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Humanoid Cylon

2009-03-02T03:22:01Z

Tetsuo86:

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:''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]].''

:''This article is capitalized for technical reasons. The correct term is "humanoid Cylon" and is not a proper noun.''

[[Image:CyAg.jpg|thumb|300px|Cylon copies of (from left) [[Number Six]] (two copies), [[Number Two]], and [[Number Five]] (two copies), at [[Ragnar Anchorage]]]]
'''Humanoid Cylons'''<ref>Viewers initially lacked an authentic term to call the humanoid Cylons 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 [[Sharon Agathon]] works 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]]".</ref> are the quintessential [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon form]] in the [[Re-imagined Series]]. 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. They are also "programmed" to genuinely possess human personalities traits (affection, jealousy, sadness, anger, sense of humor, religious faith, etc.).

The humanoid Cylons are responsible for masterminding the complete destruction of the [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)|Twelve Colonies]] through their use of sabotage and infiltration.

==Origins==

Following the end of the [[Cylon War]] ([[Miniseries]]), nothing was heard of the Cylons in 40 years.

[[Image:Season 3 Female Cylons.jpg|thumb|150px|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|Hybrid]]." Other [[hybrid]]s were later created to control [[Basestar (RDM)|baseships]] ([[Razor]]).

The humanoid Cylons were created by five early generation 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 humanoid Cylons created by humans on [[Kobol (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 [[Number One]] first and named him John. They initially developed eight humanoid models. 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 Daniel copies were maturing and then corrupted the genetic formula.

==Physiology and Psychology==
Humanoid Cylons 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 used the device to a positive end ("[[Litmus]]", "[[Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down]]").

Each humanoid Cylon has the same face, stature, hair, eye and skin color, gender, apparent age, and other biometrics as all the others of his or her model. This point technically makes each copy a twin of itself, but there are some models that choose to make cosmetic differences. Examples include [[D'Anna Biers]], [[Gina Inviere]], and a Number Six model with black hair ([[Torn]]). In addition, each copy appears to start with the same basic personality, but each personality grows more distinct due to their individual experiences.

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 ([[Escape Velocity]]), yet is based on the [[silica pathways|silica pathway]] technology developed by the Colonies for the original mechanical Centurion models ([[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 ([[The Face of the Enemy]], Episode 2), program and compile computer code ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]), and interface directly with other technologies ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]).

Humanoid Cylons can be programmed as "sleeper agents", who appear to have a low-level Cylon personality that can conduct operations while placing the human sleeper personality "on-hold." [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|"Boomer" Valerii]] was one such agent ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]). Most agent copies, particularly [[Number Five|Numbers Five]] [[Number Six|and Six]], assume a human persona but are fully aware of their true nature and behave more or less as a human "spy."

[[Image:Gina catatonic.jpg|thumb|left|The emotionally scarred Number Six copy known as "Gina Inviere".]]
They are susceptible to the same emotional traumas and joys that their human counterparts are, as they cannot "turn off" their ability to feel pain or other emotions ([[Escape Velocity]]), further proving that personalities are a realistic 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 at the time ''Pegasus'' discovers the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]).

Humanoid Cylons can dream, a process that appears to be natural to them<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]]".</ref>, however they do not biologically require sleep, and the Ones have reprogrammed themselves to prevent it.

Some or all Cylon female models may have the capacity to bear children seeded by human males ("[[33]]", "[[Flesh and Bone]]", "[[The Hand of God (RDM)|The Hand of God]]", "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]"). The Cylons tested numerous methods of sexual reproduction, yet these failed due to a known flaw in their design. The seven widely known models of Humanoid Cylons cannot reproduce with each other biologically, so in an attempt to subvert this deficiency, they try to interbreed with humans, creating hybrid offspring. "[[Farms]]" were set up across all the occupied Colonies where survivors, specifically, young fertile women of child-bearing age, were rounded up, placed under heavy sedation and turned into "baby machines" through artificial insemination<ref>Ron Moore said there are presumably also farms for male humans, plus ''in vitro'' experiment labs, etc.</ref>. However, these methods have been unsuccessful thus far. Another drastically different approach is taken by attempting to conceive a child through a bond of love. To most of the characters it seems that [[Karl Agathon|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 ([[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]] (another of the Final Five) and [[Caprica-Six]]'s unborn child [[Liam|Liam Tigh]]).

The bodies of humanoid Cylons sometimes appear to have tremendous stamina and strength, and appear to be 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>An infection ravages the Cylons in the episode, "[[Torn]]".</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 Caprica-Valerii 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 ([[The Passage]]), but they are still susceptible to damage from [[Ragnar|certain types of radiation]] or trauma ([[Miniseries]]). Despite their resistance to certain forms of energy, humanoid Cylons, unlike the [[Cylon Centurion]], cannot be made "bulletproof" ("[[The Farm]]", "[[Precipice]]", "[[Hero]]").

==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 seem to have strong faith. The [[Number One]]s appear to be 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]].

==Cybernetic Behavior==
[[Image:Valerii_optic_input.jpg|right|120px|thumb|[[Sharon Agathon|Valerii]] 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]] ([[Miniseries]], "[[Flesh and Bone]]", "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]").

It appears that all humanoid Cylons share a ''collective knowledge base'' of data from other active or deactivated humanoid Cylons, regardless of their model.<ref>A collective knowledge base works more like an internet chat forum, or even a wiki, which differs from the concept of the collective consciousness as seen in SciFi species such as the Borg in ''Star Trek.'' Writers of the show have indicated this type of "hive mind" is ''not'' employed. Many Cylons are seen describing or detailing events that one of the models experienced but did not participate, such as [[Sharon Agathon|Caprica-Valerii's]] description of meeting Kara Thrace for the first time--a memory physically experienced not by that Number Eight copy, but [[Sharon Valerii|"Boomer" Valerii]], in "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]". When under duress, "Boomer" Valerii is able to tell [[Gaius Baltar]] the number of remaining humanoid Cylons in the Fleet. This information would be impossible to know without a collective knowledge base to all humanoid Cylons ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]])</ref>

As a humanoid Cylon downloads after being killed, it is apparent that the Cylon's memories are automatically stored for future use, such as uploading them into another copy of that specific model. Once these memories are implanted they become as real to the receiving Cylon as their own original memories. This downloading of memories seems to be involuntary as [[Sharon Agathon]] had no reason to do such a thing ([[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 ([[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>.

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. They can perform this through subdermal physical contact if required ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]) or, preferably, through a [[data-font|Cylon data-font]]<ref>[[Sharon Agathon]] 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.

[[Image: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]]'s right eye briefly flashes red, the Raider responds to this apparent [[IFF]] procedure by flying away, and a Cylon fleet attacking the Colonials retreats ([[He That Believeth In Me]]).

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== The Thirteen Cylon Models ==
[[Image:Cylonagentdossier.jpg|right|200px]]
By the time of the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Cylon attack]] on the colonies, there are twelve models of humanoid Cylons ([[Miniseries]]), representing twelve personality archetypes that the Cylons have witnessed in humanity. 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".
<ref>According to show producers, the two groups are "fundamentally different."</ref> There was once a thirteenth model, [[Number Seven]], which is no longer extant ([[No Exit]]). With the loss of the [[Number Three]] model, there are currently eleven active models ([[Sometimes a Great Notion]]).

The Significant Eight have numerical designations, however the Final Five do not<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>. 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. Although there was originally no in-universe significance to any of the specific numbers assigned to the different Cylons,<ref>On [http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/ Ronald D. Moore's blog on Scifi.com], he stated that "Number Six was specifically a homage to 'The Prisoner,' but the rest [of the humanoid Cylons] were assigned their numbers randomly."</ref> the Ones predate the other models ([[No Exit]]).

===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, who is deactivated ([[No Exit]]), there are many copies of each model, although the specific number of copies per model has not been denoted. However, a [[Number One]] known as Cavil has stated it is in the millions. The identities of these mechanized copies are determined by their model and each model is unique ([[Six of One]]). These models were designed by the Final Five ([[No Exit]]).

==== [[Number One]] ====

[[Image:Pensieve One.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.

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, as seen in the episode "[[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. The Number One model was given the name John by the Final Five, but does not like this appelation.

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==== [[Number Two]] ====

[[Image: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 ([[Miniseries]]).

The Two models also appear obsessed and fascinated with [[Kara Thrace]] 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 ("[[Flesh and Bone]]", "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]", "[[Occupation]]", "[[Precipice]]" and "[[Exodus, Part II]]").

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 comments made by another Number Two copy captured in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] ("[[Flesh and Bone]]", "[[The Farm]]").

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

[[Image: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 ([[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 "[[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]] ([[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, until she is unboxed to ostensibly stop the rebels from fighting ([[Rapture]]). With the [[Resurrection Hub]] destroyed, she is the only Number Three copy in existence. She joins the rebels to make contact with the Final Five and eventually reaches Earth with them, but decides to stay behind there and die following the revelation that Earth is a barren nuclear wasteland ("[[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.
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==== [[Number Four]] ====

[[Image:Simon Farm2.JPG|thumb|right|Number Four/Simon]]
The Number Four model is first encountered by [[Kara Thrace]] on Cylon-occupied [[Caprica (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 ([[The Farm]]) Unlike other models, Number Four does not seem to have many military aspects to his physical or mental configuration, and is easily overcome by a wounded Thrace. 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>. It is unknown if a Four model infiltrated the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] prior to the occupation of [[New Caprica]]. In any case, the model is now known to the general populace, many humans likely saw a Number Four model during the occupation.

The Number Fours are part of Cavil's faction in the Cylon Civil War.
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==== [[Number Five]] ====

[[Image: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 ([[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 ([[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.
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==== [[Number Six]] ====

[[Image:Number Six.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. There is something inherently mysterious about her, more so than with the other models. 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]]", "Lida", "Sonja", and "[[Caprica-Six|Caprica]]" (in honor of her work on Caprica towards the destruction of the Colonies). Six is also the only model known to exhibit significant variations in appearance -- several different hairstyles and haircolors have been noted -- 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, [[Gaius Baltar]] began experiencing interactions from an entity (informally dubbed [[Virtual Six]]) that resembles the version of Caprica-Six that seduced him prior to the attacks. It is unclear what relation if any that Virtual Six -- that only Gaius Baltar can see and hear -- 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 was originally the leader, in the Cylon Civil War.
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==== [[Number Seven]] ====

Number Seven, also known as "Daniel", is a previously-undisclosed model whose existence is revealed by members of the Final Five who have recovered their memories ([[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]].

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

[[Image: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 ([[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 ("[[Six Degrees of Separation]]", "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]").

She may be "defective", as the Cylon programming within the sleeper agent known as "Boomer" on ''Galactica'' conflicts multiple times with its human personality ([[Water]]). Also, the fully aware Sharon Valerii found by [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] on Caprica switches allegiances from Cylon to Colonial after falling in love with Helo and aids the Colonials many times (several episodes, most notably "[[Flight of the Phoenix]]"). This copy, now known [[Sharon Agathon|Sharon "Athena" Agathon]], has defected from the Cylon and has joined the Colonial Fleet, generally replacing her "Boomer" counterpart as a [[Raptor]] pilot.

The original sleeper agent copy of this model appeared under the name "[[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]]."

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 aligned with the human fleet).
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=== Final Five ===

{{Mainarticle|Final Five}}

The identities of the remaining five Cylon models remains 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 ("[[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 ([[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]] realizes it was his wife [[Ellen Tigh|Ellen]] ([[Sometimes a Great Notion]]).

Although the Final Five are the same race as the Significant Eight, and their own earliest ancestors were constructed, their nature differs because each of them was originally born to Cylon parents on [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]. Thus, they have no copies (aside from the blank bodies created for them to [[Resurrection (RDM)|download]] into) and only ever had names, not numbers.

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

[[Image: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 [[Kara Thrace]].

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 [[Kara Thrace]].

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 the ''[[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]]".
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==== [[Tory Foster]] ====

[[Image: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 [[Sharon Agathon]] 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 ("[[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 ([[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. ("[[The Ties That Bind]]")

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==== [[Ellen Tigh]] ====

[[Image:Ellen_Tigh_drink.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 [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Picon|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.

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]] ([[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 originaly 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. ("[[Deadlock]]")

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==== [[Saul Tigh]] ====

[[Image:Saul Tigh.jpg|thumb|left|Saul Tigh]]
'''Saul Tigh''' is the [[Executive Officer]] (XO) of ''[[Galactica (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 ("[[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]].
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==== [[Galen Tyrol]] ====

[[Image:Galen Tyrol.jpg|thumb|right|Galen Tyrol]]
'''Galen Tyrol''', often referred to as "Chief", is the highest ranking NCO remaining aboard ''[[Galactica]]''. Tyrol was demoted for a while until [[Peter Laird]] was KIA before being reinstated as Galactica's "Chief" again ([[No Exit]]). He is a respected an 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 [[Kobol (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.
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==Early Generation Cylons ==

The [[Thirteenth Tribe (RDM)|thirteenth tribe]] consisted of an earlier generation of humanoid Cylon first created on the planet [[Kobol (RDM)|Kobol]]. They colonized [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]] after the exodus from Kobol. 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 ([[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 ([[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 ([[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 ([[Rapture]]).

A child, [[Kacey Brynn]], is presented by a Number Two model to [[Kara Thrace]] as a hybrid offspring purportedly created with their genetic material in the episode "[[Precipice]]". The Cylons' ruse is revealed when Kacey's real mother later claims the child, who is a normal human girl ([[Exodus, Part II]]).

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

[[Kara Thrace]] could be the first human-Cylon hybrid if it is confirmed that her father was a Seven (Daniel).

== 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 were ''ever'' an actual human.
** 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 as of the start of the series, including the lost [[Number Seven]] in the Cylon count raises the total number of models to 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.
***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 ([[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]]").
* 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. [[Sharon Agathon]]'s report in "[[Scar]]" supports Cavil, but a [[Number Three]] considers her last download to be rejuvenating ([[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 ==

<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

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

{{featured article candidate previous}}

[[de:Humanoider Zylon]]
[[ms:Cylon manusia]]

Someone to Watch Over Me

2009-03-02T03:19:27Z

Tetsuo86:

{{Episode Data
| image=SomeoneWatchingOverMe.jpg
| title= Someone To Watch Over Me
| season= 4
| episode=17
| guests=
| writer=
| story=
| director=
| production=419
| rating=
| US airdate=February 27, 2009 <ref>http://tv.ign.com/articles/920/920164p1.html</ref>
| CAN airdate=February 27, 2009
| UK airdate=March 3, 2009
| dvd=
| population=39556
| oldpopulation=39556
| prev=[[Deadlock]]
| next=[[Islanded in a Stream of Stars]]
}}

== Overview ==
''[[Kara Thrace|Starbuck]] discovers a hidden musical ability that bears a mysterious significance to the final five Cylons, and her tune is found to have a connection with three-year-old human-Cylon hybrid [[Hera Agathon|Hera]]. The president authorizes [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]]'s extradition from the Brig so she can stand trial for treason on the Cylon Base Ship.''<ref>http://www.locatetv.com/tv/battlestar-galactica/season-4/6118356</ref>

== Summary ==

=== Teaser ===

=== Act 1 ===

=== Act 2 ===

=== Act 3 ===

=== Act 4 ===

== Notes ==
* [[Gaius Baltar]] and [[Caprica-Six]] do not appear in this episode. As with the previous episode, [[Lee Adama]] appears in only a couple of scenes.
* "Someone To Watch Over Me" is the name of a song composed by George and Ira Gershwin, and featured in the musical Oh, Kay! A major theme of the song is the need to find love and acceptance.
** There was also an episode of [[w:Star Trek: Voyager|Star Trek: Voyager]] named for the song, in which it is performed at the end by The Doctor.
* Weeks have passed since the end of [[Gaeta's Mutiny|the mutiny]], as evidenced by [[Cottle]]'s comment about how long Anders' EKG readings have remained steady, and Starbuck's comment about how long she has repeated the same mission briefing.
* Starbuck acknowledges her pilots that the mutiny has "thinned our numbers". This, combined with the apparent absence of pilots such as [[Margaret Edmonson]] and [[Diana Seelix]], confirms their involvement in the mutiny did not go unpunished, although exactly what that punishment is remains unknown.
** In the Podcast for "[[Deadlock]]" RDM states that all the mutineers were imprisoned on the [[Astral Queen]].
* After her apparent death in "[[Maelstrom]]", Kara's personal belongings were auctioned off. Helo has managed to get them all back for her. However, the only thing Kara is interested in is her father's music tape.
* Some of the music played by the mysterious piano player is from the original series. [[Numian's 3rd Sonata]], Second Movement, is in fact from the opening dialogue of the classic series ("There are those who believe that life here, began out there..."), and the original [[Cylon]] musical cue is derived from that tune as well. This is not the first time music from the original series has shown up (i.e. the [[Colonial Anthem]]), and lends to the idea that 'everything has happened before, and will happen again'.
* The brand of "[[Tauron]] toothpaste" offered as a prize to the pilots is called "[[Felgercarb]]," a word used in the original series to mean "shit." Tauron comes from Taurus the bull. In essence, Kara is offering the pilot who finds a new planet "bullshittoothpaste".
* The collection of named [[Number Six]] models expands with the addition of [[Sonja]], who becomes the first Cylon to be elected to the Fleet's reconstituted Quorum.

== Analysis ==
* The Cylons seem to have officially joined the Fleet as they now have the representation they wanted on the new Quorum in the form of a Six named Sonja. It is also confirmed that Cylon and Colonial pilots are performing joint [[CAP]]s.
** This is most clearly seen when Athena staggers into the briefing room and Helo orders one of the Sixes to go get the medics, the Six unhesitatingly responds "Yes, Sir". Several Sixes are also seen attending Starbuck's "toothpaste briefing".
** The rebel Cylon pilots do not appear to have been commissioned into the Colonial military, as they wear Cylon flight suits and none is addressed by rank.
** The Sixes and Eights appear to use their model numbers as surnames, and are referred to and addressed as "Six" or "Eight". They do not yet appear to have been given individual call-signs.
*It is very possible-but not certain-that the Cylon ability to recognize individual Cylons despite them looking exactly like each other (most of the time, the Sixes seem to have the most variants in hair color and use of makeup, both voluntary actions) relies on actually looking at the individual. In the lavatory where Sharon "Boomer" Valerii severely beats Sharon "Athena" Agathon, Athena initially mistook Boomer as a generic Eight when she saw her in the reflection of a mirror. It was after she stood up, turned around and looked directly at Boomer did Athena recognize her as Boomer. Admittedly however, it is possible that she would had recognized Boomer if she still only watched her in the reflection. Still, she said a full sentence while she looked at her in the mirror-"Great, I hope you are here to fix the frakkin' shower!"-but instantly recognized Boomer the exact moment she saw her directly and not reflected. Perhaps they also need to look the other Cylon square in the eyes, which is what Tyrol does in "[[Deadlock]]" before identifying Boomer.
* It has been unclear whether Karl Agathon is still the [[Commander Air Group]] (CAG) of Galactica or Kara Thrace officially takes over the CAG as Agathon used to join important staff meetings with Adama & Tigh in previous episodes. However, this episode clearly shows that Thrace is now serving as the CAG of Galactica.
* Ellen's escape from Cavil seems to have been orchestrated between him and Boomer in order to get Boomer on ''Galactica'' so she could kidnap Hera.
* The clear liquid substance that Boomer, masquerading as Athena gave Hera in her sippy cup and urged her to drink up was likely a sedative to keep her quiet in the equipment box she hid her in.
* It would appear that while Cavil was willing to let Ellen go in order to obtain Hera, members of the [[Final Five]] are still of some value to him, as evidenced by Boomer's offer for Tyrol to go with her.
* The Final Five have the same [[Projection|projection]] ability as the Cylons they created. Cylons can share projections.
*It is possible that Starbuck also has this ability and she projected the Piano Player beside her when she played a section of "All Along the Watchtower" from the drawing Hera made, which turned out to be musical notation. She, from her POV, was playing a long side of him but when Saul Tigh, Ellen Tigh, and Tory Foster confronted her about where she learned to play that music he was gone. Perhaps it was just standard human daydreaming, or a [[Virtual beings|Virtual being]], but it could had been projection.
* Projections can include not just imaginary environments but also imaginary people, such as Boomer and Tyrol's "daughter" Dionne.
* It also appears that projections might be a form of persistent environment -- similar to real-life virtual worlds such as [[w:Second Life|Second Life]], as Tyrol re-enters Boomer's projection after she escapes with Hera, as if expecting to find her and Dionne still in there.
* ''Galactica'' is in very bad shape from the metal fatigue in the hull. It's so bad that Tyrol says that all the [[Cylon organic resin]] could do is buy a little more time, but not too much from the looks of it, and that the ship might only be capable of one more FTL jump, if that. The ship is dying of old age and abuse and there's nothing anyone can do save it completely. The damage Boomer created during her escape has no doubt worsened the ship's condition.
*FTL jumps appear to create spatial distortion that can seriously strain a ships hull. Tigh expresses concern that a jump within the flight pod will seriously strain the internal integrity of the ship. Boomer's FTL jump eventually appears to cause a chain reaction of hull collapses along ''Galactica's'' port side, a side visibly weakened by Cylon attack, and suffering general aging in the 50+ year old ship's structure.
*The port side of ''Galactica'' which suffers damage in this episode has been seen specifically to suffer major stress before now- particularly during the [[Battle of New Caprica]] when it was mentioned that explosive decompressions were imminent in that section. That side of the ship also saw the port water tank blow out in [[Water]]-and though this seemed to be repaired it no doubt contributed to the area's hull stress.
* Many individuals express fears of the damage an FTL jump can do to ''Galactica'', impying FTL jumps place serious strains on a ships hull–or even the hull of a ship nearby and a degree of hull integrity is important to allow a ship to continue jumping. This appears quite a new phenomenon in the canon of the show and was not mentioned in previous seasons, though it of course makes for a convenient plot conceit now. Before this ships have frequently been seen jumping and exiting a jump close to each other in the series with seemingly no ill effects- though it is possible Boomer's Raptor was much more closer to Galactica's hull than has ever been seen before. In the episode [[A Disquiet Follows My Soul]] the tylium ship jumped whilst surrounded by Raptors and Vipers and no ship seemed to suffer damage, although they were knocked back and sent tumbling. It should be made clear that smaller objects are proportionally stronger and that smaller objects should feel much less shear. Also some Fleet ships such as the [[Space Park]] and the Rebel basestar have been seen to suffer hull damage but have continued to jump with the Fleet seemingly without incident- though the Space Park was repaired quite swiftly. It is possible therefore that crucial to Galactica's particular suffering at Boomer's hands was the level of microfracturing that had been occurring in her hull combined with the fact that the port side of the ship looks significantly more damaged than the other. Also it is possible the stress of by being caught in the FTL field of another vessel rather than that caused by a vessels own, properly configured FTL drive is more powerful and dangerous.
*Given that ''Galactica'' has jumped hundreds of times whilst damaged before now, it is not explained why no damage has occurred before given it is assumed damage will be guaranteed by an unplanned jump in this episode. In the miniseries ''Galactica'' suffered a nuke hit and yet jumped several times afterwards. Also despite falling through the atmosphere of New Caprica ''Galatica'' was able to execute an FTL jump despite the severe strains on the hull. Fears of FTL stress were not mentioned.
** ''Galactica'' probably has been taking damage from multiple jumps over the years. It's just that the extent of that damage has not become apparent until now.
*The age of ''Galactica's'' FTL drive might explain why the ship's hull integrity is taxed so badly by her FTL drive - more modern drives might not cause so much stress, and might explain why other Fleet ships and the rebel basestar can continue to jump despite the damage their hulls have taken.
* Adama has still not forgiven Boomer for shooting him.
* Boomer has gone from being a conflicted sleeper agent to being a willing infiltrator and saboteur on ''Galactica''.
* The Cylons want Boomer tried for treason, with execution being a possible outcome, because her actions are linked to the permanent deaths of thousands of Cylons. This parallels the Colonial Fleet's own desire to try [[Gaius Baltar]].
* Boomer seduces [[Helo]] by pretending to be [[Sharon Agathon|Athena]]. This is ironic, as Athena originally seduced Helo on [[Caprica (RDM)|Caprica]], by pretending to be Boomer.
** Boomer's seduction of Helo - in the presence of Athena - may have been motivated by a desire to exact revenge on Athena for having effectively taken over her old life on ''Galactica''.
* The Final Five, [[Hera Agathon]], and [[Kara Thrace]] are all somehow connected to each other by [[The Music]]. Also possibly connected via the song is Kara's [[Dreilide Thrace|mysterious father]].
* The mysterious piano player is Kara's father, which can be concluded by his sudden disappearance and by the flashbacks with both Kara and her father playing the piano when she was little. These flashbacks mirror the exact same movements done by Captain Thrace and the piano player.<ref>http://www.bearmccreary.com/blog/?p=1598</ref>
* The title of the tape Kara receives back from Helo is "Dreilide Thrace Live at the Helice [[Opera House]]."
** [[w:Helice|Helice]], also spelled Helike, was an ancient Greek city which sank into the Corinthian Gulf in 373 B.C. It may have formed the basis of the myth of the lost city [[w:Atlantis|Atlantis.]]<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helice</ref><ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/horizon/2001/helike.shtml</ref>
** Helice was the ancient Greek name <ref>http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/620003/Ursa-Major</ref> for the constellation [[w:Ursa Major|Ursa Major]] (the Great Bear). <i>Helice</i> in Greek means "to spin" or "to turn"; it is the root of the modern word <i>helix</i>. Ursa Major revolves around [[w:Polaris|Polaris]], the Pole Star, hence the name. This may be a reference to the spinning of the [[maelstrom]] Kara flew into before her ship was destroyed, and it could also refer to the [[mandala]] found on the wall of her apartment and the [[Temple of Five]].
** [[w:Helike_(mythology)|Helice/Helike]] was also the name of a nymph in Greek mythology who nursed the infant [[Zeus]], along with another nymph, Melissa (which name itself means "honey" or "honey bee"). <ref>http://www.constellationsofwords.com/Constellations/UrsaMajor.html</ref>
** [[w:Helike_(moon)|Helike]] is also a newly-discovered moon of [[w:Jupiter|Jupiter]].
** However, the appearance of the word "Helice'' may simply be an in-joke to [[Bear McCreary]]'s heavy involvement with this episode -- Ursa Major, and McCreary, both being "The Great Bear."<ref>http://tvbacon.wordpress.com/2009/02/28/battlestar-galactica-someone-to-watch-over-me-live-at-the-helice-opera-house/</ref>

== Questions ==
* Is Boomer taking Hera to Cavil, and if so, is she of value to him in and of herself or will he ransom her for the Final Five to rebuild [[Resurrection (RDM)|resurrection]]? Or is Boomer working alone or for a third party? ([[Someone to Watch Over Me#Official Statements|Answer]])
* What was the note Boomer was writing down in her cell when she first sensed Tyrol watching her?
* Is the Eight switched with Boomer by Tyrol dead, or merely injured?
** Probably merely injured. It is doubtful Tyrol would have gone so far as to actually kill another Eight to save Boomer. Furthermore, if the Eight had been dead, Tyrol's trickery would have been discovered more quickly.
* What is Roslin's physical status?
* What connection is there between Roslin's collapse and Hera's kidnapping?
* If Tyrol had gone with Boomer, would Cavil have opened his brain as he threatened to do with Ellen?
* Did Boomer sleep with Helo merely to maintain her pretense, because she was attracted to him, or to intentionally hurt Athena? ([[Someone to Watch Over Me#Official Statements|Answer]])
* What is the source of the "Slick" image Starbuck has been seeing? Is he a variation of Kara's Inner Leoben from "[[Maelstrom]]"?
* How did Starbuck and Hera arrive at a piano version of the same [[The Music|melody]] originally played by Anders on a guitar on [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]?
* Will Eight's idea of plugging Anders into the [[datastream]] lead anywhere?
* Will Tyrol's involvement in Boomer's escape be figured out? Will he confess?
** It will be difficult for him to deny involvement considering the presence of the unconscious Eight he substituted for Boomer in the brig.
***That assumes the Eight can identify him as the one that attacked her in the work area. It was coal pitch black dark when he knocked her out. Still, the circumstance of him being the one to restore power to the Cell Area and knowing how hard he pleaded for Boomer's life makes him a natural suspect. What could convict him beyond doubt is if people on the hanger deck remember him helping "Athena"-as everyone thought at the time-with that large very heavy equipment box. It is known that Cylons can tell each other apart on sight despite them being indistinguishable to humans. If someone recalls that it could be used as proof positive that Tyrol was complicit in her escape, that he cannot plead truthful ignorance like Helo can when he thought Boomer was his wife and had sex with her.
* If Tyrol's treachery does come to light, how will others react?
* Do all the ships in the Fleet - regardless of their relative crew and passenger size - get to send representatives to the new Quorum? (This is similar to the situation the Framers of the United States Constitution faced when trying to decide if state representation in Congress should be based on individual state population or restricted to the same number of representatives per state).
*If Jumping in very close proximity to a ship is a very dangerous thing to do then why then in [[A Disquiet Follows My Soul]] when the Tylium ship [[Hitei Kan]] jumped away form the intercepting and boarding Vipers nothing happened to them other than being upended?
** It was dangerous for ''Galactica'' because of its failing structure.
* Why was Sonja elected to represent the Cylons?
** The Sixes appear to be the most influential leaders within the rebel Cylon society, and posess the most individuality. Caprica Six sowed the seeds of the Cylon Civil War, Natalie led the revolt, and Sixes generally were in senior positions in the occupation government of New Caprica.
* Did Boomer intentionally jump so close to ''Galactica'' in order to further damage the already weakened ship? Is this a prelude to an attack on the Fleet by Cavil's forces?
* Since Boomer was able to find the fleet, why doesn't Cavil just jump in and attack the fleet? Surely he has superior numbers. Is it merely because of fear of death, since they can no longer resurrect?
** Cavil seems to want Hera- this would only be possible by using Boomer as an infiltrator rather than attacking ''Galactica'' outright. Attacking the Fleet would only result in them jumping away anyway.
* What is the current status of [[Caprica-Six]]?
* Where did the piano in [[Joe's Bar]] come from?
* Will the Helice Opera House have any connection to the visions of the [[Opera House]] shared by Roslin, [[Caprica-Six]], and Athena?
* Was a Daniel model Kara Thrace's father? Making her a half-cylon and giving her abilities like resurrection and projection?
** This makes sense as Daniel was supposedly very artistic and makes many Kara phenomenon fit. Also, Kara's father leaving the family would have coincided with his sabotage by the Number Ones.
** If this is the case, could the Daniel's have escaped and in some way be manipulating the events in the series? (Kara's resurrection, ability to "feel" where Earth is, etc)?
* To what extent are the semi-sentient Raiders and Centurions integrated into the Colonial or allied military force?

== Official Statements ==
*Maureen Ryan of the Chicago Tribune interviews David Weddle and Bradley Thompson<ref>http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2009/02/battlestar-galactica-starbuck-boomer-someone-to-watch-over-me-.html</ref>:
**Boomer had a sick desire to strike out at Athena.
**Boomer's escape with Ellen was staged so that she could kidnap Hera. She intended to just use the Chief, but their interactions did awaken feelings she thought were dead.

== Noteworthy Dialogue ==

== Guest Stars ==

* [[Kate Vernon]] as [[Ellen Tigh]]
* [[Donnelly Rhodes]] as Dr. [[S. Cottle]]
* [[Rekha Sharma]] as [[Tory Foster]]
* [[Roark Critchlow]] as [[Slick]]
* [[Iliana Gomez-Martinez]] as [[Hera Agathon]]
* [[Brad Dryborough]] as Lieutenant [[Louis Hoshi]]
* [[ Torrance Coombs]] as Lance Corporal [[C. Sellers]]
* [[Ivan Cermak]] as Corporal [[D. Wallace]]
* [[Curtis Caravaggio]] as [[Nathanson]]
* [[Cherilynn Fulbright]] as [[Dionne]]
* [[Patrick Gilmore]] as [[Rafferty]]
* [[Samantha Caine]] as Off-duty Crew Person
* [[Erika-Shaye Gair]] as Young [[Kara Thrace]]
* [[Darcy Laurie]] as [[Dealino]]
* [[Sonja Bennett]] as Specialist [[Marcie Brasko]]
* [[Nicki Clyne]] as [[Cally Henderson]] (archive footage)

== References ==
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>

{{Episode list (RDM season 4)}}