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Ways to Shorten This Article: Please Vote

User:SGCommand recently split this article into 1978 and 2003 versions based on the ever-lengthening size of it. While I merged them back together primarily because I think the past series design decisions are very much a part of what we currently see, I didn't disagree with SGCommand that the article has stretched to quite an unweildy size. I'd love to hear some votes or suggestions on ways to streamline this article. A couple possible suggestions here:

Re-splitting the 1978 and 2004 articles with a more comprehensive disambiguation page and cross-links
As much as possible removing the detailed entries for the humanoid cylon models. Each of them has their own article (which is linked). In the case of the entry for Number Six in this article, it's not particularly shorter than her own specific page. Why not simply link her article to this main one and limit ourselves to a one-or-two sentence description here.

Cavil and Religion

Mentioning this in discussion as of course religion can always be a touchy subject (although I doubt there would be any dispute on this). At any rate, I've removed a line added to Cavil's entry: "One of the Cavil copies on Galactica states that "we" (he and others of his model) tell the others to believe in "one true God". The purpose for this is unknown, but it implies the idea that Cavil might be the humanoid model number one."
I've rewatched the scene in this episode, and can confirm that the Cavil models express athiesm, not belief:
Galactica Cavil: "There is no God"
Caprica Cavil: "Supernatural divinities are the primitives answer for why the sun goes down at night".
Galactica Cavil: "At least that's what we've been telling the others for years."
Caprica Cavil: "Can't really prove it one way or the other of course."
Markeer 21:03, 13 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Boomer's 8 comment

In the episode where Baltar coerced Boomer into divulging that there were 8 hidden Cylons in the fleet, it was clear what she was saying. That she is model number 8 is a different issue. What stretch of logic would lead one to think that "naturally" one can believe that she MEANT "I'm number 8 and in the fleet" when she said that there were 8 others among the fleet?
I reverted this part out simply because it goes beyond conjectural at this point, unless some reference or logical progression for this assumption can be given.
VigilancePrime 02:12, 20 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]
- Reverted this part out again. Still waiting for anything telling WHY this is either relevant, accurate or even fathomable. Maybe I'm missing the logic, but I doubt it. Please elaborate before re-re-adding.
- VigilancePrime 03:17, 21 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Zarek

When Gina/6 destroyed Cloud Nine (and a few other nearby ships, as seen in the SpecEffects shots), did that kill Zarek too? After all, I seem to be led to believe he lived on C9, and he at the least spent a lot of time there. If not, why wouldn't he have been seen in the "One Year Later" scenes? After all, he and Baltar seemed quite close (considering that Zarek got Baltar the election issue).
Thoughts?
VigilancePrime 02:12, 20 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Old (pre-04/2006)

Boomer

Is this characters name a reference to the humanoid robots from the Bubblegum Crisis series?

The character of Boomer dates to the original 1978 Battle Star Galactica series so unless the show you mention predates 1978, no. Robertbrockway 2:18 May 13, 2005 (UTC)

Imperious Leader

Would it be fair to suggest that the term Imperious Leader could be a direct translation of the German Nazi title Reichsführer? j/w

No, because "imperious" is not "imperial."

New vs. old cylons

Now that there are many indications that the new BSG wil become equaly as important as the original, perhaps it would be usefull to give the new cylons an article on their own. The "new" cylons are featured in this article as somewhat of a sidenote, while there is at least as much info on then as on the original cylons. Just as the different models here it could discuss the different new models ( nr 6, boomer, the CGI fighter, the spacecraft model etc.). Also the new cylon backstory is at least as rich as the original, and many interesting things can be said about their religion also.

Baltar's Fortuitous Rescue

The revelation she is a Cylon agent implies that Helo's stranding and Baltar's apparently fortuitous rescue, may be only part of an elaborate Cylon plan.

This statement really doesn't belong here; it's certainly breaking NPOV, as whoever wrote it is seriously reaching. Not only does it not make sense, as it was Helo who insisted on staying behind and giving up his seat for the Doc, but Ron Moore himself cited in his Podcasts that Helo was never intended as a post-mini-series character. Fans demanding to know what happened to Helo, along with Moore being surprised by his acting ability prompted him to create the story of Helo on Caprica. One could allow Moore to rewrite history and suggest that Boomer would have orchestrated it anyway, but that's not the way it happened, and it's certainly not the way it was originally written.

More specifically, we see that it's cosmically important and part of Cylon plan in the way that everything works out conveniently for Baltar, but the suggestion that Boomer-Cylon had a hand is imaginative at best.

Absolutely correct, but Moore hints in his 8/27/05 podcast that Helo is a Cylon. Unless I'm totally dense. Hmm? Danlovejoy 03:29, 30 August 2005 (UTC)[reply]

It would be surprising if he gave that away so unambiguously. Can you say which episode in this listing in which it could be found? --Saforrest 05:00, 27 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The number of models in the new series

I could've sworn that initially they said there were only 6 models, but then at some point they switched the number to 12, and i have a sneaking suspicion that in the latest flashback where they mentino 12, they just redubbed it to say that cuz it originally said 6-- am i delusional?

I thought 12 refered to the number of human models in the new series. Not the total number of cylon models of all types.

Ron D. Moore has confirmed in interviews at Thefandom.com that there are 12 models of humanoid Cylon.

In the miniseries, Adama discovers a note in his quarters that reads, "There are only 12 Cylon models." — Phil Welch 07:22, 15 August 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Nowhere did it say that there are 12 humanoid models - just that there are twelve models. Now, if I were writing it, I'd want to keep as many options open as possible - that means twelve humanoids + centurion, raider, and any other mechanical models I don't remember. Danlovejoy 05:36, 17 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Well you're not writing it. Look, how ambiguous can "there are only twelve Cylon models" be? — Phil Welch 06:23, 17 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Oh, I'm not? How do you know? ;-)

Seriously - there is LOTS of room for ambiguity, even if you take the note at face value. But I'm not advocating either way here. As recognition to those who think "it's perfectly clear" that there are 12 humanoid Cylon models, I wanted to make it clear in the article that there is some ambiguity - a change that you supported in the edit history. So is there a problem - or are we in agreement? I'm confused. Danlovejoy 03:33, 18 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

I agree there is lots of room for ambiguity. Just looking at it logically, it doesn't make sense that there'd only be 12 models total--the Cylons have been around for 40+ years and there are only 12 models?? Unlikely. --Fang Aili 06:37, 18 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

I think you're confusing "are" and "have been". Past models can be discontinued. Check out this poor guy! [1] — Phil Welch 10:33, 18 September 2005 (UTC)[reply]

He was just joking around --Ricimer 19:52, 11 November 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, that was the joke. Good job catching it. — Phil Welch 21:21, 11 November 2005 (UTC)[reply]

The note, though I don't remember the exact wording, did NOT say there were 12 HUMANOID models, just that there were 12 CYLON models. I am going to make an assumption that the general definition of a cylon model is one that can act or think indepemndently. Without further knowledge, I can't say that the gunship that crashed into Galactica, nor the carrier that 'Sharon the Cylon' stole were sentient or independent.

Actually, Ronald Moore's blog now makes it very clear that Centurions are not sentient. See here: http://blog.scifi.com/battlestar/archives/2006/01/index.html#a000114. This would seem to suggest the raiders aren't, either, and that the only sentient, spiritual, and religious models are the humanoid ones.

My prior statement regarding Raiders is not entirely correct. In the episode "Scar", the Sharon Cylon explains to Starbuck that Raiders do resurrect at the homeworld or on a resurrection ship. Because of this and other evidence in the show, Raiders must have some form of sentience. Other information from Sharon suggests they have individual personalities and complex emotions such as hate.

The 'robots': 1. The '78 model centurion <sp?>: "That model is still around. It has its uses." 2. The CGI centurion. 3. The pilotless raider.

The 'Humanoids': 4. Aron Doral. 5. Leoben Conroy. 6. Shelly Godfrey / Number Six. 7. Sharon 'Boomer' Valeri. 8. The doctor from "The Farm" (Forgot his name.)

As the note was written WELL before Sharon was pregnant, I will assume that the expected cylon baby is NOT one of the original 12 models. Hmm... 12 models, 12 colonies. Coincidence? Please feel free to add any others I missed.

Doing a little research after watch Season 2, Episode 18 aka "Downloaded", I put together this list...

03 - "D'Anna Biers" played by Lucy Lawless

05 - "Aron Doral" played by Matthew Bennet was Galactica's PR Officer

06 - "Shelly Godfrey" aka "#6" played by Tricia Helfer

08 - "Sharon Valeri" aka "Boomer" played by Grace Park

Then there was "Leoben Conroy" played by Callum Keith Rennie was the Cylon that Adama killed in EP-108 "Flesh & Bone" & "Simon" played by Rick Worthy who was the Doctor from EP-205 "The Farm". But, in "Downloaded" we see potentially four new Cylon models on Caprica. We have...

"The Balding White Guy in Black Suit" walking away in plaza with 6 before Coffee house scene?

"The Bald Black guy in tan jacket" (Another Simon?) sitting with back to camera with 6 & 8 in Coffee House scene twice in EP 218?

"The Red Head woman in light green top with dark pants" sitting with 5 from Coffee House in EP 218??? Though it could be another 3.

"The White Guy with Dark hair in Olive Jacket" sitting alone? Though could be another 5.`

Sorry, no names as yet. :(

In the Podcast, Ronald Moore mentions that there are several appearance by Simon but they used another actor. Chiok 09:00, 27 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The derivative of the name "Cylon"

"It may also be an allusion to the German word Zyklon (tsʏkloː)" It is my understanding that Zyklon is a direct translation for Cylone. The only reason I can see for the German wording is as an obscure reference for Zyklon B which was used in Nazi concentration camps. If this is the case then it needs to be amended somehow — Zarboki 16:32, 18 October 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Yeah, Zyklon is just German for "cyclone". I can't think of any reason for this to be mentioned save the Zyklon B reference. Anyway this seems really reaching. Even the explanation for the German pronunciation is wrong: z is pronounced as ts, not s (e.g. Nazi is Nat-see, not Na-see). --Saforrest 04:53, 27 January 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Cylon in Mozilla

By my reckoning the word "cylon" appears only four times in Mozilla, once in a comment and three times in unused code.

Spelling

Isn't the metallic warrior unit Cylon spelt "Centurian"? Or is that just for the Mini-Series?

As long as we each know what this refers to, it shouldn't matter. I haven't had the chance to check the spelling, but the <sp?> in my notes above indicate this may not be the proper spelling. If anyone can confirm the proper spelling, please do. :)

Heavy Raider

The Heavy Raider first appears in Season 1 Episode 9, not 13. It is seen above the street shining a spotlight when the cylons are searching for Helo and Boomer, while Helo is looking out the manhole. 205.206.98.72 08:06, 24 November 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Cylons are Christians?

The man who did this serie is not much sympathetic to christians. The cylon religion is very alike with the christian religion, because of the monotheis, and other things, placing christians as villains and pagans as heroes. 200.213.85.185 23:07, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, that pro-pagan bias in most Candaian produced television is so apparent, I can't believe other people can't see it too--205.188.117.65 23:09, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
What incredible malarky! The Cylon religion has NO messiah, NO concept of salvation, NO afterlife, NO apotheosis, and NO mandate to witness. It's about as un-Christian as you can get. You might as well tap into the fact that the Cylons believe they're God's chosen people and claim that BSG is anti-Semitic since the villains are "obviously" Jews. Oooh! Or how about claiming that BSG is anti-Hindu because Cylons can reincarnate? You can't, with any honesty, pick up on monotheism and suddenly go "well, it's obviously Christian-like". No. Akenaton was a monotheist, and his religion looked nothing like Christianity. The truth is...we know nothing about the internal workings of the Cylon religion. All we know is that the Cylons believe in a single deity and that they believe they've been chosen by this deity to end the human race. That's it.
On the contrary. Galactica is pro-christian. As the person above said they are very far from actual Christianity and they're showing everything that is wrong about religious fanatism. Furthermore all the series is a cross-section of human religious and phylosophical history. There's more to this show than meets the eye

Black doctor cylon

Why is the black doctor who was examining Starbuck on Caprica not found in the images of known Cylons. He has proven to be a Cylon