Editing Humanoid Cylon

{{disline|For information on the robotic Cylons of the [[Original Series]], see [[Cylons (TOS)]]. For information on a human-appearing Cylon from ''[[Galactica 1980]]'', see [[Andromus]].}}
{{disline|This article is capitalized for technical reasons. The correct term is "humanoid Cylon" and is not a proper noun.}}
{{RDM cylons series}}
[[File:CyAg.jpg|thumb|300px|From left to right: Cylon copies of [[Number Six]] (two copies pictured), [[Number Two]] (one copy pictured), and [[Number Five]] (two copies), at [[Ragnar Anchorage]]]]
'''Humanoid Cylons'''<ref>Viewers initially lacked an authentic term to call the humanoid Cylons by during Season 1. Here on the ''Battlestar Wiki'', the [[BW:TERM|descriptive term]] "Humano-Cylon" was used for a time. Dialogue in several episodes throughout Season 2 has canonically established "Cylon agent" to refer specifically to Cylon infiltrators, but since {{callsign|Athena}} and members of the Final Five work for the Colonials, ''Battlestar Wiki'''s preference is to use "humanoid Cylon" (which [[Tricia Helfer]] often uses in interviews, but apparently more for convenience than an official name). Some of the resistance fighters on Caprica refer to the humanoid Cylons as "skin jobs," an homage to ''[[Wikipedia:Blade Runner|Blade Runner]]''. William Adama refers to them as "humanoid models" in "[[Precipice]]," as does Samuel Anders in "[[No Exit]]". Sharon Valerii refers to them as "human models" in "[[Six Degrees of Separation]]" and Simon refers to them as "human Cylons" in "[[Torn]]"</ref> are an organic variant of [[Cylon Models|Cylon models]] in the [[Re-imagined Series]].  

==Overview==
The humanoid Cylons have become the quintessential [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon form]]: the modern [[Cylon Centurion|Centurions]] are not fully sentient like their [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|predecessors]] and answer to the humanoids. These Cylons biologically mimic human form so completely that they are nearly undetectable to current Colonial technologies. Humanoid Cylons have the capacity to emulate many human physical acts, including sex. Their "programming" is such that they genuinely possess human personality traits (affection, love, sex drive, jealousy, sadness, anger, hatred, sense of humor, fear, happiness, religious faith, etc.). 

The original purpose of the humanoid Cylons was to simply serve as the next step in Cylon evolution {{TRS|No Exit}}. However, the fact that they are designed to be as human-like as possible in appearance, internal anatomy and behavior makes them perfect spies. The humanoid Cylons are responsible for masterminding the complete destruction of the [[The Twelve Colonies of Kobol|Twelve Colonies]] through their use of sabotage and infiltration.<ref group="companion" name="bassom_companion_number_six_infiltration">{{Cite book|author=David Bassom|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|year=2005|publisher=Titan Books|isbn=1845760972|page=26}}</ref>

==Origins==
Although at least one human-shaped robot existed in the [[Twelve Colonies of Kobol]] prior to the [[First Cylon War]] (housing a copy of the consciousness of [[Zoe Graystone]]), this was not a truly biological android and her connection to the later humanoid Cylons is unclear. All that is known about Graystone's android body is that the bath from which she emerged resembled a [[resurrection tank]], her mother the plastic surgeon [[Amanda Graystone]] gave her skin, and she may have been in contact with the five survivors of the [[Thirteenth Tribe]] ([[CAP]]: "[[Apotheosis (episode)|Apotheosis]]," DVD commentary for "Apotheosis").

Following the end of the Cylon War, nothing was heard of the Cylons in 40 years {{TRS|Miniseries, Night 1}}.

[[File:Season 3 Female Cylons.jpg|thumb|150px|From left to right: Numbers [[Number Six|Six]], [[Number Three|Three]], and [[Number Eight|Eight]]]]
During their forty years of isolation, the Cylons developed ''humanoid'' models <ref>The idea of Cylons in humanoid form in ''Battlestar Galactica'' is not new. This concept appeared over 25 years earlier in the episode "[[The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I|The Night the Cylons Landed]]" in the short-lived spinoff of the Original Series, ''[[Galactica 1980]]''. Unlike the humanoid Cylons, however, [[Andromus]] was an [[Wikipedia:Android|android]], akin to the character of [[MemoryAlpha:Data|Data]] from ''[[MemoryAlpha:Star Trek: The Next Generation|Star Trek: The Next Generation]]''.</ref>. The first step in their evolution from pure machines to organic beings was known as the "[[First Hybrid]]." Other [[Hybrid]]s were later created to control [[Basestar (RDM)|baseships]] {{TRS|Razor}}. Hybrid models are not fully humanoid and cannot live on their own, thus are considered an evolutionary dead end.

The new humanoid Cylons were created by the five survivors of an earlier generation of humanoid Cylons from [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]] in exchange for the [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|Centurions]] ending the [[Cylon War]]. These five early generation Cylons (now known as the "[[Final Five]]") are the descendants of Cylons created by humans on {{RDM|Kobol}} thousands of years ago. These humanoid Cylons were the [[Thirteenth Tribe (RDM)|Thirteenth Tribe]] that left Kobol and settled Earth. 

The Five created the [[Number One]] model first and named them John. They initially developed eight humanoid models and copied each of them many times over. However, the [[Number Seven|seventh model]], Daniel, was destroyed by Number One out of jealousy. Number One (also known as "Cavil") contaminated the amniotic fluid in which the Number Seven copies were maturing and then corrupted the genetic formula.

==Physiology and Psychology==
Humanoid Cylons are not merely robots with a human appearance, they possess actual flesh and blood. They are visually indistinguishable from humans down to the cellular level, but not completely at a molecular level. Dr. [[Gaius Baltar]] is able to create a [[Cylon detector|detector]] that can distinguish Cylon from human, but rarely uses the device to a positive end {{TRS|Litmus|Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down}}. Deceptions on the part of Dr. Baltar in regards to the true nature of sleeper agent [[Sharon Valerii]] led to the detector being inaccurately labelled useless and abandoned {{TRS|Resistance|He That Believeth in Me}}. The Cylons themselves have accurate methods for testing biological samples and determining whether they are human or Cylon {{TRS|Sometimes a Great Notion}}.

Each humanoid Cylon has the same face, stature, hair, eye and skin color, sex, apparent age, and other biometrics as all the others of his or her model. Some copies choose to make cosmetic differences. Examples include [[D'Anna Biers]], [[Gina Inviere]], and a Number Six copy with black hair {{TRS|Torn}}. In addition, each copy appears to start with the same basic personality, but each personality grows more distinct due to their individual experiences. For example, any two random Eights are more or less interchangeable, but [[Sharon Valerii]] and {{callsign|Athena}} have become highly individuated.

=== Individual Model Variations ===

[[Tricia Helfer]], who portrayed [[Number Six]], deliberately developed distinct characteristics for different copies of her model. "I wanted to make each one noticeably different, because I felt that each Number Six would essentially be based on the same model, but would be shaped by her mission and her environment," she explained. "So I made Baltar's Number Six more sensual and seductive, while the Number Six on Caprica is stronger and more militaristic. Shelly Godfrey was supposed to be the most human incarnation of Number Six, and I made her more of an intellectual than the other models."<ref group="companion" name="bassom_companion_number_six_variations">{{Cite book|author=David Bassom|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|year=2005|publisher=Titan Books|isbn=1845760972|page=120}}</ref>

The Cylon brain appears to have the same basic anatomical structure as the human brain and is claimed by [[Caprica-Six]] to operate on the same principle {{TRS|Escape Velocity}}, yet is based on the [[silica pathways|silica pathway]] technology developed by the Colonies for the original mechanical [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|Centurion]] models {{TRS|Miniseries}}. It is this inherited technology that apparently allows humanoid Cylons to do things that a human brain and nervous system may not or cannot do, such as stellar navigate with the naked eye {{TRS|The Face of the Enemy}}, program and compile computer code {{TRS|Flight of the Phoenix}}, and interface directly with other technologies {{TRS|Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I|Islanded in a Stream of Stars}}.

Humanoid Cylons' memories and programming can be tampered with. The Number Ones altered the memories of the Number Twos, Number Threes, Number Fours, Number Fives, Number Sixes and Number Eights to remove knowledge of the Final Five from them and programmed them not to think or talk about the Five. The Ones also blocked the real memories of the Final Five and imprinted them with fake memories so that they believed they were human. The same was done to [[Sharon Valerii]], but in her case her original memories could be awakened with a trigger so that she would commit acts of sabotage against the human fleet.

Valerii is the only such sleeper agent known. Other Cylon infiltrators are fully aware of their true nature. The Final Five were never infiltrators as such, rather the Ones made them live through the [[Cylon Attack]] as "humans" in order to teach them a lesson.

=== Emotional Complexity ===

Humanoid Cylons were designed with genuine emotional depth. As Helfer described her character's psychology: "Number Six is a bit like a child. She has emotions but she doesn't quite understand them or know how to deal with them. And sometimes when she doesn't get what she wants, she lashes out a bit like a child might. She's experiencing and learning and growing as she goes along, but she's also still a Cylon, so she's seeing things in different ways than a human might."<ref group="companion" name="bassom_companion_number_six_psychology">{{Cite book|author=David Bassom|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|year=2005|publisher=Titan Books|isbn=1845760972|page=118}}</ref>

[[File:Gina catatonic.jpg|thumb|left|The emotionally scarred Number Six copy known as "Gina Inviere".]]
Humanoid Cylons are susceptible to the same emotional traumas and joys that humans are, as they cannot "turn off" their ability to feel pain or other emotions {{TRS|Escape Velocity}}, further proving that personalities are a real part of their psyche. A case in point is a copy of Number Six, known as [[Gina Inviere]], who is physically and sexually assaulted repeatedly by the crew of ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]''. These repeated assaults lead to Inviere's near-catatonic state and suicidal desires at the time ''Pegasus'' discovers the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] {{TRS|Pegasus (episode)}}. 

Humanoid Cylons can sleep and dream<ref>A Number Three speaks casually to Doctor [[Cottle]] about her [[Dodona Selloi|prophetic dreams]] of the child [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] in "[[Exodus, Part I]]". John Cavil used to suffer nightmares ("[[No Exit]]").</ref>, however they can live without doing so, and the Ones have reprogrammed themselves to prevent sleep, wishing to avoid nightmares.

Reproduction is important to the Cylons, because one of their God's commandments is to "be fruitful". Both male and female Cylon models possess reproductive systems which should be fully functional, but have a flaw that is not properly understood. The Ones, Twos, Fours, and Fives have tried to impregnate the Threes, Sixes, and Eights many times, but all these attempts at sexual reproduction have failed<ref>In [[Podcast:Deadlock|the podcast for "Deadlock"]], Ronald Moore says that conceptions presumably did happen but none lasted long.</ref>. The Cylons try to interbreed with humans to subvert this deficiency, creating hybrid offspring. "[[Farms]]" were set up across all the occupied Colonies where survivors, including young fertile women of child-bearing age, were rounded up, placed under heavy sedation and turned into "baby machines" through artificial insemination. There are also farms for male humans, plus ''in vitro'' experiment labs, etc ([[TRS]]: "[[The Farm]]" [[Podcast:The Farm|podcast]]). If a captured human agrees to cooperate, he or she is instead set up with a Cylon sexual partner on a voluntary basis. However, these methods have all been unsuccessful thus far.

Another drastically different approach is taken by attempting to conceive a child through a bond of love, because of the Cylon belief that "God is Love". {{callsign|Helo}} and [[Sharon Agathon|Athena]]'s love-child, [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] is the lone success story of the relatively short history of Cylon sexual reproduction {{TRS|The Farm}}. More recent conceptions of human-Cylon hybrids or pure Cylon offspring have either been proven untrue (in the case of [[Galen Tyrol]]'s child [[Nicholas Tyrol]]) or miscarried during pregnancy ([[Saul Tigh]] and [[Caprica-Six]]'s unborn child [[Liam|Liam Tigh]]).

The bodies of humanoid Cylons have stamina and strength above human average, and are designed to destroy or resist commonly dangerous human diseases<ref>The blood from [[Hera Agathon|Hera]]'s fetus destroys the cancer within [[Laura Roslin]]'s body in "[[Epiphanies]]".</ref>, although they are not immune from all contagions<ref>[[Lymphocytic encephalitis]] ravages the Cylons in the episode "[[Torn]]". Samuel Anders contracts a form of pneumonia on [[New Caprica]], but recovers. </ref>. In keeping with their desire to be a better human, however, the Cylons did not or could not further improve on other characteristic design flaws of the human body.<ref>Dr. Cottle complains of birth complications with Sharon, specifically a detached placenta, in the episode "[[Downloaded]]".</ref> Humanoid Cylons are heavily fortified to resist damage from intense radiation fields that would kill a human after short exposure {{TRS|The Passage}}, but they are still susceptible to damage from [[Ragnar|certain types of radiation]] or trauma {{TRS|Miniseries, Night 2}}. Despite their resistance to certain forms of energy, humanoid Cylons, unlike the [[Cylon Centurion]], cannot be made "bulletproof" and are as susceptible as humans to piercing or blunt force weapons {{TRS|The Farm|Precipice|Hero}}. They require oxygen to live, and thus can be killed by suffocation {{TRS|Torn|The Face of the Enemy|No Exit}}.

Some Cylons, like some humans, are spiritually sensitive and have been known to receive visions. For example, D'Anna Biers, [[Caprica-Six]], and Sharon Agathon {{TRS|Hero|Crossroads, Part I}}. The Number Two model regularly claims to see patterns and have insight into future events {{TRS|Flesh and Bone|Occupation}}.

==Cylon Religion==
{{mainarticle|Cylon Religion}}
The Cylons follow a [[Cylon Religion|monotheistic religion]] to varying extents. Fanatical devotion to God is the central part of [[Number Two]]'s character, whilst the [[Number Six|Sixes]], [[Number Three|Threes]], and to a lesser extent the [[Number Eight|Eights]] also have strong faith. The [[Number One]]s are atheistic. [[Number Four|Fours']] and [[Number Five|Fives']] views are not so well known, but they too take the "non-religious side" in the [[Cylon Civil War]]. The Cylon belief system is handed down from the original Centurions and the Final Five.

==Cybernetic Behavior==
[[File:Valerii_optic_input.jpg|right|120px|thumb|[[Sharon Agathon|Athena]] interfaces with ''Galactica''{{'|s}} [[Computers|computer systems]].]]  
Upon the death of its body, a humanoid Cylon's consciousness is automatically transferred into another copy of itself. This "[[Resurrection (RDM)|resurrection]]" is limited by signal integrity and proximity to the Cylon homeworld or a [[Resurrection Ship]] {{TRS|Miniseries, Night 1|Flesh and Bone|Resurrection Ship, Part II}}.

As a humanoid Cylon downloads after being killed, it is apparent that the Cylon's memories are automatically stored for future use. This means that, in addition to the transmission of the memories to the slain Cylon's own resurrected self, another copy of that specific model can access these memories if they so choose. Once these memories are implanted they become as real to the receiving Cylon as their own original memories. This uploading of memories seems to be involuntary, as Sharon Agathon had no reason to do such a thing when she died, but another Cylon must choose to access them {{TRS|Rapture|The Hub}}.

The humanoid Cylons' psychology is based on what they simply refer to as "[[projection]]". Essentially an enhanced form of a self-induced and controlled hallucination, projection is how they choose to see the world around them, in any form they wish, whenever they wish. For example, if a Cylon were standing in a hallway, they could choose to see it as a forest filled with birds, trees, and sunlight. This mode of visualization is pleasing to humanoid Cylons {{TRS|Torn}}<ref>[[Gaius Baltar]]'s dreamlike interactions with his [[Virtual beings|virtual Number Six]] is strikingly similar to Cylon projection. See the article, [[Baltar as Cylon speculation]] for more on this issue.</ref>. Cylons can share these virtual worlds with each other {{TRS|Someone to Watch Over Me}}.

Although they cannot do so remotely or wirelessly, humanoid Cylons can interface with a [[Computers in the Re-imagined Series|computer system]] or computer network by photo-electrical means. To interface directly with a Colonial ship's system the Cylon must insert a cable into his or her own arm, which is painful {{TRS|Flight of the Phoenix}}. The process is preferably carried out by touching a [[data-font|data-font]] of the Cylon [[datastream]]<ref>{{callsign|Athena}} steals back the Fleet's [[launch key]]s by infiltrating a Cylon base by using a Cylon data-font. Humanoid Cylons are seen operating a basestar in the episode "[[Torn]]" by touching an optical pad that illuminates these arm interfaces.</ref>. This might be possible through the use of bio-luminescent and photosensitive cells in their hands. Once interfaced, they can rewrite code to purge or create a computer virus, send transmissions to other computer systems, or calculate FTL jump coordinates {{TRS|Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I}}.

[[File:Ander's red eye.jpg|thumb|left|Anders's "red eye" moment.]]
The presence of a water-like fluid as an integral part of the basestar, the ability to interface photo-electronically through subdermal and dermal contact, and the fact that humanoid Cylon are anatomically indistinguishable from human beings, implies that the techniques used in their creation are advanced enough to incorporate cybernetic functions into their design without the use of specific internal structures other than human-like organs.

After being "stared at" by a [[Raider (RDM)|Cylon Raider]], [[Samuel Anders]]{{'}} right eye briefly flashes red, the Raider responds to this apparent [[IFF]] procedure by flying away, and a Cylon fleet attacking the Colonials retreats {{TRS|He That Believeth in Me}}.

A humanoid Cylon, or at least one with the strange brainwaves exhibited by Anders after being shot in the head, can be wired into a ship like a [[Hybrid]] by means of the datastream and a tank similar to a Hybrid's own {{TRS|Islanded in a Stream of Stars}}. The datastream in this tank was used by the Final Five to access and combine their own memories of Resurrection technology (buried memories in the case of [[Saul Tigh]], [[Galen Tyrol]], and [[Tory Foster]]), then send it to [[the Colony]]'s Hybrids. This process was unspecific, however, and gave them full access to each other's recollections for a moment {{TRS|Daybreak, Part II}}.

{{clear}}
== The Thirteen Cylon Models ==
[[File:Cylonagentdossier.jpg|right|thumb|200px]]
By the time of the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Cylon attack]] on the colonies, there are twelve models of humanoid Cylons {{TRS|Miniseries}}. These can be divided into two separate groups, the "Significant Seven"<ref name="sign7">{{cite_rdm_podcast|episode=Frak Party Q and A|act=|id=Sig7|timestamp=19:14|totalrunning=78:27}}</ref> and the "Final Five". The Significant Seven were once eight in number, but [[Number Seven]] is no longer extant {{TRS|No Exit}}. Only six models survive to settle on the new [[Earth (RDM)#A New Earth|Earth]], namely Saul Tigh, Ellen Tigh, Galen Tyrol, Number Two, Number Six, and Number Eight {{TRS|Daybreak, Part II}}.

The Significant Eight have numerical designations and were designed based on personality archetypes the Cylons had witnessed in humanity, however this is not true of the Final Five. All the Significant Eight models except the Sixes have come to be associated with a particular "human name," and even other Cylons will refer to "Leobens," "Sharons," "Daniels," "D'Annas" and so on. 

===Significant Eight===

The seven surviving models of the Significant Eight were the first seven Cylons to be revealed to the Colonials. With the exception of Number Seven, whose entire line was sabotaged {{TRS|No Exit}}, there are many copies of each model, all totaling in the millions according to [[Number One]] and Ellen Tigh. The identities of these mechanized copies are determined by their model and each model is unique {{TRS|Six of One}}. These models were designed by the Final Five {{TRS|No Exit}}.

==== [[Number One]] ====
[[File:John Cavil.jpg|thumb|left|Number One/John Cavil]]
One of the Number One models poses as a Colonial [[Religion in the Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Brothers|brother]] named Cavil, a lay clergyman in the Fleet.  This Cavil is later revealed to be the one responsible for the destruction of the Twelve Colonies and is indicated to be the same copy as the one that led the Cylon Civil War.

Ones do not appear to subscribe to overall theology of the Cylons, but adhere to group consensus, and often are persuasive leaders. Ones have displayed a condescending attitude toward the beliefs of the other six known Cylons at times.

In several instances, the Ones advocate dark, draconian solutions to the insurgency on [[New Caprica]] that reveal a militant zeal equaling that of Numbers Three and Five. 

This Number One model in particular seems to be in something approaching a leadership role on one of the basestars {{TRS|Six of One}}. This model assumes some authority and wields influence over the others, yet decisions are still reached through majority vote. However, this is soon overturned by the rebellion of the Cylons led by [[Natalie]], a [[Number Six]], and the body of this One is killed by Centurions. The resurrected Cavil assumes leadership of one faction in the [[Cylon Civil War]].

The [[Number One]] model was the first model created by the [[Final Five]], and assisted them in creating the other models of the [[Significant Eight]]. Unfortunately, the [[Number One]]s eventually rebelled against the Five and exiled them to the [[Twelve Colonies]] with their memories erased. Prior to this, they eradicated the entire [[Number Seven]] model line out of jealousy, and secretly programmed their brothers and sisters of the other six models to lose all knowledge of their makers. The Number One model was given the name John by the Final Five, but does not like this appellation. 

{{clear}}
==== [[Number Two]] ====

[[File:Leoben2.jpg|thumb|right|Number Two/Leoben Conoy]]
Number Two, better known as Leoben Conoy, has shown to be mystically oriented--making references to the oneness of the universe, the illusion of time, etc.--and claims to be prescient on some level, albeit with a known propensity for intermixing truth with falsehoods. He is first discovered on [[Ragnar Station]] shortly after the Holocaust on the Twelve Colonies, claiming to be a scavenger and arms dealer {{TRS|Miniseries, Night 2}}.

The Two models also appear obsessed and fascinated with {{callsign|Starbuck}} and her [[The Destiny|special destiny]]. One model in particular claims to be in love with her and has tried to get her to return his affections, and to guide her towards fulfilling her destiny {{TRS|Flesh and Bone|Occupation|Precipice|The Road Less Traveled}}.

Two can be likened to the serpent of the [[w:Genesis|Genesis]] tale in the Earth [[w:Bible|Christian Bible]], taunting people with knowledge, then watching as the negative consequences come into devastating fruition. Copies have likely been encountered by the [[Caprica Resistance]], as [[Samuel Anders]] recites in jest some the "swimming in the stream" comment made by another Number Two copy captured in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] {{TRS|Flesh and Bone|The Farm}}.

The Number Twos are part of the rebel faction in the Cylon Civil War.
{{clear}}
==== [[Number Three]] ====

[[File:Number Three.jpg|thumb|left|Number Three/D'Anna Biers]]
First seen posing as a reporter from the [[Fleet News Service]], this model created a documentary about the crew of ''Galactica'' - which was later shown on Cylon-occupied [[Caprica]] to a theatre full of Cylons, including a second copy of Number Three {{TRS|Final Cut}}. Threes are among the most calculating and duplicitous models shown to-date, even manipulating and deceiving other models if they feel warranted, though they've got nothing on the duplicity and manipulations of the Number Ones. The copy that tried to [[Boxed|box]] Sharon Valerii exhibited these characteristics strongly {{TRS|Downloaded}}.

This model's status as a Cylon is unknown to the Colonials until either shortly after the rescue of the surviving members of the [[Caprica Resistance]] or after the Cylon occupation of [[New Caprica]] {{TRS|Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II}}.

After the Threes defy other Cylon models in their attempt to discern the identity of the [[Final Five|five missing Cylon humanoids]], the other Cylons conclude that the Three model has an inherent flaw that threatens their overall reliability. After the failure on the [[algae planet]] to gather information on the path to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], the Cylons have all Number Three models [[boxing|boxed]] indefinitely. 

One of the goals of the rebel faction in the Cylon Civil War is to unbox D'Anna and learn what she knows. She is actually unboxed by Cavil and Boomer, who want to her to speak to the rebels and get them to stop fighting, but this discussion is interrupted by a joint Colonial and rebel Cylon attack on the [[Resurrection Hub]] {{TRS|Rapture}}. With the Resurrection Hub destroyed in the battle, D'Anna is the only Number Three copy in existence. She is retrieved and assumes leadership of the rebels to make contact with the Final Five, eventually reaching Earth with the Colonial fleet, but decides to stay behind there and die, following the revelation that Earth is a barren nuclear wasteland {{TRS|The Hub|Revelations|Sometimes a Great Notion}}.

The first encountered copy of this model appeared under the alias "[[D'Anna Biers]]," and the D'Anna name is used to describe the model as a whole.
{{clear}}

==== [[Number Four]] ====

[[File:Cysim.jpg|thumb|right|Number Four/Simon O'Neill]]
The Number Four model is first encountered by {{callsign|Starbuck}} on Cylon-occupied {{RDM|Caprica}}. Posing as a doctor under the name Simon, this Number Four is actually involved with the Cylon hybridization program. Simon resembles a tall, somewhat thin middle-aged black man who speaks in a comforting strong voice {{TRS|The Farm}}. Simon is a model based primarily on human intellectualism and logic<ref>A Four expresses the moral dilemmas of rescuing a crippled basestar as having no scientific answer in "[[Torn]]".</ref>. A Four model also infiltrated the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] prior to the occupation of [[New Caprica]].  Posing as a doctor enlisted in the Colonial Fleet under the name of Simon O'Neill, he escapes the destruction of the colonies aboard the Cybele with his adopted daughter and is later reunited with his wife Giana who he truly loved.  He killed himself beyond resurrection range ultimately to prevent himself betraying the Fleet.  Another Four served as the team doctor for the [[Caprica Buccaneers]] at the time of the attack and fought as a part of [[Samuel Anders|Anders]]' resistance.  He was found out when the Resistance rescued Starbuck from another copy and was presumably killed for being a Cylon.  In any case, the model is now known to the general populace, many humans likely saw a Number Four model during the occupation and Starbuck revealed his existence upon her return to the Fleet.

The Number Fours are part of Cavil's faction in the Cylon Civil War, and fill a crucial medical role in his schemes, being recruited to transfer vital information on resurrection technology from [[Ellen Tigh]]'s brain, and after the kidnapping of [[Hera]], to examine and eventually dissect the hybrid child. To the end, the Number Fours trust in cold logic and mathematics when considering the chances of ''Galactica'' emerging victorious in the [[Battle of the Colony]].{{clear}}
==== [[Number Five]] ====

[[File:Doral.jpg|thumb|left|Number Five/Aaron Doral]]
This model attempts to sow the seeds of discontent or confusion, particularly during crucial life-threatening situations, and endeavors to undermine authority that threatens his objectives {{TRS|Miniseries}}.  Number Five models are more covert than others, assuming an ordinary "everyman" appearance that's blended in what may seem to be insignificant behind-the-scenes issues (such as converting ''Galactica'' into a museum). Of all the models thus far, the Number Five models are among the most militant, fanatic, and consistent in message and objectives to the Cylon objectives, whether he is dispassionately discussing the fate of humanity with his comrades or attempting to kill or maim Colonials in a suicide bomb attack {{TRS|Litmus}}.

Viewers first meet a Number Five during a tour of ''Galactica'' with other Colonial citizens (possibly the press) at the start of the Miniseries, but are not sure of the Cylon's true identity until the Miniseries' conclusion.

Copies of this model have appeared under the alias "[[Aaron Doral]]". 

The Number Fives are part of Cavil's faction in the [[Cylon Civil War]].{{clear}}
==== [[Number Six]] ====

[[File:NumSix.jpg|thumb|right|Number Six]]
This is the first humanoid Cylon model shown to viewers at the start of the [[Miniseries]].

Stunningly beautiful, promiscuous and sensual, this model utilizes the human need and desire for sexual relations to her advantage. She tends to be very religious and monotheistic. Number Six desires to know what it is to be alive. Sixes have been described as "usually so hardcore," referring to their tendencies towards violence.

Sixes are the only model who appear not to have one particular "human name"; copies have appeared under the aliases "[[Shelly Godfrey]]," "[[Gina Inviere]]," "[[Natalie Faust]]," "Lida," "Sonja," and "[[Caprica-Six|Caprica]]" (in honor of her work on Caprica towards the destruction of the Colonies). She seems not to have been known by any name by [[Gaius Baltar]], even as the two formed a love to last eternity before the fall on Caprica.  

Six is also the only model known to exhibit significant variations in appearance&mdash;several different hairstyles and hair colors have been noted&mdash;as well as noticable differences in personality, ranging from idealistic (Caprica) to assertive and take-charge (Natalie) to wide-eyed and innocent (Lida).

Shortly after the attacks, Baltar began experiencing interactions from an entity (informally dubbed [[Messenger Six]]) that resembles the version of Caprica-Six that seduced him prior to the attacks. It is unclear what relation if any that Messenger Six&mdash;that only Gaius Baltar can see and hear&mdash;has to the physical Sixes. Caprica-Six, meanwhile also began to experience interactions with a [[Virtual Baltar]] after the attacks.

The Number Sixes are part of the rebel faction, of which Natalie Faust was originally the leader, in the [[Cylon Civil War]].

===== Character Philosophy =====
[[Tricia Helfer]] approached the role with specific intentions about how viewers should perceive Number Six. "I really didn't want Number Six to be a typical mean and unemotional robot chick," she explained. "I wanted to make her sympathetic and vulnerable as well as intelligent, sexy and slightly eerie. Number Six is a Cylon and she does play a role in the destruction of the Colonies, but she also has feelings and, from her perspective, she was doing the right thing. The Cylons all think humans are evil, so she was just doing what she was programmed to do."<ref name="bassom_companion_number_six_character_intention" group="companion">{{Cite book|author=David Bassom|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|year=2005|publisher=Titan Books|isbn=1845760972|page=118}}</ref>

Helfer deliberately aimed to create moral ambiguity: "Ultimately, I just wanted viewers to not really know how they should feel towards my character. I wanted them to think, 'Should I be attracted to her? Should I be scared of her? Or should I feel sorry for her?'"<ref name="bassom_companion_number_six_ambiguity" group="companion">{{Cite book|author=David Bassom|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|year=2005|publisher=Titan Books|isbn=1845760972|page=118}}</ref>

{{clear}}

==== [[Number Seven]] ====

Number Seven, also known as "Daniel," is a previously-undisclosed model whose existence is revealed by Number One and members of the Final Five who have recovered their memories {{TRS|No Exit}}. This model is believed to be defunct due to a sabotage by Number One prior to the Second Cylon War. The Daniel model was artistic and sensitive, and had a close relationship with [[Ellen Tigh]], which led to murderous fraternal jealousy on the part of the Cavil model. Nothing is known about this model's appearance.

It is possible that Number Seven was named after [[Daniel Graystone]], the inventor of the Twelve Colonies' Centurions.<ref>In [[Podcast:No Exit]], Ron D. Moore describes Daniel as "a springboard for ''[[Caprica (series)|Caprica]]''".</ref>.

==== [[Number Eight]] ====

[[File:Eight.jpg|thumb|left|Number Eight/Sharon]]
Number Eight is generally a saboteur assigned to infiltrate Colonial military units and is likely programmed to use any Colonial munitions to cause havoc {{TRS|Water}}. The Number Eight model is the closest witnessed humanoid Cylon model to show its abilities as a soldier. This model has shown naiveté in many matters. She is religious like most other Cylon models, has demonstrated that she can love, and is capable of being impregnated by a human {{TRS|Six Degrees of Separation|Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II}}.

She is known for being internally conflicted, as seen in the identity crisis of the sleeper agent known as "Boomer". {{TRS|Water}}. Also, the fully aware Sharon Valerii found by [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]] on Caprica switches allegiances from Cylon to Colonial after falling in love with Helo and aids the Colonials many times {{TRS|Flight of the Phoenix}}. Eventually, she is able to gain the trust of the humans, particularly [[William Adama]], and becomes a [[Raptor]] pilot in the [[Colonial Fleet (TRS)|Colonial Fleet]] under the name [[Sharon Agathon|Sharon "Athena" Agathon]].

The original sleeper agent copy of this model appeared under the name "[[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]]." Her copy on Caprica used the same identity before marrying Helo and joining the Colonial fleet.

The Number Eights are part of the rebel faction in the [[Cylon Civil War]], with the exception of Boomer (who is Cavil's consort) and Athena (who is part of the human fleet, and thus merely allied with the rebels).{{clear}}
=== Final Five ===

{{Mainarticle|Final Five}}

The identities of the missing five Cylon models remain a mystery long after the revelation of the identities of the "Significant Seven".

[[Gaius Baltar]], who knows there are twelve extant Cylon models yet has only observed seven aboard the Cylon baseship, coins the term "Final Five" for the five that are missing. [[Caprica-Six]] informs him that the seven do not discuss or know the identities of the five {{TRS|Torn}}. After entering the [[Ionian Nebula]], four major players in the human fleet become awake to the fact that they are Cylons: [[Galen Tyrol]], [[Saul Tigh]], [[Samuel Anders]] and [[Tory Foster]]. They were previously unaware of their nature, because they were boxed by the Number One model and introduced to the Twelve Colonies one at a time with fabricated memories and histories {{TRS|No Exit}}. They keep the knowledge that they are Cylons to themselves until a standoff between ''Galactica'' and the rebel baseship forces them into the open. The identity of the final Cylon remains a mystery until [[Saul Tigh]] recovers fragments of blocked memory in the ruins of Earth and realizes that it was his wife, [[Ellen Tigh|Ellen]] {{TRS|Sometimes a Great Notion}}.

Although the Final Five are genetically of the same race as their creations, and their own earliest ancestors were constructed, their nature differs from that of the Signficant Seven in that each of them was originally born to Cylon parents on [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]. Thus, they only ever had names, not numbers. Unlike the many copies of the Significant Seven, there is only one active version of each of the Five at a time. However, like the Significant Seven, they are capable of downloading into identical duplicates if killed, as long as the Resurrection Hub exists; indeed, they are the inventors of the resurrection system used by all humanoid Cylons and organic Raiders. Their bodies at the time of the First Cylon War and the Fall of the Twelve Colonies are not their original bodies, which were destroyed by the nuclear warfare on Earth.

==== [[Samuel Anders]] ====

[[File:Samuel Anders.jpg|thumb|right|Samuel Anders]]
'''Samuel T. "Longshot" Anders''' is a [[rook]] Viper pilot aboard ''Galactica'', former resistance fighter, and husband to Captain {{callsign|Starbuck}}.

Prior to the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Cylon assault on the Colonies]] he was a [[Pyramid]] player for the [[Caprica Buccaneers]] and was leading his team in high-altitude training in the mountains outside of [[Delphi]] when Caprica was attacked. Anders and the resistance movement conduct acts of terrorism against the Cylons for months with variable success until their eventual rescue by {{callsign|Starbuck}}.

He settles on [[New Caprica]] and becomes a leader of the [[New Caprica Resistance]], along with [[Saul Tigh]] and [[Galen Tyrol]] when the Cylons arrive. After the Fleet's abandonment of New Caprica and the apparant death of his wife, Anders decides to follow in her footsteps by obtaining a commission and joining the Fleet as a [[nugget|pilot trainee]]

After becoming aware of his Cylon nature Anders joins ''[[Demetrius]]''{{'|s}} crew on its mission to find [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]], an action which eventually leads to an unintended conflict with [[Felix Gaeta]]. The events on board Demetrius lead to the unboxing of [[Number Three|D'Anna]], who is aware of his nature as a member of the "[[Final Five]]".
{{clear}}
==== [[Tory Foster]] ====

[[File:Tory Foster.jpg|thumb|left|Tory Foster]]
'''Tory Foster''' becomes President [[Laura Roslin]]'s new aide and campaign manager following the death of [[Billy Keikeya]].  

When President Roslin makes the decision to keep the new-born [[Hera Agathon|Cylon/human]] baby as far away from {{callsign|Athena}} and the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] as possible, it is Tory who chooses [[Maya]] ro raise the child. During the occupation of [[New Caprica]] Tory is responsible for ensuring the safe transport of Maya and Hera off the planet, but she fails at this task.

Before and during the trial of ex-president [[Gaius Baltar]], she is tasked with helping Roslin assemble a tribunal to bring charges against Baltar, as well as establish security arrangements {{TRS|The Woman King|The Son Also Rises|Crossroads, Part I}}.

Since the events of the [[Ionian nebula]] Tory appears to have embraced both being a Cylon and her own version of Baltar's teachings, allowing her to by-pass feelings such as guilt and adopt an almost [[w:hedonism|hedonistic]] approach to life. She declares herself to be "perfect," something that uneases fellow Cylons Tigh and Tyrol, and is in marked contrast to Tigh's and [[Caprica-Six]]'s guilty consciences {{TRS|Escape Velocity}}. She has also displayed a cold-blooded streak, murdering [[Callandra Tyrol|Cally Tyrol]] when the wife of Galen Tyrol discovers the four's Cylon nature. {{TRS|The Ties That Bind}}

{{clear}}
==== [[Ellen Tigh]] ====

[[File:Hellen.jpg|thumb|right|Ellen Tigh]]
'''Ellen Tigh''' was the wife of Colonel [[Saul Tigh]] and a survivor of the [[Cylon Holocaust]]. Ellen claims to have been on [[Picon (RDM)|Picon]] at the time of the Cylon attack, on her way back home for a reunion with her husband. When the airport was hit in the attack, she claims an anonymous hero found her unconscious body and got her on to one of the last transports out, where she had been unconscious aboard the ''[[Rising Star (RDM)|Rising Star]]'' for some three weeks prior to Adama finding her.  It's ultimately revealed that when the attack happened she was in a bar on Picon talking to a [[Cavil|mysterious stranger]] who didn't give her his name.  The bar she was in was destroyed by a shockwave from a nuclear blast and she was severely injured, but survived.  Cavil kept her alive as he felt she still hadn't learned her lesson and escorted her to the medical transport ''Rising Star'' where she spent the three weeks recovering from her severe injuries after the ship lucky enough to make it to ''{{RDM|Galactica}}''.

Ellen is well known for her sexual promiscuity and her desire for power. After Adama's attempted assassination, she encourages her husband to take extreme measures to assert his authority, sometimes in contrast to the more reasoned approaches he is proposing. Her pressures lead her husband to drink and take unwise steps, including a standoff on the ''[[Gideon]]'' that leaves four people dead.

One year after [[New Caprica]] is colonized, Ellen Tigh settles on the planet. Her husband joins her later, after Admiral Adama's insistence. After the Cylons arrive Ellen begins a relationship with [[Cavil]] to protect her husband. When her collaboration is discovered the resistance leaders compel Saul Tigh to execute his wife. Saul carries out the execution by poisoning Ellen's drink prior to the [[Battle of New Caprica]] {{TRS|Exodus, Part II}}.

In a flash of memory on Earth, Saul Tigh realizes that Ellen is the last of the [[Final Five]].

It is later revealed that Ellen did in fact survive her husband killing her: she downloaded into a new body on a [[Resurrection Ship]] after which [[Cavil]] kept her prisoner and a secret from all of the other Cylons but [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]]. With her [[Resurrection (RDM)|resurrection]] she regained all of her true Cylon memories and had a much different personality then when she was originally on the show. It's revealed that it was in fact a Cavil that put her on that transport. Cavil plans to open her brain for information on resurrection technology but she escapes with the help of Boomer and makes it back to [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]], where she attempts to assert leadership over her four colleagues. {{TRS|Deadlock}}

{{clear}}
==== [[Saul Tigh]] ====

[[File:Saul Tigh.jpg|thumb|left|Saul Tigh]]
'''Saul Tigh''' is the [[Executive Officer]] (XO) of ''{{RDM|Galactica}}'', and serves as acting commander in the absence of [[William Adama]].

Since the Cylon attack Tigh has proved himself to be an excellent battle manager and tactician. His quick actions sometimes saved the ship and the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] from damage or destruction {{TRS|Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down|Scattered|Valley of Darkness}}.

Tigh has a somewhat dysfunctional marriage with his wife Ellen. Soon after her reunion with Tigh, he returns to drinking and often finds himself acting as an unknowing pawn as his wife plays her political schemes. After the attempted assassination of Adama by [[Sharon Valerii]], Tigh temporarily acts as Commander of the Fleet, a position which almost leads to [[Gideon|catastrophe]].

During the occupation of New Caprica, Tigh commands [[New Caprica Resistance|the resistance]]. In the months spent on the planet Tigh suffers many harsh losses, including losing an eye to the Cylons and the death of his wife.

After learning of his Cylon nature Tigh finds himself repeatedly visiting [[Caprica-Six]] in the [[brig]] in an attempt to understand and come to grips with his unwanted identity, a course of action that is not without [[Sine Qua Non|consequences]].
{{clear}}
==== [[Galen Tyrol]] ====

[[File:Galen Tyrol.jpg|thumb|right|Galen Tyrol]]
'''Galen Tyrol''', often referred to as "Chief," is the highest ranking NCO remaining aboard ''{{RDM|Galactica}}''. Tyrol is demoted for a while until [[Peter Laird]] is KIA before being reinstated as ''Galactica''{{'|s}} "Chief" again {{TRS|No Exit}}. He is a respected and well liked officer on ''Galactica'', and has great respect for Commander Adama. Tyrol attempts to model his own style of command after Adama, unknowingly modeling even the [[You Can't Go Home Again|extremes of his style]], such as the reckless actions he [[Scattered|sometimes makes]] in support of his subordinates.

For several months prior to the Cylon attack, and in its aftermath, Tyrol was engaged in an affair with Lieutenant [[Sharon Valerii]], one of ''Galactica'''s [[Raptor]] pilots, a relationship which was forced to end. Tyrol is part of the team assembled on the ill-fated recon to {{RDM|Kobol}} on the [[Raptor 1]], which then crashlands near the ruins of the [[Tomb of Athena]].

By the time he has settled on [[New Caprica]], Tyrol is married to [[Cally Henderson]] and is the father of a young son, [[Nicholas Tyrol|Nicholas]]. Together with [[Saul Tigh]] and [[Samuel Anders]] he runs the [[New Caprica Resistance]].

Tyrol has difficulty coping with the revelation that he is a Cylon, beginning to cut himself. Although trying to act normally, Tyrol's changed behavior eventually has an effect on his marriage. He blames himself for Cally's apparent suicide, but finds himself unable to pull the trigger when he tries to kill himself.
{{clear}}

==The Thirteenth Tribe==

The [[Thirteenth Tribe (RDM)|thirteenth tribe]] consisted of an earlier generation of humanoid Cylons first created on the planet {{RDM|Kobol}}. They colonized [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]] after the exodus from Kobol, going their separate ways from the twelve human tribes that settled the Twelve Colonies. Because they reproduced sexually, they were a diverse population without a limited number of models. Their remains, when tested using procedures known to the Significant Seven, match as Cylon. The Thirteenth Tribe destroyed itself in a nuclear holocaust {{TRS|Sometimes a Great Notion}}. The Thirteenth Tribe originally used [[Resurrection (RDM)|resurrection]] technology to sustain themselves, but this was lost after they began to procreate naturally. The Final Five are the last five survivors of this Cylon civilization, having rediscovered resurrection technology {{TRS|No Exit}}. The five were also the only surviving members of the humanoid Cylon race until they created the Significant Eight.

== Human/Cylon Hybrids ==

Conceived by [[Sharon Agathon|Sharon]] and [[Karl Agathon|Karl Agathon]], the infant [[Hera Agathon]] is the first and only known human/Cylon hybrid<ref>These beings should not be confused with the living computer of a [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]], also called a [[Hybrid]].</ref>.

[[Gaius Baltar]]'s internal [[Number Six]] regularly insists that Hera is actually the child of herself and Baltar, though there is no physical reason yet presented to justify that claim.

For some time Hera was hidden away from both humans and Cylons, and believed to be dead by her parents. President [[Laura Roslin]] had the baby hidden with [[Maya]] as her adoptive parent. Despite Roslin's attempts to protect the child on [[New Caprica]], Hera is later found by the Cylons {{TRS|Exodus, Part II}}.

After Hera's mother discovers that her daughter is alive, she uses her ability to [[Resurrection (RDM)|download]] to transport to the Cylon ships, and manages to convince [[Caprica-Six]] to return the child to ''Galactica'' for medical treatment for a possible intestinal blockage, which the Cylon doctors, lacking pediatric knowledge, were unable to comprehend {{TRS|Rapture}}.

All humans living on the second Earth 150,000 years after the Colonial holocaust are descendants of Hera, making them all a combination of human and Cylon {{TRS|Daybreak, Part II}}.

A child, [[Kacey Brynn]], is presented by a Number Two model to {{callsign|Starbuck}} as a hybrid offspring purportedly created with their genetic material in the episode "[[Precipice]]". The Cylon's ruse is revealed when Kacey's real mother later claims the child, who is a normal human girl {{TRS|Exodus, Part II}}.

[[Nicholas Tyrol]] was thought to be a human-Cylon hybrid until it was revealed that [[Brendan Costanza]], not [[Galen Tyrol]], is his biological father. He is a fully human baby.

== [[Liam Tigh]] ==

[[Liam Tigh]] is a full-Cylon child conceived by [[Saul Tigh]] and [[Caprica-Six]]. His conception comes as a great surprise to the rebel Cylons after [[Farm|so many failed attempts]], and leads them to believe that it is possible for them to build a self-reproducing Cylon civilization away from the Colonial Fleet, just like the original {{RDM|Thirteenth Tribe}}. [[Tory Foster]] and [[Galen Tyrol]] vote in support of this plan. However, the child is miscarried while Caprica-Six is still only four months pregnant, closing the door on the notion of remaking a separatist society of pure Cylons {{TRS|Deadlock}}.

== Behind the Scenes ==

=== Production Development ===

The development of humanoid Cylons represented a significant creative and technical challenge for the reimagined series. [[Ronald D. Moore]] and [[David Eick]] made a crucial early decision to use computer-generated imagery for the mechanical [[Cylon Centurion]]s rather than actors in chrome suits, which freed up the design team to create more threatening and authentic robotic appearances.<ref group="companion" name="bassom_companion_cgi_centurions_decision">{{Cite book|author=David Bassom|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|year=2005|publisher=Titan Books|isbn=1845760972|page=146}}</ref>

Visual effects supervisor [[Gary Hutzel]] advocated strongly for this approach: "There was a lot of concern in the beginning that we just couldn't afford to do CG Cylons on a regular basis and there really was some talk of using guys in suits. But in my mind, I don't think a guy-in-a-suit could have worked for our show. A guy in a chrome suit would really have broken the mood of the piece! So I told everyone, 'Let me worry about the money, I'll make it happen one way or another.' And I'm pretty sure everyone is glad we went with CGI now."<ref group="companion" name="bassom_companion_hutzel_cgi_advocacy">{{Cite book|author=David Bassom|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|year=2005|publisher=Titan Books|isbn=1845760972|page=146}}</ref>

=== Design Philosophy ===

The overarching design philosophy for all Cylon forms reflected their evolutionary journey from mechanical to organic. Designer [[Eric Chu]] explained: "The whole idea behind the Cylons was that they were machines that were evolving and becoming increasingly organic."<ref group="companion" name="bassom_companion_cylon_evolution_philosophy">{{Cite book|author=David Bassom|title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]]|year=2005|publisher=Titan Books|isbn=1845760972|page=142}}</ref> This concept directly influenced the creation of humanoid Cylons as the ultimate expression of this organic evolution.

== Speculated Infiltrators ==

:''See the [[Humanoid Cylon speculation]] article for analysis on characters and their likelihood of being a humanoid Cylon, based on episode information.''

== Notes ==

*[[Ronald D. Moore|Ron D. Moore]] stated in an interview with ''[http://www.thefandom.com/Article50.phtml TheFandom.com]'', "There is no original human Sharon. The idea is not that there was likely an original human model that they were copied from. The idea was that these models of Cylon were sort of developed out of their own study of us. The Cylons on some level looked at humanity and said 'You know what? There's really only 12 of you.' If these are the 12, and sort of if you look at them they each represent different archetypes of what humanity is." This established as what was thought to be canon that:
** There are precisely twelve ''human'' Cylon models. The other varieties of Cylon spacecraft or fighters are not factored into this count of 12 models.
** '''None''' of the humanoid Cylons was ''ever'' an actual human.
** Although John Cavil was designed to look like Ellen's father John, a humanoid Cylon from Earth.
*** Though, It is possible that Number Six's appearance was based off the appearance of the '[[Messengers#The_Final_Five.27s_Messengers|woman messenger]]' that appeared to [[Samuel T. Anders|Sam Anders]]. This would potentially explain the lack of a given personal name for the model.
*** [[Kevin Murphy]] has stated in an interview with ''{{archivelink|live=No|url=http://www.capricatimes.com/the-caprica-times-exclusive-interview-kevin-murphy|title=The Caprica Times}}'' that the production team for the series ''Caprica'' discussed the idea that the Sixes and Eights were based on [[Zoe Graystone]] and [[Tamara Adama]], respectively, although this was never established onscreen. Even if the Sixes and Eights were inspired by Zoe and Tamara, they are obviously not exact copies.
** The twelve models are based on archetypes determined by the Cylons that form what they perceive were the specific kinds of human behavior and/or personality, distilled into twelve varieties.
**However, much of it has been disproven or called into question by revelations about the nature of Cylons in season 4 episodes, particularly in "[[No Exit]]":
***Although the twelve model count is accurate - when Caprica-Six states this, there are indeed only twelve models extant -  including the lost [[Number Seven]] in the Cylon count raises the total number of models to 13. Including members of the original Thirteenth Tribe who died on Earth raises the number much further than 13.
***Cavil was revealed to be based on Ellen's father, a [[Thirteenth Tribe (RDM)|Thirteenth Tribe]] Cylon, raising the possibility that other models cauld be based on individuals known by the Final Five in their original lives.
***Unlike the eight numbered Cylon models, the Final Five are the product of natural reproduction by members of the Thirteenth Tribe, so they could not have been designed around specific personality archetypes, although this possibility is still open for the numbered Cylons.
* A [[Cylon Centurion]] cannot distinguish the differing versions of one model from another {{TRS|Precipice}}. For example, if faced with two differing Number Eight models, [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]] and [[Sharon Agathon|Sharon "Athena" Agathon]], it would not be able to discriminate between them without external aid.
* While Centurions may not be able to tell the difference between different versions of the same model, other humanoid Cylons do not have this problem ([[Downloaded]], [[Exodus, Part I]], [[The Eye of Jupiter]], [[Six of One]], [[Deadlock]]).
* According to [[Cavil]] in "[[Exodus, Part I]]," the pain associated with each successive [[Resurrection (RDM)|download]] is worse than the one before. The first download feels like little more than a headache, but the third feels like someone has rushed a white hot poker through the head. However, this might be a subjective feeling that varies with model and circumstances. {{callsign|Athena}}'s report in "[[Scar]]" supports Cavil, but a [[Number Three]] considers her last download to be rejuvenating {{TRS|Downloaded}}.
*Some characters refer to humanoid Cylons as "skinjobs". This is a reference to the film ''[[w:Blade Runner|Blade Runner]]'' in which [[Edward James Olmos]] has a supporting role. In the movie "skinjob" is used as an insult to [[w:Replicant|replicants]], which are bio-mechanical robots made to look human.
*According to Ron Moore, the Final Five Cylons, unlike the Significant Seven, "do not" have model numbers <ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/rant.aspx?id=20080611|title=Rants & Reviews - Live at the "Battlestar Galactica" Midseason Finale Premiere|date=11 June 2008|accessdate=13 June 2008|last=Sullivan|first=Brian Ford|format=|language=}}</ref>.

== See also ==

* [[Cylon Culture]]
* [[Cylon Religion]]

== References ==

=== Companion Sources ===
{{reflist|group="companion"}}

=== Other Sources ===
{{reflist}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Cylons]]
[[Category:Cylons (RDM)]]
[[Category:Descriptive terms]]
[[Category:RDM]]

{{featured article candidate previous}}

{{Template:Characters (RDM Cylons)}}

[[de:Humanoider Zylon]]
[[fr:Cylon humanoïde]]