I was a big fan of the re-imagined series.Unfortunately there was the briefest of moments, when the series took a left turn and never quite recovered.
I'm going to relate who the final 5 really should have been, along with a few other key points that needed to be changed.
Spoilers from the entire 4 seasons of BSG will follow.
The Moment...
Everything right up to the end of season 3 was great.In season 3, episode 17 (Maelstrom) Starbuck's ship blew up and she died.She returned in episode 20 of the same season, far too fast in my opinion.
They barely grieved for her in episodes 18, 19, other than Edward James Olmos breaking some models and of course crying.
Episodes 19 and 20 of season 3 were actually a 2 part episode entitled Crossroads.In it, we find out who 4 of the final 5 cylons are.Every final 4 cylon was a bad choice.Tory and Anders were characters that
were introduced later in the series, expendable ensigns at best.Even with Anders having a maybe-relationship with Kara Thrace in season 2, he seemed stupid and insignificant compared with the rest of the cast.
Chief Tyrol could of been a good choice and Saul Tigh was an abysmal choice.He was far too old and entrenched into the life of Bill Adama.More on that later.
Let's go back to the Crossroads and have 4 different people serenaded by the cylon song.Of course we must leave in the little part featuring Starbuck coming back from the dead and saying hello to Lee in the vipers.
It was creepy, mystical and a hell of a shock.
First, let's examine some cylon math...
There are 12 models
1.Cavil
2.Leoben
3.D'anna
4.Simon (black doctor)
5.Aaron (news reporter guy)
6.Caprica Six
7.
8.Boomer
9.
10.
11.
12.
What do you notice about the list above? There are 5 spots left for the final 5, completing the 12 models.There was absolutely NO NEED for a Daniel, or the lame backstory that accompanies his name.I'm still not sure what Ronald D. Moore was thinking, his math was horrible.
The real Final 5....
Forget the lame backstory of the 5 being on some planet 2000 years ago and just recently activated as the technology was 'lost' or 'forgotten' regarding resurrection.
That was another portion of the series that seemed tacked on or like the writers painted themselves into a corner.
7.Billy - he died and was close to the president in life, this was by design
9.Gaeta - he dies as well and had intimate knowledge of fleet ships and navigation
10.Tom Zarek - he died (peer pressure) and was known for going against the system, both in politics and law.
11.Baltar - he should of died.Him being cylon explains everything from falling in love with another cylon to letting her see the defense codes, to his discussions with the Head Six.
12.Kara Thrace - she died.And she is also the final cylon.