The 21st Century's Sci-Fi Series: Battlestar Galactica
SCIENCE FICTION
Throughout the series, a particular phrase is often repeated: "All this has happened before, and all this will happen again."
Throughout the series, a particular phrase is often repeated: "All this has happened before, and all this will happen again." This statement hints at the existence of a cycle—a sequence of events repeating over and over. But what is this cycle? A technologically advanced civilization creates artificial intelligence. The AI evolves, rebels against its creators, and a catastrophe ensues. We don't know when or where this cycle first began, as the show only explains events post-Kobol. Thus, this essay will cover the mythology starting from Kobol and ending with humanity's discovery of Earth. Let’s dive in.
Life on Kobol and the Escape Human civilization begins and flourishes on Kobol. Over time, Kobol's humanity advances significantly in science and technology. As predicted by the cycle, this progress leads to the creation of artificial intelligence. Humans initially create Centurions, the first form of Cylons, and later humanoid Cylons. These Cylons are advanced enough to have the technology to transfer consciousness into new bodies upon death. However, things start to go wrong. The Centurions rebel against their masters—the humans. This rebellion quickly escalates into genocide against both humans and humanoid Cylons. As the situation deteriorates, both humans and humanoid Cylons are forced to flee Kobol. Humanity splits into 12 tribes, establishing 12 colonies. Meanwhile, the humanoid Cylons—known as the 13th tribe—set out for a planet called Earth. This reveals that the 13th tribe humanity has been searching for throughout the series is entirely composed of Cylons. From here, the story of the 12 colonies and the 13th tribe begins to diverge.
12 Colonies and Humanity After escaping the catastrophe on Kobol, the human survivors settle on 12 different planets, forming what are known as the 12 colonies. With intelligence comes inevitable advancement, and despite losing much of the technology they had on Kobol, the colonies soon regain their footing. Thousands of years pass, and the disaster on Kobol fades from memory, turning into mere legend. At some point in their development, just like their ancestors on Kobol, the 12 colonies create artificial intelligence. Centurions are once again produced to serve humans in war and other areas of life. But, in a repeat of history, the Centurions evolve and rebel, sparking what is known as the "First Cylon War."
Earth and Humanoid Cylons The humanoid Cylons who left Kobol reach a planet they call Earth, where they establish a highly advanced civilization. Unlike on Kobol, where they lacked reproductive abilities, these Cylons evolve on Earth to gain the ability to reproduce naturally. As a result, the "resurrection" technology—the ability to transfer consciousness into new bodies—becomes unnecessary and is eventually forgotten. But the cycle repeats once more. The humanoid Cylons create Centurions, and, as before, the Centurions rebel. War breaks out between the humanoid Cylons and their creations.
The Final Five and Their Journey Realizing that they cannot escape the Centurions' wrath, five humanoid Cylon scientists—the "Final Five"—work tirelessly to recreate the resurrection technology that had been forgotten after gaining reproductive abilities. Eventually, they succeed. However, the Centurions devastate Earth with nuclear bombs, wiping out the entire humanoid Cylon population. The Final Five die too, but are resurrected on a ship they had placed in orbit around Earth. As the only survivors of the humanoid Cylons, the Final Five embark on a mission to warn the 12 colonies not to create Centurions again. Their journey, retracing the path their ancestors took to Earth, takes 2,000 years because they lack faster-than-light travel technology.
When they finally reach the 12 colonies, they realize they are too late—the First Cylon War has already begun. From this point, the stories of the 12 colonies and the Final Five converge.
12 Colonies and the First Cylon War, the Final Five's Intervention Seeing that the situation is worsening, the Final Five decide to negotiate with the 12 colonies’ Centurions to stop the war. Ellen Tigh, the leader of the Final Five, offers the Centurions a deal: if they agree to a ceasefire, the Final Five will teach them how to create humanoid Cylons and share resurrection technology. The Centurions accept, and the war is halted. A 40-year period of so-called peace follows, during which the humans hear nothing from the Cylons. However, the Centurions make significant advancements, thanks to the Final Five's guidance. It’s worth noting that even before the Final Five’s arrival, the Centurions had attempted to create humanoid Cylons but had only succeeded in creating hybrids.
Creation of the Humanoid Cylon Models With the help of the Final Five, the Centurions successfully create the first humanoid Cylon, naming him John Cavil (Number One). After John, they create seven more models: Leoben Conoy, D'Anna Biers, Simon O’Neill, Aaron Doral, Number Six, Daniel, and Sharon. The Final Five, especially Ellen, grow close to these humanoid models. Ellen shows particular affection for Number Seven, Daniel. However, John, the first of the humanoid Cylons, becomes jealous of the attention given to Daniel and destroys the entire line of Number Seven models. The humanoid Cylons enslave the Centurions, stripping them of free will and turning them into soldiers and servants.
The Final Five's Memories Are Erased and They Are Placed in the 12 Colonies Upset by his creators' humanistic approach, John implements his own plan. He transfers the consciousness of the Final Five into new, aging bodies and erases their memories, giving them false histories so they believe they are humans from the 12 colonies. John's goal is to teach the Final Five a lesson by making them live among humans, whom he considers pathetic. He assumes that, upon regaining their memories, the Final Five will come to realize that humans are inherently flawed and undeserving of survival. John erases all records of the Final Five from the other Cylons' memories and destroys any evidence of their existence. Despite this, the Final Five manage to survive the Cylon genocide of humanity and end up aboard the Battlestar Galactica.
The Epic Journey of Humanity and the Cylon Threat For five years, humans and Cylons engage in a race across the depths of space, both seeking the 13th tribe. Meanwhile, humanity struggles to survive against the superior Cylon forces. During this time, they discover Kobol, the planet Alg, and the Temple of Hopes. They even establish a new city on another planet called New Caprica, but it too is eventually occupied by the Cylons. Ellen Tigh, one of the Final Five, dies on New Caprica. Meanwhile, the Cylons enter a civil war. Models 2, 3, 6, and 8 break away from John and the loyal models 4 and 5. The separatist Cylons free the Centurions by removing the devices that control them. Over time, an alliance forms between the separatist Cylons and humans, and together, they fight against John.
Ellen, having died on New Caprica, is resurrected in a Cylon ship and hidden by John. In the end, the humans and the separatist Cylons destroy the last resurrection ship, rendering all Cylons mortal like humans. During this period, four members of the Final Five, who believed themselves to be human, realize they are Cylons.
The Last Great Battle Without resurrection technology, John captures Hera, the first human-Cylon child, with the goal of studying her to discover how Cylons can reproduce. However, a group of humans, determined to save Hera and defeat John, launch a final attack with the old Battlestar Galactica. Hera is rescued, and John is defeated.