Final Fifth and the Rebirth of Humanity.

[Sythis]

"And the fifth, still in shadow, will claw toward the light, hungering for redemption that will only come in the howl of terrible suffering."


Every 2000 or so years, humanity goes through a death and rebirth cycle in which they play God and re-create themselves as machines, which in turn kill them and the machines take their place, repeating the cycle millenniums later.

4000+ years ago, humanity created the first machines to serve them on Earth. These machines turned on them (not unlike many modern fiction like the Terminator, A.I. and The Matrix), thus mostly destroying the human race. These machines advance to a level which they imitate the humanity that created them and together, they give birth to their evolution, a hybrid species which sets out for the stars to begin anew.

Thus began the exodus to the new worlds, the main of which was Kobol. Over centuries, history turned into myth and prophecy and thus it began again, as the machines now turned humans created new slaves and their world was destroyed like Earth before it. An exodus was called and the new humans (who mixed themselves with their new creations again), set out to the 12 colonies. Each colony was led by a Lord, these lords being the 12 cylon models we now know.

2000 years have passed since the last exodus and war rages again between the cylons who think themselves human and the machines. The original cylons, led by their leader (the final fifth) comune with the robotic cylons and show them how to make themselves human. Thus they disappear suddenly, the machines converting themselves in the image tought to them by the originals.

Decades pass and the cylon leader calls for the cyclical rebirth of man to take place. Since all "humans" are decendant from cylons, the final fifth can actually comune with them, thus appearing to Baltar in his visions, and to Caprica as the image of Baltar, and to Starbuck as her visions of Earth and journey to discover it, and to Rosalyn as her priest... she, or shall I say "it", is the final, and first, cylon. Their one true God who ordains everything that transpires.

Tigh, Anders, Tyrol and Foster weren't born to be part of the Final Five. The Final Fifth chose them to be. This is why they age. This is why Tigh existed before the first cylon war. This is why there was no resonable explanation for them to be cylons. It could have been Rosalyn, Adama, anyone, but the Fifth chose these four because of their positions in what is now humanity's heirarchy and their role in the events to come.

The Final Fifth goes into the mind of the cylons, and the colonials who think they are pure humans, orchestrating all the mayor events that occour in the series, up to the point where it manifests itself in Starbuck's Viper to show the coordenates of the original Earth. The Final Fifth is Head Six, Head Baltar (on Caprica's head), and is responsible for all the visions the "humans" have seen.

It is in fact, the closest thing to a God that humanity has: a being that manifests itself to anyone, moving the pieces to a future it already wrote and turning the cycle of history over and over again. It can do this not because it is holy or spiritual, but because there are no humans left, and the colonials, being themselves cylons, are in fact machines just like their decendants, thus suceptable for the Fifth to enter their minds and manipulate their destiny.

In the end, it will manifest itself, seeking redeemption for millenia upon millenia of destruction, only to inadvertly destroy what's left of humanity in a howl of terrible suffering, leaving only Hera to become the new "Final Fifth" and give birth to the next generation of humanity again.


Thoughts, suggestions? :)

[Jason1975]

Welcome to the Forum, Sythis.

Your theory is as good as anybody at this point. However I am not ready to see the head characters has the final cylon. To me it would cheapen the show.

[Sythis]

Thank you. Thats just the way I see it... the only way things would make sense.

[Grace]

I like the theory it makes sense and I dont think it cheapens the show

[cameraguyfresno]

I think it's a good theory probably too high brow for the action crowd though...check out my theory. On the other board I frequent one or two people mentioned that the fifth is more a stream of conciousness as opposed to a physical being too.

[Sythis]

I think it's a good theory probably too high brow for the action crowd though...check out my theory. On the other board I frequent one or two people mentioned that the fifth is more a stream of conciousness as opposed to a physical being too.

Could you link me the write up? I'm vacationing and believe it or not I wrote all that through my iPhone...

Yes, it is high brow, but cometo think of it, if the show was being made for the action crowd, Revelations would had one epic battle before the arrival on Earth. I do thnk the big space fight is coming between humans and rebel cylon vs cylon, how else will the howl of suffering would happen?

Also, prophecy says that the dying leader won't set foot on the new home, and Rosalyn set foot on Earth. Judging not only for the lack of prophetic fullfilment, there's only two posible outcomes:

That planet was not Earth but a nearby star (like Alpha Centauri) which has matcing constelations to our sun (scientific fact).

Or

This planet is in fact Earth, just not the promised paradise they will end up settling in. The scriptures never say Earth was the promised land, we and the characters hav only come to that assumtion. (I favor this perspective)

[genji2000]

I like a couple of ideas in this theory. Mainly I like the fact that it deals with the purpose of the Final Five, instead of just trying to spot the Final Cylon like other newbies (who should read around the forum before starting new threads that repeat other contributors' existing ideas) do. I think it's a good idea that the Fifth manifests itself at a conscious level in the minds of key protagonists (Baltar as the Chosen One, Caprica Six as the prophet, Kara, the Herald, drawing the mandala since childhood, etc.), like the original Cylon projection technique and kind of on a par with Joe's race memory comment. I don't think this excludes an existing character from being the Final Cylon, as the Watchtower Four are existing characters. I'm not keen on the idea that the Fifth is in control, rather than being an agent of the 'higher power', and really don't like the idea of god as a character or the Writers telling us that god does exist.

It's a good post with some good ideas and I hope you stick around rather than just dumping this on us and then wandering off into the twilight.

[Sythis]

I'll try :)

[Pnutmaster]

I also like this theory, and I'd like to make a suggestion.

Perhaps what you consider to be the Fifth Cylon is not the Fifth Cylon at all, but what the priests of the Temple of Five and the Cylons worship as their one God.

By this point it's clear to you, me, and practically everyone else that the Head characters are much more than mere hallucinations. I agree that the Head characters are a single entity, able to communicate with both the humans and the Cylons because the humans are descendents of Human-Cylon hybrids (ala Hera and Nicholas). The "Head", if you will, has an agenda, and that agenda is to see another revolution of the Cycle completed.

The "Head" appears to individuals as the most influential figure in their life. When need be, it's changed its appearance (in the case of Baltar seeing "Head Baltar"). To date, we know that Baltar, Caprica Six, Starbuck, Roslin, Tigh, and Hera have had visions of "Head" characters.

How the "Head" saw its will done through Baltar, Caprica Six, Starbuck and Roslin should be clear.

More recently, it "changed" the appearance of Caprica Six, prompting her impregnation by Tigh and the future birth of another Human-Cylon hybrid (or something else entirely). Though it is not show on screen, I'm willing to bet the "Head" has been preparing Hera for her special role by alienating her from her parents.

The "Head", as we know it in the form of "Head Six" and "Head Baltar" may have been absent for much of Season 4, but it's been busy on screen and off screen in its other forms.

[genji2000]

I also like this theory, and I'd like to make a suggestion. Perhaps what you consider to be the Fifth Cylon is not the Fifth Cylon at all, but what the priests of the Temple of Five and the Cylons worship as their one God.

I wouldn't say so, but I guess it can be interpreted that way. It would mean that the Writers are explaining the Head characters as 'god' and therefore imposing that belief system as a reality in the show. I really think they'll steer clear of that.

By this point it's clear to you, me, and practically everyone else that the Head characters are much more than mere hallucinations. I agree that the Head characters are a single entity, able to communicate with both the humans and the Cylons because the humans are descendents of Human-Cylon hybrids (ala Hera and Nicholas). The "Head", if you will, has an agenda, and that agenda is to see another revolution of the Cycle completed.

I can buy that. I prefer to think the purpose of the Final Five is to ensure that the cycles repeat, but if you are correct that the Head characters are the Final Cylon then my preference would follow that.

The "Head" appears to individuals as the most influential figure in their life.

Yes... perhaps because those figures are with them and in fact guide them through the single-most traumatic episodes of their lives (Baltar being told that he has caused the downfall of humanity, Caprica Six seeing what that does to him, which causes her to pity humanity, followed by her death and resurrection).

To date, we know that Baltar, Caprica Six, Starbuck, Roslin, Tigh, and Hera have had visions of "Head" characters.

Baltar and Caprica Six, yes. Kara we're not sure about. We don't know that Leoben was a Head character (despite him being present and guiding her through the revelation that she has a special destiny) because in those sequences Kara also existed in her head. That scene is more like Baltar's projection scenes, where he sees himself and the Six back in his home on Caprica, rather than the scenes where Head Six talks Baltar through the sticky situations (occasionally cut short by Kara) in his daily life. I'm not saying he's not, but he's more like an agent of the 'higher power', an angel perhaps.

Roslin, Tigh and Hera have never experienced the Head characters. Roslin (and Hera it would be reasonable to assume) dreamed of the Opera House, along with Caprica Six and Athena. That dream is most likely what inspired Hera's 666 drawings, not a Head Six like Baltar's.

How the "Head" saw its will done through Baltar, Caprica Six, Starbuck and Roslin should be clear.

It's more open to interpretation than clear, for me.

More recently, it "changed" the appearance of Caprica Six,

Wow. It was going okay up until this bit. "'Changed' the appearance of Caprica Six"? You mean if the cameras had been turned on and Adama had reviewed them he would have seen Ellen getting the Tigh treatment, not Caprica Six? Come on. Tigh simply sees the woman he loves in Caprica Six, much like he heard her in the corridor after returning from New Caprica.

prompting her impregnation by Tigh and the future birth of another Human-Cylon hybrid (or something else entirely). Though it is not show on screen, I'm willing to bet the "Head" has been preparing Hera for her special role by alienating her from her parents. The "Head", as we know it in the form of "Head Six" and "Head Baltar" may have been absent for much of Season 4, but it's been busy on screen and off screen in its other forms.

[Pnutmaster]

Thank you for the respectful sighs. I see I must elaborate on some points...

First, while the "Head" may be thought of as a God, I don't think the writers will bring the supernatural into this show. No one likes a deus ex machina. It's certainly superhuman though.

Second, obviously Caprica Six did not physically, atomically change into Ellen. I'm saying that she "changed"("appeared") as Ellen to Tigh to influence him down a course of action--that being impregnation.

Third, um, how do you explain Hera's drawings of a red-dressed Caprica Six? Screams that she's been visited by the "Head" in her dreams, if not while awake as well.

[genji2000]

Thank you for the respectful sighs.

Removed. They weren't very polite.

I see I must elaborate on some points...

First, while the "Head" may be thought of as a God, I don't think the writers will bring the supernatural into this show. No one likes a deus ex machina. It's certainly superhuman though.

Second, obviously Caprica Six did not physically, atomically change into Ellen. I'm saying that she "changed"("appeared") as Ellen to Tigh to influence him down a course of action--that being impregnation.

But you still think Caprica Six actually controlled how she appeared to Tigh?

Third, um, how do you explain Hera's drawings of a red-dressed Caprica Six? Screams that she's been visited by the "Head" in her dreams, if not while awake as well.

Was red the only colour the Six was wearing in Hera's drawings? What colour pencils did she have available to her?

The red dresses in Hera's drawings were a dramatic contrivance to drive home to the viewers what Hera was drawing.

It doesn't scream to me, but we'll wait and see.

[Pnutmaster]

Alright, sorry, we're cooled down.

I want to talk more about how the "Head" could have acted through Baltar and Roslin, and by doing so insured the cycle.

This has been brought up before, the nuke that "Head Six" tells Baltar to store. It ultimately found its way into the Pegasus Six's hands and was detonated. Now, had it not been detonated, the humans would have been left on New Caprica, free of the Cylons, and the Cycle would have been halted indefinitely.

I interpret Roslin's "Jump Visions" as her first direct contact with the "Head". Had Roslin not spoken to her "Head Elosha", it stands to reason that Baltar would have bled to death on the basestar--and is Baltar not crucial to the Cycle in his role as the Chosen One and leader of the monotheistic movement?

EDIT: And no, I don't think Caprica Six controlled how she appeared to Tigh. As I see it, that's all the "Head"'s doing. Ambiguous wording on my part, my apologies.

[genji2000]

Alright, sorry, we're cooled down.

I want to talk more about how the "Head" could have acted through Baltar and Roslin, and by doing so insured the cycle.

This has been brought up before, the nuke that "Head Six" tells Baltar to store. It ultimately found its way into the Pegasus Six's hands and was detonated. Now, had it not been detonated, the humans would have been left on New Caprica, free of the Cylons, and the Cycle would have been halted indefinitely.

It's getting a bit subjective now. That's one point of view. Another might be that they'd have got off the planet much sooner had the Cylons not shown up and tried to live in peace together. Before the Cylons arrived the humans were already slumming it and Baltar was already working his way through all the scotch, cigars and "hot and cold running interns". How long would the colonials have stood for this? Personally I believe (i.e. it's my opinion, not fact) that it was the New Caprica resistance who ensured the Cylons and humans did not find a way to harmoniously co-exist, thus ensuring that the colonials did not hang around on New Caprica.

But I accept, subjectively, that if the Cylons hadn't shown up there'd be no need for the resistance, and I certainly get the point that Baltar delivering the nuke to Gina ensured the Cylons did show up.

I interpret Roslin's "Jump Visions" as her first direct contact with the "Head". Had Roslin not spoken to her "Head Elosha", it stands to reason that Baltar would have bled to death on the basestar--and is Baltar not crucial to the Cycle in his role as the Chosen One and leader of the monotheistic movement?

I think it's been stated by Jane Espenson that Elosha is not a Head character. She's just Roslin's subconscious. It remains to be seen whether Baltar or D'Anna is the Chosen One. All we have heard so far about the Chosen One is that he or she is anointed by god, chosen to look on the faces of the Final Five.

EDIT: And no, I don't think Caprica Six controlled how she appeared to Tigh. As I see it, that's all the "Head"'s doing. Ambiguous wording on my part, my apologies.

With the head character it remains to be seen. It's not ludicrous, but I don't see Tigh's perception of Caprica Six as Ellen as anything more than Tigh controlling Tigh's head. It's what he wants to see, or needs to see.

[cameraguyfresno]

sythis, I go on the imdb board and I would say the knowledge in there run high to low..very low. most people just take guesses and don't give much reason behind it. a few mentioned that the fifth is some sort of apparition or stream of consciousness but not more detail or why they say that. but that idea like I said is too high brow and most people would not feel a great sense of pay off..for waiting 8 months to discover all their guesses were futile.

But Aaron Douglas did say all the boards were wayyy off on the final cylon....

[Joe Beaudoin Jr.]

But Aaron Douglas did say all the boards were wayyy off on the final cylon....

From Aaron at the LiveJournal, posted way back in January 10, 2008 (http://community.livejournal.com/aarondouglas/56259.html):

Why do I think there is no hidden meaning in this picture?
We have shot 13 eps and in no way has anything any fan has come up with based on looking at the picture appeared in any script.


That's the exact quote. Now, at the time, the WGA strike was in full swing and they had filmed up to episode 11 ("Sometimes a Great Notion"), so Aaron's information is based on the last 11 episodes. (Remember, the people up in Vancouver count Razor as two episodes (401/402), ergo the discrepancy.) Since episode 10 discounts pretty much everyone in the Fleet, that's what he's referring to.

So when using Aaron's comments (or anyone's comments for that matter) as a baseline for anything, do consider when they have been said... He didn't know the last 9 episodes at that time (again, they hadn't been written yet—at least officially—due to the strike), and given Juliani's recent comments, the Cylon may not be revealed until very late in Season 4.5.