Having finally caught up to Season 4.0 of Battlestar Galactica just in time for Season 4.5 to start this coming Friday, I am now prepared to engage in idle speculation regarding the identity of the final Cylon. People not yet caught up should stop reading at this point.
Some details that we know:
- “Clues” have been left as to the identity of the final Cylon;
- When D’Anna said that four of the Final Five were in the fleet, we should note the following: (i) A number of fleet personnel were on the rebel basestar; (ii) Given point (1) it is possible that the final Cylon is “dead”; (iii) but, D’Anna could be mistaken as to the Final Cylon’s location.
- However, if “dead” this would presume another resurrection facility used by the Final Five. This would seem to effectively remove them from the story arc upon resurrection until they happen upon either a Cylon or human fleet.
- It would be stupid if either of the Adamas, Starbuck, Baltar, or Roslin were Cylons; that leaves only secondary characters.
- Among the dead characters, we are left with: Admiral Cain and Kendra Shaw from Pegasus; Cally Henderson-Tyrol and “Kat” from Galactica; and Billy from the administration; and Elosha.
- Among those on board the rebel basestar, we have: “Helo,” “Hot Dog,” “Red Wing,” “Gonzo,” Seelix, the unnamed tattoed pilot, and any others I am forgetting. Baltar and Roslin are also on the basestar, but have been excluded on the basis of point (4).
So, where does this leave us?
Definitive exclusions:
- “Red Wing,” “Gonzo” and the unnamed tattoed pilot are all too marginal to be significant. Therefore excluded.
- Given that the actress who portrays Kendra Shaw is now a secondary character on Sarah Connor Chronicles, it would seem that scheduling up to ten episodes with her is likely impossible. Therefore excluded.
Possible inclusions:
- Seelix is also marginal, however three of the four were active members of the Resistance. On this basis, excluding Seelix is not wise. Therefore, Seelix should be included as a potential Cylon.
- Cally is significantly marginal enough to include her, but we’ve already done Significant Seven/Final Five breeding, therefore a Cylon/Cylon child would be redundant. However, the possibility that the Final Five can breed with one another should not be excluded. Therefore, Cally cannot be definitively excluded.
- While it would be stupid to have either of the Adamas be Cylons, it would be marginally clever to have “Hot Dog” be a Cylon as he is portrayed by Bodie Olmos, the real son of Edward James Olmos. Therefore, “Hot Dog” cannot be definitely excluded.
Indeterminate:
- Admiral Cain
- “Kat”
- Billy
- Elosha
Certain inclusion:
- On the hypothesis that the Cylons are modelled on human archetypes, “Helo” is the character who has taken principled, moral stands – for instance, on the biological warfare issue and with the sick Gemenese. Additionally, “Helo” was on the basestar and thus not part of the Fleet. Further, we know (1) that the Final Five and the Significant Seven can breed; and (2) Eights seem to be attracted to Cylons (Cavil, Tyrol, Helo). Therefore, “Helo” should not be excluded.
- No one is ever revealed to be the final Cylon.
Given the lack of other certain inclusions, “Helo” is the only possible character who could be a Cylon. However, this strikes me as unsatisfactory. The only satisfactory conclusion (given that Earth has been destroyed) would be never to reveal the final Cylon – because everyone is dead.
However, there is still this, but that contradicts this.
Much of the above derives from conversation with Blythe, including the suggestion that it is “Helo.”
9 Comments
given the look-like-us-cylon’s genealogy that is suggested in trailer for the caprica series (now in production), i wonder if the surprise will turn be where the fifth came from, rather than who it is (so i think none of the big character’s should be ruled out). that is the narrative hook will more likely be contextual, rather than simply a question of identity. At any rate, if its a minor character they will have to do much more to amp up the intrigue of such a revelation. So ja, my guess is that the final cyclon is the in fact the first look-like-us-cylon to have been fabricated (perhaps even before the first human cylon war)
btw, helo is unlikely because it would make the first half breed – athena’s spawn, a pure blood cylon, no?
That Hera is important is not denied in my theory. What is denied is the reason why she is important. That Significant Seven and Final Five Cylons can breed together is confirmed by Caprica’s pregnancy, but this in itself could result in Hera becoming less important: a Six now haw a member of the next generation.
good point. i’d forgotten about that.
In point 2, you missed one..
iv) That person is no longer with the fleet (the Colonial Fleet), e.g. people like Lee Adama who have either switched careers or have given up since D’Anna’s boxing.
Still, that contradicts with the Final Supper photo..
Lee is excluded on the basis of Point 4. Tory was included in D’Anna’s “four are in the fleet,” hence “fleet” does not refer to the Galactica, but to all of the ships. Besides, a single ship is not a fleet!
Actually, Galactica IS the Colonial Fleet..
I agree that Lee would be a stupid choice though. After another long long hiatus, I think I can wait two more days without any futher speculation :)
Caprica is carrying Tigh’s child, who will actually emerge (by prior Cylon-godal arrangement) with full complement of Bill Adama’s genes. That’s at least what I got out of You Will Know The Truth.
so now that we know the answer, just how off-base was all of this? love that ron moore and his bag of tricks. REALLY love the aporia of the final five having lived on earth thousands of years ago…. now does THAT work?? resurrection…? when? how? they must be a different breed altogether. i think the last show, which will be a double i think, from the cylons pov, will deal with all of this. the series will end, and then they will show that. moore and esphenson have said that it has to be that way… that then all will be clear. personally i think that hybrid-thingy in Razor holds some of the end game.
Post a Comment