The Mind-Blowing Battlestar Galactica Revelation: Starbuck's Shocking Secret Unveiled!

Summary

Starbuck potentially being a Cylon explains her knowledge of "All Along the Watchtower" and her surprise resurrection, adding depth to her character.

Starbuck being speculated as half-Cylon offers an alternate perspective on Battlestar Galactica's religious turmoil, resonating with viewers yearning for a less religious conclusion.

Though initially unanticipated, the theory contributes to Starbuck's portrayal as the Fleet's revered protector, ultimately reconciling the Colonists and Cylons.

Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff) being a Cylon is a plausible theory in the Battlestar Galactica series. This theory helps explain some of the controversial moments in the show's finale. Ronald D. Moore, the creator of the revamped version of the original Glen A. Larson show, revealed that some characters thought to be humans were actually Cylons known as the Final Five. This revelation added an extra layer of tension by blurring the lines between heroes and villains. One of the Final Five, Colonel Saul Tigh (Michael Hogan), had previously been strongly against Cylons.

The Final Five revelation in Battlestar Galactica caused confusion as it suggested there were 13 Cylon models instead of the previously stated 12. To resolve this inconsistency, Ronald D. Moore introduced Daniel, the Model Seven Cylon. Daniel was tragically killed by his jealous brother John Cavil (Dean Stockwell). Interestingly, the introduction of Daniel and the limited information provided by Moore sparked a phenomenon among BSG fans called the "Cult of Daniel." These dedicated fans wholeheartedly believed that Daniel was also Starbuck's estranged father, making her the first child born from a human-Cylon union instead of Hera Agathon.

Theory: Starbuck's Father Was Daniel, Battlestar Galactica's Missing Cylon

Dubbed "The Cult of Daniel" by Ronald D. Moore, the creator of Battlestar Galactica, fans of the show began speculating about the identity of Starbuck's father. They believed that he could have been Number Seven, otherwise known as Daniel. Daniel, who was the most sensitive and artistic of the eight Cylons created by the Final Five, was Ellen Tigh's favorite son. This created tensions among the Humanoid Cylons and ultimately led to Daniel's death at the hands of Number One, who corrupted the genetic formula to prevent any replication. Despite this, fans theorized that Starbuck may have been fathered by Daniel before his demise.

The foundation for this theory lay in Starbuck's familiarity with "All Along the Watchtower," the song that awakened the Final Five. Only the Cylons and Starbuck were able to hear this song, hinting at a connection between her and the Cylons. Starbuck had faint memories of her musician father, and it was believed that he may have been the one to teach her the song. Given Daniel's artistic inclination, fans speculated that he could be the absent musician father Starbuck had always wondered about. The concept of natural procreation was a significant theme in Battlestar Galactica, and the theory suggested that Daniel was the first Cylon to achieve this through his daughter, Starbuck.

Ronald D. Moore, in an effort to manage expectations leading up to the conclusion of Battlestar Galactica, addressed a popular theory during the official BSG podcast. He explicitly stated that Daniel was not Starbuck's father and even offered apologies to any fans who felt the show's writers had misguided them. It was an unprecedented move on Moore's part, but the fervent following known as "The Cult of Daniel" had grown so significant within the fan culture that intervention felt necessary. Recognizing the potential for this speculation to hinder fan enjoyment of the final episodes, Moore believed it was essential to address it. Nevertheless, it is understandable why many BSG fans found this idea appealing as it could provide a plausible explanation for various aspects of Starbuck's story.

Starbuck Being Half-Cylon Would Explain A Lot In Battlestar Galactica

Starbuck's knowledge of "All Along the Watchtower" could easily be explained if she turned out to be a Cylon. However, there's more to it than that. The Cylons had a unique ability to bring themselves back to life using resurrection ships. In the episode "Maelstrom," Starbuck appeared to die, only to miraculously return weeks later. If Starbuck happened to be a Cylon, this unexpected resurrection would make sense, even if she herself was unaware of her true identity. Additionally, Starbuck's connection to the Cylons would also shed light on how she managed to communicate and navigate a crashed Cylon Raider. She possessed a deep understanding of its inner workings, allowing her to fly it back to Galactica and reunite with the rest of the Fleet. Having a genetic link to the Cylon hive mind would undoubtedly prove crucial as she mastered operating Scar for her daring escape from the desolate planet.

Kara Thrase's half-Cylon heritage could offer an explanation for Leoben Conoy's (Callum Keith Rennie) knowledge of Starbuck's ultimate destiny. Since the Cylons seemed to possess a greater understanding of the grander purpose, it would make perfect sense for Leoben to be aware of Starbuck's pivotal role in it. Ultimately, whether or not Starbuck was herself a Cylon is left to the interpretation of the viewers, who must determine whether they perceive Battlestar Galactica as a religious tale or a secular one. Moore's narrative primarily revolves around a religious conflict between the Cylons and the Colonists, each holding opposing perspectives on their own mythology. In Moore's intended interpretation of BSG, Starbuck's resurrection as the Fleet's Guardian Angel is attributed to the same higher power that has been observing the cyclic pattern of destruction between mankind and machines.

Starbuck Being Half-Cylon Makes Her Ending Better

The revelation that Starbuck, one of the most iconic original Battlestar Galactica characters, was actually half-Cylon would have had a monumental impact. It would have shattered the boundaries between humans and Cylons and would have emphasized Ronald D. Moore's message of peace and acceptance. If Starbuck had always been half-Cylon, the groundwork for Battlestar Galactica's cautiously optimistic ending would have been laid from the beginning. Ultimately, it was Hera Agathon, the first child born to parents from both the human and Cylon races, who would hold the genetic blueprint for the future generations of Colonists.

Starbuck being half-Cylon aligns better with Battlestar Galactica viewers seeking a less religious conclusion. If Starbuck's role was solely tied to the Cylons' plan for procreation and repopulation, it would eliminate the more mythological aspects of her story. This wouldn't have created a plot hole either, as Cavil's erasure of Daniel's memories from his fellow Cylons would have also wiped out knowledge of his daughter. In fact, Cavil's awareness of Starbuck's mixed heritage could have motivated his scheme to try again, this time with Boomer and Helo.

Although Starbuck being half-Cylon was never intended by Moore, the theory had undeniable allure. Ultimately, however, Starbuck represented the higher power that guided events in Battlestar Galactica. She served as the Fleet's Guardian Angel, entrusted with the memories of exploding stars and the significance of "All Along the Watchtower". This is why she consistently evaded death, culminating in her pivotal role in uniting the Fleet and the Cylons on Earth to hopefully break the cycle of violence. While she may not have been half-Cylon, Starbuck still managed to reunite both sides of the conflict in the end.