Building on the Vision: Mormon “Humanism” in Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)

Thrall, James H. "Building on the Vision: Mormon “Humanism” in Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)." In Symposium: Mormonism and SF, available on line as of November 2021 at SFRA Review 51.3 (Summer 2021).[1]

An insightful, beautifully-written essay relevant here for a highly useful reading of this Galactica's Cylons combining in themselves different human/machine interfaces, bringing into question both terms.

From Thrall's opening paragraphs:

Ronald D. Moore, developer and co-executive producer of the 2004–2009 Battlestar Galactica remake, has said he was not inclined to expand the strong Mormon themes in Glen A. Larson’s original [...]. Even so, the framework of Larson’s Mormon vision undergirds the later series’ premise and execution, especially through the continued centrality of religion. Elements of the new drama, furthermore, suggest parallels to Mormon beliefs that can have particular resonance for Latter-day Saints. By viewing the series through a Mormon lens, the epic conflict between polytheistic humans and monotheistic Cylons can illuminate Mormon principles of theodicy, free agency, and spiritual evolution. In addition, as boundaries between humans and Cylons blur, the initially central question of “What does it mean to be human?” gives way to the more urgent question, “What does it mean to be humane?” Similarly, the distinguishing issue of religious identity, “What do we believe?” is preempted by religion’s more foundational concern, “How shall we live?” [...]

Though technically machines, Cylon androids are [...]remarkably similar to humans physically, at least in how they bleed (“Exodus I”). Furthermore, as the lascivious scientist Gaius Baltar [...] experiences in his pleasure with various versions of Number Six, in other important ways they also function like humans. In their ability to be endlessly cloned and resurrected, Cylons might even be considered improved humans.

Perhaps most important, even rejecting the idea of Cylons' having souls, that a Cylon would discuss such matters and audiences' take the question seriously "represents the achievement of spiritually self-aware artificial intelligence," and an achievement accepted by many viewers — to which Thrall adds that "Cylons and humans," in this Galactica universe, "share in the fraught role of 'God-like' creators of other beings."[2]

RDE, finishing, 11Nov21