Toggle menu
Toggle personal menu
Not logged in
Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits.

Humanoid Cylon: Difference between revisions

From Battlestar Wiki, the free, open content Battlestar Galactica encyclopedia and episode guide
Added to the origin of the Cylon agents regarding unresolved questions.
Joe Beaudoin Jr. (talk | contribs)
m Text replacement - ""," to ",""
 
(421 intermediate revisions by 72 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:CyAg.jpg|thumb|300px|Cylon copies of [[Number Five]], [[Number Six]], and [[Leoben Conoy]] at [[Ragnar Anchorage]]]]
{{cleanup}}
:''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.''
{{RDM cylons series}}
[[Image:CyAg.jpg|thumb|300px|From left to right: Cylon copies of [[Number Six]] (two copies pictured), [[Number Two]] (one copy pictured), and [[Number Five]] (two copies), at [[Ragnar Anchorage]]]]
'''Humanoid Cylons'''<ref>Viewers initially lacked an authentic term to call the humanoid Cylons by during Season 1. Here on the ''Battlestar Wiki'', the [[BW:TERM|descriptive term]] "Humano-Cylon" was used for a time. Dialogue in several episodes throughout Season 2 has canonically established "Cylon agent" to refer specifically to Cylon infiltrators, but since {{callsign|Athena}} and members of the Final Five work for the Colonials, ''Battlestar Wiki'''s preference is to use "humanoid Cylon" (which [[Tricia Helfer]] often uses in interviews, but apparently more for convenience than an official name). Some of the resistance fighters on Caprica refer to the humanoid Cylons as "skin jobs," an homage to ''[[Wikipedia:Blade Runner|Blade Runner]]''. William Adama refers to them as "humanoid models" in "[[Precipice]]," as does Samuel Anders in "[[No Exit]]". Sharon Valerii refers to them as "human models" in "[[Six Degrees of Separation]]" and Simon refers to them as "human Cylons" in "[[Torn]]"</ref> are an organic variant of [[Cylon Models|Cylon models]] in the [[Re-imagined Series]]. 


'''Cylon agents''' are [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] that mimic human form so completely that they are nearly undetectable to current Colonial technologies. Cylon agents can either be actively aware of their origins as Cylons or can be programmed to believe that they are truly human, resulting in a "sleeper agent". These types of Cylons were responsible for aiding in the complete destruction of the Twelve Colonies through their use of sabotage and infiltration.  
==Overview==
The humanoid Cylons have become the quintessential [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon form]] - the modern [[Cylon Centurion|Centurions]] are not fully sentient like their [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|predecessors]] and answer to the humanoids. These Cylons biologically mimic human form so completely that they are nearly undetectable to current Colonial technologies. Humanoid Cylons have the capacity to emulate many human physical acts, including sex. Their "programming" is such that they genuinely possess human personality traits (affection, love, sex drive, jealousy, sadness, anger, hatred, sense of humor, fear, happiness, religious faith, etc.).  


== Origins ==
The original purpose of the humanoid Cylons was to simply serve as the next step in Cylon evolution {{TRS|No Exit}}. However, the fact that they are designed to be as human-like as possible in appearance, internal anatomy and behavior makes them perfect spies. The humanoid Cylons are responsible for masterminding the complete destruction of the [[The Twelve Colonies of Kobol|Twelve Colonies]] through their use of sabotage and infiltration.


Following the end of the [[Cylon War]], the Cylons withdrew from Colonial space to a planet of their own. For some 40 years, nothing was heard of them, and no apparent attempt was made by the Colonials to keep an eye on them. The only contact expected between the two was created by the Colonial government through planned annual diplomatic meetings at [[Armistice Station]]. However, while the Colonials sent a repesentative to the station every year, the Cylons did not ([[Miniseries]]).  
==Origins==
Although at least one human-shaped robot existed in the [[Twelve Colonies of Kobol]] prior to the [[First Cylon War]] (housing a copy of the consciousness of [[Zoe Graystone]]), this was not a truly biological android and her connection to the later humanoid Cylons is unclear. All that is known about Graystone's android body is that the bath from which she emerged resembled a [[resurrection tank]], her mother the plastic surgeon [[Amanda Graystone]] gave her skin, and she may have been in contact with the five survivors of the [[Thirteenth Tribe]] ([[CAP]]: "[[Apotheosis (episode)|Apotheosis]]," DVD commentary for "Apotheosis").


[[Image:Season 3 Female Cylons.jpg|thumb|150px|Numbers [[Number Six|Six]], [[Number Three|Three]], and [[Number Eight|Eight]]]]
Following the end of the Cylon War, nothing was heard of the Cylons in 40 years {{TRS|Miniseries, Night 1}}.
During their forty years of isolation, the Cylons developed or evolved into a ''humanoid form''<ref name="humanoids">The idea of Cylons in humanoid form 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]]''.</ref> that is indistinguishable with the human form, down to the cellular level, but not completely at a molecular level. These '''Cylon agents'''<ref name="name">Viewers initially lacked an authentic term to call the humanoid Cylons during season 1 of the series. Here on the ''Battlestar Wiki'', the descriptive term "Humano-Cylon" was used for a time. Dialogue in several episodes throughout season 2 have consistently used "Cylon agent" to describe the humanoid Cylons. Other names are also used, such as "humanoid Cylons" (which [[Tricia Helfer]] often uses in interviews, but apparently more for convenience than an official name), or "Bio-Cylons" which is sometimes used derisively by fans of the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]].
*Some of the resistance fighters on Caprica refer to the Cylon agents as "Skin Jobs," a script reference to ''[[Wikipedia:Blade Runner|Blade Runner]]''.</ref> have the capacity to emulate many human physical acts, including sex, as demonstrated by the Number Six, Number Eight and Cavil models. Cylon agents also display convincingly human personalities (affection, jealousy, sadness, anger, sense of humor etc.) In fact, they do so even when interacting with other Cylons outside of Colonial scrutiny, making it clear that these personalities are real. The majority of the Cylons follow a monotheistic religion (with the possible exception of the [[Cavil|Brother Cavil model]]).


Cylon agents can be programmed to believe that they are truly human. These are known as 'sleeper agents'. Sleeper agents appear to have a low-level Cylon personality that can conduct operations while placing the human sleeper personality "on-hold." The [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|first copy of Sharon Valerii]], known by her callsign of "Boomer" on battlestar ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'', had little awareness of her true nature until her arrest for the attempted assassination of [[William Adama]] ([[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II]]). This sleeper agent conducts or aids in sabotage operations within the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] ([[Water]], [[Litmus]]). Most agent copies, particularly [[Number Five|Numbers Five]] [[Number Six|and Six]], imitate human behavior, but are fully aware of their true nature and behave more or less like a human "spy."
[[Image:Season 3 Female Cylons.jpg|thumb|150px|From left to right: Numbers [[Number Six|Six]], [[Number Three|Three]], and [[Number Eight|Eight]]]]
During their forty years of isolation, the Cylons developed ''humanoid'' models <ref>The idea of Cylons in humanoid form in ''Battlestar Galactica'' is not new. This concept appeared over 25 years earlier in the episode "[[The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I|The Night the Cylons Landed]]" in the short-lived spinoff of the Original Series, ''[[Galactica 1980]]''. Unlike the humanoid Cylons, however, [[Andromus]] was an [[Wikipedia:Android|android]], akin to the character of [[MemoryAlpha:Data|Data]] from ''[[MemoryAlpha:Star Trek: The Next Generation|Star Trek: The Next Generation]]''.</ref>. The first step in their evolution from pure machines to organic beings was known as the "[[First Hybrid]]." Other [[Hybrid]]s were later created to control [[Basestar (RDM)|baseships]] {{TRS|Razor}}. Hybrid models are not fully humanoid and cannot live on their own, thus are considered an evolutionary dead end.


[[Image:Gina catatonic.jpg|thumb|left|The emotionally scarred Number Six copy, called "Gina". Her catatonic state proves that the Cylon psyche is susceptible to the same pressures and cleavages as the human psyche.]]
The new humanoid Cylons were created by the five survivors of an earlier generation of humanoid Cylons from [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]] in exchange for the [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|Centurions]] ending the [[Cylon War]]. These five early generation Cylons (now known as the "[[Final Five]]") are the descendants of Cylons created by humans on {{RDM|Kobol}} thousands of years ago. These humanoid Cylons were the [[Thirteenth Tribe (RDM)|Thirteenth Tribe]] that left Kobol and settled Earth.


Agents are also susceptible to the same emotional traumas and clevages that their human counterparts are, further proving that personalities are a realistic part of their psyche, despite the presence of the Cylon portion of their personality. A case in point is a copy of Number Six, known as [[Gina]], who was repeatedly physically and sexually assaulted by the crew of ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]''. These repeated assaults lead to Gina's near-catatonic state at the time ''Peagsus'' discovered [[the Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] ([[Pegasus (episode)|Pegasus]]).
The Five created the [[Number One]] model first and named them John. They initially developed eight humanoid models and copied each of them many times over. However, the [[Number Seven|seventh model]], Daniel, was destroyed by Number One out of jealousy. Number One (also known as "Cavil") contaminated the amniotic fluid in which the Number Seven copies were maturing and then corrupted the genetic formula.


As evidenced by [[Number Three]]'s prophetic visions in "[[Exodus, Part I]]", Cylon agents can also experience dreams while sleeping. It's not yet clear whether or not it is usual for Cylons to dream, but Three speaks to Doctor [[Cottle]] as though it is. The psychology of Cylon agents is based on what they simply refere to as "projection." It's how they choose to see the world around them. Cylons choose the see their environment in any form they wish, whenever they wish. For example, if a Cylon were standing in a hallway, they could see it as a forest filled with birds, trees, and sunlight. The aesthetics is what gives them pleasure. ([[Torn]])
==Physiology and Psychology==
Humanoid Cylons are not merely robots with a human appearance, they possess actual flesh and blood. They are visually indistinguishable from humans down to the cellular level, but not completely at a molecular level. Dr. [[Gaius Baltar]] is able to create a [[Cylon detector|detector]] that can distinguish Cylon from human, but rarely uses the device to a positive end {{TRS|Litmus|Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down}}. Deceptions on the part of Dr. Baltar in regards to the true nature of sleeper agent [[Sharon Valerii]] led to the detector being inaccurately labelled useless and abandoned {{TRS|Resistance|He That Believeth in Me}}. The Cylons themselves have accurate methods for testing biological samples and determining whether they are human or Cylon {{TRS|Sometimes a Great Notion}}.


Although they cannot do so remotely or wirelessly, Cylon agents can interface with a computer system or computer network through subdermal physical contact with input cables connected to the devices. In "[[Flight of the Phoenix]]," [[Sharon Agathon|Caprica-Valerii]] connected to ''Galactica'''s computers by this method when she inserted a fiber-optic cable through her left palm and into her arm. This subdermal fiber-optical link suggests that certain tissues in a Cylon agent are photo-reactive. The process involves cutting an opening into the agent's palm and appears painful and was not the common method of data access. Sharon Agathon used her arm again on a [[Cylon data port]] located in a secure complex on Cylon-occupied [[New Caprica]]. This time, the Cylon touched her arm to a complex table of lights to authorize access to a storage area. The Cylon's forearm illuminated in the same location where she had used ''Galactica's'' fiber-optic cable over a year before.
Each humanoid Cylon has the same face, stature, hair, eye and skin color, sex, apparent age, and other biometrics as all the others of his or her model. Some copies choose to make cosmetic differences. Examples include [[D'Anna Biers]], [[Gina Inviere]], and a Number Six copy with black hair {{TRS|Torn}}. In addition, each copy appears to start with the same basic personality, but each personality grows more distinct due to their individual experiences. For example, any two random Eights are more or less interchangeable, but [[Sharon Valerii]] and {{callsign|Athena}} have become highly individuated.


[[Image:Valerii_optic_input.jpg|right|thumb|[[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Caprica-Valerii]] interfaces with ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica's]]''  [[Computers|mainframe computer]] and communication systems by fiber-optic link]]
The Cylon brain appears to have the same basic anatomical structure as the human brain and is claimed by [[Caprica-Six]] to operate on the same principle {{TRS|Escape Velocity}}, yet is based on the [[silica pathways|silica pathway]] technology developed by the Colonies for the original mechanical [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005|Centurion]] models {{TRS|Miniseries}}. It is this inherited technology that apparently allows humanoid Cylons to do things that a human brain and nervous system may not or cannot do, such as stellar navigate with the naked eye {{TRS|The Face of the Enemy}}, program and compile computer code {{TRS|Flight of the Phoenix}}, and interface directly with other technologies {{TRS|Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I|Islanded in a Stream of Stars]]").
A Cylon agent's brain is certainly human in appearance, but is apparently still susceptible to damage from certain types of radiation. Upon the death of an agent's body, a Cylon agent transfers its consciousness into another copy of itself. This ability is limited by distance, signal integrity, and proximity to a resurrection node or, in space, a [[Resurrection Ship]] ([[Miniseries]], "[[Flesh and Bone]]," "[[Resurrection Ship, Part II]]").


Based on [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Caprica Sharon Valerii]]'s conversation with [[Kara Thrace]] in the episode, "[[The Farm]]," it appears that all Cylon agents may share a ''collective knowledgebase'' of data from other active or deactivated Cylon agents. (A collective knowledgebase works more like an internet chat forum, or even a wiki, which differs from the concept of the collective consciousness as seen in SF characters such as the Borg in ''Star Trek.'' Writers of the show have indicated this type of "hive mind" is not used with agents.)
Humanoid Cylons' memories and programming can be tampered with. The Number Ones altered the memories of the Number Twos, Number Threes, Number Fours, Number Fives, Number Sixes and Number Eights to remove knowledge of the Final Five from them and programmed them not to think or talk about the Five. The Ones also blocked the real memories of the Final Five and imprinted them with fake memories so that they believed they were human. The same was done to [[Sharon Valerii]], but in her case her original memories could be awakened with a trigger so that she would commit acts of sabotage against the human fleet.


Valerii spoke of a conversation between Thrace and the second captured [[Leoben Conoy]] copy in the Fleet. This information would only be known to that now-dead Leoben copy if sharing were not possible. Kara Thrace's call sign, Starbuck, was also a likely bit of information gleaned from the collective knowledgebase that [[Simon]] knew of the Viper pilot, although Thrace never told him of her call sign and used it to strike back at her abductors ([[The Farm]]). Also, during "[[Flight of the Phoenix]]," Caprica-Valerii asks [[Anastasia Dualla]] if she still carried her pocket knife, a fact which should have been known only to the ''Galactica'' copy. When under duress, "Boomer" Valerii is able to tell [[Gaius Baltar]] the number of remaining Cylon agent agents in the Fleet, information that would be impossible to gather without a collective knowledgebase to all agents ([[Resistance (episode)|Resistance]]).
Valerii is the only such sleeper agent known. Other Cylon infiltrators are fully aware of their true nature. The Final Five were never infiltrators as such, rather the Ones made them live through the [[Cylon Attack]] as "humans" in order to teach them a lesson.


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 the Cylon agent design.  Cylon agents 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 apparently 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 (Ron Moore said there are presumably also farms for male humans, plus in vitro experiment labs, etc.).  However, this method has been unsuccessful thus far. Another drastically different approach is taken by attempting to conceive a child through a bond of love.  It seems that [[Karl Agathon|Helo]] and [[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Caprica-Sharon Valerii]]'s love-child is the lone success story of the relatively short history of Cylon sexual reproduction ([[The Farm]]).
[[Image:Gina catatonic.jpg|thumb|left|The emotionally scarred Number Six copy known as "Gina Inviere".]]
Humanoid Cylons are susceptible to the same emotional traumas and joys that humans are, as they cannot "turn off" their ability to feel pain or other emotions {{TRS|Escape Velocity}}, further proving that personalities are a real part of their psyche. A case in point is a copy of Number Six, known as [[Gina Inviere]], who is physically and sexually assaulted repeatedly by the crew of ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]''. These repeated assaults lead to Inviere's near-catatonic state and suicidal desires at the time ''Pegasus'' discovers the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] {{TRS|Pegasus (episode)}}.  


===Who created the agents?===
Humanoid Cylons can sleep and dream<ref>A Number Three speaks casually to Doctor [[Cottle]] about her [[Dodona Selloi|prophetic dreams]] of the child [[Hera Agathon|Hera]] in "[[Exodus, Part I]]". John Cavil used to suffer nightmares ("[[No Exit]]").</ref>, however they can live without doing so, and the Ones have reprogrammed themselves to prevent sleep, wishing to avoid nightmares.
There is no authoritative answer to this question.  The opening credits claim the Cylons evolved, but there are problems with this explanation.  Options include:
*The Cylons “evolved”.  The opening credits claim the Cylons evolved. This explanation is highly unlikely in the traditional sense of the Darwinian sense of the word.  Evolution of this magnitude would happen over thousands of years, not forty.
*The new models were created by the original Cylons. The original Cylon model appears to be the [[Cylon Centurion Model 0005]]. Unless they are more intelligent than they appear, this model does not seem capable of conducting the research and development needed to create Cylon agents. 
*The Cylon agents were not created by Cylons, but rather by humans.  This option would explain many details such as why only 12 models exist and more cannot be created.  If the Cylon agents are products of humanity, then the technology to create more may be lost.  This would also explain why 12 were created instead of some other number.  Humans might have created one human model for each one of the 12 colonies.


===Why cannot more models be created?===
Reproduction is important to the Cylons, because one of their God's commandments is to "be fruitful". Both male and female Cylon models possess reproductive systems which should be fully functional, but have a flaw that is not properly understood. The Ones, Twos, Fours, and Fives have tried to impregnate the Threes, Sixes, and Eights many times, but all these attempts at sexual reproduction have failed<ref>In [[Podcast:Deadlock|the podcast for "Deadlock"]], Ronald Moore says that conceptions presumably did happen but none lasted long.</ref>. The Cylons try to interbreed with humans to subvert this deficiency, creating hybrid offspring. "[[Farms]]" were set up across all the occupied Colonies where survivors, including young fertile women of child-bearing age, were rounded up, placed under heavy sedation and turned into "baby machines" through artificial insemination. There are also farms for male humans, plus ''in vitro'' experiment labs, etc ([[TRS]]: "[[The Farm]]" [[Podcast:The Farm|podcast]]). If a captured human agrees to cooperate, he or she is instead set up with a Cylon sexual partner on a voluntary basis. However, these methods have all been unsuccessful thus far.
The Cylons are obsessed with being able to reproduce. It seems as though the Cylons should be able to reproduce the process used to create the original twelve human models and thus negate the need to procreate through other means. Some possible explanations include:
*The Cylon agents were not created by Cylons, but rather by humans. It is therefore feasible that the Cylons never knew how to create more models.
*The twelve agents were created by “[[God]]. The Cylon religion focuses on a single creator.  It is possible their religious beliefs are actually based upon the facets of their own creation by a single entity.
*The science used to create new models was lost or forgotten.
*Religious reasons prevented creating any more than twelve models. 
*The new models were created by the original Cylons, but the process of creating new models is difficult or resource intensive.  This could explain the forty years the Cylons spent in exile.


===When were the first agents created?===
Another drastically different approach is taken by attempting to conceive a child through a bond of love, because of the Cylon belief that "God is Love". [[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 {{TRS|The Farm}}. More recent conceptions of human-Cylon hybrids or pure Cylon offspring have either been proven untrue (in the case of [[Galen Tyrol]]'s child [[Nicholas Tyrol]]) or miscarried during pregnancy ([[Saul Tigh]] and [[Caprica-Six]]'s unborn child [[Liam|Liam Tigh]]).
The earliest mention of Cylon agents is two years before the destruction of the 12 colonies. This information does not provide concrete evidence as to when the first models were created and how long they have been among the human population.  There is also no evidence as to whether all the 12 models were created at once or whether they were created at different times during the forty year exile.


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


== Known Cylon Agent Models ==
Some Cylons, like some humans, are spiritually sensitive and have been known to receive visions. For example, D'Anna Biers, [[Caprica-Six]], and Sharon Agathon {{TRS|Hero|Crossroads, Part I}}. The Number Two model regularly claims to see patterns and have insight into future events {{TRS|Flesh and Bone|Occupation}}.
[[Image:Cylonagentdossier.jpg|right|200px]]
There are twelve models of Cylon agents ([[Miniseries]]), representing twelve archetypes the Cylons have witnessed in humanity. All seven models revealed to the viewers as Cylon agents<ref name="dossier">The term "Known Cylon agents" is shown on a dossier on the models shown on [[Laura Roslin]]'s desk on ''[[Colonial One]]'' in the episode "[[Epiphanies]]."</ref> have also been revealed to the central Colonial characters (on [[New Caprica]] at least) as of the episode, "[[Occupation]]."


There are many copies of each model, although the specific number of each copy (or the number of individual personalities that inhabit them) has not been specified.
==Cylon Religion==
{{mainarticle|Cylon Religion}}
The Cylons follow a [[Cylon Religion|monotheistic religion]] to varying extents. Fanatical devotion to God is the central part of [[Number Two]]'s character, whilst the [[Number Six|Sixes]], [[Number Three|Threes]], and to a lesser extent the [[Number Eight|Eights]] also have strong faith. The [[Number One]]s are atheistic. [[Number Four|Fours']] and [[Number Five|Fives']] views are not so well known, but they too take the "non-religious side" in the [[Cylon Civil War]]. The Cylon belief system is handed down from the original Centurions and the Final Five.


Each Cylon agent has the same face, stature, hair, eye & skin color, gender, and other biometrics as all the others of his or her model. This point technically makes each copy a twin of itself. Each copy appears to start with the same basic personality, but each personality grows more distinct due to their individual experiences.
==Cybernetic Behavior==
[[Image:Valerii_optic_input.jpg|right|120px|thumb|[[Sharon Agathon|Athena]] interfaces with ''Galactica''{{'|s}} [[Computers|computer systems]].]] 
Upon the death of its body, a humanoid Cylon's consciousness is automatically transferred into another copy of itself. This "[[Resurrection (RDM)|resurrection]]" is limited by signal integrity and proximity to the Cylon homeworld or a [[Resurrection Ship]] {{TRS|Miniseries, Night 1|Flesh and Bone|Resurrection Ship, Part II}}.


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


[[Image:Biers Downloaded.JPG|thumb|left|Number Three]]
The humanoid Cylons' psychology is based on what they simply refer to as "[[projection]]". Essentially an enhanced form of a self-induced and controlled hallucination, projection is how they choose to see the world around them, in any form they wish, whenever they wish. For example, if a Cylon were standing in a hallway, they could choose to see it as a forest filled with birds, trees, and sunlight. This mode of visualization is pleasing to humanoid Cylons {{TRS|Torn}}<ref>[[Gaius Baltar]]'s dreamlike interactions with his [[Virtual beings|virtual Number Six]] is strikingly similar to Cylon projection. See the article, [[Baltar as Cylon speculation]] for more on this issue.</ref>. Cylons can share these virtual worlds with each other {{TRS|Someone to Watch Over Me}}.
This model was witnessed by viewers posing as a reporter from the [[Fleet News Service]] and was revealed to be a Cylon to viewers at the end of "[[Final Cut]]" when a second copy was shown living on Caprica. Threes seem to be the most calculating and duplicitous models shown. The copy that tried to [[Boxed|box]] Sharon Valerii exhibited these characteristics strongly.


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


It is reasonable to assume that the surviving Caprica Resistance members have since revealed this information to the Fleet authorities, either after their rescue, or through the intelligence updates from the [[New Caprica Resistance]] prior to the battlestar's planned rescue mission in "[[Exodus, Part II]]" over a year later.
[[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.


A copy of this model has appeared under the name/alias "[[D'anna Biers]]."
After being "stared at" by a [[Raider (RDM)|Cylon Raider]], [[Samuel Anders]]{{'}} right eye briefly flashes red, the Raider responds to this apparent [[IFF]] procedure by flying away, and a Cylon fleet attacking the Colonials retreats {{TRS|He That Believeth in Me}}.
<div style="clear: both;"></div>


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


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


Viewers first meet Doral during a tour of ''Galactica'' with other Colonial citizens (possibly the press) as we see the battlestar for the first time at the start of the [[Miniseries]]. Viewers aren't sure of Doral's true identity as the second Cylon agent until the Miniseries' conclusion.
The Significant Eight have numerical designations and were designed based on personality archetypes the Cylons had witnessed in humanity, however this is not true of the Final Five. All the Significant Eight models except the Sixes have come to be associated with a particular "human name," and even other Cylons will refer to "Leobens," "Sharons," "Daniels," "D'Annas" and so on.  


Copies of this model have appeared under the name/alias "[[Aaron Doral]]."
===Significant Eight===


A copy of Number Five is seen with [[Caprica-Six]] and [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)]] at the end of Season 2, and seems to be in command of the others. While Six and Sharon express concern and warning to Baltar and the New Capricans, Five expresses a tone of unmistakable threat.
The seven surviving models of the Significant Eight were the first seven Cylons to be revealed to the Colonials. With the exception of Number Seven, whose entire line was sabotaged {{TRS|No Exit}}, there are many copies of each model, all totaling in the millions according to [[Number One]] and Ellen Tigh. The identities of these mechanized copies are determined by their model and each model is unique {{TRS|Six of One}}. These models were designed by the Final Five {{TRS|No Exit}}.


A copy of Number Five (presumably the same entity seen at the end of Season 2) has [[Jammer]] detained, and is questioning him at the [[New Caprica Detention Center]] in Webisode 7. He shows classic tactics to try to buy the young refugee's trust, and eventually glean information from him about the [[resistance]]. He provides [[Jammer]] with a keycard which will allow him to alert this Five in order to report further intelligence for the sake of peace.
==== [[Number One]] ====
<div style="clear: both;"></div>


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


[[Image:Whiterainsix 33.JPG|thumb|left|Number Six]]
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.
This is the first Cylon agent model shown to viewers at the start of the [[Miniseries]].


This model utilizes the human need / desire for sexual relations to her advantage.  She tends to be very  religious and monotheistic.  Model 6 desires to know what it is to be alive. There is something inherently enigmatic about her, more so than with the other models. Sixes have been described as "usually so hardcore", referring to their tendencies towards violence.
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.  


Typically she is the alpha female, as demonstrated on multiple occasions ([[Miniseries]], [[33]], [[Water]], [[Six Degrees of Separation]]).
This Number One model in particular seems to be in something approaching a leadership role on one of the basestars {{TRS|Six of One}}. This model assumes some authority and wields influence over the others, yet decisions are still reached through majority vote. However, this is soon overturned by the rebellion of the Cylons led by [[Natalie]], a [[Number Six]], and the body of this One is killed by Centurions. The resurrected Cavil assumes leadership of one faction in the [[Cylon Civil War]].


Copies of this model have appeared under the names/aliases "[[Shelly Godfrey]]" , "[[Gina]]", and "[[Caprica-Six|Caprica]]" (in honor of her work on Caprica towards the destruction of the Colonies).
The [[Number One]] model was the first model created by the [[Final Five]], and assisted them in creating the other models of the [[Significant Eight]]. Unfortunately, the [[Number One]]s eventually rebelled against the Five and exiled them to the [[Twelve Colonies]] with their memories erased. Prior to this, they eradicated the entire [[Number Seven]] model line out of jealousy, and secretly programmed their brothers and sisters of the other six models to lose all knowledge of their makers. The Number One model was given the name John by the Final Five, but does not like this appellation.  


A virtual personality of Number Six haunts [[Gaius Baltar]] in a manner only he can see or hear. Throughout seasons one and two of the series, viewers presume this "virtual Six" was the "[[Caprica-Six]]" persona destroyed in the Miniseries. However, this persona appears not to be the same consciousness as Caprica-Six at all. Not only does Baltar's virtual Six appear to have a separate, destructive agenda from the reanimated [[Caprica-Six]] (containing the same personality template that infiltrates the Colonial military and falls in love with Baltar), but Caprica-Six is ''herself'' haunted by a virtual ''Gaius Baltar.'' See the [[Cylon-Related Hallucinations]] article for more on this confusing, but intriguing turn of events.
{{clear}}
<div style="clear: both;"></div>
==== [[Number Two]] ====


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


[[Image:Boomerraincoat Colonialday.JPG|thumb|Number Eight]]
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 {{TRS|Flesh and Bone|Occupation|Precipice|The Road Less Traveled}}.
Number Eight is generally a saboteur designed 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 Cylon agent model to show its abilities as a soldier. This model has shown naiveté in many matters.  She is apparently not as religious as other Cylon models, but 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 alliances from Cylon to Colonial after falling in love with Helo and aids the Colonials [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|for a time]] (several episodes, most notably "[[Flight of the Phoenix]]"). Number Eight is the third Cylon agent introduced during the [[Miniseries]]. However, viewers do not discover her true identity until the very end of the Miniseries when a second copy of Sharon Valerii appears at [[Ragnar Anchorage]] while retrieving an abandoned copy of Number Five.
Two can be likened to the serpent of the [[w:Genesis|Genesis]] tale in the Earth [[w:Bible|Christian Bible]], taunting people with knowledge, then watching as the negative consequences come into devastating fruition. Copies have likely been encountered by the [[Caprica Resistance]], as [[Samuel Anders]] recites in jest some the "swimming in the stream" comment made by another Number Two copy captured in the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] {{TRS|Flesh and Bone|The Farm}}.


[[Sharon Valerii (Caprica copy)|Copies]] of this model have appeared under the name "[[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Sharon Valerii]]."
The Number Twos are part of the rebel faction in the Cylon Civil War.
<div style="clear: both;"></div>
{{clear}}
==== [[Number Three]] ====


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


[[Image:CyLeo.jpg|thumb|left|Leoben Conoy]]
This model's status as a Cylon is unknown to the Colonials until either shortly after the rescue of the surviving members of the [[Caprica Resistance]] or after the Cylon occupation of [[New Caprica]] {{TRS|Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II}}.
Leoben Conoy (Cylon agent model number unknown) was the fourth model witnessed by viewers (although viewers would not know until the end of the [[Miniseries]] that they had already seen the third introduced Cylon agent, Sharon Valerii). The Conoy model has shown to be religiously oriented and claims to be prescient on some level, using dogma and intermixing truth with falsehoods.  It was first discovered on [[Ragnar Station]], claiming to be a scavenger / arms dealer ([[Miniseries]]).


The Conoy models also appear obsessed with matters of mating, bonding, and reproduction, as demonstrated by a particular agent's fascination and obsession with [[Kara Thrace]] ("[[Flesh and Bone]]," "[[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]," "[[Occupation]]," "[[Precipice]]," and "[[Exodus, 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.  


Conoy can be likened to the serpent of the [[Wikipedia:Genesis|Genesis]] tale in the Earth [[Wikipedia: Christian Bible|Christian Bible]], taunting people with knowledge then watching as the negative consequences come into devastating fruition. Leoben copies have likely been encountered by the [[Caprica Resistance]], as [[Samuel Anders]] recites in jest some comments made by another Leoben copy captured in [[The Fleet (RDM)|the Fleet]] ([[Flesh and Bone]], [[The Farm]]).
One of the goals of the rebel faction in the Cylon Civil War is to unbox D'Anna and learn what she knows. She is actually unboxed by Cavil and Boomer, who want to her to speak to the rebels and get them to stop fighting, but this discussion is interrupted by a joint Colonial and rebel Cylon attack on the [[Resurrection Hub]] {{TRS|Rapture}}. With the Resurrection Hub destroyed in the battle, D'Anna is the only Number Three copy in existence. She is retrieved and assumes leadership of the rebels to make contact with the Final Five, eventually reaching Earth with the Colonial fleet, but decides to stay behind there and die, following the revelation that Earth is a barren nuclear wasteland {{TRS|The Hub|Revelations|Sometimes a Great Notion}}.
<div style="clear: both;"></div>


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


[[Image:Simon Farm2.JPG|thumb|Simon]]
[[Image:Cysim.jpg|thumb|right|Number Four/Simon O'Neill]]
The Simon model (Cylon agent model number unknown) was encountered by [[Kara Thrace|Kara "Starbuck" Thrace]] on Cylon-occupied [[The Twelve Colonies (RDM)#Caprica|Caprica]]. Posing as a doctor, Simon was 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, Simon doesn't seem to have many military aspects to his physical or mental configuration, and was easily overcome by a wounded Thrace. Simon may be a model based primarily on human intellectualism.
The Number Four model is first encountered by [[Kara Thrace]] on Cylon-occupied {{RDM|Caprica}}. Posing as a doctor under the name Simon, this Number Four is actually involved with the Cylon hybridization program. Simon resembles a tall, somewhat thin middle-aged black man who speaks in a comforting strong voice {{TRS|The Farm}}. Simon is a model based primarily on human intellectualism and logic<ref>A Four expresses the moral dilemmas of rescuing a crippled basestar as having no scientific answer in "[[Torn]]".</ref>. A Four model also infiltrated the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] prior to the occupation of [[New Caprica]].  Posing as a doctor enlisted in the Colonial Fleet under the name of Simon O'Neill, he escapes the destruction of the colonies aboard the Cybele with his adopted daughter and is later reunited with his wife Giana who he truly loved.  He killed himself beyond resurrection range ultimately to prevent himself betraying the Fleet.  Another Four served as the team doctor for the [[Caprica Buccaneers]] at the time of the attack and fought as a part of [[Samuel Anders|Anders]]' resistance.  He was found out when the Resistance rescued Starbuck from another copy and was presumably killed for being a Cylon.  In any case, the model is now known to the general populace, many humans likely saw a Number Four model during the occupation and Starbuck revealed his existence upon her return to the Fleet.
<div style="clear: both;"></div>


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


[[Image:Cyca2.jpg|thumb|left|Cavil]]
[[Image:Doral.jpg|thumb|left|Number Five/Aaron Doral]]
Brother Cavil (Cylon agent model number unknown) gives counsel to [[Galen Tyrol|Chief Tyrol]] after his maddened attack against [[Cally Henderson Tyrol|Cally]]Despite his disdain in prayer and religous pomp and circumstance ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]), Cavil conducts a prayer session with [[Laura Roslin]], the latter apparently hoping that prayer would aid her success in the elections. Another copy of Cavil appears on [[Caprica]], informing a [[Caprica Resistance]] [[SAR]] team that the Cylons had left the Colonies some 18 hours after Cylon units cease an attack on their unit.  When the Caprica SAR team returns to ''Galactica'', Tyrol recognizes and identifies Cavil as a Cylon agent. For a priest, and especially for a Cylon, Cavil displays an utter disdain for both the beliefs of the Colonial's [[Lords of Kobol]] and the Cylon [[God]].
This model attempts to sow the seeds of discontent or confusion, particularly during crucial life-threatening situations, and endeavors to undermine authority that threatens his objectives {{TRS|Miniseries}}Number Five models are more covert than others, assuming an ordinary "everyman" appearance that's blended in what may seem to be insignificant behind-the-scenes issues (such as converting ''Galactica'' into a museum). Of all the models thus far, the Number Five models are among the most militant, fanatic, and consistent in message and objectives to the Cylon objectives, whether he is dispassionately discussing the fate of humanity with his comrades or attempting to kill or maim Colonials in a suicide bomb attack {{TRS|Litmus}}.


[[Cavil#Caprica-Cavil|Caprica-Cavil]] alleges that he is sent to ''Galactica'' as a messenger of peace.  He relays what occurred after [[Caprica-Six]] and [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)]] are rescued from the wreckage of the cafe bombing ([[Downloaded]]).  The two "Heroes of the Cylon" use their new found celebrity to voice what many in the Cylon population felt themselves... The Cylon annihilation of the human race and occupation of the Twelve Colonies was wrong.  Caprica-Cavil tells [[William Adama|Admiral Adama]] and [[Laura Roslin|President Roslin]] that the Cylons will go their own way, and leave the Fleet alone.
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.


But Cavil's proclamation [[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II|proves false a year later]] ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II]]), due to the change in the Cylons' attitudes caused by Caprica-Six and Boomer, as the Cylons arrive to allegedly help the humans and live in peaceful coexistence with them ("[[Occupation]]", "[[Precipice]]").
Copies of this model have appeared under the alias "[[Aaron Doral]]".  


Interestingly, the Fleet copy of Cavil claims, in conversation with Tyrol, that he had been preaching longer than Tyrol had been "sucking down oxygen"  ([[Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I]]).  If Cavil is being truthful and, assuming Tyrol is roughly thirty years old, Cavil has been operational for at least thirty years.  This information conflicts with aired information that suggests that Cylon agent infiltration of the Colonies began approximately two years prior to the Miniseries. Based on this information, it is likely that Cavil's comment is part of his "cover" as an older Colonial citizen.
The Number Fives are part of Cavil's faction in the Cylon Civil War.
{{clear}}
==== [[Number Six]] ====


As demonstrated on Cylon-occupied [[New Caprica]], Cavil models do not subscribe to the theology of the Cylon, but usually adheres to the party lines in group decisions. In several instances, the Cavils display dark, draconian solutions to the insurgency on New Caprica that equal the militant zeal of Numbers Three and Five. Unlike the other models, however, the Cavils lack a "moral compass" that theology usually creates, and so may be solicit answers that may be more dramatic or drastic than other Cylon agents.
[[File:NumSix.jpg|thumb|right|Number Six]]
This is the first humanoid Cylon model shown to viewers at the start of the [[Miniseries]].


== Speculated Infiltrators ==
Stunningly beautiful, promiscuous and sensual, this model utilizes the human need and desire for sexual relations to her advantage. She tends to be very religious and monotheistic. Number Six desires to know what it is to be alive. Sixes have been described as "usually so hardcore," referring to their tendencies towards violence.
 
Sixes are the only model who appear not to have one particular "human name"; copies have appeared under the aliases "[[Shelly Godfrey]]," "[[Gina Inviere]]," "[[Natalie Faust]]," "Lida," "Sonja," and "[[Caprica-Six|Caprica]]" (in honor of her work on Caprica towards the destruction of the Colonies). She seems not to have been known by any name by [[Gaius Baltar]], even as the two formed a love to last eternity before the fall on Caprica. 
 
Six is also the only model known to exhibit significant variations in appearance&mdash;several different hairstyles and hair colors have been noted&mdash;as well as noticable differences in personality, ranging from idealistic (Caprica) to assertive and take-charge (Natalie) to wide-eyed and innocent (Lida).
 
Shortly after the attacks, Baltar began experiencing interactions from an entity (informally dubbed [[Messenger Six]]) that resembles the version of Caprica-Six that seduced him prior to the attacks. It is unclear what relation if any that Messengerl Six&mdash;that only Gaius Baltar can see and hear&mdash;has to the physical Sixes. Caprica-Six, meanwhile also began to experience interactions with a [[Virtual Baltar]] after the attacks.
 
The Number Sixes are part of the rebel faction, of which Natalie Faust was originally the leader, in the Cylon Civil War.
{{clear}}
==== [[Number Seven]] ====
 
Number Seven, also known as "Daniel," is a previously-undisclosed model whose existence is revealed by Number One and members of the Final Five who have recovered their memories {{TRS|No Exit}}. This model is believed to be defunct due to a sabotage by Number One prior to the Second Cylon War. The Daniel model was artistic and sensitive, and had a close relationship with [[Ellen Tigh]], which led to murderous fraternal jealousy on the part of the Cavil model. Nothing is known about this model's appearance.
 
It is possible that Number Seven was named after [[Daniel Graystone]], the inventor of the Twelve Colonies' Centurions.<ref>In [[Podcast:No Exit]], Ron D. Moore describes Daniel as "a springboard for ''[[Caprica (series)|Caprica]]''".</ref>
 
==== [[Number Eight]] ====
 
[[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 {{TRS|Water}}. The Number Eight model is the closest witnessed humanoid Cylon model to show its abilities as a soldier. This model has shown naiveté in many matters. She is religious like most other Cylon models, has demonstrated that she can love, and is capable of being impregnated by a human {{TRS|Six Degrees of Separation|Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part II}}.
 
She is known for being internally conflicted, as seen in the identity crisis of the sleeper agent known as "Boomer". {{TRS|Water}}. Also, the fully aware Sharon Valerii found by [[Karl Agathon|Karl "Helo" Agathon]] on Caprica switches allegiances from Cylon to Colonial after falling in love with Helo and aids the Colonials many times {{TRS|Flight of the Phoenix}}. Eventually, she is able to gain the trust of the humans, particularly [[William Adama]], and becomes a [[Raptor]] pilot in the [[Colonial Fleet (TRS)|Colonial Fleet]] under the name [[Sharon Agathon|Sharon "Athena" Agathon]].
 
The original sleeper agent copy of this model appeared under the name "[[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]]." Her copy on Caprica used the same identity before marrying Helo and joining the Colonial fleet.
 
The Number Eights are part of the rebel faction in the Cylon Civil War, with the exception of Boomer (who is Cavil's consort) and Athena (who is part of the human fleet, and thus merely allied with the rebels).
{{clear}}
=== Final Five ===
 
{{Mainarticle|Final Five}}
 
The identities of the missing five Cylon models remain a mystery long after the revelation of the identities of the "Significant Seven".
 
[[Gaius Baltar]], who knows there are twelve extant Cylon models yet has only observed seven aboard the Cylon baseship, coins the term "Final Five" for the five that are missing. [[Caprica-Six]] informs him that the seven do not discuss or know the identities of the five {{TRS|Torn}}. After entering the [[Ionian Nebula]], four major players in the human fleet become awake to the fact that they are Cylons: [[Galen Tyrol]], [[Saul Tigh]], [[Samuel Anders]] and [[Tory Foster]]. They were previously unaware of their nature, because they were boxed by the Number One model and introduced to the Twelve Colonies one at a time with fabricated memories and histories {{TRS|No Exit}}. They keep the knowledge that they are Cylons to themselves until a standoff between ''Galactica'' and the rebel baseship forces them into the open. The identity of the final Cylon remains a mystery until [[Saul Tigh]] recovers fragments of blocked memory in the ruins of Earth and realizes that it was his wife, [[Ellen Tigh|Ellen]] {{TRS|Sometimes a Great Notion}}.
 
Although the Final Five are genetically of the same race as their creations, and their own earliest ancestors were constructed, their nature differs from that of the Signficant Seven in that each of them was originally born to Cylon parents on [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]]. Thus, they only ever had names, not numbers. Unlike the many copies of the Significant Seven, there is only one active version of each of the Five at a time. However, like the Significant Seven, they are capable of downloading into identical duplicates if killed, as long as the Resurrection Hub exists; indeed, they are the inventors of the resurrection system used by all humanoid Cylons and organic Raiders. Their bodies at the time of the First Cylon War and the Fall of the Twelve Colonies are not their original bodies, which were destroyed by the nuclear warfare on Earth.
 
==== [[Samuel Anders]] ====
 
[[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]]".
{{clear}}
==== [[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 {{callsign|Athena}} and the [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylons]] as possible, it is Tory who chooses [[Maya]] ro raise the child. During the occupation of [[New Caprica]] Tory is responsible for ensuring the safe transport of Maya and Hera off the planet, but she fails at this task.
 
Before and during the trial of ex-president [[Gaius Baltar]], she is tasked with helping Roslin assemble a tribunal to bring charges against Baltar, as well as establish security arrangements {{TRS|The Woman King|The Son Also Rises|Crossroads, Part I}}.
 
Since the events of the [[Ionian nebula]] Tory appears to have embraced both being a Cylon and her own version of Baltar's teachings, allowing her to by-pass feelings such as guilt and adopt an almost [[w:hedonism|hedonistic]] approach to life. She declares herself to be "perfect," something that uneases fellow Cylons Tigh and Tyrol, and is in marked contrast to Tigh's and [[Caprica-Six]]'s guilty consciences {{TRS|Escape Velocity}}. She has also displayed a cold-blooded streak, murdering [[Callandra Tyrol|Cally Tyrol]] when the wife of Galen Tyrol discovers the four's Cylon nature. {{TRS|The Ties That Bind}}
 
{{clear}}
==== [[Ellen Tigh]] ====
 
[[File:Hellen.jpg|thumb|right|Ellen Tigh]]
'''Ellen Tigh''' was the wife of Colonel [[Saul Tigh]] and a survivor of the [[Cylon Holocaust]]. Ellen claims to have been on [[The Twelve Colonies of Kobol#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.  It's ultimately revealed that when the attack happened she was in a bar on Picon talking to a [[Cavil|mysterious stranger]] who didn't give her his name.  The bar she was in was destroyed by a shockwave from a nuclear blast and she was severely injured, but survived.  Cavil kept her alive as he felt she still hadn't learned her lesson and escorted her to the medical transport ''Rising Star'' where she spent the three weeks recovering from her severe injuries after the ship lucky enough to make it to ''{{RDM|Galactica}}''.
 
Ellen is well known for her sexual promiscuity and her desire for power. After Adama's attempted assassination, she encourages her husband to take extreme measures to assert his authority, sometimes in contrast to the more reasoned approaches he is proposing. Her pressures lead her husband to drink and take unwise steps, including a standoff on the ''[[Gideon]]'' that leaves four people dead.
 
One year after [[New Caprica]] is colonized, Ellen Tigh settles on the planet. Her husband joins her later, after Admiral Adama's insistence. After the Cylons arrive Ellen begins a relationship with [[Cavil]] to protect her husband. When her collaboration is discovered the resistance leaders compel Saul Tigh to execute his wife. Saul carries out the execution by poisoning Ellen's drink prior to the [[Battle of New Caprica]] {{TRS|Exodus, Part II}}.
 
In a flash of memory on Earth, Saul Tigh realizes that Ellen is the last of the [[Final Five]].
 
It is later revealed that Ellen did in fact survive her husband killing her: she downloaded into a new body on a [[Resurrection Ship]] after which [[Cavil]] kept her prisoner and a secret from all of the other Cylons but [[Sharon Valerii|Boomer]]. With her [[Resurrection (RDM)|resurrection]] she regained all of her true Cylon memories and had a much different personality then when she was originally on the show. It's revealed that it was in fact a Cavil that put her on that transport. Cavil plans to open her brain for information on resurrection technology but she escapes with the help of Boomer and makes it back to [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]], where she attempts to assert leadership over her four colleagues. {{TRS|Deadlock}}
 
{{clear}}
==== [[Saul Tigh]] ====
 
[[Image:Saul Tigh.jpg|thumb|left|Saul Tigh]]
'''Saul Tigh''' is the [[Executive Officer]] (XO) of ''{{RDM|Galactica}}'', and serves as acting commander in the absence of [[William Adama]].
 
Since the Cylon attack Tigh has proved himself to be an excellent battle manager and tactician. His quick actions sometimes saved the ship and the [[The Fleet (RDM)|Fleet]] from damage or destruction {{TRS|Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down|Scattered|Valley of Darkness}}.
 
Tigh has a somewhat dysfunctional marriage with his wife Ellen. Soon after her reunion with Tigh, he returns to drinking and often finds himself acting as an unknowing pawn as his wife plays her political schemes. After the attempted assassination of Adama by [[Sharon Valerii]], Tigh temporarily acts as Commander of the Fleet, a position which almost leads to [[Gideon|catastrophe]].
 
During the occupation of New Caprica, Tigh commands [[New Caprica Resistance|the resistance]]. In the months spent on the planet Tigh suffers many harsh losses, including losing an eye to the Cylons and the death of his wife.
 
After learning of his Cylon nature Tigh finds himself repeatedly visiting [[Caprica-Six]] in the [[brig]] in an attempt to understand and come to grips with his unwanted identity, a course of action that is not without [[Sine Qua Non|consequences]].
{{clear}}
==== [[Galen Tyrol]] ====
 
[[File:Galen Tyrol.jpg|thumb|right|Galen Tyrol]]
'''Galen Tyrol''', often referred to as "Chief," is the highest ranking NCO remaining aboard ''{{RDM|Galactica}}''. Tyrol is demoted for a while until [[Peter Laird]] is KIA before being reinstated as ''Galactica''{{'|s}} "Chief" again {{TRS|No Exit}}. He is a respected and well liked officer on ''Galactica'', and has great respect for Commander Adama. Tyrol attempts to model his own style of command after Adama, unknowingly modeling even the [[You Can't Go Home Again|extremes of his style]], such as the reckless actions he [[Scattered|sometimes makes]] in support of his subordinates.
 
For several months prior to the Cylon attack, and in its aftermath, Tyrol was engaged in an affair with Lieutenant [[Sharon Valerii]], one of ''Galactica'''s [[Raptor]] pilots, a relationship which was forced to end. Tyrol is part of the team assembled on the ill-fated recon to {{RDM|Kobol}} on the [[Raptor 1]], which then crashlands near the ruins of the [[Tomb of Athena]].
 
By the time he has settled on [[New Caprica]], Tyrol is married to [[Cally Henderson]] and is the father of a young son, [[Nicholas Tyrol|Nicholas]]. Together with [[Saul Tigh]] and [[Samuel Anders]] he runs the [[New Caprica Resistance]].
 
Tyrol has difficulty coping with the revelation that he is a Cylon, beginning to cut himself. Although trying to act normally, Tyrol's changed behavior eventually has an effect on his marriage. He blames himself for Cally's apparent suicide, but finds himself unable to pull the trigger when he tries to kill himself.
{{clear}}
==The Thirteenth Tribe==
 
The [[Thirteenth Tribe (RDM)|thirteenth tribe]] consisted of an earlier generation of humanoid Cylons first created on the planet {{RDM|Kobol}}. They colonized [[Earth (RDM)|Earth]] after the exodus from Kobol, going their separate ways from the twelve human tribes that settled the Twelve Colonies. Because they reproduced sexually, they were a diverse population without a limited number of models. Their remains, when tested using procedures known to the Significant Seven, match as Cylon. The Thirteenth Tribe destroyed itself in a nuclear holocaust {{TRS|Sometimes a Great Notion}}. The Thirteenth Tribe originally used [[Resurrection (RDM)|resurrection]] technology to sustain themselves, but this was lost after they began to procreate naturally. The Final Five are the last five survivors of this Cylon civilization, having rediscovered resurrection technology {{TRS|No Exit}}. The five were also the only surviving members of the humanoid Cylon race until they created the Significant Eight.
 
== Human/Cylon Hybrids ==
 
Conceived by [[Sharon Agathon|Sharon]] and [[Karl Agathon|Karl Agathon]], the infant [[Hera Agathon]] is the first and only known human/Cylon hybrid<ref>These beings should not be confused with the living computer of a [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]], also called a [[Hybrid]].</ref>.


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


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


Conceived by the Eight known as [[Sharon Agathon|Sharon Valerii]] and [[Karl Agathon|Helo]], the infant [[Hera]] is the first and only human/Cylon hybrid being<ref>In [[List of Deleted Scenes (RDM)#Downloaded|deleted scenes]] from the episode "[[Downloaded]]", it is shown that [[Gaius Baltar]] attempts to steal the baby from ''Galactica'' in collusion with [[Gina]] and [[D'anna Biers]]. When Biers refers to the baby as Hera, Gina tells her not to call the baby by [[Hera, Lord of Kobol|the name of a Human god]], and to call her "Number Thirteen". Since the events of "[[Exodus, Part II]]" contradict these cut scenes, the deleted scene can no longer be considered [[canon]]ical.</ref>.
After Hera's mother discovers that her daughter is alive, she uses her ability to [[Resurrection (RDM)|download]] to transport to the Cylon ships, and manages to convince [[Caprica-Six]] to return the child to ''Galactica'' for medical treatment for a possible intestinal blockage, which the Cylon doctors, lacking pediatric knowledge, were unable to comprehend {{TRS|Rapture}}.


Hera is hidden away from both humans and Cylons, now believed dead by her parents. President [[Laura Roslin]] has the baby hidden with [[Maya]] as her adoptive parent. Despite Roslin's attempts to protect the child on [[New Caprica]], Hera is now in the hands of the Cylons ([[Exodus, Part II]]).
All humans living on the second Earth 150,000 years after the Colonial holocaust are descendants of Hera, making them all a combination of human and Cylon {{TRS|Daybreak, Part II}}.


A child named [[Kacey]] was claimed to be a Human/Cylon hybrid by [[Leoben Conoy]], supposedly created from the eggs extracted from [[Kara Thrace]] ([[The Farm]]) and later fertilized by himself. However, Kacey is later reunited with her actual human mother after the Fleet's escape from New Caprica ([[Exodus, Part II]]).
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 Cylon's ruse is revealed when Kacey's real mother later claims the child, who is a normal human girl {{TRS|Exodus, Part II}}.


==Ron Moore elaborates on the twelve models==
[[Nicholas Tyrol]] was thought to be a human-Cylon hybrid until it was revealed that [[Brendan Costanza]], not [[Galen Tyrol]], is his biological father. He is a fully human baby.


In a 10/24/05 interview on "The Chase Show" on the SF webcast news site [http://www.thefandom.com/Article50.phtml TheFandom.com] with veteran "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" actress [[IMDB:nm0557732|Chase Masterson]], Ron D. Moore is interviewed and directly answers two key questions in the Twelve Models debate and the origin of Sharon Valerii in particular. Here is a transcription of that interview segment.
== Liam Tigh ==


:'''Chase''': ... I just have to ask something... is there one Boomer that's just human?
[[Liam]] is a fully Cylon child conceived by Saul Tigh and Caprica-Six. His conception comes as a great surprise to the rebel Cylons after so many failed attempts, and leads them to believe that it is possible for them to build a self-reproducing Cylon civilization away from the Colonial fleet, just like the original Thirteenth Tribe. Tory Foster and Galen Tyrol vote in support of this plan. However, the child is miscarried while Caprica-Six is still only four months pregnant, closing the door on the notion of remaking a separatist society of pure Cylons.
:'''Ron''': No, there's not. I mean, the idea is not there was one like an original human model that they were copied from. The idea was that these were... these models of Cylon were developed out of their own study of us. The Cylons on some level looked at humanity and said, "Well, you know what, there's really only twelve of you... and these are the twelve."  And then if you look at them, they kind of represent different archetypes of what humanity is. Um, Sharon, in particular &mdash; Sharon-Boomer, went through quite a trans-metamorphosis because in the original [[Miniseries]] script, in the first draft, she wasn't a Cylon at all. She was going to be just &mdash; I wrote her just &mdash; I wanted a youngish pilot, who was the rookie, who was sort of vulnerable in ways, who made mistakes in ways that you're not used to seeing your heroes on TV shows do, and I was really interested in this idea of the officer, the female officer in love with the male deck chief in violation of all the rules and I kinda thought, going forward, that she and the [[Galen Tyrol|chief]], in combination with [[Boxey (RDM)|Boxey]], who's really only in the [[Miniseries]] and one or two other episodes, would form sort of our family unit, that that was kind of a family...
:'''Chase''': OK...
:'''Ron''': ... and actually, after that first draft was written, it was [[David Eick]], my producing partner, who said, "You know what, if at the end of this thing, at the very end when all the Cylons walk into Armistice &mdash; into the [[Ragnar Anchorage|Ragnar station]] at the end... if you turn around and Sharon is one of the Cylons, he said, we're definitely gonna get picked up for a series.
:'''Chase''': (laughs) OK... that did make... that really did seal the deal...
:'''Ron''': ... and I just really went... that's a great idea and I realized that, because I'd had laid... I had written a story straight, I really hadn't cheated. There was no hint of who Sharon might be, and it really did suck you in, and really sort of, you believed her as a person first, and then we revealed her as a Cylon.
:'''Chase''': ... Right....
:'''Ron''': ... And so what happened after that was, I assumed going into the first season &mdash; well I didn't assume, I just planned... to slowly, over the course of the first year, peel back the layers &mdash; that Sharon would only start to sort of discover her Cylon nature by the end of the first year.
:'''Chase''': Oh, God... and it was heartbreaking, watching that unfold, because I loved her much as human, and she was just adorable, with him and then with the kid, it was like, oh, what a great girl, she's um... you know, young and cute, and &mdash; who's the actress &mdash; and that whole thing, and then you're like, WHAT?
:'''Ron''': Yeah...
:'''Chase''': ... She's the enemy...
:'''Ron''': I know then, she's the enemy, then she's the one that is your most worry, what's she gonna do next.
:'''Chase''': Yeah. You really took us on quite a journey there. I was still hoping for a human one running around somewhere, but no, huh?....
:'''Ron''': No.
:'''Chase''': Oh, well...


With this information from the show's main creative leader, it is established as canon that:
== Speculated Infiltrators ==


* There are precisely twelve ''human'' Cylon models. The other varieties of Cylon spacecraft or fighters are not factored into this count of 12 models.
:''See the [[Humanoid Cylon speculation]] article for analysis on characters and their likelihood of being a humanoid Cylon, based on episode information.''
* '''None''' of the Cylon agents were ''ever'' an actual human.
* The twelve models are based on 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.


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
* A [[Cylon Centurion]] can not differentiate the differing versions of one model from another ([[Precipice]]).  For example, if faced with two differing number eight models, [[Sharon Valerii (Galactica copy)|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]] and [[Sharon 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 Cylon agents do not have this problem ("[[Downloaded]]", "[[Exodus, Part I]]").
* 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]]).
* It is possible that the 12 Cylon models are not based on 12 human archetypes, but instead represent the 12 colonies.  This would therefore suggest that there may be a 13th model to represent Earth.


==References==
*[[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:
<div style="font-size:85%"><references/></div>
** There are precisely twelve ''human'' Cylon models. The other varieties of Cylon spacecraft or fighters are not factored into this count of 12 models.
** '''None''' of the humanoid Cylons was ''ever'' an actual human.
** Although John Cavil was designed to look like Ellen's father John, a humanoid Cylon from Earth.
*** Though, It is possible that Number Six's appearance was based off the appearance of the '[[Messengers#The_Final_Five.27s_Messengers|woman messenger]]' that appeared to [[Samuel T. Anders|Sam Anders]]. This would potentially explain the lack of a given personal name for the model.
*** [[Kevin Murphy]] has stated in an interview with ''{{archivelink|live=No|url=http://www.capricatimes.com/the-caprica-times-exclusive-interview-kevin-murphy|title=The Caprica Times}}'' that the production team for the series ''Caprica'' discussed the idea that the Sixes and Eights were based on [[Zoe Graystone]] and [[Tamara Adama]], respectively, although this was never established onscreen. Even if the Sixes and Eights were inspired by Zoe and Tamara, they are obviously not exact copies.
** The twelve models are based on archetypes determined by the Cylons that form what they perceive were the specific kinds of human behavior and/or personality, distilled into twelve varieties.
**However, much of it has been disproven or called into question by revelations about the nature of Cylons in season 4 episodes, particularly in "[[No Exit]]":
***Although the twelve model count is accurate - when Caprica-Six states this, there are indeed only twelve models extant - including the lost [[Number Seven]] in the Cylon count raises the total number of models to 13. Including members of the original Thirteenth Tribe who died on Earth raises the number much further than 13.
***Cavil was revealed to be based on Ellen's father, a [[Thirteenth Tribe (RDM)|Thirteenth Tribe]] Cylon, raising the possibility that other models cauld be based on individuals known by the Final Five in their original lives.
***Unlike the eight numbered Cylon models, the Final Five are the product of natural reproduction by members of the Thirteenth Tribe, so they could not have been designed around specific personality archetypes, although this possibility is still open for the numbered Cylons.
* A [[Cylon Centurion]] cannot distinguish the differing versions of one model from another {{TRS|Precipice}}. For example, if faced with two differing Number Eight models, [[Sharon Valerii|Sharon "Boomer" Valerii]] and [[Sharon Agathon|Sharon "Athena" Agathon]], it would not be able to discriminate between them without external aid.
* While Centurions may not be able to tell the difference between different versions of the same model, other humanoid Cylons do not have this problem ([[Downloaded]], [[Exodus, Part I]], [[The Eye of Jupiter]], [[Six of One]], [[Deadlock]]).
* According to [[Cavil]] in "[[Exodus, Part I]]," the pain associated with each successive [[Resurrection (RDM)|download]] is worse than the one before. The first download feels like little more than a headache, but the third feels like someone has rushed a white hot poker through the head. However, this might be a subjective feeling that varies with model and circumstances. {{callsign|Athena}}'s report in "[[Scar]]" supports Cavil, but a [[Number Three]] considers her last download to be rejuvenating {{TRS|Downloaded}}.
*Some characters refer to humanoid Cylons as "skinjobs". This is a reference to the film ''[[w:Blade Runner|Blade Runner]]'' in which [[Edward James Olmos]] has a supporting role. In the movie "skinjob" is used as an insult to [[w:Replicant|replicants]], which are bio-mechanical robots made to look human.
*According to Ron Moore, the Final Five Cylons, unlike the Significant Seven, "do not" have model numbers <ref>{{cite_web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/rant.aspx?id=20080611|title=Rants & Reviews - Live at the "Battlestar Galactica" Midseason Finale Premiere|date=11 June 2008|accessdate=13 June 2008|last=Sullivan|first=Brian Ford|format=|language=}}</ref>.
 
== See also ==
 
* [[Cylon Culture]]
* [[Cylon Religion]]
 
{{Template:Characters (RDM Cylons)}}
 
== References ==
 
{{reflist}}


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


{{featured article candidate previous}}
{{featured article candidate previous}}
[[de:Humanoider Zylon]]
[[fr:Cylon humanoïde]]

Latest revision as of 05:08, 21 February 2024

This article or section has been marked for cleanup and revision.
Should there be a need to discuss the merits of the claim, discuss them on the talk page.
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.
Part of the series on


From left to right: Cylon copies of Number Six (two copies pictured), Number Two (one copy pictured), and Number Five (two copies), at Ragnar Anchorage

Humanoid Cylons[1] are an organic variant of Cylon models in the Re-imagined Series.

Overview

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

The original purpose of the humanoid Cylons was to simply serve as the next step in Cylon evolution (TRS: "No Exit"). However, the fact that they are designed to be as human-like as possible in appearance, internal anatomy and behavior makes them perfect spies. The humanoid Cylons are responsible for masterminding the complete destruction of the Twelve Colonies through their use of sabotage and infiltration.

Origins

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

Following the end of the Cylon War, nothing was heard of the Cylons in 40 years (TRS: "Miniseries, Night 1").

From left to right: Numbers Six, Three, and Eight

During their forty years of isolation, the Cylons developed humanoid models [2]. The first step in their evolution from pure machines to organic beings was known as the "First Hybrid." Other Hybrids were later created to control baseships (TRS: "Razor"). Hybrid models are not fully humanoid and cannot live on their own, thus are considered an evolutionary dead end.

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

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

Physiology and Psychology

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

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

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

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

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

The emotionally scarred Number Six copy known as "Gina Inviere".

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

Humanoid Cylons can sleep and dream[3], however they can live without doing so, and the Ones have reprogrammed themselves to prevent sleep, wishing to avoid nightmares.

Reproduction is important to the Cylons, because one of their God's commandments is to "be fruitful". Both male and female Cylon models possess reproductive systems which should be fully functional, but have a flaw that is not properly understood. The Ones, Twos, Fours, and Fives have tried to impregnate the Threes, Sixes, and Eights many times, but all these attempts at sexual reproduction have failed[4]. The Cylons try to interbreed with humans to subvert this deficiency, creating hybrid offspring. "Farms" were set up across all the occupied Colonies where survivors, including young fertile women of child-bearing age, were rounded up, placed under heavy sedation and turned into "baby machines" through artificial insemination. There are also farms for male humans, plus in vitro experiment labs, etc (TRS: "The Farm" podcast). If a captured human agrees to cooperate, he or she is instead set up with a Cylon sexual partner on a voluntary basis. However, these methods have all been unsuccessful thus far.

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

The bodies of humanoid Cylons have stamina and strength above human average, and are designed to destroy or resist commonly dangerous human diseases[5], although they are not immune from all contagions[6]. 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.[7] Humanoid Cylons are heavily fortified to resist damage from intense radiation fields that would kill a human after short exposure (TRS: "The Passage"), but they are still susceptible to damage from certain types of radiation or trauma (TRS: "Miniseries, Night 2"). Despite their resistance to certain forms of energy, humanoid Cylons, unlike the Cylon Centurion, cannot be made "bulletproof" and are as susceptible as humans to piercing or blunt force weapons (TRS: "The Farm", "Precipice", "Hero"). They require oxygen to live, and thus can be killed by suffocation (TRS: "Torn", "The Face of the Enemy", "No Exit").

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

Cylon Religion

Main article: Cylon Religion

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

Cybernetic Behavior

Athena interfaces with Galactica's computer systems.

Upon the death of its body, a humanoid Cylon's consciousness is automatically transferred into another copy of itself. This "resurrection" is limited by signal integrity and proximity to the Cylon homeworld or a Resurrection Ship (TRS: "Miniseries, Night 1", "Flesh and Bone", "Resurrection Ship, Part II").

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

The humanoid Cylons' psychology is based on what they simply refer to as "projection". Essentially an enhanced form of a self-induced and controlled hallucination, projection is how they choose to see the world around them, in any form they wish, whenever they wish. For example, if a Cylon were standing in a hallway, they could choose to see it as a forest filled with birds, trees, and sunlight. This mode of visualization is pleasing to humanoid Cylons (TRS: "Torn")[8]. Cylons can share these virtual worlds with each other (TRS: "Someone to Watch Over Me").

Although they cannot do so remotely or wirelessly, humanoid Cylons can interface with a computer system or computer network by photo-electrical means. To interface directly with a Colonial ship's system the Cylon must insert a cable into his or her own arm, which is painful (TRS: "Flight of the Phoenix"). The process is preferably carried out by touching a data-font of the Cylon datastream[9]. This might be possible through the use of bio-luminescent and photosensitive cells in their hands. Once interfaced, they can rewrite code to purge or create a computer virus, send transmissions to other computer systems, or calculate FTL jump coordinates (TRS: "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part I").

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 Cylon Raider, Samuel Anders' right eye briefly flashes red, the Raider responds to this apparent IFF procedure by flying away, and a Cylon fleet attacking the Colonials retreats (TRS: "He That Believeth in Me").

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

The Thirteen Cylon Models

By the time of the Cylon attack on the colonies, there are twelve models of humanoid Cylons (TRS: "Miniseries"). These can be divided into two separate groups, the "Significant Seven"[10] and the "Final Five". The Significant Seven were once eight in number, but Number Seven is no longer extant (TRS: "No Exit"). Only six models survive to settle on the new Earth, namely Saul Tigh, Ellen Tigh, Galen Tyrol, Number Two, Number Six, and Number Eight (TRS: "Daybreak, Part II").

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

Significant Eight

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

Number One

Number One/John Cavil

One of the Number One models poses as a Colonial brother named Cavil, a lay clergyman in the Fleet. This Cavil is later revealed to be the one responsible for the destruction of the Twelve Colonies and is indicated to be the same copy as the one that led the Cylon Civil War.

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

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

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

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

Number Two

Number Two/Leoben Conoy

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

The Two models also appear obsessed and fascinated with Kara Thrace and her special destiny. One model in particular claims to be in love with her and has tried to get her to return his affections, and to guide her towards fulfilling her destiny (TRS: "Flesh and Bone", "Occupation", "Precipice", "The Road Less Traveled").

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

The Number Twos are part of the rebel faction in the Cylon Civil War.

Number Three

Number Three/D'Anna Biers

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

This model's status as a Cylon is unknown to the Colonials until either shortly after the rescue of the surviving members of the Caprica Resistance or after the Cylon occupation of New Caprica (TRS: "Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II").

After the Threes defy other Cylon models in their attempt to discern the identity of the 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, the Cylons have all Number Three models boxed indefinitely.

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

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

Number Four

Number Four/Simon O'Neill

The Number Four model is first encountered by Kara Thrace on Cylon-occupied Caprica. Posing as a doctor under the name Simon, this Number Four is actually involved with the Cylon hybridization program. Simon resembles a tall, somewhat thin middle-aged black man who speaks in a comforting strong voice (TRS: "The Farm"). Simon is a model based primarily on human intellectualism and logic[11]. A Four model also infiltrated the Fleet prior to the occupation of New Caprica. Posing as a doctor enlisted in the Colonial Fleet under the name of Simon O'Neill, he escapes the destruction of the colonies aboard the Cybele with his adopted daughter and is later reunited with his wife Giana who he truly loved. He killed himself beyond resurrection range ultimately to prevent himself betraying the Fleet. Another Four served as the team doctor for the Caprica Buccaneers at the time of the attack and fought as a part of Anders' resistance. He was found out when the Resistance rescued Starbuck from another copy and was presumably killed for being a Cylon. In any case, the model is now known to the general populace, many humans likely saw a Number Four model during the occupation and Starbuck revealed his existence upon her return to the Fleet.

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

Number Five

Number Five/Aaron Doral

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

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

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

The Number Fives are part of Cavil's faction in the Cylon Civil War.

Number Six

Number Six

This is the first humanoid Cylon model shown to viewers at the start of the Miniseries.

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

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

Six is also the only model known to exhibit significant variations in appearance—several different hairstyles and hair colors 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, Baltar began experiencing interactions from an entity (informally dubbed Messenger Six) that resembles the version of Caprica-Six that seduced him prior to the attacks. It is unclear what relation if any that Messengerl 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 Faust was originally the leader, in the Cylon Civil War.

Number Seven

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

It is possible that Number Seven was named after Daniel Graystone, the inventor of the Twelve Colonies' Centurions.[12]

Number Eight

Number Eight/Sharon

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

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

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

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

Final Five

Main article: Final Five

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

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

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

Samuel Anders

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 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 pilot trainee

After becoming aware of his Cylon nature Anders joins the Demetrius's crew on its mission to find Earth, an action which eventually leads to an unintended conflict with Felix Gaeta. The events on board Demetrius lead to the unboxing of D'Anna, who is aware of his nature as a member of the "Final Five".

Tory Foster

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 Cylon/human baby as far away from Sharon "Athena" Agathon and the Cylons as possible, it is Tory who chooses Maya ro raise the child. During the occupation of New Caprica Tory is responsible for ensuring the safe transport of Maya and Hera off the planet, but she fails at this task.

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

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

Ellen Tigh

Ellen Tigh

Ellen Tigh was the wife of Colonel Saul Tigh and a survivor of the Cylon Holocaust. Ellen claims to have been on Picon 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 for some three weeks prior to Adama finding her. It's ultimately revealed that when the attack happened she was in a bar on Picon talking to a mysterious stranger who didn't give her his name. The bar she was in was destroyed by a shockwave from a nuclear blast and she was severely injured, but survived. Cavil kept her alive as he felt she still hadn't learned her lesson and escorted her to the medical transport Rising Star where she spent the three weeks recovering from her severe injuries after the ship lucky enough to make it to Galactica.

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

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

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

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

Saul Tigh

Saul Tigh

Saul Tigh is the Executive Officer (XO) of 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 Fleet from damage or destruction (TRS: "Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down", "Scattered", "Valley of Darkness").

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

During the occupation of New Caprica, Tigh commands 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 consequences.

Galen Tyrol

Galen Tyrol

Galen Tyrol, often referred to as "Chief," is the highest ranking NCO remaining aboard Galactica. Tyrol is demoted for a while until Peter Laird is KIA before being reinstated as Galactica's "Chief" again (TRS: "No Exit"). He is a respected and well liked officer on Galactica, and has great respect for Commander Adama. Tyrol attempts to model his own style of command after Adama, unknowingly modeling even the extremes of his style, such as the reckless actions he 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 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. 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.

The Thirteenth Tribe

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

Human/Cylon Hybrids

Conceived by Sharon and Karl Agathon, the infant Hera Agathon is the first and only known human/Cylon hybrid[13].

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

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

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

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

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

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

Liam Tigh

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

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

  • Ron D. Moore stated in an interview with TheFandom.com, "There is no original human Sharon. The idea is not that there was likely an original human model that they were copied from. The idea was that these models of Cylon were sort of developed out of their own study of us. The Cylons on some level looked at humanity and said 'You know what? There's really only 12 of you.' If these are the 12, and sort of if you look at them they each represent different archetypes of what humanity is." This established as what was thought to be canon that:
    • There are precisely twelve human Cylon models. The other varieties of Cylon spacecraft or fighters are not factored into this count of 12 models.
    • None of the humanoid Cylons was ever an actual human.
    • Although John Cavil was designed to look like Ellen's father John, a humanoid Cylon from Earth.
      • Though, It is possible that Number Six's appearance was based off the appearance of the 'woman messenger' that appeared to Sam Anders. This would potentially explain the lack of a given personal name for the model.
      • Kevin Murphy has stated in an interview with The Caprica Times that the production team for the series Caprica discussed the idea that the Sixes and Eights were based on Zoe Graystone and Tamara Adama, respectively, although this was never established onscreen. Even if the Sixes and Eights were inspired by Zoe and Tamara, they are obviously not exact copies.
    • The twelve models are based on archetypes determined by the Cylons that form what they perceive were the specific kinds of human behavior and/or personality, distilled into twelve varieties.
    • However, much of it has been disproven or called into question by revelations about the nature of Cylons in season 4 episodes, particularly in "No Exit":
      • Although the twelve model count is accurate - when Caprica-Six states this, there are indeed only twelve models extant - including the lost Number Seven in the Cylon count raises the total number of models to 13. Including members of the original Thirteenth Tribe who died on Earth raises the number much further than 13.
      • Cavil was revealed to be based on Ellen's father, a Thirteenth Tribe Cylon, raising the possibility that other models cauld be based on individuals known by the Final Five in their original lives.
      • Unlike the eight numbered Cylon models, the Final Five are the product of natural reproduction by members of the Thirteenth Tribe, so they could not have been designed around specific personality archetypes, although this possibility is still open for the numbered Cylons.
  • A Cylon Centurion cannot distinguish the differing versions of one model from another (TRS: "Precipice"). For example, if faced with two differing Number Eight models, Sharon "Boomer" Valerii and Sharon "Athena" Agathon, it would not be able to discriminate between them without external aid.
  • While Centurions may not be able to tell the difference between different versions of the same model, other humanoid Cylons do not have this problem (Downloaded, Exodus, Part I, The Eye of Jupiter, Six of One, Deadlock).
  • According to Cavil in "Exodus, Part I," the pain associated with each successive 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 "Athena" Agathon's report in "Scar" supports Cavil, but a Number Three considers her last download to be rejuvenating (TRS: "Downloaded").
  • Some characters refer to humanoid Cylons as "skinjobs". This is a reference to the film Blade Runner in which Edward James Olmos has a supporting role. In the movie "skinjob" is used as an insult to 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 [14].

See also


References

  1. Viewers initially lacked an authentic term to call the humanoid Cylons by during Season 1. Here on the Battlestar Wiki, the 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 "Athena" Agathon and members of the Final Five work for the Colonials, Battlestar Wiki's preference is to use "humanoid Cylon" (which Tricia Helfer often uses in interviews, but apparently more for convenience than an official name). Some of the resistance fighters on Caprica refer to the humanoid Cylons as "skin jobs," an homage to Blade Runner. William Adama refers to them as "humanoid models" in "Precipice," as does Samuel Anders in "No Exit". Sharon Valerii refers to them as "human models" in "Six Degrees of Separation" and Simon refers to them as "human Cylons" in "Torn"
  2. 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" in the short-lived spinoff of the Original Series, Galactica 1980. Unlike the humanoid Cylons, however, Andromus was an android, akin to the character of Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation.
  3. A Number Three speaks casually to Doctor Cottle about her prophetic dreams of the child Hera in "Exodus, Part I". John Cavil used to suffer nightmares ("No Exit").
  4. In the podcast for "Deadlock", Ronald Moore says that conceptions presumably did happen but none lasted long.
  5. The blood from Hera's fetus destroys the cancer within Laura Roslin's body in "Epiphanies".
  6. Lymphocytic encephalitis ravages the Cylons in the episode "Torn". Samuel Anders contracts a form of pneumonia on New Caprica, but recovers.
  7. Dr. Cottle complains of birth complications with Sharon, specifically a detached placenta, in the episode "Downloaded".
  8. Gaius Baltar's dreamlike interactions with his virtual Number Six is strikingly similar to Cylon projection. See the article, Baltar as Cylon speculation for more on this issue.
  9. Sharon "Athena" Agathon steals back the Fleet's launch keys 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.
  10. Podcast: Frak Party Q and A , Seek to: 19:14. Total running time: 78:27.
  11. A Four expresses the moral dilemmas of rescuing a crippled basestar as having no scientific answer in "Torn".
  12. In Podcast:No Exit, Ron D. Moore describes Daniel as "a springboard for Caprica".
  13. These beings should not be confused with the living computer of a basestar, also called a Hybrid.
  14. Sullivan, Brian Ford (11 June 2008). Rants & Reviews - Live at the "Battlestar Galactica" Midseason Finale Premiere (backup available on Archive.org) (in ). Retrieved on 13 June 2008.