Where's the RESET button?

Television, Movies Games and Books BSG-2003
#1

I try to keep up with these boards and haven’t seen this mentioned yet.

But has anyone else wondered, especially during “No Exit”, if the FF were not smart enough to put in a secret off-switch in their creations?
We know that the raiders recognized the FF and turned away. There’s certainly enough room to think that there could be other safety mechanisms in Cylon code.

I still hold out hope that Ellen hasn’t shown all her cards yet, and actually knows how to “reset” the S7 themselves or at least their basestars and centurions.

#2

I was thinking about this also and realized they wouldn’t. During their oppression, prior to skinjobs when they were tincans the Cylon would have had safety restrictions and OFF switches. I’m sure when creating their own machines those would be gone.

That of course doesn’t explain why Cavil can reprogram the Final Five or how sleeper agents work. I just think they would want the models to be able to emulate free will as much as possible. That being a requisite function mandated by God.

#3

The Centurions had an “inhibitor chip” that the rebel cylons removed. Who installed those in the first place? The FF, Cavil, the Centurions themselves?

#4

My money is on John Calvin - to help make his triumph of god’s chosen philosophy a self fulfilling one.

#5

That does make the most sense.
I hate it that it’s Cavil at the heart of so much pain, destruction and chaos.

When it’s one person, I think to myself, this could have been prevented. (Cavil could have been loved more, or better, the Cavil model should have been completely destroyed.)

It’s much easier to swallow when the reason for pain and choas is the nature of free will, or the struggle to evolve.

Curse your evil heart Cavil !!

#6

Well, there’s certainly historical precedent for such a character - right here on our Earth. The right person, with the right hate, at the right time.

#7

Yes, indeed.

#8

I don’t think that was a typo.

Calvinst Cylons…Brrrr.

What would they make of Total Depravity or Unconditional Election,
or the Arminian idea which teaches that humans have free will and thus can accept or resist the call of God.

"God preordained…a part of the human race, without any merit of their own, to eternal salvation, and another part, in just punishment of their sin, to eternal damnation. " John Calvin

#9

Was your use of John Calvin, the 16th century Protestant reformer, intentional? Or did you mean John Cavil(l)?

'Cuz I’m enjoying it either way…

#10

Yes. The idea of the"Elect" is very scary stuff.

#11

Oh I MEANT John Calvin. And I may not be the only one. I mean, c’mon. I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck. If fact, I’m one of the elect. Yeah - that’s the ticket. Me.

#12

I hadn’t really thought about the Cavil/Calvin connection. But should we assume he ever used “John” and “Cavil” together? He hated the former, and only used the latter when he was undercover as a clergyman. I think, out of convenience and help for the audience, the writers had other characters call him Cavil.
Funny thing is, that at least 2 copies of #1 played “Brother Cavil” I think. One that counseled Chief and the other that appeared on Caprica to end the fighting with Anders’ people. Both got airlocked (thanks Rozzie!) I wonder which one we’re dealing with now.

#13

Oh, more than one. We’re such an “interesting” species.

Interesting in the Chinese curse sense of the word, that is.

#14

Baltar knows where to find the reset switch on the female models.

#15

Funny, you made me laugh !

#16

If anything, it’s just the writers having a bit of fun. They came up with John after Cavil - sort of “you know, since we have to give this guy a first name…”