Battlestar Wiki - User contributions [en]

Cylon History

2007-06-22T05:59:49Z

Chet: /* Notes */ replaced duplicated text with a link to themes

:''For information on the [[Original Series]] Cylons, see [[Cylons (TOS)]].''

{{RDM cylons series}}

Over 52 years prior to [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|the destruction of the Colonies]], the humans of the [[Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]] reveled in their advanced technology, from which came their most unique creation, the Cylons. A race of sentient machines, the Cylons were constructed for the purpose of performing tasks no human desired to do. The Cylons were used in hazardous work, including wars between the colonies (before the [[Articles of Colonization]], most or all colonies were sovereign states).

==The Cylon War==

Then the day came when the servants turned against their masters, and the [[Cylon War]] began. Humans responded by unifying their Colonies into a federal republic (with the Articles of Colonization) and building [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestars]] and fighter craft named [[Viper (RDM)|Vipers]] to combat the Cylons. To date, no reason has been offered as to how or why the Cylons rebelled.

The war lasted nearly 12 years, with the Colonies close to a fall. But an armistice was declared, and the Cylons departed the Colonial worlds in search of a home of their own.

==The Transition==
While absent from human observation during the armistice, Cylons eventually evolved or created new models of Cylons that were [[Humanoid Cylon|organic in nature and essentially identical to humans]]. The evolution is most likely a result of learning capabilities incorporated into the early Cylons. Without examining for very specific biological characteristics, it is nearly impossible to determine the difference between a humanoid Cylon and a human ([[Miniseries]]).

Twelve humanoid models were created ([[Miniseries]]). However, for reasons unknown, only seven humanoid Cylon models were actively functioning within the Cylon populace at the time of the genocidal attack on the Colonies. The [[final five|remaining five]] models appear to have been intentionally ignored and forgotten to the extent of their discussion becoming taboo between other models ([[Torn]]).

As well, the Cylon revised the original Cylon robotic soldier, the sentient [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005]], into a [[Cylon Centurion|more agile and dangerous version]]. Unlike the original version, however, the new Centurion is not sentient by design, as the humanoid Cylons wanted to prevent these updated creations from forming an intra-Cylon uprising that mirrored their war with the humans ([[Exodus, Part I]]).

The originator or creator behind the new humanoid and Centurion models is unclear.

==Returning Home==
The Cylons, realizing that the Colonial forces would likely too strong to engage in a direct military action, devise an elaborate plan to infiltrate the Colonial ships' [[CNP|operating system software]], leaving a backdoor that could be exploited to disable any Colonial ship with its own programming. The plan is successful; the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Colonial Fleet is destroyed]], the Colonies themselves subjected to nuclear bombardment, and humanity is all by wiped out, except for a handful of survivors on the Colonies in outlying areas as well as [[The Fleet (RDM)|caravan of spaceborne humans]] that eventually escape the Colonial star system.

The Cylons continue to pursue the remnants of the Colonies, believing that humans will always seek vengeance against them ([[Exodus, Part II]]).

==The Faith and Reproduction==
:''Main article: [[Cylon Religion]]''

The Cylons now follow a [[Cylon Religion|monotheistic religion]] of their own devising. Among other tenets, their faith calls for the Cylons to reproduce biologically as part of their mandate to replace humanity. However, Cylon-Cylon reproduction was impossible, so, after the destruction of the Colonies, the Cylons occupy many of the worlds, killing any surviving humans they find, or pressing them into service in [[farms]], centers that harvested genetic material and fertilized humans with Cylon DNA in the hopes of creating Cylon-human hybrid children ([[The Farm]]). The Farms have been, to date, unsuccessful, so the Cylons attempted to emotionally bond a humanoid Cylon with a human, hoping that love would generate the desired result.

The experiment was successful, but is soon out of the Cylons' control for a time. The conception and birth of a Cylon-human hybrid, [[Hera Agathon]], the child of [[Sharon Agathon|a rebellious Number Eight]] and [[Karl Agathon]] was born in the safety of the Colonial [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]].

==Mixed Successes==

The Cylons almost succeed in sending the Colonials into chaos when [[Sharon Valerii|one agent]] nearly succeeds in killing Commander [[William Adama]] ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]). For reasons unknown, the Cylons do not press their tactical advantage at [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]], either underestimating Kobol's importance to the Colonials and their search for information on the path to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]].

Cylon forces continued to track and attack the Colonial fleet for months, keeping what few Humanoid Cylons in the human fleet reinforced with a [[Resurrection Ship]], used to resurrect the consciousnesses of killed agents and gain vital intelligence on the humans. Complicating their plans, the Colonials gain sufficient water and fuel resources ("[[Water]]," "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]") and reunite with a second battlestar, ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' (which had conducted hit-and-run operations against Cylon installations and forces before discovering ''[[Galactica]]''). The Cylons suffer a major setback when the Colonial battlestars [[Battle of the Resurrection Ship|combine for an offensive action]] that all but destroys a Cylon fleet, including a Resurrection Ship. Without the Resurrection Ship, the Cylon battle tactic changes for a time to ambushes and traps ("[[Scar]]," "[[The Captain's Hand]]").

==Benevolent Dictators==

Two Humanoid Cylons, both [[Hero of the Cylon|heroes in the Cylon ranks]] for their work in the fall of the Colonies but now influenced by their affection for humanity, convince the Cylon majority for a time that the genocide and occupation of the Colonies was wrong. With this strange change in philosophy (the Cylons normally work in a collective, collaborative fashion that resemble the behavior of a bee colony more than a republic or democracy), the Cylons abandon the Colonies and go out in search of the Colonials.

The Colonials elude the Cylons for over a year by finding a hidden [[New Caprica|habitable world]] and colonizing it. The Colonials escape detection as the planet was located inside a nebula that masked its presence, but a [[Gina|nuclear detonation within the Colonial fleet]] left a marker for the Cylons to follow. The Cylons later find New Caprica and, in overwhelming numbers, make themselves as "caretakers" of the trapped colonists, occupying the colony and forcing the Colonials to surrender any weapons or resistance.

For approximately 138 days, the Colonials are subject to Cylon rule. But ''Galactica'' and ''Pegasus'', which escaped New Caprica as the Cylon fleet arrived, devise a plan to rescue the approximately 38,000 humans on New Caprica. After retrieving the needed [[launch key]]s back from Cylon lockup, ''Galactica'' goes at the attempt alone, initially, in the [[Battle of New Caprica|final battle]]. While the old battlestar succeeds in allowing the New Caprican colonists to escape, is nearly destroyed itself where it not for ''Pegasus's'' entry into the fray. The advanced battlestar draws fire away from ''Galactica'' long enough for it to escape, then sacrifices itself, severely damaging one [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]] and destroying at least two others as the battlestar and its remains collide with the Cylon attackers.

==The Race to Earth==
:''Main article: [[Earth (RDM)]]''

The Cylons abandon New Caprica as well, retrieving the Cylon-hybrid baby from the planet by happenstance, and turn their attention to the same objective as the Colonials: finding Earth. Using [[Gaius Baltar]]'s research (who resides with the Cylon fleet at the time), the Cylon locate the [[Lion's Head Nebula]]. A scouting basestar finds an [[Lion's Head beacon|ancient beacon]] in the area, reinforcing that the [[Thirteenth Tribe]] did pass through the area on their way to Earth. But the Cylon scout ship meets with disaster; the probe is [[Lymphocytic encephalitis|contaminated with a pathogen]] that, while benign to humans, infects, deactivates or kills all Cylons, their ships, and their entities ([[Torn]]).

The Cylon fleet, which also includes a second Resurrection Ship, abandons the scouts and cuts off further communication, believing that the virus can replicate through their resurrection process. The Cylon scout ship eventually self-destructs and the Cylons manage to prevent the infection from spreading, although, unknown to the Cylons, the Colonials gain a critical biological warfare option ([[A Measure of Salvation]]).

The [[Number Three]] units exhibit strange behavior in attempting to ascertain the identities of the [[final five]] Cylon models, as they have seen in visions prior to a model being resurrected. At the [[algae planet]], while the Cylon majority attempt to gain information on the location of Earth by way of the [[Eye of Jupiter]], the Threes' ulterior motive to seek knowledge of the final five so disturbs the collective status quo and command consensus of the Cylon majority to the point where all Three models are [[boxing|boxed]] for their aberrant behavior ([[Rapture]])

==The Final Five==
:''Main article: [[Final five]]''

Unknown to either the Cylon or Colonial commanders and leaders, four Colonials exhibit strange behavior that ultimately brings them to believe that they are Cylons. [[Saul Tigh]], [[Galen Tyrol]], [[Samuel Anders]] and [[Tory Foster]] are the only crewmembers that can hear a [[The Music|strange melody]] that draws them to meet each other in a room on ''Galactica'', shortly after the Fleet arrives at the Ionian nebula. The nature of these particular Cylon models, especially given Saul Tigh's existence as a decorated veteran of the Cylon War, is unclear and likely fundamentally different from other humanoid Cylons.

==The Parent Trap==
In [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the Re-imagined Series]], an [[w:Oedipus Complex|Oedipus theme]] exists between the creations (Cylons) turning on their creators (Colonials). The [[Humanoid Cylon|humanoid Cylons]] themselves draw the analogy of children murdering their parents:

[[Image:Parents have to die.jpg|thumb|right|"But parents have to die. It's the only way children come into their own."]]
* [[Miniseries]]: [[Number Six]]: "Humanity's children are returning home... today."
* "[[Bastille Day]]": [[Number Five]]: "But parents have to die. It's the only way children come into their own."

In Greek mythology, Oedipus was the tragic character of Sophocles' play <i>Oedipus Rex</i>. Without realizing it until much later, Oedipus murdered his father Laius, married his mother Jocasta, and had several children with her, as the Cylons have been trying to do in the [[Farms]].

Also, a Six once referred to Sharon Valerii as "little sister" and Cavils have been called "brother" by each other and by D'Anna, implying that all [[Humanoid Cylon|Humanoid Cylons]] see each other as siblings.

==Notes==
* The retaliatory nature of sentient machines against humanity is a popular [[Themes in Battlestar Galactica (RDM)#Themes compared to those in other media|theme]] in science fiction.

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

Themes in Battlestar Galactica (RDM)

2007-06-13T05:53:51Z

Chet: Star Trek: Voyager

: ''For the article covering themes in [[TOS|the original series]], refer to [[Themes of Battlestar Galactica (TOS)]].''

There are many [[Wikipedia:Theme (literature)|literary themes]] that are noticeable through the series. This article notes and summarizes them. Obviously, they are intertwined with the story lines running throughout the series.

== Life here began out there ==

While not codified in the run of the re-imagined series, this theme is derived from the original series. It is likely derived from the works of [[Wikipedia:Erich von Däniken|Erich von Däniken]], who is well known for his belief in the [[Wikipedia:Ancient astronaut theory|ancient astronaut theory]].

This theme is introduced with the declaration by Commander [[William Adama]] that [[The Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]]'s destination should be the mythical Thirteenth Colony, [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]].

It is later revisited with the discovery of [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]] ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]) and the subsequent road map found in the [[Tomb of Athena]] ([[Home, Part II]]), as well as the [[Lion's Head beacon]] ("[[Torn]]", "[[A Measure of Salvation]]") and the [[Temple of Five]] ([[The Eye of Jupiter]]).

== You reap what you sow ==

This theme is related to the ideas of personal responsibility and [[Wikipedia:Karma|karma]]. It affects every character in the series, but particular examples are noted below.

=== Man and the Cylons ===

Mankind created the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] as servants to fight humanity's petty wars and to address social needs that people didn't care to attend to personally. This later lead to a [[Cylon War|prolonged conflict]], which brought humanity to its knees.

=== Kara Thrace and Saul Tigh ===

Both [[Kara Thrace]] and [[Saul Tigh]] share an outward problem, alcoholism. In the [[Miniseries]], Tigh attempts to make peace with Thrace, only to have the offer thrown back in his face. Later, Thrace attempts to bury the hatchet with Tigh, only to have Tigh similarly reject her offer ([[Bastille Day]]).

It should be noted that the two did apparently reconcile sometime during the colonization of [[New Caprica]] ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]). The circumstances which brought this about are unknown, however. It was supposed to be explained in "[[Unfinished Business]]", but the relevant scenes were cut.

=== Baltar and the Cylons ===

[[Gaius Baltar]] has a unique relationship to the Cylons, given that he inadvertantly aids them through [[Number Six]] and thus becomes an unwitting traitor to his species. Not only does he materially assist the Cylons in sowing the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|destruction]] of the majority of humanity, but he also becomes worried about reaping the results of his actions ([[Miniseries]]).

Baltar survives the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]] and claims to be able to create a [[Cylon detector]] ([[Miniseries]]). He later creates this detector using a nuclear warhead furnished by Commander Adama ([[Bastille Day]]). This nuclear warhead is given to the [[Demand Peace]] movement and the Cylon [[Gina]] ([[Epiphanies]]), who would later use it to destroy ''[[Cloud 9]]'' and surrounding ships. The resultant radiation later attracts a Cylon fleet, lead by [[Caprica-Six|Baltar's actual Six]] and [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Galactica-Sharon]] to the colony of [[New Caprica]] ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

== It is not enough just to survive, one has to be worthy of survival. ==

This is one of the central themes of the series according to [[Ronald D. Moore]] ([[Podcast:Resurrection Ship, Part II]]). It is shown in the prominent dichotomy between Commander Adama and Admiral Cain, who holds a "survival at any cost" philosophy. This resulted in her abandoning her own civilian fleet after stripping them for parts, shooting her own Executive Officer for failure to order an ill-advised attack, torturing enemy prisoners of war, having no regard for the civilian government, and ordering summary executions of crewmen. Cain had survived, but in the process she blurred her distinction from the Cylons. Commander Adama might run a less draconian command, respecting civil liberties and the continuation of a civilian government even though they may have made his military affairs less efficient, but he knows that such things were too vital to compromise for their society.

Dr. Gaius Baltar provides another intruiging case study for this theme. [[Caprica-Six]] says that the thing she loves best about Baltar is that he's "a survivor". When Baltar finds out that he had unwittingly betrayed all of humanity, he is more concerned with contacting his attorney for his own legal defense. He is willing to condemn one he ''thought to be'' an innocent man, [[Number Five|Aaron Doral]], to death in order to preserve his own safety ([[Miniseries]]). Baltar delays reporting the results of his own [[Cylon detector]], because he is afraid that if he reveals that it works before he finds all twelve Cylon models, he will be killed ([[Flesh and Bone]]). Shockingly, Baltar does on one occasion do more than simply survive, when he frags [[Crashdown]], whose poor leadership endangers the group as a whole, not only Baltar ([[Fragged]]). Soon after, however, he risks Chief Tyrol's life by injecting him with a toxin to acquire information from [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|''Galactica''-Sharon]] ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]). Finally, Baltar is corrupt enough to disastrously mislead [[The Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] into settling on [[New Caprica]] because this would allow him to become President ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]). Baltar is quite a remarkable survivor, but his Machiavellian manipulations make his "worthiness" for survival questionable. The audience can easily view him as less worthy of life than a Cylon.

== Children of abusive parents often fear passing along that abuse to their own children ==

The humanoid Cylon [[Simon]] says this (verbatim) to [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] ([[The Farm]]), and it comes up many times in the series. The Cylons feel that they are the children of humanity and that humanity abused them with enslavement. Now, the Cylons are attempting to create a new race of Cylon-Human hybrids (such as [[Hera]]), and they are concerned about being good "parents" to this new race. [[Lee Adama]] initially has a very poor relationship with his father [[William Adama]] ([[Miniseries]]), and he became distressed and pushed away from his fiance [[Gianne]] prior to the attack, when she revealed that she was pregnant with his child, because he could not come to terms with having a child of his own ([[Black Market]]). [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]]'s relationship with her mother was a criminally abusive one: her mother beat her regularly and broke many of her bones when she was a child ([[The Farm]]). Ever since, Starbuck has been a wildcard, always finding it hard to settle down in a relationship. In her own words, "I'm a screw-up... try and keep that in mind" ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]). Starbuck has always had trouble facing the idea of having a family of her own as a result.

== Themes compared to those in other media ==

* The retaliatory nature of sentient machines against humanity is a popular theme in science fiction.
* Writer [[w:Philip K. Dick|Philip K. Dick's]] ''[[w:Second Variety|Second Variety]]'' and ''[[w:Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep|Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep]]'' are strong examples of this man-machine conflict. The Canadian movie ''[[w:Screamers (1995 film)|Screamers]]'' (1995) is based on the short story ''Second Variety''. The movie ''[[w:Blade Runner|Blade Runner]]'' (1982) is based on Dick's novel ''Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep''. (Coincidentally, actor [[Edward James Olmos]] (who plays [[William Adama]]) co-starred in ''Blade Runner''.) [[w:Blade Runner|Blade Runner's]] [[wikipedia:Replicant|Replicants]] are comparable to [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]. ([[w:Replicant#Replicants in popular culture|Replicants in popular culture]]).
* ''[[w:The Terminator|The Terminator]]'' and ''[[w:The Matrix|The Matrix]]'' are other popular man-machine conflicts in popular theatrical science fiction.
* The lost in space theme of ''Battlestar Galactica'' has been explored in other television series, for example in ''Lost In Space'' and ''Star Trek: Voyager''.
[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: RDM]]

Themes in Battlestar Galactica (RDM)

2007-06-10T22:10:14Z

Chet: Themes compared to those in other Media

: ''For the article covering themes in [[TOS|the original series]], refer to [[Themes of Battlestar Galactica (TOS)]].''

There are many [[Wikipedia:Theme (literature)|literary themes]] that are noticeable through the series. This article notes and summarizes them. Obviously, they are intertwined with the story lines running throughout the series.

== Life here began out there ==

While not codified in the run of the re-imagined series, this theme is derived from the original series. It is likely derived from the works of [[Wikipedia:Erich von Däniken|Erich von Däniken]], who is well known for his belief in the [[Wikipedia:Ancient astronaut theory|ancient astronaut theory]].

This theme is introduced with the declaration by Commander [[William Adama]] that [[The Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]]'s destination should be the mythical Thirteenth Colony, [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]].

It is later revisited with the discovery of [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]] ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]) and the subsequent road map found in the [[Tomb of Athena]] ([[Home, Part II]]), as well as the [[Lion's Head beacon]] ("[[Torn]]", "[[A Measure of Salvation]]") and the [[Temple of Five]] ([[The Eye of Jupiter]]).

== You reap what you sow ==

This theme is related to the ideas of personal responsibility and [[Wikipedia:Karma|karma]]. It affects every character in the series, but particular examples are noted below.

=== Man and the Cylons ===

Mankind created the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] as servants to fight humanity's petty wars and to address social needs that people didn't care to attend to personally. This later lead to a [[Cylon War|prolonged conflict]], which brought humanity to its knees.

=== Kara Thrace and Saul Tigh ===

Both [[Kara Thrace]] and [[Saul Tigh]] share an outward problem, alcoholism. In the [[Miniseries]], Tigh attempts to make peace with Thrace, only to have the offer thrown back in his face. Later, Thrace attempts to bury the hatchet with Tigh, only to have Tigh similarly reject her offer ([[Bastille Day]]).

It should be noted that the two did apparently reconcile sometime during the colonization of [[New Caprica]] ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]). The circumstances which brought this about are unknown, however. It was supposed to be explained in "[[Unfinished Business]]", but the relevant scenes were cut.

=== Baltar and the Cylons ===

[[Gaius Baltar]] has a unique relationship to the Cylons, given that he inadvertantly aids them through [[Number Six]] and thus becomes an unwitting traitor to his species. Not only does he materially assist the Cylons in sowing the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|destruction]] of the majority of humanity, but he also becomes worried about reaping the results of his actions ([[Miniseries]]).

Baltar survives the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]] and claims to be able to create a [[Cylon detector]] ([[Miniseries]]). He later creates this detector using a nuclear warhead furnished by Commander Adama ([[Bastille Day]]). This nuclear warhead is given to the [[Demand Peace]] movement and the Cylon [[Gina]] ([[Epiphanies]]), who would later use it to destroy ''[[Cloud 9]]'' and surrounding ships. The resultant radiation later attracts a Cylon fleet, lead by [[Caprica-Six|Baltar's actual Six]] and [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Galactica-Sharon]] to the colony of [[New Caprica]] ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]).

== It is not enough just to survive, one has to be worthy of survival. ==

This is one of the central themes of the series according to [[Ronald D. Moore]] ([[Podcast:Resurrection Ship, Part II]]). It is shown in the prominent dichotomy between Commander Adama and Admiral Cain, who holds a "survival at any cost" philosophy. This resulted in her abandoning her own civilian fleet after stripping them for parts, shooting her own Executive Officer for failure to order an ill-advised attack, torturing enemy prisoners of war, having no regard for the civilian government, and ordering summary executions of crewmen. Cain had survived, but in the process she blurred her distinction from the Cylons. Commander Adama might run a less draconian command, respecting civil liberties and the continuation of a civilian government even though they may have made his military affairs less efficient, but he knows that such things were too vital to compromise for their society.

Dr. Gaius Baltar provides another intruiging case study for this theme. [[Caprica-Six]] says that the thing she loves best about Baltar is that he's "a survivor". When Baltar finds out that he had unwittingly betrayed all of humanity, he is more concerned with contacting his attorney for his own legal defense. He is willing to condemn one he ''thought to be'' an innocent man, [[Number Five|Aaron Doral]], to death in order to preserve his own safety ([[Miniseries]]). Baltar delays reporting the results of his own [[Cylon detector]], because he is afraid that if he reveals that it works before he finds all twelve Cylon models, he will be killed ([[Flesh and Bone]]). Shockingly, Baltar does on one occasion do more than simply survive, when he frags [[Crashdown]], whose poor leadership endangers the group as a whole, not only Baltar ([[Fragged]]). Soon after, however, he risks Chief Tyrol's life by injecting him with a toxin to acquire information from [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|''Galactica''-Sharon]] ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]). Finally, Baltar is corrupt enough to disastrously mislead [[The Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] into settling on [[New Caprica]] because this would allow him to become President ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]). Baltar is quite a remarkable survivor, but his Machiavellian manipulations make his "worthiness" for survival questionable. The audience can easily view him as less worthy of life than a Cylon.

== Children of abusive parents often fear passing along that abuse to their own children ==

The humanoid Cylon [[Simon]] says this (verbatim) to [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] ([[The Farm]]), and it comes up many times in the series. The Cylons feel that they are the children of humanity and that humanity abused them with enslavement. Now, the Cylons are attempting to create a new race of Cylon-Human hybrids (such as [[Hera]]), and they are concerned about being good "parents" to this new race. [[Lee Adama]] initially has a very poor relationship with his father [[William Adama]] ([[Miniseries]]), and he became distressed and pushed away from his fiance [[Gianne]] prior to the attack, when she revealed that she was pregnant with his child, because he could not come to terms with having a child of his own ([[Black Market]]). [[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]]'s relationship with her mother was a criminally abusive one: her mother beat her regularly and broke many of her bones when she was a child ([[The Farm]]). Ever since, Starbuck has been a wildcard, always finding it hard to settle down in a relationship. In her own words, "I'm a screw-up... try and keep that in mind" ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]). Starbuck has always had trouble facing the idea of having a family of her own as a result.

== Themes compared to those in other Media ==

* The retaliatory nature of sentient machines against humanity is a popular theme in science fiction.
* Writer [[w:Philip K. Dick|Philip K. Dick's]] ''[[w:Second Variety|Second Variety]]'' and ''[[w:Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep|Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep]]'' are strong examples of this man-machine conflict. The Canadian movie ''[[w:Screamers (1995 film)|Screamers]]'' (1995) is based on the short story ''Second Variety''. The movie ''[[w:Blade Runner|Blade Runner]]'' (1982) is based on Dick's novel ''Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep''. (Coincidentally, actor [[Edward James Olmos]] (who plays [[William Adama]]) co-starred in ''Blade Runner''.) [[w:Blade Runner|Blade Runner's]] [[wikipedia:Replicant|Replicants]] are comparable to [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]. ([[wikipedia:Replicant#Replicants in popular culture|Replicants in popular culture]]).
* ''[[w:The Terminator|The Terminator]]'' and ''[[w:The Matrix|The Matrix]]'' are other popular man-machine conflicts in popular theatrical science fiction.
* The lost in space theme of Battlestar Galactica has been seen in television before, examples are "Lost In Space" and "Star Trek: Voyager".

[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: RDM]]

User:Chet

2007-06-08T05:10:40Z

Chet: added user data box

{{User Data
| name= Chet
}}

Noob --[[User:Chet|Chet]] 20:16, 6 June 2007 (CDT)

Talk:Themes in Battlestar Galactica (RDM)/Archive 1

2007-06-08T02:06:35Z

Chet: /* Themes in Blade Runner */

== "I'm a frak up, don't forget that." ==

I know Thrace said that. Someone has to know ''when''. --[[User:CalculatinAvatar|CalculatinAvatar]]<sup>([[Special:Contributions/CalculatinAvatar|C]]-[[User talk:CalculatinAvatar|T]])</sup> 16:10, 10 August 2006 (CDT)
: I have all the transcripts downloaded from TWIZ TV.COM and I can't find this (I searched for "frak up" and "forget that")?? But sometimes these transcripts are wrong. Deleted scene maybe? And windows search can be flakey sometimes, but I keep looking .--[[User:Gougef|FrankieG]] 16:24, 10 August 2006 (CDT)
:: I thought she said this (or something similar) in Home, Part 2. -- [[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]]</sup> 19:36, 10 August 2006 (CDT)
::: I think the line is "I'm a screw-up, Lee. Try to remember that." Kara says it in Kobol's Last Gleaming, part 1, during her confrontation with Lee on the hangar deck. --[[User:Noindiecred|Noindiecred]] 10:51, 31 August 2006 (CDT)

'''[[Lee Adama]]:''' Why'd you do it, Kara? Just tell me why.<br />
'''[[Kara Thrace]]:''' 'Cause I'm a screw-up, Lee, try and keep that in mind.<br />
--''[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]''

::::Found it. Thanks for the find, indie. --[[User:Steelviper|Steelviper]] 11:08, 31 August 2006 (CDT)

== [[wikipedia:Themes in Blade Runner|Themes in Blade Runner]] ==

I don't think anyone can rule out ''[[wikipedia:Blade Runner|Blade Runner]]'' from being a major influence, so thus why not the comparison? I.e. [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]]/[[wikipedia:Replicant|Replicants]] ([[wikipedia:Replicant#Replicants in popular culture|Replicants in popular culture]]). [[User:DrWho42|DrWho42]] 11:27, 3 May 2007 (CDT)

: There is a discussion over on [[Talk:Cylon_History]] about moving the [[Cylon_History#Notes|notes]] to [[Themes in Battlestar Galactica (RDM)]]. You may want to participate. --[[User:Chet|Chet]] 21:06, 7 June 2007 (CDT)

Talk:Cylon History/Archive 1

2007-06-08T01:57:30Z

Chet: /* Rework Notes into new wiki page? */

==What is the Source on This?==
'''''"The humans of the Twelve Colonies reveled in their technology and used it not only for good, but for war between themselves. The Cylons, a group of machines designed for hard labor and warfare, were built. Over time, the humans specialized the design, giving the machines a form of artificial intelligence."'''''

This text contains information which I don't believe we actually know, the whole humans-specializing-design into AI. Could someone please tell me what the source on that is? Otherwise I think it should be remove since it could become a case of misinformation. --[[User:Sauron18|Sauron18]] 02:04 01 July 2006 (CDT)

:What we know from RDM is that the Cylons were built for heavy labor like mining and factories and such, and for warfare between the Colonies, they might have been sentient then that's what I think but it's not confirmed; this passage is phrased a bit "Romantically". --[[User:The Merovingian|The Merovingian]] <sup>([[Special:Contributions/The Merovingian|C]] - [[Special:Editcount/The Merovingian|E]])</sup> 11:46, 1 July 2006 (CDT)

:: I think that if it was rephrased into NPOV it would probably be OK. --[[User:Gougef|FrankieG]] 12:54, 1 July 2006 (CDT)

:::I reworded it a bit, called them "intelligent", which is left to the reader to interpret as either Sentient or just A.I., or even simply programmed. --[[User:Sauron18|Sauron18]] 15:02 01 July 2006 (CDT)

::::I'm trying to reword the first sentence to get rid of the word "good" (seems POVish), but can't come up with anything. --[[User:Gougef|FrankieG]] 15:43, 1 July 2006 (CDT)

:::::Sauron18, excellent edit!! --[[User:Gougef|FrankieG]] 17:13, 1 July 2006 (CDT)

::::::Thanks :) --[[User:Sauron18|Sauron18]] 22:17 01 July (CDT)

== Rework Notes into new wiki page? ==

'''''"The retaliatory nature of sentient machines against humanity is a popular theme in science fiction."'''''

: What about putting this in [[Comparisons to other media]]? The SF listed in the notes would be a start. It would also be more general than just about Cylons. For Example, the lost in space theme of Battlestar Galactica has been seen in tv before, examples are "Lost In Space" and "Star Trek: Voyager". --[[User:Chet|Chet]] 09:31, 7 June 2007 (CDT)
::Just about everything seen on TV has been there before in one shape or another. After the 70s there aren't that many themes in science fiction that have't been pioneered already. Ideas are a dime a dozen anyways. It's the execution that counts. I don't think it's very worthwhile to note what has done before already, but allegedly served as a direct inspiration. [[Themes in Battlestar Galactica (RDM)]] approaches this in a better way, by listing recurring motifs without pointing at other fiction. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 09:36, 7 June 2007 (CDT)
:::I think I've been misunderstood, I do not wish to imply direct inspiration. I do believe that a comparison to an other work is worthwhile, it is with these comparisons that the differences in execution can be shown. With that in mind I will alter my suggestion: What about moving the notes to [[Themes in Battlestar Galactica (RDM)]] and/or [[Themes of Battlestar Galactica (TOS)]]? --[[User:Chet|Chet]] 20:57, 7 June 2007 (CDT)

Talk:Cylon History/Archive 1

2007-06-07T14:31:24Z

Chet: Rework Notes into new wiki page?

User:Chet

2007-06-07T01:16:50Z

Chet: New page: Noob --~~~~

Noob --[[User:Chet|Chet]] 20:16, 6 June 2007 (CDT)

User talk:Chet

2007-06-06T15:51:22Z

Chet: /* About your first new article */

== Welcome to Battlestar Wiki! ==
Welcome to the Wiki, Chet. Tell us about yourself on [[User:Chet|your user page]]. We have a [[Template:User Data|template]] that lets you put some information about yourself in a nice-looking box.

Battlestar Wiki is an encyclopedia on '''officially-licensed stories, aired episodes, and other products of the ''Battlestar'' universes.''' Make sure that your contributions fit [[Battlestar Wiki:What is Battlestar Wiki|Battlestar Wiki's purpose]], avoiding [[BW:NOT|what we aren't]].

Our [[BW:SAC|editing standards and conventions policies]] may differ from other wikis, especially in verb tense and voice, capitalization and the like. '''Please read this policy.''' We have [[BW:TUT|an editing tutorial]] and [[BW:MARK|wiki markup codes]] to help you.

Our policies on [[w:Original research|original research]] differ from places such as Wikipedia. We allow [[BW:CJ#Derived Content|some research based on aired episode content]], but don't allow [[BW:FANW|speculation that isn't supported from episode events]].

Battlestar Wiki's [[Battlestar Wiki:Project List|many projects]] help improve our content. Are you an [[Original Series]] fan? Help out in the [[Battlestar Wiki:Original Series Article Development Project|Original Series Article Project]]. [[Battlestar Wiki:Translation Project|Non-English versions of Battlestar Wiki]] also need contributors, and helpers for our [[BW:POD|podcast transcriptions]] are also welcome. New projects should be brought to our [[BW:TANK|Think Tank]], where we hash out large-scale ideas before implementing them.

Any questions about an article can be entered on the article's talk page. General questions about the wiki can be brought to [[Battlestar Wiki:Wikipedian Quorum|the Quorum]] or [[Battlestar Wiki:Administrators' noticeboard|the administrators' noticeboard]]. To sign your posts on any talk page, just enter four tildes (~~~~)!

We look forward to your contributions to the community!
--[[User:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|Joe Beaudoin]] <sup>[[User talk:Joe Beaudoin Jr.|So say we all]] - [[Battlestar Wiki:Site support|Donate]] - [http://www.sanctuarywiki.org Sanctuary Wiki — ''New'']</sup> 07:31, 6 June 2007 (CDT)

== About your first new article ==

Hi, Chet, and welcome to Battlestar Wiki. Unfortunately, your first contribution, the article "Second Variety", will need to be deleted. Battlestar Wiki is an encyclopedia that, unlike Wikipedia, contains articles specific to the ''Battlestar'' universe only--we're not a general encyclopedia. While we do note, contrast and compare ''Battlestar'' stories with other works of fiction (and Dick's stories do have a significant ring), such information doesn't merit an article in itself. The relevant note on the Cylon's betrayal and its contrast to ''Second Variety'' is a good one that can be incorporated into the [[Cylon History]] article. --[[User:Spencerian|Spencerian]] 08:02, 6 June 2007 (CDT)
:To clarify my actions, I removed the addition from [[Cylons (RDM)]], because that's only meant as a small portal to introduce the Cylons. There are a couple of other articles that go into more detail, and as said [[Cylon History]] is a better place to note that. --[[User:Serenity|Serenity]] 10:22, 6 June 2007 (CDT)

Thanks for the direction! I have updated the notes on [[Cylon History]] since that seems to be the best place for this contribution.

Cylon History

2007-06-06T15:48:01Z

Chet: /* Notes */

:''For information on the [[Original Series]] Cylons, see [[Cylons (TOS)]].''

{{RDM cylons series}}

Over 52 years prior to [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|the destruction of the Colonies]], the humans of the [[Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]] reveled in their advanced technology, from which came their most unique creation, the Cylons. A race of sentient machines, the Cylons were constructed for the purpose of performing tasks no human desired to do. The Cylons were used in hazardous work, including wars between the colonies (before the [[Articles of Colonization]], most or all colonies were sovereign states).

==The Cylon War==

Then the day came when the servants turned against their masters, and the [[Cylon War]] began. Humans responded by unifying their Colonies into a federal republic (with the Articles of Colonization) and building [[Galactica type battlestar|battlestars]] and fighter craft named [[Viper (RDM)|Vipers]] to combat the Cylons. To date, no reason has been offered as to how or why the Cylons rebelled.

The war lasted nearly 12 years, with the Colonies close to a fall. But an armistice was declared, and the Cylons departed the Colonial worlds in search of a home of their own.

==The Transition==
While absent from human observation during the armistice, Cylons eventually evolved or created new models of Cylons that were [[Humanoid Cylon|organic in nature and essentially identical to humans]]. The evolution is most likely a result of learning capabilities incorporated into the early Cylons. Without examining for very specific biological characteristics, it is nearly impossible to determine the difference between a humanoid Cylon and a human ([[Miniseries]]).

Twelve humanoid models were created ([[Miniseries]]). However, for reasons unknown, only seven humanoid Cylon models were actively functioning within the Cylon populace at the time of the genocidal attack on the Colonies. The [[final five|remaining five]] models appear to have been intentionally ignored and forgotten to the extent of their discussion becoming taboo between other models ([[Torn]]).

As well, the Cylon revised the original Cylon robotic soldier, the sentient [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005]], into a [[Cylon Centurion|more agile and dangerous version]]. Unlike the original version, however, the new Centurion is not sentient by design, as the humanoid Cylons wanted to prevent these updated creations from forming an intra-Cylon uprising that mirrored their war with the humans ([[Exodus, Part I]]).

The originator or creator behind the new humanoid and Centurion models is unclear.

==Returning Home==
The Cylons, realizing that the Colonial forces would likely too strong to engage in a direct military action, devise an elaborate plan to infiltrate the Colonial ships' [[CNP|operating system software]], leaving a backdoor that could be exploited to disable any Colonial ship with its own programming. The plan is successful; the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Colonial Fleet is destroyed]], the Colonies themselves subjected to nuclear bombardment, and humanity is all by wiped out, except for a handful of survivors on the Colonies in outlying areas as well as [[The Fleet (RDM)|caravan of spaceborne humans]] that eventually escape the Colonial star system.

The Cylons continue to pursue the remnants of the Colonies, believing that humans will always seek vengeance against them ([[Exodus, Part II]]).

==The Faith and Reproduction==
:''Main article: [[Cylon Religion]]''

The Cylons now follow a [[God|monotheistic religion]] of their own devising. Among other tenets, their faith calls for the Cylons to reproduce biologically as part of their mandate to replace humanity. However, Cylon-Cylon reproduction was impossible, so, after the destruction of the Colonies, the Cylons occupy many of the worlds, killing any surviving humans they find, or pressing them into service in [[Farms]], centers that harvested genetic material and fertilized humans with Cylon DNA in the hopes of creating Cylon-human hybrid children ([[The Farm]]). The Farms have been, to date, unsuccessful, so the Cylons attempted to emotionally bond a humanoid Cylon with a human, hoping that love would generate the desired result.

The experiment was successful, but is soon out of the Cylon's control for a time. The conception and birth of a Cylon-human hybrid, [[Hera Agathon]], the child of [[Sharon Agathon|a rebellious Number Eight]] and [[Karl Agathon|Lt. Karl "Helo" Agathon]] was born in the safety of the Colonial [[The Fleet (RDM)|fleet]].

==Mixed Successes==

The Cylons almost succeed in sending the Colonials into chaos when [[Sharon Valerii|one agent]] nearly succeeds in killing Commander [[William Adama]] ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]). For reasons unknown, the Cylons do not press their tactical advantage at [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]], either underestimating Kobol's importance to the Colonials and their search for information on the path to [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]].

Cylon forces continued to track and attack the Colonial fleet for months, keeping what few Humanoid Cylons in the human fleet reinforced with a [[Resurrection Ship]], used to resurrect the consciousnesses of killed agents and gain vital intelligence on the humans. Complicating their plans, the Colonials gain sufficient water and fuel resources ("[[Water]]," "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]") and reunite with a second battlestar, ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' (which had conducted hit-and-run operations against Cylon installations and forces before discovering ''[[Galactica]]''). The Cylons suffer a major setback when the Colonial battlestars [[Battle of the Resurrection Ship|combine for an offensive action]] that all but destroys a Cylon fleet, including a Resurrection Ship. Without the Resurrection Ship, the Cylon battle tactic changes for a time to ambushes and traps ("[[Scar]]," "[[The Captain's Hand]]").

==Benevolent Dictators==

Two Humanoid Cylons, both [[Hero of the Cylon|heroes in the Cylon ranks]] for their work in the fall of the Colonies but now influenced by their affection for humanity, convince the Cylon majority for a time that the genocide and occupation of the Colonies was wrong. With this strange change in philosophy (the Cylons normally work in a collective, collaborative fashion that resemble the behavior of a bee colony more than a republic or democracy), the Cylons abandon the Colonies and go out in search of the Colonials.

The Colonials elude the Cylons for over a year by finding a hidden [[New Caprica|habitable world]] and colonizing it. The Colonials escape detection as the planet was located inside a nebula that masked its presence, but a [[Gina|nuclear detonation within the Colonial fleet]] left a marker for the Cylons to follow. The Cylons later find New Caprica and, in overwhelming numbers, make themselves as "caretakers" of the trapped colonists, occupying the colony and forcing the Colonials to surrender any weapons or resistance.

For approximately 138 days, the Colonials are subject to Cylon rule. But ''Galactica'' and ''Pegasus'', which escaped New Caprica as the Cylon fleet arrived, devise a plan to rescue the approximately 38,000 humans on New Caprica. After retrieving the needed [[launch key]]s back from Cylon lockup, ''Galactica'' goes at the attempt alone, initially, in the [[Battle of New Caprica|final battle]]. While the old battlestar succeeds in allowing the New Caprican colonists to escape, is nearly destroyed itself where it not for ''Pegasus's'' entry into the fray. The advanced battlestar draws fire away from ''Galactica'' long enough for it to escape, then sacrifices itself, severely damaging one [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]] and destroying at least two others as the battlestar and its remains collide with the Cylon attackers.

==The Race to Earth==
:''Main article: [[Earth (RDM)]]''

The Cylons abandon New Caprica as well, retrieving the Cylon-hybrid baby from the planet by happenstance, and turn their attention to the same objective as the Colonials: finding Earth. Using [[Gaius Baltar]]'s research (who resides with the Cylon fleet at the time), the Cylon locate the [[Lion's Head Nebula]]. A scouting basestar finds an [[Lion's Head beacon|ancient beacon]] in the area, reinforcing that the [[Thirteenth Tribe]] did pass through the area on their way to Earth. But the Cylon scout ship meets with disaster; the probe is [[Lymphocytic encephalitis|contaminated with a pathogen]] that, while benign to humans, infects, deactivates or kills all Cylons, their ships, and their entities ([[Torn]]).

The Cylon fleet, which also includes a second Resurrection Ship, abandons the scouts and cuts off further communication, believing that the virus can replicate through their resurrection process. The Cylon scout ship eventually self-destructs and the Cylons manage to prevent the infection from spreading, although, unknown to the Cylons, the Colonials gain a critical biological warfare option ([[A Measure of Salvation]]).

The [[Number Three]] units exhibit strange behavior in attempting to ascertain the identities of the [[final five]] Cylon models, as they have seen in visions prior to a model being resurrected. At the [[algae planet]], while the Cylon majority attempt to gain information on the location of Earth by way of the [[Eye of Jupiter]], the Threes' ulterior motive to seek knowledge of the final five so disturbs the collective status quo and command consensus of the Cylon majority to the point where all Three models are [[boxing|boxed]] for their aberrant behavior ([[Rapture]])

==The Final Five==
:''Main article: [[Final five]]''

Unknown to either the Cylon or Colonial commanders and leaders, four Colonials exhibit strange behavior that ultimately brings them to believe that they are Cylons. [[Saul Tigh]], [[Galen Tyrol]], [[Samuel Anders]] and [[Tory Foster]] are the only crewmembers that can hear a [[The Music|strange melody]] that draws them to meet each other in a room on ''Galactica'', shortly after the Fleet arrives at the Ionian nebula. The nature of these particular Cylon models, especially given Saul Tigh's existence as a decorated veteran of the Cylon War, is unclear and likely fundamentally different from other humanoid Cylons.

==The Parent Trap==
In [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|the Re-imagined Series]], an [[w:Oedipus Complex|Oedipus theme]] exists between the creations (Cylons) turning on their creators (Colonials). The [[Humanoid Cylon|humanoid Cylons]] themselves draw the analogy of children murdering their parents:

[[Image:Parents have to die.jpg|thumb|right|"But parents have to die. It's the only way children come into their own."]]
* [[Miniseries]]: [[Number Six]]: "Humanity's children are returning home... today."
* "[[Bastille Day]]": [[Number Five]]: "But parents have to die. It's the only way children come into their own."

In Greek mythology, Oedipus was the tragic character of Sophocles' play <i>Oedipus Rex</i>. Without realizing it until much later, Oedipus murdered his father Laius, married his mother Jocasta, and had several children with her, as the Cylons have been trying to do in the [[Farms]].

Also, a Six once referred to Sharon Valerii as "little sister" and Cavils have been called "brother" by each other and by D'Anna, implying that all [[Humanoid Cylon|Humanoid Cylons]] see each other as siblings.

==Notes==
* The retaliatory nature of sentient machines against humanity is a popular theme in science fiction.
* Writer [[w:Philip K. Dick|Philip K. Dick's]] ''Second Variety'' and ''Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep'' are strong examples of this man-machine conflict. The Canadian movie ''Screamers'' (1995) is based on the short story ''Second Variety''. The movie ''Blade Runner'' (1982) is based on Dick's ''Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep'' novel. (Coincidentally, actor [[Edward James Olmos]] ([[William Adama]]) co-starred in ''Blade Runner''.)
* Other popular man-machine conflicts in popular theatrical science fiction include the ''[[w:The Terminator|The Terminator]]'' and ''[[w:The Matrix|The Matrix]]'' trilogies.

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

Cylons (RDM)

2007-06-06T06:35:29Z

Chet: Second Variety

{{quality article}}
{{featured article candidate previous}}
''This article discusses the Cylons of the [[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)|Re-imagined Series]]. For the Cylons of the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]], see [[Cylons (TOS)]].''<br>
{{RDM cylons series}}
::''The Cylons were created by Man. ''
::''They were created to make life easier on the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]]. ''
::''And then the day came when the Cylons decided to kill their masters. ''
::''After a [[Cylon War|long and bloody struggle]], an [[Cimtar (RDM)|armistice was declared]]. ''
::''The Cylons left for another world to call their own. ''
::''A [[Armistice Station|remote space station]] was built... ''
::''Where Cylon and human could meet and maintain diplomatic relations. ''
::''Every year, the Colonials send an officer... ''
::''The Cylons send no one. ''
::''No-one has seen or heard from the Cylons in over forty years... ''

:::---Opening text of the ''Battlestar Galactica'' [[Miniseries]]
<div style="clear: both;"></div><br />
[[Image:Centurion armor old.jpg|left|150px]]
In the [[Re-imagined Series]], the robots known as the '''Cylons''' are a ''creation'' of the humanity of the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies of Kobol]].

The first Cylons were sentient bipedal robots used primarily for dangerous work such as mining. Created long before the [[Articles of Colonization]] united the twelve sovereign governments, the Cylons were also used as soldiers to fight intra-colony wars.

For reasons unknown, some 52 years prior to the events of the [[Miniseries]], the Cylons revolted against their masters, resulting in a [[Cylon War|costly and protracted war]] between the machines and humans.

Eventually, the two sides declared an armistice. The Cylons were exiled from the Colonies to establish [[Cylon homeworld|their own homeworld]]. The unified worlds of the Colonies created an [[Armistice Station|space station]] for maintaining diplomatic relations. The Cylons ignored this overture.
<div style="clear: both;"></div><br />

[[Image:CylonCenturion.jpg|left|150px]]
[[Image:NumSix.jpg|right|200px]]<br />
The Cylon hatred and envy of humanity ran deep within their programming.

In their exile, the Cylons continued in secret to work towards the destruction of the human race, devising an elaborate plan to wipe out the Twelve Colonies through nuclear bombardment, [[CNP|computer sabotage]], [[Caprica Six|infiltration]] and vast numbers of [[Basestar (RDM)|fighting craft]].

In addition to a [[Cylon Centurion|modernized version]] of the [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|original Cylon warrior]], the cybernetic race now also exists in a [[Humanoid Cylon|humanoid form]] used as the prime infiltrators in Colonial society. The humanoid Cylons can express joy, love, anger, and sadness, mimicking genuine human behavior in almost every way.

The Cylons return forty years after their exile in a genocidal surprise attack. The Cylons annihilate the [[Colonial Fleet (RDM)|Colonial Fleet]] and billions of people, [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|killing all but approximately 52,000 humans]].

These survivors are [[Battle of Ragnar Anchorage|pursued]] by the Cylons, [[Pegasus (RDM)|initially]] guarded only by a lone battlestar, ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''.

The Cylons can be compared to the robots in the short story [[Second Variety]] by Philip K Dick.

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Cylons]]
[[Category:Cylons (RDM)]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:RDM]]

[[de:Zylonen (RDM)]]