The Final Cylon revealed!

[doubledge]

First things first:
I should explain the scope of this document, source of information, credibility, etc.:
The following statements, opinions and views are my own, and are in no way connected to or associated with any of the legal owners, producers, writers, directors, actors, staff members and/or crew of the television series “Battlestar Galactica”.

What I am, is a somewhat loyal and diligent fan (maybe addict would be a closer match) of the show, which is currently in the mid-season break of season 4. Like everyone else, I’ve been anxiously waiting for the disclosure of just who is the “Final” or “Fifth” Cylon since the end of Season 3, where the identities of 4 of the “Final Five” were revealed. In fact, this mystery has dominated the bulk of Season 4, and it’s becoming painfully obvious that the producers of the show are milking this one for everything they can get.

So, like all of you, I’ve been tuning in every week, greeted with opening statements promising that “All will be revealed” – blindly believing that and doggedly following along only to be somewhat unceremoniously dumped off here, at what, “mid-season break”? What mid-season? Or, better yet, “Mid-Season, WHAT???” WTF: SGA’s mid-season break lasted 2 weeks, but over here in BSG land, we gotta wait until 2009 for the airing of the final 10 episodes of Season 4. UGH! How much more do we have to endure? Can anybody say “CARROT & STICK?” (LOL – don’t get me wrong – I still think this show is by far, the greatest sci-fi endeavor ever, whether it be TV series or movie, and I’m in for the duration).

How I got here: My somewhat unorthodox methodology “revealed”

It’s safe to say that since the end of Season 3, one of the most popular pastimes of all BSG fans is speculating on the identity of “The Final Cylon”. In my case, I guess I’ve been doing it somewhat excessively. Maybe even subconsciously. (in fact, I had this latest epiphany at 2am in a semi-conscious state, waiting on my cappuccino machine to do it’s thing. Normally, I voice my latest “best guess” to my 14 year old son, who watches with equal enthusiasm, but is complete burnt out when it comes to entertaining my latest ramblings on this identity scenario: he’s had to endure ‘em all! I’m not exactly sure just how I came upon this one when I did – as I mentioned earlier, I wasn’t fully conscious as the time. In fact, I wasn’t really aware that I was actually doing it – plugging in different characters and reviewing the results. Since episode 10 aired, that list has been considerably shortened, now that we’ve received the latest “hint” (only 4 of the 5 are in the Colonial Fleet).
Anyway, I think I was humorously speculating the arrival of Dirk Benedict as a gust star, when this other unlikely character somehow slipped in, and MAN! It was like the $100,000,000 Jackpot machine just hit!. Lights! Bells! Whistles & Gongs started going off – no, seriously, that’s what it felt like, as I came to the realization of just how perfectly this one works. How many mysterious unexplained scenes that the writers used over & over for no other apparent reason then to leave us all in the dark – or in some other murky gray place that they could easily leave only to bring back at the conclusion of this season. The resulting effect would be (is) startling. You know, one of those puzzle pieces that ties it all up so well, that you wind up slapping yourself in the head for missing the perfectly obvious. They went well out of their way to mark the fact that “something don’t quite add up here” or “what the frak was that excessively long camera shot of “so-in so” for: filler? Don’t think so!
Bear with me.

WARNING! The following opinions MAY contain spoilers: READ THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK

This scenario works out so well that it would be hard to believe that it wasn’t completely thought out and pre-planned. In fact, if I’m wrong about this, it would be a huge missed opportunity. Don’t see any other one working out with the rippling effect this is gonna have:
O.k., enough of this yada, yada, I’m just gonna blurt it out. The Fifth Cylon is (drum roll, please!) none other than one Ellen Tigh! And, by the way, she’s not dead. In fact, she never was! Consider this: No Cylon is capable of intentionally killing a member of “The Final Five” – something in their core programming just won’t allow it. Saul Tigh could no more kill Ellen than the Raiders who confronted Anderson could kill him. The Raiders, even as low as an intellect as they hold, did have the advantage of knowing that they were in fact Cylons – something that Saul Tigh had no clue about. Compound that with the fact that Saul is one of the “Five” as well. Then you might want to add in all the rest of the following confusion that followed during the escape from New Caprica: No one hung around to verify that Ellen was actually dead. Too busy escaping. Think about it – Saul had to take care of this by himself – nobody else present. Her last words were something like “I’m so tired – I just want to go to sleep”, and that’s exactly what happened. Either the amount of poison administered was effectively reduced, or maybe just switched for a harmless sleeping pill by Saul, in a trancelike state of Cylon subconscious override.
I could go on and on with this scenereo with questions like "Why didn't we see more about Saul loosing his eye"?
BUT THIS IS ALL JUST IDLE SPECULATION - GUESS WE'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE IF I'M EVEN CLOSE!

[genji2000]

...New Caprica: No one hung around to verify that Ellen was actually dead.

So how does D'Anna know your Fifth is not in the fleet if she didn't check that Ellen was left behind on New Caprica?

Welcome to the forum. You might consider introducing yourself here (http://www.battlestarforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=50) and telling us something about yourself here (http://www.battlestarforum.com/showthread.php?t=1577).

[thevarrior]

I don't for a second believe Ellen Tigh is the final cylon. However, I DO think - and this was probably designed into the show - that she is a much older Six.

[doubledge]

WELL, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY NOW?
I'm not one to gloat much, but COME ON! - How many of you got this one right?

oh, yeah... I posted this on 3 different forums, and after the fifth Cylon was revealed, I went looking for my original posts, only to find that 2 were completely missing (Sci-fi channel forum, and battlestargalacticaforum.com, where I didn't seem to have a membership anymore). When I checked here, this site was DOWN, so it seemed like there was no evidence of my original claim about Ellen Tigh! Very depressing, to say the least! I’m feeling much better now that this forum is back on line - it is the only place that my post survived.

[Batman316]

WELL, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY NOW?
I'm not one to gloat much, but COME ON! - How many of you got this one right?

oh, yeah... I posted this on 3 different forums, and after the fifth Cylon was revealed, I went looking for my original posts, only to find that 2 were completely missing (Sci-fi channel forum, and battlestargalacticaforum.com, where I didn't seem to have a membership anymore). When I checked here, this site was DOWN, so it seemed like there was no evidence of my original claim about Ellen Tigh! Very depressing, to say the least! I’m feeling much better now that this forum is back on line - it is the only place that my post survived.

um....dude you might want to put your ego into the back corner before someone sits on it

[blackjedi47]

Good. so, where is old Ellen now? since ya hit the first one how does it follow, speculation? and let no site sharks get ya down :(.

So far so good:thumbsup:!!

[doubledge]

Ego? Mine's not really doing so well these days, which is maybe why I came around here looking for a just a little credit for getting this right. Actually, I'm just really happy to see that this post didn't dissapear like the others.
That's good enough for me.
Later,
=doublèdgè=

Good. so, where is old Ellen now? since ya hit the first one how does it follow, speculation? and let no site sharks get ya down :(.

So far so good:thumbsup:!!


She's with Cavil - doing that twirly thang ("The Swirl") - lol :lol:

[Pnutmaster]

Good. so, where is old Ellen now? since ya hit the first one how does it follow, speculation? and let no site sharks get ya down :(.

So far so good:thumbsup:!!

lol@ site sharks. Time for a new title, boys?

"So far so good:thumbsup:!!" needs to become your signature, blackjedi47.

[ThPrime]

WELL, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY NOW?
I'm not one to gloat much, but COME ON! - How many of you got this one right?
Back in August? Nobody I can remember. You aced it so far. Congratulations. :thumbsup:

[Pnutmaster]

Congrats are in order.

I remember reading this thread and thinking how outlandish it was. Now we wait and see if your "core programming" thought pans out. While it's neat, it requires that Ellen was taken aboard by the Cylons before they abandoned New Caprica. Unless Cavil did this behind everyone's back, I don't see how it's possible. You bring a human aboard other than Baltar, someone will notice. I'm guessing word travels fast across a model.

[blackjedi47]

so that itz official-YOU GOT IT rite!

SO sez we ALL:D.

i read so many at length ass wrong run on explanations, that, man, we do need to give you props, why not?!

:thumbsup:!!

[doubledge]

Thanks, y'all..
I don't get many right, which is why I don't gamble much. (very little, and only on things I can hold in my hand..like a pool stick, hand of cards, ping-pong paddle, etc.)
Anyway, I do appriciate your comments - even the negative ones.
THANKS AGAIN!

[genji2000]

Yes - well done doubledge. Good work.

[cameraguyfresno]

do you really think they would reveal the 5th in the 1st episode of the final episodes? the rest better be a barn burner!

[thenimf]

What if she woke up and escaped with Cavill as the cylons evacuated from New Caprica? It would fall into place because:
- Cavill and Ellen already had a connection and maybe he simply saw her stumbling out of that cave or out of the ruins and took her with him
- Deanna knew that there were only four in the human fleet: because she knew Cavill was banging the fifth back in theirs!! Maybe Cavill made Ellen his sex slave or something and that's why Deanna said "I'm so sorry" to one of the fives back in the temple, because none of them (the 7) ever protected Ellen from Cavill.
- Ellen doesn't need to be brought back with some convoluted resurrection method, preserving the mysticism surrounding the way the final five are reborn.

Some random things to think about:
- The show has a lot of themes of cruelty and exploitation. Maybe Cavill knew the whole time that Ellen was one of the final five, and he actively sought to torment her. I know that it *kinda* contradicts what I said earlier, but who knows.
- Wouldn't it be awesome if post-Activation Ellen enslaved Cavill back in the cylon fleet? Not overnight, but she manipulated her way to the top of the hierarchy... and so the game changer towards the end of the series might become a scenario where the cylons are reunited but now Zarek and Roslin are causing the humans to splinter over integrating with the cylons after all that's happened.

[genji2000]

Very apposite choice of nickname. Well done. I'm surprised you managed to type 'resurrection' without the obvious Freudian slip. :)

[thenimf]

Very apposite choice of nickname. Well done. I'm surprised you managed to type 'resurrection' without the obvious Freudian slip. :)

You have no idea how hard it was not to give rise to that notion...
:lol:

[Prolescum]

Tsk...

[thevarrior]

I will be man enough to admit I was wrong. Great job! I'm glad you were able to figure this bit out earlier.

[Antarctic Fox]

Good morning, everyone. Antarctic Fox reporting for fan-wanking, theorizing and eventual humiliation at the hands of RDM and his creative staff.

Let me posit this explanation for how Ellen will resurrect: she won't, because she never died. I won't bother with trying to guess how Ellen got off of New Caprica (though it might have had something to with Cavil getting off on New Caprica), but I will throw these two bits out there.

1. One of the Final Five has already exhibited greater-than-human strength. When Tory bitch-slapped Callie in the launch tube, it knocked her into the air and several feet back. This shows to us that the "Earth" Cylons have superior strength to humans, and we can conjecture that the rest of their biological systems are superior to homo sapiens (or whatever the Colonials are, because I'm not convinced that they are homo sapiens). If this is true, we can conjecture that Saul gave Ellen sufficient poison to kill a human, but not enough to kill an "Earth" cylon. As she said, she went to sleep.

I've no idea, though, how Ellen got off New Caprica. Perhaps she was in some state of hibernation*. After all, the rebel basestar hybrid (just clutching at straws here) appeared dead in its tank after being unplugged, but immediately came back to life when plugged back into the basestar.

2. One of the "YouWillKnowTheTruth" clues that I've seen (and read a little this morning about thanks to the rest of the people here) shows Boomer getting off a Raptor, and Roslin's surprise. I agree with the rest of you that it's Boomer (the Cylon flight suit), and that there's someone else in there. I can only imagine that it's Ellen.

The question would be why the "we're machines" Cylon faction would hand Ellen over to the Colonials. A peace offering? Boomer's misgivings about Cavil (I seem to remember she's disagreed with him a few times)? Or maybe Ellen also "awoke" and commanded them to take her back to Tigh?

*There's already a precedent for this. Ellen was purportedly in a coma for some time in the fleet after the attack on the colonies.

[genji2000]

Heracles called it: Jan 2008 (http://www.battlestarforum.com/showthread.php?p=4641#post4641).

[Prolescum]

Yay Heracles. I'm going to give him some overdue rep.

[The Dirt]

Congratulations to both doubledge and heracles. Actually, heracles called it while being completely confused. I guessed that it was the fat lightsaber kid from youtube that they left on New Caprica, so I was half right.

[genji2000]

You need to let the words of Heracles wash over you, just absorb them, rather than trying to understand every little nuance and deduction. By the time he got to the red and green words he was already discussing a completely different topic.

[bradtem]

There were two visions of Ellen as Cylon. They planned Ellen as a potential Cylon (generic) back in the miniseries, when they had Saul burn a photograph of her with his cigar. I mean just look at a screen capture of that, it screams "she's a Cylon."

But they had not worked out the concept of the final five yet. They worked out that concept at the start of season 3. They did not pick Ellen to join the final five until *after* she had died.

When Ellen arrived on Galactica (Tigh me Up) it was with everybody suspecting her as a Cylon, and they were right -- but not because there was any concept of final five.

Ellen was not picked as a Cylon until Saul was picked. As I write in this post from last year:

http://ideas.4brad.com/battlestar/ellen-tigh-plot

The thing that made Ellen make sense as final Cylon was her relationship with Tigh. Until you knew Saul was Cylon, it was not possible to correctly predict, for the right reasons, that she was the fifth. Though one can make an argument that, knowing they had set her up to be an ordinary Cylon, she became a likely pick to be a final Cylon. I did make this argument back two years ago (to the day!), but only weakly.

[genji2000]

Yeah, but you said the Final Cylon was Head Six, right?

[bradtem]

Yeah, but you said the Final Cylon was Head Six, right?

I did. Ellen was my top pick back in July, but she got bumped to #2 by the theory of the Virtual Being as final Cylon. What I got right about Ellen (other than making her my 2nd highest pick) was the reason why she could be final Cylon. And for honesty's sake, I re-edited my post picking Ellen to say that the virtual being had moved ahead in my rankings.

But I did think the reasoning behind Head Six was better -- namely that she, unlike Ellen and the rest, was a regular character, one of the most popular characters on the show, and she still needs some explaining. We're just going to get different explaining.

[genji2000]

Yeah, it's good. Just in case people are too lazy to click the link I hope you don't mind me reproducing part of it here:

The Final Five, as I view it, are not strictly Cylons. They are former human beings who transferred their minds into AI form. They were, I think, the people who programmed and created the Cylon AIs and the first Cylons themselves, back on Earth.

As I also surmise, in order to maintain their humanity, they regularly incarnate themselves in human form, unaware of who they are. They are born, grow up and then later die or become aware, and merge themselves with the more advanced AI mind, keeping that mind more human.

So let’s imagine that two of the five are lovers. They were lovers as humans, and have had a tumultuous, 4,000 year long on-again off-again love affair. Sometimes, as is the case this time, they find each other in human form, and marry. But it’s not a fully stable relationship, in spite of, or perhaps because of its longevity.

I don't like the first paragraph, but like I've said about spoilers - you read something in black-and-white and it sounds screwy. When they play it on-screen it works. So who knows?

The rest was spot on so yes - kudos not cash for that.

Hey Brad - you've gone from like 7 posts to being a regular in about a week. All good, too. Kudos for that too.

[bradtem]

Hey Brad - you've gone from like 7 posts to being a regular in about a week. All good, too. Kudos for that too.

I've been in the wiki for a while, but my usual place has been alt.battlestar-galactica, mainly because USENET software, even though 30 years old, still is more convenient for doing threaded discussion than any web board, though damned if I can figure out why that should still be.

But that newsgroup is getting too many trolls who seem to just be there to flame and grief and get personal and insulting rather than talk about the show, so I am shifting.

If there is a way to have this message board do USENET's core feature of "show me, in one quick interface, the new messages I haven't seen in the areas I have subscribe to" that would be great.

[genji2000]

I don't know. I use Today's Posts (Quick Links) as my homepage but then I check the whole forum. Prole uses subscriptions I think (no idea how I know that if I'm right, probably from Who's Online).

[Prolescum]

I don't use subscriptions, I just don't comment on things out of my depth...
I try to read everything, and use the new posts button often as I'm lazy.
I only get emails for PMs.

[Pnutmaster]

I don't know. I use Today's Posts (Quick Links) as my homepage but then I check the whole forum. Prole uses subscriptions I think (no idea how I know that if I'm right, probably from Who's Online).

I learned the "New Posts" trick from the addict quoted above. Works wonders and keeps me spamming it for another fix every 5 minutes I'm on the computer.

[genji2000]

You can be banned for a sig like that you know.

[Pnutmaster]

You can be banned for a sig like that you know.

I leave our virtual, pederastic love affair to cool your temper and prevent such things.

[bradtem]

Not up to it. The classic USENET interface does this. First, it tracks what newsgroups you read and what you have read and not read. All the newsgroups are in the same interface (like RSS readers tend to do for blogs and some message boards, but RSS tends not to be threaded.)

There are also readers with thread subscribe, or more commonly unsubscribe (kill) as well as the ability to kill users, words and other patterns.

You can usually read news hitting the spacebar mostly, and sometimes a few other keys.

When done properly (with a local server) USENET is read locally, so response time is always instantaneous, even if the net is down. You can never understand how much that changes a UI until you try it.

Anyway, the typical approach is to hit your space bar and see a list of all new articles, grouped by thread. You can select the threads you will read today, or hit the space bar to read all of them. You then see the articles one at a time, but with instant display, ie. so fast you never see pauses or screen redraws. you can just hit space bar to go through things a page at a time, or 'n' to skip to the next article. That is most of your keypressing.

Sometimes you hit another key to kill off a thread, temporarily or permanent.

It is vastly faster to use than any web interface. And you only see what's new for you unless you ask to go back.

Most web message boards tend to never have instant response, rely on slower mouse interactions, don't have great threading, if they have threading at all (this message board does not have threading at all as far as I can see, it just has something it calls threading which is really more topics.)

[thevarrior]

I leave our virtual, pederastic love affair to cool your temper and prevent such things.

O______o.

o______O.

[Shane]

http://www.battlestarforum.com/search.php?do=getnew <-- what I use

[doubledge]

Here's another GOOD GUESS, originally posted on January 18th, 2009, 10:58 PM:

Good. so, where is old Ellen now? since ya hit the first one how does it follow, speculation? and let no site sharks get ya down :(.

So far so good:thumbsup:!!




She's with Cavil - doing that twirly thang ("The Swirl") - lol :lol:

It's all very clear to me now....almost as if it all happened before.....:yikes: