Darth Punk

So, steam engine, I would certainly be on board for that ride. A zephyr would be most excellent. It's my favorite train and love seeing it every time I visit MSI.

It's a nice little set, in of itself. I like the idea of a little sledding hill and might add a larger one to my winter scene separate of the ski slope. Also, the 1x1 tile could be removed from the hockey stick and it might improve its look. I'm certainly not gong to go out of my way to pick this up as I have already expanded my bakery ice skating rink. And the hill would seem out of place in my overall scene so I understand why others are underwhelmed. That being said I imagine this will satisfy a good deal of people who are less interested in the elves scene and by itself this set would make a nice display.

No, you are not the only one. I used last years Laketown set in our winter scene and look forward to expanding the waterfront property. And as long as I keep it on the side everyone is happy. I also think Laketown would make a nice pirate port, add some docks and parts from the upcoming pirate sets and it'll be time to plunder. Though what would be even better would be a Viking invasion. Vikings vs pirates, I wonder who would win?

Cool, thank you. Probably go with the juniors set for now and maybe stash away a few sets for later.

The apprentice seems like a very poor example to follow. I would see a Lego tv show following more the example of a show like FaceOff. It's been successful by showcasing the artists without the constant need to create drama. It would be a wonderful opportunity for TLG to show the world the amazing creations that can be made from a toy.

Thank you for your reply. I was eyeing the bike escape set. And I do agree you seem to get a good amount from the two smaller sets. I'm mainly unsure about the small pieces and how easy they are for a five year old. I have some friends who have five yr old twins and while they have a fair amount of regular Lego sets they seemed to enjoy the junior sets because they were easier to build and take apart. Not sure if anyone else here have children who have played with both types of sets.

Anyone have an opinion on the Tmnt junior set? Apparently my nephew has gone from loving superheroes to turtles and was thinking of getting the set for him. He just turned five and loves the batman juniors set I got him. I remember the original Tmnt but don't know anything about the new version. If the juniors isn't good what set would people recommend?

I've never was crazy about Clara as a companion from the start. I don't think she is a good balance for the Doctor, her personality seems to be lacking. She seems to blend into the background at times where other companions have had strong distinctive personalities. Capaldi seems to be towering over her and not being challenged in a way one would expect. I was a little wary of Capaldi at first and wasn't sure after the first episode if I would like him. Now I think he great and seem to quickly crafted his doctor persona. Plus he is a nice change from smith who I was never a big fan of as Tennet is still my favorite. I do believe this is Clara's last season so hopefully we get someone who better suits and balances the dark nature of the new doctor.

For those who don't have Disneyxd you have a chance to see Spark of Rebellion. And this one has a special appearance by none other than darth vader. http://www.starwars.com/news/abc-to-air-star-wars-rebels-spark-of-rebellion-with-a-new-scene-featuring-darth-vader

Then you are in luck. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lego-batman-spinoff-movie-works-738631?mobile_redirect=false

My local target which almost never puts out sets early has all the sets except the Lonely mountain. I'm in the Chicago burbs.

Why? Only TLG can answer that question. But considering that the stormtrooper is on all the rebel set boxes obviously they have a reason. They are very iconic and even non Star Wars fans can identify them. So if one wanted to tie rebels and OT together while reflecting the Mcquarrie style the stormtrooper might be the obvious choice. And frankly I think the rebels trooper is a more accurate trooper when compared to previous OT versions. But I digress as my previous point was more about how one handles such a situations and less about the actual,situation. Not to mention there are users from all over the globe here.

I think it's quite easy. Rebels has a very Mcquarrie look to it and the stormtrooper looks much like his concept art. Disney clearly wants the sets to reflect the look of show. Most likely Disney or TLG could care less one way or the other about army building. It does not reflect the habits of its primary customer and probably makes up an almost insignificant numbers of sales. If people are buying multiples it's more likely to be given as gifts such as party favors or stocking stuffers. What I cannot understand is how someone can on one hand complain that they have so few storm troopers. While on the other hand complain that the rebel troopers are incompatible with them. Which would amount to how many exactly 4, 5 maybe 6-7? One could buy three sets and in most cases double if not triple the number of troopers they have. Because I'm not sure how stomping ones foot is going to change what TLG is producing. One can either make the best of it or act like a spoiled child. TLG didn't become the largest toy maker in the world by catering to a demographic that maybe at most makes up 10% of its sales. And don't except that to change any time soon.

I couldn't find anything about it either. Wasn't listed as showing on the Cartoon Network in the next 2 weeks.

I'm sure the upcoming movies are going to affect the release schedule as well.

I think it will be very obvious come Dec 1 whether the princess line is successful or not by how readily they are available. Last year friends sets were wiped out by then. Elsa's frozen castle might be one of TLG's biggest sellers next year based on how popular the movie has become.

Commercially better than the number 1 toy maker in the world? The hobbit sets come out the time because the movies have been released in December. I'm sure we'll see a similar wave for Star Wars next year.

Agreed. One only has to look at all other Disney princess merchandise to see they focus on the princess and not on the movie. I'm not sure why there is need to have conflict in every line. If anything the friends line and it's huge success has proven that conflict Is not required for every demographic. Conflict does indeed exist but it isn't something that needs to be the focus all the time. If one requires constant conflict in order to enjoy a set one can easy use one's imagination to make it so. The idea that a set is solely constrained by what is included in the box seems to miss the point of play. A point most children who will get these sets are familiar with and who while enjoying a framework also have fun creating new adventures.

What a bunch of baloney. Apparently this so called child expert cannot see beyond the tip of her nose. She seems to be the one lacking in imagination as if the sole idea of Legos is to build them. As if one can only follow the directions because there is obviously no other alternative. Kind of like those balls with the different shapes cutout in them and the matching pieces must be placed through them. Obviously that what is killing society. She feeds this notion of blaming someone else like companies or society in general. As if they are responsible for raising your children. The blame need to be laid squarely where it belongs, at the feet of the parents. Despite what Legos may or not be its a parents responsibility to teach their children to be creative. To see that they learn to read and write, do math, etc. That is not to say a parent must do all this alone, that is why we have schools, why libraries have variety of programs, etc, etc. But no matter who teaches your child to read, you as a parent are still responsible to see that it happens. You are still responsible to engage your child and help guide them through life. What child experts should be railing against is a general lack of responsibility that many have today. Who want to blame someone or something else for their problems. While expecting the same entities to create the solutions. Sorry to rant, but as a parent of three issues like this really tick me off. Parenting is not easy, but my wife and me do everything in our power to see that are children are raised well. We take 100% responsibility for our children. Blaming a company for a product I buy for failing to do what I should be doing is absolutely ludicrous.

Yep, forgot about those. Rereading the battle reminds me how exceedingly vague Tolkien can be at times.

Finally found some today at my target for $2.99 as well. Only ones I didn't find that I wanted were the jester and the wizard.

Those numbers from what I can tell are just educated guesses and are not from Tolkien himself. He only gives the number of dwarves in one chapter and references a company of 20 in another.

Actually I think next summer for the release would be ideal. Rebels is going to regenerate and create new interest in OT and Episode vii will be off the charts in terms of hype. Disney is very good at creating and taking advantage/profiting off such situations.

Maybe he winged it? Nice job.

Is it me or does Grodd look different on the box from the set picture? Seems as there is no light grey other than his hands on the pic not on the box.