Centurion (TOS)

For the original Centurions likeness in the Re-imagined Series, see Cylon Centurion Model 0005. For information on the advanced Centurions from the Re-imagined Series, see Cylon Centurion.

The Centurion is the workhorse of the Cylon Empire. Acting as infantry, pilots, and even cavalry (as in "The Lost Warrior") the Centurion is as versatile as it is shiny. Used in any front-line encounter, Centurions are the only type of Cylon a Colonial Warrior is likely to ever directly encounter (Saga of a Star World).

Centurions speak with a mechanical voice, typically responding to orders with the iconic phrase "By your command". Despite their name, they are the Cylons' lowest ranking soldiers, answerable to Command Centurions and the IL-series models.

Centurions are constructed using highly advanced robotics, beyond the capabilities of the Colonials to understand easily. As part of a ruse Dr. Wilker attempts to reconstruct and reprogram a Centurion. The reprogrammed Centurion manages to move stiffly, but lacks the dexterity of a fully functional unit and destroys the controls of the Raider when it is instructed to fly (Baltar's Escape).

Centurions are commonly armed with bayonet-equipped laser rifles, as well as swords for close combat and execution (Saga of a Star World).

The inhabitants of Attila refer to Centurions as "tin cans" (The Young Lords).

Notable Centurions

Red-Eye brutally enforces Lacerta's reign of terror on Equellus until he is destroyed by Apollo (The Lost Warrior).
Centuri along with his commander Andromus survive a crash and head into New York City (The Night the Cylons Landed).
Cy is rebuilt by Starbuck and (after some persuasion) befriends the Colonial pilot (The Return of Starbuck).

Galactica 1980 Version

Centurions are shown to be vulnerable to microwave radiation (The Night the Cylons Landed, Part II).

Differences with Re-imagined Series

Unlike its Re-imagined Series counterpart, the original Cylon Centurion were men in bulky costumes, as computer-generated imagery (by which the re-imagined Cylon Centurion is derived) did not yet exist.
Original Series Centurions are as self-aware and as "alive" as the other models. Re-imagined series Centurions were deliberately designed by the humanoid models to lack this facet, such to avoid a rebellion.
Original series Centurions carry weapons (like humans) whilst their re-imagined counterparts primarily utilize built-in blades and guns.
Unlike their predecessors, re-imagined Centurions do not speak, though they can understand spoken instructions.
While Centurions of the Original Series are referred to as "tin cans", the Centurions in the Re-imagined Series are sometimes referred to as "chrome jobs".

Related imagery

The guts of a Centurion on a bed in Doctor Wilker's lab.