Resurrection (RDM)

For information on a book based on the Original Series universe, see Resurrection (book).

Sharon Valerii resurrecting, to her horror.

The consciousnesses and memories of some Cylons who are destroyed can be captured and recovered in a process known as resurrection.

Humanoid Cylon Resurrection

When a humanoid Cylon's body ceases to function, their consciousness can be transmitted (or "downloaded") into a duplicate humanoid Cylon body, one which is empty of consciousness before the download (Miniseries).

For resurrection to occur, the dying Cylon must be close to a resurrection ship or hub, otherwise his or her consciousness risks being permanently lost. The transmission method of a Cylon's consciousness has not been explained, but a form of wireless is probable. Resurrection points identified include the Cylon homeworld, the central Resurrection Hub, Resurrection Ships, and planet-based facilities. A rebirthing facility may have existed on occupied Caprica. Within each resurrection point is at least one rebirthing tank, where a duplicate body is immersed in a thick opaque substance to await download (Downloaded).

While humanoid Cylons appear to be able to be resurrected indefinitely, two problems can occur. Repeated downloads can cause pain and other unexplained symptoms. A Cavil reports severe headaches after one resurrection, and a sensation that felt like "a white hot poker in my skull" in a following instance (Exodus, Part I). However, only Cavil has complained about this extreme discomfiture. This might be a subjective or singular experience, as a Number Three finds a download to be rejuvenating (Downloaded). Cavil's discomfort maybe even (apparent) age related. The Cavils apparent physical age is around 70 years old and therefore they resurrect as a 70 year old man. Cavil complained to Ellen Tigh, one of the Final Five that created the Eight "modern day" Cylon models including Cavil, the first, that his various physical complaints like the "....faulty blood pressure in this miserable body you designed for me!" (No Exit). Far more threatening is if a humanoid Cylon's memories have become compromised, corrupted, or otherwise tainted (based on the perspective of other Cylons). If that occurs, the consciousness might not be downloaded, instead being "boxed," a drastic measure equivalent in Cylon society to capital punishment. Conversations in "Downloaded" suggest that this practice is very rare, and Number Three is is the only case of an entire model being boxed (Rapture).

It is also apparent that the resurrection process is involuntary in that humanoid Cylons cannot choose to die permanently, nor can other Cylons in control of a Resurrection Ship choose to prevent someone from being downloaded. The only way to prevent a dead Cylon from downloading is to move the Resurrection Ship out of range (Torn). An example of this is when Sharon Agathon downloads to a Resurrection Ship to rescue her child. Despite being a traitor, the Cylons do not stop her and she is able to rescue her child as a result (Rapture). Furthermore, Gina Inviere, a Cylon prisoner aboard Pegasus who was tortured so badly she wants to die for good, is unable to control her resurrection. To ensure her permanent death, she supplies the Colonials with information on the Resurrection Ship, so that it can be destroyed (Resurrection Ship, Part I).

The Development of Resurrection Technology

Resurrection was originally invented on Kobol by humanoid Cylons some three thousand years ago. After the mutual departure from Kobol by both the humanoid Cylons and the humans that created them, the Cylons of Kobol eventually settled on what would be known as the 13th colony, Earth. During the next thousand years on Earth the humanoid Cylons gained the ability to procreate in the same manner as humans, complete with childhood. As a result they decided to abandon resurrection technology. Approximately 2,000 years ago, five Earth Cylons - Saul Tigh, Tory Foster, Samuel Anders, Galen Tyrol and Ellen Tigh - who (like all Cylons by that time) were born naturally, attempted to reinvent resurrection technology formally known as "organic memory transfer" where the mind-the memories, personality, and consciousness-is transferred from the dead body to a perfectly identical living body that had no previous mind. To each one of them a virtual being appeared to them to warn them of the impending holocaust on Earth. The humanoid Cylons where oppressing the Centurions they had created and had achieved sentience. They retaliated with nuclear weapons resulting in Earth being totally destroyed. Before the Holocaust, the five researchers, who worked in the same research facility, worked around the clock to recreate the technology that was lost. According to Sam Anders' recount, the work of Galen Tyrol and Ellen Tigh was exceptional with Mrs. Tigh making the "intuitive leap" to get the system back online. When the war came all five were killed and then they resurrected on the ship they had prearranged to be in orbit (at this time it is not known how they tested the technology prior).

Seeing the utter destruction of Earth and knowing the cause they were determined for it not to happen again. They knew that the humans were trying to create "artificial life" as well so they headed in their ship for the twelve human Colonies that were settled 1,000 years before to warn them not to make the same mistake they did and to be kind to their creations. However, they only had a ship that could travel at most very near the speed of light, but had no FTL Jump Drives. As a result, while the journey to the Twelve Colonies seemed to those on board the ship was only a few years, to outside observers, including those on other planets the voyage was 2,000 years. By the time they reached the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, it was too late. The humans and the Centurions they created were at war, the first Cylon War against the Colonies of 40 plus years ago. The Final Five saw that these new Cylon Centurions were trying to develop flesh and blood humanoid Cylons just like the Final Five but couldn't get past the Hybrid stage. The Final Five proposed a deal: If the Centurions stop their war against humans they will help them create humanoid Cylons, complete with resurrection. The Centurions agreed to the deal and ceased the war with the signing of an armistice.

The process of Resurrection

Very little is known about the mechanics of downloading, other than what can be inferred and comments made from official crew members. Jane Espenson, co-producer and writer, notes that not all Cylons of the same model line share the same knowledge, and thus knowledge is variable between Cylons of the same model line. Further, Espenson notes that memories are stored and "can be accessed by a curious Cylon who knows how".

As for the length of time between death and successful resurrection, it is implied that, with a proper setup, a complete download can be performed in no shorter than two days. This measurement comes from the download of the Cavil previously mentioned in "Exodus, Parts I & II". However, too little is known to determine whether this is among the quickest or the lowest amounts of time required to download, as the audience is not privy to the logistical or technological barriers of the process.

Raider Resurrection

The semi-sentient personalities of Raiders also can be retrieved. This allows the Raiders to return to fight with greater tactical awareness (Scar).

The Raider known as "Scar" may have been one such Raider to learn master fighting tactics. The Scar personality scores many Colonial kills before its permanent destruction.

Raider resurrection also requires a Resurrection Ship in order to take place.

Cavil's deception of the Final Five and the source of Resurrection

The Five downloaded at least once more, when Cavil murdered them, boxed them, and ultimately unboxed them but downloaded them with their real memories blocked and false memories in their places. Previously it was revealed that before the Resurrection Hub was destroyed, a Cylon could download as long as they were within range. This also applied to the Final Five, Cavil kept at least one fresh body for each of them, as was proven when Saul Tigh killed Ellen Tigh and she downloaded into a new body. Apparently Cavil planned for them to rejoin the Cylons when they were killed in the attack on the Colonies he apparently instigated and hoped that they'd admit that they made a mistake in supporting humanity and see, in Cavil's view, the bestial nature of mankind and join him.

Post Destruction of Resurrection and its Possible Recreation

A joint attack on the Cylons' Resurrection Hub, which controls all Resurrection Ships, by Cylon rebels (The Leobens, Sixes and Sharons) and Colonial forces results in the Hub's destruction. As a result, the Cylons lose their ability to download, making them truly mortal for the first in history (The Hub).

When the Resurrection Hub was destroyed, and the lost ability to resurrect, the Cavil allied Cylons (Cavils, Dorals and Simons) didn't know how to rebuild it as it was technology from the Final Five. Cavil tried to get Ellen Tigh to help rebuild it, but she claimed that she couldn't do it without Anders, Tyrol, Tory Foster, and her husband, as she only knew part of the system herself. Cavil scoffed at this and decided to mine Ellen's brain in an attempt to find the information, but Boomer helped her escape, apparently cutting off the Cylons' only chance at rebuilding the technology. However this "escape" proved to be another deception by John Cavil as he let Ellen Tigh go in an ersatz escape in order for Boomer to find the fleet and capture Hera Agathon, the human-Cylon mixed child which Boomer has successfully has brought back to Cavil. As of Someone to Watch Over Me we do not know specifically what are the plans of John Cavil with Hera. To speculate, it is most likely that he intends to hold Hera ad the lives of the remaining 3, 556 humans in trade for the Final Five Cylons so they could recreate Resurrection at the Cylon Colony where they originally (more accurately developed for a second time) developed Resurrection nearly 40 years ago.