Battlestar Galactica Theory
From LoveToKnow Sci-Fi
Battlestar Galactica theory abounds when addressing the reboot created by Ronald D. Moore and David Eick for a 2003 mini-series and subsequent series on the Sci Fi Channel. The series generated debate and theory before it even debuted due in part to fan loyalty to the 1970s series as well as protests by original series actor Richard Hatch. However, Battlestar Galactica quickly established a mythology, a fan base and a following.
About Battlestar Galactica Theory
Any theory is plausible in the universe created by Moore and Eick. The series premise states clearly: “This has all happened before.” While some viewers considered this a nod towards the original series, others quickly came to the realization that the show’s internal mythology shared complex overtones with the previous story, but that this story that happened before would happen again.
The Cylons were created by man to make life easier on the twelve colonies. The Cylons rebelled against their masters and fought a war. The war ended forty years before the series began. The armistice called for representatives to meet once per year on a station in neutral territory. Every year, the humans sent a representative and the Cylons did not.
In the original series, the Cylons were not created by Man, but by another race. Machine like Cylons were the foot soldiers of the Cylon Supreme Commanders. The dying race sought to exterminate the humans and used deception and deceit to accomplish this task. In the modern series, the Cylons use deception and deceit because they look like humans. While the story is similar, it is not the same. While it has all happened before, changes have occurred.
The story of robotic life forms is hardly new (see Isaac Asimov), but the use of politics, religion and mythological prophecies combined elements of fantasy with science fiction and Internet speculation continues to debate the finer points of creationism, political maneuvering , identity and of course: the truth.
Battlestar Galactica Truth and Theory
Due to Internet forums, message boards, blogs and websites, fans of Battlestar Galactica can engage in debate and speculation on the various theories behind Battlestar Galactica’s characters, mission, events and mysteries. Literally every storyline spawns a theory and a debate. The following theories are just highlights of the speculation churning up the Internet fanbase since the mini-series began in 2003.
The Cylon God and The Plan
Who is the Cylon God? According to the various skin jobs (Sixes, Leobens and Eights), the Cylons are monotheistic and believe in one God as opposed to the polytheism of the Colonies. The Cylons have a Plan, although the Plan is never detailed, one Battlestar Galactica theory addresses the holy crusade of the monotheistic Cylons purging the pagan Colonials. Another suggests that like the tales of the Gods of old, the Cylons are the children of man, coming to reclaim their place in the universe.
13th Tribe
The 13th tribe is a myth to some (Commander Adama) and a source of deep religious conviction to others (President Roslin). According to legends, Colonial life began on the planet Kobol. 13 tribes reportedly lived on Kobol until an event sent the tribes on a journey to find new homes. 12 colonies: Aquaria, Aerelon, Canceron, Caprica, Gemenon, Leonis, Libran, Picon, Sagittaron, Scorpia, Tauron and Virgon are depicted as 12 planets occupying one star system. The mythical 13th tribe journeyed from Kobol to settle in another part of the galaxy entirely, although no direct recollections explain why. In later episodes, the survivors learn that the 13th tribe are Cylons, not humans as originally assumed and the humanoid Cylons found a planet in another system and they named it Earth.
Dying Leader
In an obscure scroll called the Book of Pythia, President Roslin learns of the mythical 13th tribe that journeyed to Earth. According to the Book of Pythia, the exodus of the twelve tribes is foretold including the fact that their dying leader will guide them to salvation. Roslin grasps onto the instructions in the Book of Pythia, fancying herself the dying leader due to her diagnosis of cancer just before the destruction of the colonies. Other theories suggest that Admiral Adama is the dying leader or that the Galactica, the ship itself, is the dying leader that must past before the survivors of the colonies find salvation.
Final Five
The Final Five are a mysterious group referring to the five models of Cylon skin jobs the humans have never met. The Final Five turn out to be humanoid Cylons that were born of the 13th tribe. They journeyed from Earth after it was destroyed only to arrive during the first Cylon war. They convinced the Centurions to end the war and agreed to build the humanoid Cylons for them. The Final Five are: Ellen and Saul Tigh, Sam Anders, Galen Tyrol and the President’s executive aid Tory. The image of the Last Supper caused much Internet speculation to discover the identity of the final and fifth Cylon.
Mysteries and Questions
Every question answered in theory often spawns a new set of questions.
- Is Kara Thrace a Cylon or the child of a previously unknown 13th model: Daniel? According to Ellen Tigh, the Daniel models (also known as 7s) had their clones sabotaged by Cavil. An explanation for the original is never given.
- Kara Thrace’s viper is destroyed in a nebula. She returns weeks later, intact and in a brand new ship. Her ship knows the way to Earth. On Earth, Kara discovers a body she believes to be her own. If Kara died on Earth, what is she now?
- Hera is the child prophesied to be the face of things to come. She is a hybrid of human and Cylon. The Cylons, desperate to reproduce, believe that only through true love can they do so. Hera is the only living example known to the Colonials and the Cylons.
Battlestar Galactica airs on the Sci Fi channel and is available for purchase on DVD. The series includes a prequel: Caprica and an alternative view of the Cylon plan in Battlestar Galactica: The Plan.
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