I can't decide which version to get. Really tempted to go all in on this one and have the best Picard to date. The Darmok outfit isn't crucial to me, compared to the regular Essential Duty version, but it's a neat new thing to have. I nice alternate display option for Picard. However, the Darmok jacket does look messy, bulky and poorly tailored in these promo pics. I know Darmok isn't the definitive Picard look for me, merely an alternate look, so that might mean getting the Standard for both outfits. I do have an extra QMX sculpt (mine came with the common collar staining on the neck, so the seller threw in a replacement head) that could go on one of the two, but it would still mean finding a set of boots and a body. They never make this easy, do they?
The sculpt really jumped out as being off. Perhaps I was anxiously and instinctively looking for a sense of near-perfection on this critical figure, but instead I found it off-putting in odd ways. For the most portrait is too wide and the neck is too thick. He looks too "healthy" and not quite the elderly middle-aged Captain that we recall. The sculpt looks better when it's angled down, but straight forward or from slightly below its too thick. I'm sure it will look okay in hand and for the record it will likely be the definitive TNG Picard for the next many years, so we have to live with it.
Incidentally, the price is quite reasonable for this figure. If all you can need and can afford is the regular Essential version, then it's a very decent price. It doesn't come with much in terms of accessories, but for Picard they could have easily tacked on another $20 and no one would questioned the premium price. It's only $10 more than the QMX price from 7 years ago. Sort of feels like the old days of paying less than $200 for a high-end 1/6 scale figure.
