Cylon Centurion

For information on the Centurions from the Original Series, see Centurion (TOS).

Centurion, warrior of the Cylon army.

The basic foot-soldier of Cylon ground forces, the Cylon Centurion appears to represent a significant evolution of the Cylon Centurion Model 0005. They serve a variety of functions within the Cylon hierarchy, acting as guards, soldiers and executioners.

The Centurions are not sentient by design, and are completely reliant on software programming. This was done (according to Sharon Agathon) to prevent a rebellion akin to the one that the Cylons orchestrated against the Colonies. The Centurions are programmed not to harm any of the "Significant Seven" humanoid Cylon models (except by explicit order) and cannot distinguish one copy from another (Precipice). Whether the Centurions know the identities of the Final Five is unknown.

While primarily mechanical, it is suggested by humanoids discussing the viral infection afflicting the Cylons, that the Centurions have at least some bio-mechanical components and are disease-prone as well. This adverse reaction to the virus, however, could also be a result of their wireless link to the Hybrid, as a Number Three states that the Centurions started shutting down as soon as the ship's Hybrid became infected (Torn).

Unlike the Model 0005, a single Centurion can effectively combat a squad of Colonial soldiers. Long, talon-like fingers function as as bladed weapons during close-combat. These claws fold back to reveal a double-barreled automatic KEW mounted on the end of each arm. Since the Centurion appears to have a large internal munitions storage, and does not have to reload, getting close enough to inflict damage to it is difficult. Centurions are also capable of carrying larger, more powerful weapons not integrated into their systems, such as mortars and missile batteries. In "Razor", one Centurion boarding Pegasus carries a large, and likely powerful, rifle in its hands.

These newer Centurions are also more agile than their predecessors, being capable of extremely fast bipedal locomotion. Additionally, their legs are powerful enough to allow for a jump height of several meters.

It is unknown whether the Centurions can "speak". It is probable that they communicate with each other via a wireless network, making verbal speech unnecessary. They can, however, hear and respond to verbal commands from the humanoid Cylons (Hero).

Some versions of the Centurion wield markedly improved armor. A squadron of Centurions that board Galactica are unaffected by standard weaponry, being subdued only by armor-piercing explosive rounds (Valley of Darkness). The Centurions that Helo encounters on Caprica appear to react more slowly, behave less intelligently, and are more easily destroyed by small-arms fire. However, if one takes into consideration the overall plan that the Cylons had for Helo and Sharon Agathon, it may be surmised that these variants were intended to inflict psychological, rather than physical harm. Conversely, Centurions seen on Kobol display an increased group intelligence, working together to construct an anti-aircraft battery from parts of a Heavy Raider (Fragged).

"Bullethead", "clanker" and "chrome job" are common Colonial nicknames for these advanced and deadly Cylon constructs ("Downloaded", "Rapture", Battlestar Galactica: The Resistance).

Cinematic Notes

The creators of the Re-imagined Series decided that using actors in an elaborate Cylon robot outfit (as was done in the Original Series) would detract from the realism of the series. They decided to make fully computer-generated Cylon Centurions for the new series.

Inaugural director Michael Rymer wanted the new Cylon warrior to blend in and avoid detracting from the live actor's performances. However, the new designs were eye-catching, and the new robot became a popular addition to many scenes. The virtual Cylons are designed with full articulation in the hands and joints that gives a realistic appearance to the viewer. Initially the new warrior was built with more human movement, such as swaggering. However, the movements did not fit the robotic attitude that the writers wanted to convey and were later discarded.

Actors interact with a life-size cardboard stand-in when filming a scene that will later have virtual Cylon warriors inserted. Some times production assistants stand in for the CG Centurions in more complex shots. As revealed in a Video Blog entry on Sci Fi Channel's Galactica website, stand-ins portraying Centurions are made to wear thick black vests with the word CENTURION printed across them. Much like the cardboard stand-ins the "actors" are then digitally painted out of the shot and replaced with virtual Centurions.

Related Imagery

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  Centurion leaving a crashed Heavy Raider (Scattered).

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  Centurion in action during the boarding of Galactica (Valley of Darkness).

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  Centurion guard on New Caprica (Occupation).

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  Centurion aboard Pegasus (Razor).

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  Centurions carrying mortars (The Eye of Jupiter).

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  Centurion firing a mortar (Lay Down Your Burdens, Part II).

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  An improvised anti-aircraft missile launcher (Fragged).

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  A Centurion carrying a large gun (Razor).