a must for the transporter room). Oh and Ten Forward. And Voyager. And Deep Space Nine.
@PurpleDave said:
" @AustinPowers said:
" @Andrusi said:
" @AustinPowers said:
"As for the miniskirt, LEGO could have either used the plastic miniskirt they produce for figs like the ballet girl CMF,"
I'm *assuming* you're remembering the wrong minifig and you don't actually think it would have been an improvement to put her in 71011-10 's tutu?"
I was thinking of this piece:
https://brickset.com/minifigs/bdp271/art-factory-ballerina-student-girl-white-dress-with-ruffled-collar-white-medium-legs-dark-brown-hair-with-two-buns-on-top-white-skirt
And @PurpleDave: yes, she couldn't sit down with that piece, but for anyone who wants to pose her sitting down there's always the option to simply leave the piece off."
I don’t think they’d give her a removable skirt _and_ a dual-molded/printed skirt as well, so the only other option is to just have her sit there in a speedo."
That's the thing, LEGO is just too cheap to do that.
Other manufacturers often provide several options in their sets. It's perfectly normal when you want to show your customers that you appreciate them. LEGO has simply grown so large that they have become accustomed to their customers buying anything, no matter how cheaply made or barebones.
I love Star Trek and this sort of set is what the theme needs rather than the dire NCC-1701-D.
The major disappointment here is that the bridge is not complete.
The transporter room should've been a separate set and the piece count used to complete the rest of the bridge. So now you'll need to buy 2 sets just to make the complete bridge which is a bit of a con.
If Lego had any forethought with this theme, they would do Sickbay, corridor sections, Engineering, anything where you can connect together to make a more involved playset.
Plus a 'Galileo Seven' set would also be great, alien planet mini dioramas..... there's so much potential.
For Trek's 60th and they now have the license, why not make something of it?
@Trooper1308 said:
"For Trek's 60th and they now have the license, why not make something of it?"
So what you're saying is... make it so?
I love your shout-out to Nurse Christine Chapel! Majel Barrett Roddenberry has been SUCH an incredible contributor to Star Trek from the very start....the original Number One, Nurse Chapel, ST:TNG's original computer voice, Lwaxana Troi (Deanna Troi's mother). Have I left any other characters out??
There are obviously a number of other character actors who have nailed a variety of characters in a variety of ST shows...particularly Jeffery Combs, Mark Lenard, et al. These folks SHOULD be recognized for being great "chameleon actors" over the course of several ST series...but I personally think Majel Barrett Roddenberry arguably holds the top honor. ;)
@TheOtherMike said:
So what you're saying is... make it so?]]
Indeed. Let's see what's out there ;)
One thing I don't think anyone has mentioned: since the model is mostly intended to be viewed from one direction, the chairs for Sulu and Chekov are intended to have their seatbacks attached so that we don't see all those antistuds. They're supposed to have the opposite orientation from the rest of the chairs that ring the bridge, in other words (this is a small error in your build and subsequent photos). When the side that faces you is the smoother side for all chairs, I suppose it's possible they could be less distracting? But I agree the captain's chair looks undersized in comparison.
@southboundyank said:
"I love your shout-out to Nurse Christine Chapel! Majel Barrett Roddenberry has been SUCH an incredible contributor to Star Trek from the very start....the original Number One, Nurse Chapel, ST:TNG's original computer voice, Lwaxana Troi (Deanna Troi's mother). Have I left any other characters out??
There are obviously a number of other character actors who have nailed a variety of characters in a variety of ST shows...particularly Jeffery Combs, Mark Lenard, et al. These folks SHOULD be recognized for being great "chameleon actors" over the course of several ST series...but I personally think Majel Barrett Roddenberry arguably holds the top honor. ;) "
She did a number of voices in The Animated Series: https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Majel_Barrett_Roddenberry James Doohan did voice work for both TOS and TAS as well: https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/James_Doohan
I like it, reminds me of the old MEGO sets; surprised the author didn't make the connection.
The hair of Tobias Beckett and Luthen Rael from Star Wars is more accurate for Captain Kirk.
@Rimefang said:
"The part of James T. Kirk in today's Lego Set will be played by actor Chris Pine.
It's like they forgot that hair is more representative of that Kelvin Timeline guy.
Oh well, I'll just swap hairstyles for a different couple.
"
The smirk also feels more like Pine's Kirk, particularly without a neutral face.
just finished building this set, loved it! build-wise: a lot of sets i’ve built in the past few years i’ve thought “wut the heck is this part i’m working on?!?” for much of the project. but this one felt like the way i used to build in the 80s: from the bottom up, knowing what part of the model i was working on, and seeing it come to life in an order that made sense. really enjoyed the build order start to end.
the minifigs look like all LEGO minifigs look: cartoonish. they’re toys after all. while i still prefer the stoic faces from days of yore, these look just as “accurate” to the original actors as anything from star wars, marvel, etc, etc etc look. no complaints.
i can’t remember ever buying a LEGO set that didn’t include stickers. stickers = LEGO. LEGO = stickers. i like to put mine slightly off-center and angled so you know they aren’t printed ;-)
and love love love the phasers, printed communicators, and printed control panels throughout the model. these are unique trek components that i’m thrilled to have in my collection. (oh, and some tribbles, sure.)
my one mod to the set was to turn the technic connector block on the turbolift 90 degrees from the instructions, and then connect the transporter off to the back. just felt like a better set in this config to me. no extra pieces needed.
here's the final build: https://jasonlevin.com/legotrek.jpeg