Cylon Centurion

For information on the Centurions from the Original Series, see Centurion (TOS).

The basic footsoldier of Cylon ground forces, the Cylon Centurion appears to represent a significant (if not radical) evolution of the Cylon Centurion Model 0005.

Unlike the Model 0005, a single Centurion is more than enough to terrorize a squad of Colonial fighters. They have long, talon-like fingers with multiple joints and a double-barreled automatic projectile weapon mounted on the end of each arm. These make counterattacks by Colonials very difficult since they are effectively machine guns. In addition, their fingers can be used as bladed close-combat weapons. They are also capable of fielding larger, more powerful weapons not built into them, such as mortars and missile batteries.

These newer, fiercer Centurions are also more agile than their predecessors, capable of extremely fast bipedal locomotion and jumping over obstacles.

It is unknown whether the Centurions can "speak". It is probable that they communicate with each other via wireless network, making verbal speech unnecessary. They can hear and respond to verbal commands from their leaders, the humanoid Cylons (Hero).

Some versions of the Centurion wield markedly improved armor. For instance, a small number of Centurions wreak havoc after boarding Galactica and are destroyed only by explosive rounds (Valley of Darkness).

The Centurions that Helo encounters on Caprica react more slowly, act less intelligently, and are more easily destroyed by small-arms fire. This may be due to the Cylons' reproduction plans for Helo and Caprica-Valerii; killing him would render their experiment worthless.

Centurions seen on Kobol, on the other hand, display an increased group intelligence, working together to construct an anti-aircraft battery out of parts of their Heavy Raider (Fragged).

On New Caprica, the Centurions serve a variety of functions, such as guards, soldiers and executioners.

While primarily mechanical, as opposed to the biomechanical Raiders and basestars, it has been hinted by humanoids during a discussion of the viral infection that the Centurions have at least some biomechanical components. Their adverse reaction to the virus, however, could also be a result of the wireless link to the Hybrid, as a Number Three states that the Centurions started shutting down as soon as the ship's Hybrid became infected (Torn).

The Centurions are not sentient by design, making them rely solely on programming. This was done (according to Sharon Agathon) to prevent another rebellion similar to the one the original Cylons orchestrated against the Colonies. The Centurions are programmed not to harm any of the "Significant Seven" humanoid Cylon models (except by explicit order) and cannot distinguish one copy from another (Precipice). As with the Seven humanoids, the identities of the "Final Five" Cylons are not known to Centurions, as several soldiers have fired on these people before, notably Samuel Anders.

"Bullethead", "clanker" and "chrome job" are common Colonial nicknames for these advanced and deadly Cylon constructs ("Downloaded", "Rapture", Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance).

Cinematic Notes[edit]

The creators of the Re-imagined Series decided that using actors in an elaborate Cylon robot outfit (as was done in the Original Series) would detract from the realism of the series. They decided to make fully computer-generated Cylon Centurions for the new series.

Inaugural director Michael Rymer wanted the new Cylon warrior to blend in and avoid detracting from the live actor's performances. However, the new designs were eye-catching, and the new robot became a popular addition to many scenes. The virtual Cylons are designed with full articulation in the hands and joints that gives a realistic appearance to the viewer. Initially the new warrior was built with more human movement, such as swaggering. However, the movements did not fit the robotic attitude that the writers wanted to convey and were later discarded.

Actors interact with a life-size cardboard stand-in when filming a scene that will later have virtual Cylon warriors inserted. Some times human actors (production assistants in reality) stand in for the CG Centurions in more complex shots. As revealed in a Video Blog entry on Sci Fi Channel's Galactica website, stand-ins portraying Centurions are made to wear thick black vests with the word CENTURION printed across them. Much like the cardboard stand-ins the "actors" are then digitally painted out of the shot and replaced with virtual Centurions.