Resurrection (RDM)

For information on a book based on the Original Series universe, see Resurrection (book).

Cylon resurrecting.

The consciousnesses and memories of some Cylons who are destroyed can be captured and recovered in a process known as resurrection.

Humanoid Cylon Resurrection

When a humanoid Cylon's body ceases to function, their consciousness can be transmitted (or "downloaded") into a duplicate humanoid Cylon body, one which is empty of consciousness before the download (Miniseries).

For resurrection to occur, the dying Cylon must be close to a resurrection ship or hub, otherwise his or her consciousness risks being permanently lost. The transmission method of a Cylon's consciousness has not been explained, but a form of wireless is probable. Resurrection points identified include the Cylon homeworld, the central Resurrection Hub, Resurrection Ships, and planet-based facilities. A rebirthing facility may have existed on occupied Caprica. Within each resurrection point is at least one rebirthing tank, where a duplicate body is immersed in a thick opaque substance to await download (Downloaded).

While humanoid Cylons appear to be able to be resurrected indefinitely, two problems can occur. Repeated downloads can cause pain and other unexplained symptoms. A Cavil reports severe headaches after one resurrection, and a sensation that felt like "a white hot poker in my skull" in a following instance (Exodus, Part I). This might be a subjective or singular experience, as a Number Three finds a download to be rejuvenating (Downloaded). Far more threatening is if a humanoid Cylon's memories have become compromised, corrupted, or otherwise tainted (based on the perspective of other Cylons). If that occurs, the consciousness might not be downloaded, instead being "boxed," a drastic measure equivalent in Cylon society to capital punishment. Conversations in "Downloaded" suggest that this practice is very rare, and Number Three is is the only case of an entire model being boxed (Rapture).

It is also apparent that the resurrection process is involuntary in that humanoid Cylons cannot choose to die permanently, nor can other Cylons in control of a Resurrection Ship choose to prevent someone from being downloaded. The only way to prevent a dead Cylon from downloading is to move the Resurrection Ship out of range (Torn). An example of this is when Sharon Agathon downloads to a Resurrection Ship to rescue her child. Despite being a traitor, the Cylons do not stop her and she is able to rescue her child as a result (Rapture). Furthermore, Gina Inviere, a Cylon prisoner aboard Pegasus who was tortured so badly she wants to die for good, is unable to control her resurrection. To ensure her permanent death, she supplies the Colonials with information on the Resurrection Ship, so that it can be destroyed (Resurrection Ship, Part I).

Very little is known about the mechanics of downloading, other than what can be inferred and comments made from official crew members. Jane Espenson, co-producer and writer, notes that not all Cylons of the same model line share the same knowledge, and thus knowledge is variable between Cylons of the same model line. Further, Espenson notes that memories are stored and "can be accessed by a curious Cylon who knows how".

As for the length of time between death and successful resurrection, it is implied that, with a proper setup, a complete download can be performed in no shorter than two days. This measurement comes from the download of the Cavil previously mentioned in "Exodus, Parts I & II". However, too little is known to determine whether this is among the quickest or the lowest amounts of time required to download, as the audience is not privy to the logistical or technological barriers of the process.

A joint attack on the Cylons' Resurrection Hub, which controls all Resurrection Ships, by Cylon rebels and humans results in the Hub's destruction. As a result, the Cylons lose their ability to download, making them truly mortal for the first in history (The Hub).

At the time of the nuclear attack on Earth 2000 years ago, the Final Five had access to resurrection technology, Ellen's statement in the flashback implies that this was a recent developement. (Sometimes a Great Notion)

Fighter Resurrection

The semi-sentient personalities of Raiders also can be retrieved. This allows the Raiders to return to fight with greater tactical awareness (Scar).

The Raider known as "Scar" may have been one such Raider to learn master fighting tactics. The Scar personality scores many Colonial kills before its permanent destruction.

Raider resurrection also requires a Resurrection Ship in order to take place.

Final Five and the source of Resurrection

It has been revealed that before the Resurrection Hub was destroyed, the Final Five could download as long as they were within range. Cavil kept at least one fresh body for each of them, as was proven when Saul Tigh killed Ellen Tigh and she downloaded into a new body. Apparently Cavil planned for them to rejoin the Cylons when they were killed and hoped that they'd admit that they made a mistake and join him. When Samuel Anders regained his lost Cylon memories he explained how the Five survived the destruction of Earth and where resurrection, or "organic memory transfer," came from: it was something that the Thirteenth Tribe had from Kobol that they abandoned when they started to procreate naturally.

The Five were research scientists who re-created the technology. Galen Tyrol's work is said to have been "amazing" and Ellen made the intuitive leap that brought the system back online, however, each of the five made a vital contribution to the technology. Once it was re-created they placed it on a ship which they left in orbit of Earth. When the nuclear holocaust occurred, they downloaded into new bodies on that ship. Later as part of their deal with the Centurions to end the First Cylon War, they gave them resurrection for the new humanoid Cylons they created. The Five downloaded at least once more, when Cavil murdered them, boxed them, and ultimately unboxed them but downloaded them with their real memories blocked and false memories in their places. When the Resurrection Hub was destroyed, the Cylons lost the ability to resurrect and they didn't know how to rebuild it as it was technology from the Final Five. Cavil tried to get Ellen Tigh to help rebuild it, but she claimed that she couldn't do it without Anders, Tyrol, Tory Foster, and her husband, as she only knew part of the system herself. Cavil scoffed at this and decided to mine Ellen's brain in an attempt to find the information, but Boomer helped her escape, cutting off the Cylons' only chance at rebuilding the technology.