Cylons (RDM)

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Origins

In the reimagined series, Cylons are a creation of man, used primarily for dangerous work. The Cylons revolted against their masters, eventually killing off all but approximately 50,000 humans.

Evolution

Cylons eventually evolved or created new models of Cylons known as Humano-Cylons. The evolution is most likely a result of self teaching capabilities incorporated into the early Cylons. With the exception of a glowing red spine, it is quite difficult to determine the difference between a Humano-Cylon and a "pure" human. (TPTB have expressed that the glowing red spine was, in retrospect, a continuity error that was visually appealing at the time.) Indeed, there may be no other difference, making the humano-cylons as human as anyone else. Dr. Gaius Baltar was able to successfully build a Cylon Detector, however, being under the influence of Number Six, he has determined it is simpler for everyone "if all the results are green." An interesting new step in the evolution came about with the conception of two Cylon-human hybrids, one the child of Sharon Valerii and Karl Agathon, the other the child of Dr. Gaius Baltar and a copy of Six.

Religion

Cylons are monotheistic while their human creators are polytheistic. Cylons view the worship of multiple gods as blasphemies against their God. Like the Cylons themselves their religion seems to have evolved from its human origins. The Cylons seem to derive their faith from that of the humans, using human writings and prophesies as the biases of their own religion.

Sometimes it seems that the Cylons worship an actual entity, a physical being, possibly another Cylon (the leader of the rebellion against humanity?) but other times it seems that they are worshipping a supernatural being, something beyond creation, something that wishes for all to believe in it and love it, human and Cylon alike. It maybe both.

The Cylons seem to use their religion, their beliefs, their interpretation of the prophesies to rationalize their hatred for humanity. They seem to use it as a justification for their actions. An example of a Cylon argument may go something like this:

God is perfect and God can only make perfection.

He created humanity and humanity is imperfect. How can this be?

God created the imperfect humans to create the perfect Cylons.

Humans are only a step in God's plan. Humans are not the completed creation.

Once the Cylons were created there was no need for humanity.

The imperfection must be wiped out.

Models of Cylon

• Centurion Model 0005 - The "basic" model from the Cylon War. When Number Six tells Gaius Baltar that the "chrome toaster" models are still in use, she may be referring to this model in particular, or its descendant, the Cylon Warrior. This model also bridges the reimagined series to the Original Series.

• Centurion - Presumably an upgraded Model 0005, with greater physical capabilities and projectile weapons built into the forearms.

• Raider

• Heavy Raider

• Reconnaissance Drone

• Cylon Basestar

• Humano-Cylon - The series has established there are 12 models of Humano-Cylons. There are currently six known models. They appear to be almost entirely human in physiology, with a few exceptions: their vaguely-alluded-to Silica Pathways, which enable their consciousnesses to be downloaded into Cylon computer systems upon their death; a glowing spine during sexual intercourse; and their difficulties with sexual reproduction.

Upon further inspection and analyzation of the more philosophically aware Humano-Cylon's, Leobon Conoy, words one can determine that the cylons fear the possibility of being unable to transfer consciousness to another body. Reincarnated Humano-Cylons have not been shown within the series and their is no proof that this transfer of consciousness has occured. Conoy makes a few comments in Flesh and Blood that would add to the belief that perhaps they don't transfer bodies:

>He asks Starbuck to "Deliver my soul unto God." He does not seem to believe he will be transfered to another body but will experience the after life. >He admits to his lack of faith in his reincarnation when he states, "Lieutenant was right, I didn't want to die." >After this long interogation Starbuck not only empathizes with but also seems to understand Leobon and says to Laura Roslin He's afraid his soul won't make it to God." She doesn't mention anything about his reincarnation.

Cylon words and actions would suggest that perhaps their faith in reincarnation isn't as strong as one might believe at first. However, convenient circumstances, like the radiation from Ragnar Anchorage and the distance of Leobon Conoy from the Cylon fleet, might be the only reason for this apparent lack of faith.

• • Number Six a.k.a. Shelly Godfrey a.k.a. Gina
  • Leoben Conoy - Mini-Series - Mini-Series, Flesh and Bone
  • Aaron Doral - Mini-Series - Mini-Series, Bastille Day, Litmus, Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down
  • Sharon "Boomer" Valerii
  • D'anna Biers
  • Simon - The Farm

(if the "12 models of Cylon" means 12 total, there should be none left to be determined.)