Battlestar Galactica: Was Starbuck a Cylon?

By Elle Johnson

Published May 25, 2024

Followed

Near the end of Battlestar Galactica, it’s revealed that the Final Five Cylons were among the Colonists. The reveal created plenty of tension and suspense, but it also caused a lot of confusion for viewers. Previously in Battlestar Galactica, there were said to have been 12 Cylon models, but the revelation of the Final Five Cylons shows that there are actually 13 Cylon models. This, however, was fixed by killing off Daniel, the Model Seven Cylon, who is also believed to be the father of Starbuck.

If Daniel was Starbuck’s father, it raises a lot of questions about Starbuck’s origins and whether she is a human or Cylon. Of course, it’s never explicitly said in Battlestar Galactica that Starbuck is a Cylon. However, Starbuck’s origins and nature are kept unclear on purpose. This ambiguity leads to a lot of speculation about her character and where she comes from.

Battlestar Galactica: What Happens to Starbuck?

Starbuck serves a monumental purpose at the end of Battlestar Galactica.

Posts

Was Starbuck Secretly a Cylon in Battlestar Galactica?

Following the introduction of Daniel, the Model Seven Cylon, the “Cult of Daniel,” sprang up among fans. These viewers believed heartily that Daniel was Starbuck's estranged father. However, this brings up a lot of questions, especially since Daniel was killed by Number One so that his genetic formula couldn’t be replicated. But fans believe that Starbuck was born before Daniel was killed. If this is true, it would make Starbuck a Cylon.

As the series’ developers leave Starbuck mysterious on purpose, it's hard to say for certain whether Starbuck is a Cylon or not. It’s ultimately up to the viewer to decide if they believe Starbuck is a Cylon. However, many things point in this direction. The show does give several hints about Starbuck’s origins, and there are several credible theories that support the idea of Starbuck being a Cylon all along.

Clues and Theories

The first theory, as previously mentioned, is that Starbuck’s father is Daniel. Ronald D. Moore, creator of the reimagined Battlestar Galactica series, did state that Daniel was not Starbuck’s father. However, theories still do exist regarding him. If Daniel were Starbuck’s father, this would make her at least half-Cylon. But there are more theories that further support the idea of Starbuck being a Cylon.

Starbuck Is Connected To The Cylons

kara thrace starbuck katee battlestar galactica sackhoff

The theory that Daniel is Starbuck's father leads to why Starbuck, apart from the Final Five, was the only one who could hear the song “All Along The Watchtower,” the song that woke up the Final Five Cylons. Supposedly, only Cylons could hear the song, but Starbuck was the exception.

This brings up a couple of theories as to why Starbuck could hear the song. This first theory relates back to Daniel. Assuming he was Starbuck’s father, he could have taught her the song when she was young, which is why she’s now able to hear it. The second theory is a bit more vague, which is simply that Starbuck has some type of connection to the Cylons. This doesn’t necessarily mean she is a Cylon, or even half-Cylon for that matter. But it does imply she is somehow linked to the Cylons.

Communication With The Cylon Raider

This is a small but significant detail. Starbuck somehow knew how to communicate with a Cylon raider that crash-landed, despite the fact that to the best of everyone’s knowledge, she wasn’t a Cylon.

Not only was Starbuck able to communicate with the Cylon raider, but she was able to fly the raider back to Galactica. Of course, she's a skilled pilot, but it’s still surprising that she was able to do this. It hints at a genetic predisposition that could exist within Starbuck thanks to being a Cylon.

Starbuck Resurrected From The Dead

It’s well known in Battlestar Galactica that Cylons have the ability to resurrect themselves, which they do through resurrection ships. In season 3, episode 17, “Maelstrom,” Starbuck was killed, only to return from the dead later. Although there’s no proof of Starbuck being brought back to life on a resurrection ship, it many fans wonder how she was resurrected.

If she was human, the idea of resurrection seems nearly impossible. However, if she was a Cylon, it would explain her miraculously coming back to life.

Leoben Conoy Knew Starbuck’s Destiny

battlestar galactica starbuck the passage

Lastly, Leoben Conoy, also known as Number Two, was a Cylon who knew Starbuck’s destiny. In Battlestar Galactica, Cylons tend to have knowledge of information Colonists may not be aware of. Cylons have abilities to sense things like higher purposes and destinies. If Starbuck was a Cylon, it would help to explain why Leoben Conoy knew what her final destiny was.

Of course, Starbuck's origins remain a mystery, but with all the clues and theories throughout the series, there’s a compelling argument that Starbuck was a Cylon. Even if some fans find it hard to believe, there’s clearly something greater at work with her. Whether Starbuck was a Cylon, a human, or something else entirely, one thing is for certain. She’s a symbol of higher power throughout Battlestar Galactica that leaves viewers guessing and wanting more information.