Humanoid Cylon speculation

This article is based on plausible speculation, which can violate policies on fan-generated theories if analysis is taken too far.

The Cylons' transformation into twelve distinct humanoid forms introduces serious problems for the remnant of humanity known as the Fleet to identify Cylon operative from human. At the beginning of their journey it seemed that anyone could be a humanoid Cylon, causing doubt and suspicion within the human populace (as evidenced in "Tigh Me Up, Tigh Me Down").

In the real world speculation about who could be a Cylon infiltrator in the Fleet has also been rife among fans of the show. Over the course of the miniseries and the first two seasons viewers were introduced to the "Significant Seven", however the natures of each of these characters were all revealed shortly after the characters' introductions.

In season three the nature of speculation for both the characters and the fans turned to the Final Five, enigmatic, almost-mystical figures who seemed to have a link to ancient colonial history. The nature of the five, according to Moore, is "fundamentally different" from the other seven models.

At the conclusion of "Crossroads, Part II" four recurring characters are revealed to be Cylons. The revelation that long standing characters such as Col. Tigh and Chief Tyrol were Cylons blew the field wide open, if they could be "toasters," then anyone could be the last Cylon. In particular, Tigh has a long and well-documented character history dating back to the First Cylon War.

This article details plausible speculation on which of the central and supporting characters in Battlestar Galactica could be the final one.

Clues from Official Sources

During a Q&A session on the official Sci Fi channel Battlestar Galactica forum Ronald D. Moore notes that he already knows who the last Cylon is, and that he's already left clues as to who it is.

Bradley Thompson was asked when the writers knew the identity of the final five:

"Four of the five were recent. If memory serves, the fifth (which may change) we've been kicking around since about the end of Season One."

General factors for consideration

In terms of narrative, to prevent an anti-climax it seems likely that the final Cylon would probably need to be a more prominent character than those of the Four. This centres the spotlight in the central "human" characters (Roslin, Bill and Lee Adama, Baltar and Starbuck). However, there is still an entire series for characters to develop and gain significance with viewers.

With the Final Five being "fundamentally different" from the Seven, extrapolating any characteristics we learned of Cylons from the Seven (including physiology, loyalty or self-awareness) is of questionable validity.

Col. Tigh has a well documented history stretching back at least to the first Cylon War. Also considering the Temple of Five, Final Five Cylons, somehow, significantly pre-date the Seven.

It has been seen that Cylons can start families, however it is unclear how the Five came to exist. Having natural parents would seem to preclude one being any more than half-Cylon.

Of the 11 so far there have been only four female models (and one has been boxed). The final Cylon being female would serve to equalize this gender bias.

Characters

With the exception of Karl Agathon and Cally Tyrol, who are confirmed to have half-cylon, half-human children, any "human" character could be a Cylon.

Laura Roslin

Reasons for suspicion

• While under the influence of Chamalla Roslin experiences visions, which she determines to be prophetic, linking to the writings in the Sacred Scrolls. The Temple of Five also appears to have ties to the Scrolls.
• As the Fleet nears the Ionian nebula Roslin shares a vision with the Cylons Caprica Six and Sharon Agathon.
• Roslin has no documented family.

Reasons for doubt

• Roslin suffers from breast cancer. It is unknown whether the Final Five can succumb to cancer, but Cylons seem to be generally tougher than humans. Baltar's cure in "Epiphanies" was probably designed based on the assumption that Roslin's physiology was human.

William Adama

Reasons for suspicion

• William Adama appears to project in the fifth Razor Flashback, however this may have been a stress-induced hallucination.

Reasons for doubt

• The Adama family is well documented. His father, Joseph Adama, was known to Romo Lampkin. The proposed spin-off Caprica, would have featured the history of the Adama family. This may have been difficult to square with any revelation about William Adama being a Cylon.

Lee Adama

Reasons for suspicion

• Lee appears to project in "Resurrection Ship, Part II", though this may have been an oxygen deprivation induced hallucination.

Reasons for doubt

• Lee is also a member of the well-documented Adama family.

Gaius Baltar

Main article: Baltar as Cylon speculation

Reasons for suspicion

• Baltar exhibits vast intelligence that may be superhuman in nature.
• Baltar's Virtual Six, and her apparent precognitive abilities seem to suggest something in Baltar is outside the normal human experiece.
• Both Virtual Six and later the Hybrid tell him that he is "chosen".
• He is frequently seen employing what appears to be projection.

Reasons for doubt

• Partly because of these reasons, Baltar begins to suspect he may be a Cylon, however he eventually comes to the conclusion that he is human.
• Baltar's betrayal of his own people is central to his character.
• In Caprica Six's final vision in "Crossroads, Part II she sees the hooded figures of the final five staring at her from the upper level. Baltar is standing next to her in the vision as well.

Kara Thrace

Kara Thrace and her special destiny

Main article: The Destiny

Kara Thrace's path towards her destiny has involved many strange, perhaps supernatural events. Whether this destiny involves her being a Cylon is a matter of speculation, but it is certain Thrace is something special.

Reasons for suspicion

• Thrace exhibits phenomenal natural skill as a pilot, and manages to learn to fly a Cylon Raider exceptionally quickly (You Can't Go Home Again).
• Thrace has been drawing the mandala from the Temple of Five since childhood.
• Most strikingly, the ace pilot apparently dies in Maelstrom but returns in Crossroads, Part II.
• Thrace is the only major "human" character who has a reason for not reacting to The Music. However the final Cylon may, for some reason, not have heard it, or may have ignored it.

Reasons for doubt

• An injured knee put a stop to Thrace's Pyramid playing ambitions, and she still carries scars from abuse as a child. Cylons, who seem to be more robust than humans, possibly may not carry such long-term injuries.
• Members of the Significant Seven, who do not know who the final five are, tell Starbuck she has this destiny.
• Katee Sackhoff was apparently told she was not a Cylon.