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Cylon Centurion: Difference between revisions

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: ''For Centurions from the original series, refer to: [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005]].''
{{disline|For information on the Centurions from the [[Original Series]], see [[Centurion (TOS)]].}}
[[File:Cylon_Centurion,_"The_Hub".jpg|right|thumb|210x210px|Centurion, warrior of the Cylon army.]]
The '''Cylon Centurion''' is a fully armored, metallic automaton that functions as the basic foot-soldier of the Cylon ground forces.


[[Image:CenturionWarrior.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Centurion, Warrior of the Cylon Army.]]
==Overview==
[[File:Centurion_on_Pegasus.jpg|left|thumb|A Cylon Centurion aboard ''Pegasus''.]]
Introduced sometime after the initial [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] conflict, the modern Centurion appears to be a significant evolution of the [[Cylon War]]-era [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|Centurion]].


The basic unit of Cylon ground forces, the '''Cylon Centurion''' appears to be an upgrade to the [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005]].  They have long, needlelike fingers with multiple joints and have a double barreled automatic projectile weapon mounted on the end of each armThese newer, fiercer Centurions are capable of moving extremely fast via [[Wikipedia:bipedal locomotion|bipedal locomotion]]. The projectile guns built into each arm are so powerful that they make counterattacks very difficult by Colonials since the barrage is, in effect,  much like a [[Wikipedia:gatling gun|gatling gun]]. Unlike the Model 0005, a single Centurion of the reimagined series is more than enough to terrorize a squad of Colonial fighters.
Modern Centurions serve a variety of functions within the Cylon hierarchy, acting as guards, soldiers, executioners and even gardeners"Bullethead," "clanker" and "chrome job" are common Colonial nicknames for these advanced and deadly Cylon constructs {{TRS|Downloaded|Rapture|Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance}}. They are also referred to as "toasters," the ''de facto'' Colonial sobriquet racial epithet) for the Cylon race as a whole, originating from the first Cylon War {{TRS|Miniseries|Resistance|Blood & Chrome}}).


The Cylon Centurions may also have different armors. For instance, a small number of them wreaked havoc when boarding ''[[Galactica]]'', and could only be destroyed using explosive rounds ([[Valley of Darkness]]).
Although Centurions are sentient by design, a [[telencephalic inhibitor]] annuls their higher cognitive functions and prevents them from exercising full self-awareness {{TRS|Six of One}}. It also appears that this implant precludes them from harming any of the [[Humanoid Cylon|humanoid Cylons]], except by explicit order {{TRS|Hero}}. According to {{callsign|Athena}}, this was done to prevent a rebellion akin to the one that started the first Cylon War {{TRS|Razor}}.
[[File:S2-Downloaded-DelphiRestoration.jpg|right|thumb|Centurions replant trees at Delphi, after the fall.]]
Following the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies|Second Attack]] on the [[The Twelve Colonies of Kobol|The Twelve Colonies]], Centurions were used in a number of assaults on the surviving human [[The Fleet|Fleet]].  Centurion forces boarded both remaining Colonial [[Battlestar (RDM)|Battlestars]] ''{{RDM|Galactica}}'' and ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' {{TRS|Valley of Darkness|Razor}} and landed ground forces on {{RDM|Kobol}} and the [[Algae planet]] {{TRS|Fragged|Home, Part I|Home, Part II}}.  During the brief colonization of [[New Caprica]], Cylon Centurions were used to keep order throughout the Cylon occupation {{TRS|Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|Occupation|Exodus, Part I|Exodus, Part II}}.  On [[:en:Caprica (RDM)|Caprica]], modern Centurions were part of a clean up effort in Colonial cities including [[:en:Delphi|Delphi]] where they participated in the reconstruction effort {{TRS|Downloaded}}.


Centurions encountered on [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]] reacted more slowly, acted less intelligently, and were more easily destroyed by small arms fireThis may be due to the Cylons' plans for [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] and [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|the copy of Sharon Valerii]] with him; killing them would render their experiments worthless. A similiar group of Centurions found on [[Kobol]] during the episode [[Fragged]] were equally less individually intelligent. It may be that these Centurions are very simple soldiers that, despite their menacing statistics, are limited in their evolution and programming. Centurians are not sentient, and are not downloaded upon destruction.
Centurions are unable to distinguish one copy of [[humanoid Cylon]] from another {{TRS|Precipice}}Whether Centurions are able to recognize members of the [[Final Five]] akin to [[Raider (RDM)|Raiders]] is unknown. It should be noted, however, that prior to the [[Crossroads, Part II|activation]] of said models, Centurions directly engaged at least two of these individuals in combat {{TRS|The Farm|Fragged}}.


It seems that the Cylon collective prefers not to use these Centurions in large-scale encounters, despite their obvious effectiveness. This may be because the [[Humano-Cylon]] models are more manipulative by way of psychology and terrorism and, frankly, prefer to play with their prey before striking it down by whatever means they have at their disposal.
During the [[Cylon Civil War]], rebel Cylon leader [[Natalie Faust]] removed the [[telencephalic inhibitor]] of the Centurions under her command.  Once the device was removed, the Centurions gained the ability to reason for themselves and subsequently turned against the rival humanoid models {{TRS|Six of One}}.
[[File:Centurions_man_baseship,_"Daybreak,_Part_II".jpg|left|thumb|Centurions depart Earth aboard the former [[Rebel basestar]] {{TRS|Daybreak, Part II}}.]]
Self-aware Centurions operating aboard the [[Rebel basestar|Rebel Cylon]] [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]] within the human [[The Fleet (RDM)|fleet]], cooperated with Colonial forces to rescue [[Hera Agathon]] from the [[The Colony|Cylon Colony]].  Distinguished by red stripes painted across their armor, these Centurions operated as assault troops under the command of [[Lee Adama]].  During the conflict, "{{Inlineref|Red Stripes}}" battled other modern Centurions as well as older models living on the Colony since the first Cylon War.  Following the destruction of the Colony and the discovery of "[[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]," the Centurions were given command of the Rebel basestar and set free by [[Ellen Tigh]] and Admiral [[William Adama]].  Despite the risk that they might someday return and attack humanity, both Tigh and Adama noted that the Centurions had earned their freedom {{TRS|Daybreak, Part II}}.{{clear}}


===Notes===
==Design==
*RDM said in a [http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/blogs/ blog] entry on January 20th, 2006, that "the Centurions are not sentient and their memories/experiences are not downloaded into new bodies when they die".
[[File:Cylon_Centurion_close_up,_"No_Exit".jpg|right|thumb|Close up on the head of a Centurion {{TRS|No Exit}}.]]
Modern Cylon Centurions are primarily mechanical beings in nature.  Unlike their Cylon War-era predecessors, the current models have not been observed "bleeding" when injured {{TRS|33|Razor|Daybreak, Part II}}.  More agile than those predecessors, modern Centurions are capable of extremely fast bipedal locomotion {{TRS|Six Degrees of Separation|Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down|Daybreak, Part II}}.


===Cinematic Notes===
Sleeker in appearance than their robotic ancestors, Centurions are humanoid in structure, with long limbs and heads partially encased in armor.  Their hands have four long, multi-jointed claws that can be retracted into smooth-tipped fingers of human proportions to handle more delicate objects {{TRS|Valley of Darkness|No Exit}}.


The creators of the reimagined series decided that using actors in an elaborate Cylon robot outfit (as was done in the Original Series) would detract from the realism of the series. They decided to make fully computer-generated Cylon Centurions for the new series.
Centurions are not made to verbally communicate, though they communicate with each other via a wireless network, thus making  verbal speech unnecessary. They can, however, hear and act upon verbal commands from the humanoid Cylons {{TRS|Hero}}.
[[File:Cylon_Centurion,_"Six_of_One".jpg|left|thumb|Centurion with projectile weapon activated.]]
Some versions of the Centurion wield markedly improved armor. A platoon of Centurions that boarded ''Galactica'' were unaffected by standard weaponry; subdued only by armor-piercing explosive rounds {{TRS|Valley of Darkness}}. Other Centurions appeared to be constructed from an alloy that is much lighter than that used in earlier models. During combat aboard the Colony, loyalist Centurions of the newer type were cut down by Colonial fire more forcefully than the earlier 0005 models {{TRS|Daybreak, Part II}}.


Inaugural director [[Michael Rymer]] wanted the new Cylon warrior to blend in and avoid detracting from the live actor's performances. However, the new designs were eye-catching, and the new robot became a popular addition to many scenes. The virtual Cylons are designed with full articulation in the hands and joints that gives a realistic appearance to the viewer. Initially the new warrior was built with more human movement, such as swaggering. However, the movements did not fit the robotic attitude that the writers wanted to convey and were later discarded.
The Centurions that {{callsign|Helo}} encountered on {{RDM|Caprica}} reacted more slowly, behaved less intelligently, and were more easily destroyed by small-arms fire as they were instructed thus due to the Cylons' plan to breed between Agathon and [[Sharon Agathon|their copy]] of [[Sharon Valerii]] {{TRS|33|Act of Contrition|You Can't Go Home Again}}. This changed after Agathon and Caprica-Valerii failed to report to the spot the Cylons set up for their "honey trap," where the Cylons become unencumbered by earlier dictates {{TRS|Colonial Day}}. Centurions seen on {{RDM|Kobol}} displayed an increased group intelligence, working together to construct an anti-aircraft battery from parts of their [[Heavy Raider]] {{TRS|Fragged}}.


Actors interact with a life-size cardboard stand-in when filming a scene that will later have virtual Cylon warriors inserted. Some times human actors (production assistants in reality) stand in for the CG Centurions in more complex shots. As revealed in a [http://www.scifi.com/battlestar/bts/videoblog/ Video Blog] entry on SciFi's ''Galactica'' website, stand-ins portraying Centurions are made to wear thick black vests with the word '''CENTURION''' printed across them.  Much like the cardboard stand-ins the "actors" are then digitally painted out of the shot and replaced with vitrual Centurions.
==Offensive Capabilities==
[[File:Centurions_vs._Centurions,_"Daybreak,_Part_II".jpg|right|thumb|Modern Centurions battle Cylon War-era models {{TRS|Daybreak, Part II}}.]]
The modern Centurion can effectively oppose a squad of Colonial soldiers by means of various combat systems. Long, talon-like fingers act as bladed weapons during close-combat, and fold back to reveal a three-barreled automatic [[KEW|projectile weapon]] which may be used in fire-fights.


== Related Imagery ==
In addition to these built-in weapons, Centurions are capable of carrying larger, more powerful weapons not integrated into their systems, such as mortars and missile launchers {{TRS|Fragged}}. One Centurion boarding ''{{RDM|Pegasus}}'' carries a large, and likely powerful, machine gun in its hands {{TRS|Razor}}.
 
==Cinematic Notes==
The creators of the re-imagined series decided that using actors in an elaborate robot outfit (as was done in the Original Series) would detract from the realism of the show. As such, the production made use of computer-generated Centurions in place of actors.
 
Inaugural director [[Michael Rymer]] originally wanted the Centurion to blend into the background (so as not to detract from the live-actor performances), but its design proved eye-catching, and the robot became a central addition to many scenes. These virtual Cylons were designed with full articulation in the hands and joints for realism, and were initially animated with more human movements, such as swaggering. However, these movements did not complement the robotic attitude that the writers wanted to convey, and were later discarded.
 
When filming a scene that will later have virtual Cylon Centurions inserted, a life-size cardboard stand-in is used for framing purposes. The stand-in gives the camera operator an idea of how much space to leave in the frame, and the animators a reference on how big the Centurions should be. The stand-in is removed so when shooting begins, the actors are reacting to an empty space. This minimizes the amount of work VFX must do to add a Centurion to the shot.


<gallery>
As of "[[Faith]]," a [[:File:Reimagined Centurion Comparison.jpg|new model]] has been used to depict the Centurion. The new version features a bulkier head with sleeker lines and significantly sharpened cheek bones, separated collar and shoulder pieces, five-fingered (rather than four-taloned) hands, as well as an increased level of detail and flexibility over the entirety of its body. In the episode "[[No Exit]]," a Centurion using the new model had more detailed hands in a few close-up shots which were based off the original model, rather than the redesign. Though originally considered a retcon of the older model, there is evidence that this may not be the case. The previous design can be seen once more during the battle of the Colony, occasionally in the same shot as the newer variant. Generally, the Rebel Centurions were represented by the new design, while Cavil's Centurions used the original model {{TRS|Daybreak, Part II}}.
Image:Cylon Centurion New 001.jpg|'''Centurion''' in action <br/>during the <br/>boarding of ''Galactica'' <br/>([[Valley of Darkness]])
Image:Cylon Centurion New 002.jpg|'''Centurion''' leaving the<br/> crashed [[Cylon Heavy Raider]] <br/>([[Scattered]])
</gallery>


== Related Imagery ==
<gallery mode="slideshow">
File:Cylon_Centurion_New_002.jpg|A Cylon Centurion up close.
File:Cylon_Centurion_New_001.jpg|A blood-stained Centurion in action during the boarding of ''Galactica'' {{TRS|Valley of Darkness}}.
File:Centz.jpg|Centurion guard on New Caprica {{TRS|Occupation}}.
File:CenturionMortar.jpg|Centurions carrying mortars {{TRS|The Eye of Jupiter}}.
File:Centurion_on_Kobol.jpg|Centurion on Kobol {{TRS|Fragged}}.
File:CylonAAU.jpg|An improvised anti-aircraft missile launcher (Fragged).
File:CenturionGun.jpg|A Centurion carrying a large gun (Razor).
</gallery>{{Characters (RDM Cylons)}}{{featured article candidate previous}}
[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Cylons]]
[[Category:Cylons]]
[[Category:Cylons (RDM)]]
[[Category:Cylon Military]]
[[Category:Cylon Military (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]
[[Category:RDM]]
[[de:Zenturio (RDM)]]
[[fr:Centurion Cylon]]

Latest revision as of 20:57, 8 May 2024

Centurion, warrior of the Cylon army.

The Cylon Centurion is a fully armored, metallic automaton that functions as the basic foot-soldier of the Cylon ground forces.

Overview[edit]

A Cylon Centurion aboard Pegasus.

Introduced sometime after the initial Cylon conflict, the modern Centurion appears to be a significant evolution of the Cylon War-era Centurion.

Modern Centurions serve a variety of functions within the Cylon hierarchy, acting as guards, soldiers, executioners and even gardeners. "Bullethead," "clanker" and "chrome job" are common Colonial nicknames for these advanced and deadly Cylon constructs (TRS: "Downloaded", "Rapture", "Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance"). They are also referred to as "toasters," the de facto Colonial sobriquet racial epithet) for the Cylon race as a whole, originating from the first Cylon War (TRS: "Miniseries", "Resistance", "Blood & Chrome")).

Although Centurions are sentient by design, a telencephalic inhibitor annuls their higher cognitive functions and prevents them from exercising full self-awareness (TRS: "Six of One"). It also appears that this implant precludes them from harming any of the humanoid Cylons, except by explicit order (TRS: "Hero"). According to Sharon "Athena" Agathon, this was done to prevent a rebellion akin to the one that started the first Cylon War (TRS: "Razor").

Centurions replant trees at Delphi, after the fall.

Following the Second Attack on the The Twelve Colonies, Centurions were used in a number of assaults on the surviving human Fleet. Centurion forces boarded both remaining Colonial Battlestars Galactica and Pegasus (TRS: "Valley of Darkness", "Razor") and landed ground forces on Kobol and the Algae planet (TRS: "Fragged", "Home, Part I", "Home, Part II"). During the brief colonization of New Caprica, Cylon Centurions were used to keep order throughout the Cylon occupation (TRS: "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II", "Occupation", "Exodus, Part I", "Exodus, Part II"). On Caprica, modern Centurions were part of a clean up effort in Colonial cities including Delphi where they participated in the reconstruction effort (TRS: "Downloaded").

Centurions are unable to distinguish one copy of humanoid Cylon from another (TRS: "Precipice"). Whether Centurions are able to recognize members of the Final Five akin to Raiders is unknown. It should be noted, however, that prior to the activation of said models, Centurions directly engaged at least two of these individuals in combat (TRS: "The Farm", "Fragged").

During the Cylon Civil War, rebel Cylon leader Natalie Faust removed the telencephalic inhibitor of the Centurions under her command. Once the device was removed, the Centurions gained the ability to reason for themselves and subsequently turned against the rival humanoid models (TRS: "Six of One").

Centurions depart Earth aboard the former Rebel basestar (TRS: "Daybreak, Part II").

Self-aware Centurions operating aboard the Rebel Cylon basestar within the human fleet, cooperated with Colonial forces to rescue Hera Agathon from the Cylon Colony. Distinguished by red stripes painted across their armor, these Centurions operated as assault troops under the command of Lee Adama. During the conflict, "Red Stripes" battled other modern Centurions as well as older models living on the Colony since the first Cylon War. Following the destruction of the Colony and the discovery of "Earth," the Centurions were given command of the Rebel basestar and set free by Ellen Tigh and Admiral William Adama. Despite the risk that they might someday return and attack humanity, both Tigh and Adama noted that the Centurions had earned their freedom (TRS: "Daybreak, Part II").


Design[edit]

Close up on the head of a Centurion (TRS: "No Exit").

Modern Cylon Centurions are primarily mechanical beings in nature. Unlike their Cylon War-era predecessors, the current models have not been observed "bleeding" when injured (TRS: "33", "Razor", "Daybreak, Part II"). More agile than those predecessors, modern Centurions are capable of extremely fast bipedal locomotion (TRS: "Six Degrees of Separation", "Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down", "Daybreak, Part II").

Sleeker in appearance than their robotic ancestors, Centurions are humanoid in structure, with long limbs and heads partially encased in armor. Their hands have four long, multi-jointed claws that can be retracted into smooth-tipped fingers of human proportions to handle more delicate objects (TRS: "Valley of Darkness", "No Exit").

Centurions are not made to verbally communicate, though they communicate with each other via a wireless network, thus making verbal speech unnecessary. They can, however, hear and act upon verbal commands from the humanoid Cylons (TRS: "Hero").

Centurion with projectile weapon activated.

Some versions of the Centurion wield markedly improved armor. A platoon of Centurions that boarded Galactica were unaffected by standard weaponry; subdued only by armor-piercing explosive rounds (TRS: "Valley of Darkness"). Other Centurions appeared to be constructed from an alloy that is much lighter than that used in earlier models. During combat aboard the Colony, loyalist Centurions of the newer type were cut down by Colonial fire more forcefully than the earlier 0005 models (TRS: "Daybreak, Part II").

The Centurions that Karl "Helo" Agathon encountered on Caprica reacted more slowly, behaved less intelligently, and were more easily destroyed by small-arms fire as they were instructed thus due to the Cylons' plan to breed between Agathon and their copy of Sharon Valerii (TRS: "33", "Act of Contrition", "You Can't Go Home Again"). This changed after Agathon and Caprica-Valerii failed to report to the spot the Cylons set up for their "honey trap," where the Cylons become unencumbered by earlier dictates (TRS: "Colonial Day"). Centurions seen on Kobol displayed an increased group intelligence, working together to construct an anti-aircraft battery from parts of their Heavy Raider (TRS: "Fragged").

Offensive Capabilities[edit]

Modern Centurions battle Cylon War-era models (TRS: "Daybreak, Part II").

The modern Centurion can effectively oppose a squad of Colonial soldiers by means of various combat systems. Long, talon-like fingers act as bladed weapons during close-combat, and fold back to reveal a three-barreled automatic projectile weapon which may be used in fire-fights.

In addition to these built-in weapons, Centurions are capable of carrying larger, more powerful weapons not integrated into their systems, such as mortars and missile launchers (TRS: "Fragged"). One Centurion boarding Pegasus carries a large, and likely powerful, machine gun in its hands (TRS: "Razor").

Cinematic Notes[edit]

The creators of the re-imagined series decided that using actors in an elaborate robot outfit (as was done in the Original Series) would detract from the realism of the show. As such, the production made use of computer-generated Centurions in place of actors.

Inaugural director Michael Rymer originally wanted the Centurion to blend into the background (so as not to detract from the live-actor performances), but its design proved eye-catching, and the robot became a central addition to many scenes. These virtual Cylons were designed with full articulation in the hands and joints for realism, and were initially animated with more human movements, such as swaggering. However, these movements did not complement the robotic attitude that the writers wanted to convey, and were later discarded.

When filming a scene that will later have virtual Cylon Centurions inserted, a life-size cardboard stand-in is used for framing purposes. The stand-in gives the camera operator an idea of how much space to leave in the frame, and the animators a reference on how big the Centurions should be. The stand-in is removed so when shooting begins, the actors are reacting to an empty space. This minimizes the amount of work VFX must do to add a Centurion to the shot.

As of "Faith," a new model has been used to depict the Centurion. The new version features a bulkier head with sleeker lines and significantly sharpened cheek bones, separated collar and shoulder pieces, five-fingered (rather than four-taloned) hands, as well as an increased level of detail and flexibility over the entirety of its body. In the episode "No Exit," a Centurion using the new model had more detailed hands in a few close-up shots which were based off the original model, rather than the redesign. Though originally considered a retcon of the older model, there is evidence that this may not be the case. The previous design can be seen once more during the battle of the Colony, occasionally in the same shot as the newer variant. Generally, the Rebel Centurions were represented by the new design, while Cavil's Centurions used the original model (TRS: "Daybreak, Part II").

Related Imagery[edit]