AirLockAlpha.com

This story contains potential MAJOR SPOILERS for the final episodes of "Battlestar Galactica," along with the possible identity of the final Cylon.

It's been one of the best kept secrets in science-fiction fandom: Who is the 12th and final Cylon, and when will it be revealed?

Sources have told Airlock Alpha in the past that the final Cylon's identity was originally intended to be revealed in the mid-season finale of SciFi Channel's "Battlestar Galactica" that aired earlier this year, but that storyline was pushed into the early episodes of the final batch of shows that premiere Jan. 16.

Speculation has run rampant through both fandom, and even some of its celebrity followers like director Kevin Smith and author Peter David. But several sources have revealed the identity of the final Cylon to Airlock Alpha, a secret the site has continued to keep despite its existence as a spoiler site.

Instead of revealing the final Cylon outright, however, Airlock Alpha is reducing the speculation list for fans down to five names: the Final Five of who could be the final Cylon.

Before we get to the list, however, there is one thing to note: As with nearly all if not all spoilers, this is rumor and has not been confirmed officially by SciFi Channel or anyone involved with the show. While Airlock Alpha has worked hard to vet this information and to corroborate it with other sources, there is still a distinct possibility -- albeit a small one -- that the information provided could be incorrect, changed, or even part of misinformation. So as you read this list, please keep in mind that we're simply providing what we feel is the most solid information we can provide without confirmation, but it should still be treated as any rumor would.

We do believe that the final Cylon is one of these five people, and we will not reveal which one we have been told it is out of respect for those who have successfully kept the secret for this long.

The Final Five list is presented in alphabetical order.

1. Lee Adama -- Played by actor Jamie Bamber, Apollo has not been a popular choice by fans mostly because of the character's popularity extending from the original 1978 series, and the fact it would be a hard sell to explain to William Adama how he raised someone that was somehow a Cylon. At the same time, however, it could be just the twist the writers were looking for. And don't forget, it's already been proven twice that Cylons can be birthed the same way was humans.

2. Felix Gaeta -- Played by Alessandro Juliani, Gaeta has seemingly played a role in every major event that has happened to the Colonials since the start of the series. He attached himself to the right leg of Gaius Baltar soon after the attacks, and even became his presidential aide on New Caprica. Also, Baltar whispered something to Gaeta while the good doctor was jailed, resulting in a pencil being stabbed in his neck. Could Baltar have told Gaeta he knows he's a Cylon?

Another push for Gaeta being the Final Cylon is the fact that the other Final Fivers had some key role in the resistance on New Caprica. Gaeta played a major part of that, leaking information from the president's office to resistance fighters.

3. Laura Roslin -- Played by Mary McDonnell, it's hard to ignore the number of visions the president had throughout her time in the ragtag fleet, and how she seems to be the only non-Cylon outside of Baltar who keeps dreaming about the opera house. Also, when the fleet entered the nebula at the end of the third season, she seemed to have a very adverse reaction, especially as the other Final Fivers were "switched on."

Of course, Roslin would be an obvious choice, and may be a disappointment for fans. Also, her struggles have been very human, and some fear if she is revealed as the final Cylon, it would negate all of that character growth.

4. Ellen Tigh -- Played by Kate Vernon, this might be a tough one to prove, because Ellen is dead. Can the Final Five resurrect? We don't know, but since the other seven can, it seems like a viable possibility, doesn't it?

Of course, if we are including dead people, then there are a lot of BSG corpses to consider (anyone have any bets on Billy?). But there has to be something to Saul Tigh's visions of his wife on the body of Number Six, right? Some have speculated that Ellen is simply an older version of Six, which means she could be a Cylon, but not the final Cylon. Then again, maybe Tigh's subconscious is trying to tel him something?

5. Cally Tyrol -- We have included dead people, so why not?

Played by Nicki Clyne, Cally was very popular with fans, and many were not happy when she was unceremoniously offed during the fourth season.

Could this be just the vehicle to bring her back? Or would Cally be the least-believable Cylon?

No worries, the wait is almost over. "Battlestar Galactica" returns Jan. 16 at 10 p.m. ET on SciFi Channel.

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