Sharon Valerii
A machine learning to love, a soldier fighting for a soul in a war between gods and monsters.
Sharon Valerii, a Number Eight Cylon model portrayed by Grace Park, is a humanoid Cylon who serves as a Galactica pilot under two distinct copies: Sharon Valerii, call sign "Boomer", and Sharon Agathon, call sign "Athena". Boomer is a sleeper agent initially unaware she is a Cylon, loyal to Commander Adama but preprogrammed as a saboteur. Her true nature is revealed when she attempts to assassinate him. Killed on the Galactica and resurrected among the Cylons, Boomer subsequently has trouble integrating with both humans and Cylons, ultimately aligning herself with the anti-human faction led by John Cavil, opposing Athena and the other Eights.
- Character Type
- Cylon (Number Eight Model)
- Public Alias
- Sharon Valerii / 'Boomer' / 'Athena'
- Affiliation
- Human Colonial Fleet / Cylon Resistance
- First Appearance
- Pilot episode of the 2003 series
- Status
- Alive (at end of series)
- Key Relationship
- Mother to Hera Agathon
Lore & Background
Athena poses as Sharon Valerii for an unsuspecting Karl Agathon to help him escape Caprica, and subsequently falls in love with him while trying to earn the trust of the Galactica crew. She becomes pregnant with the first viable hybrid human-Cylon child, and sides with the humans and sympathetic Cylons against the Cavil faction and Boomer. Boomer, after being killed on the Galactica and resurrected among the Cylons, has trouble integrating with both humans and Cylons. She ultimately aligns herself with the anti-human faction of Cylon models led by John Cavil, opposing Athena and the other Eights.
In Their Own Story
The airlock hissed open, sealing out the void of space and the cold silence of the Basestar. Sharon stood before the mirror in her quarters, the reflection showing a face that was identical to thousands of others, yet felt entirely unique. She traced the curve of her cheek, remembering the warmth of a human hand holding hers—a sensation that shouldn't exist for a machine. Outside, the fleet moved like a wounded herd toward an unknown destination. Inside, she clutched her stomach, feeling the faint flutter of a life that defied all logic and programming. She was no longer just Number Eight; she was a mother, and for the first time in her existence, she had something to fight for beyond orders.
Reader's Guide
Sharon Valerii is a Cylon model known as Number Eight who serves as a bridge between humanity and the machines. Her arc begins as a deceptive infiltrator but evolves into a tragic hero seeking redemption through motherhood.
She possesses standard Colonial military training, including Viper piloting skills, tactical analysis, and combat proficiency. However, her true power lies in her ability to empathize with both sides of the conflict, often acting as a spy for humanity while maintaining ties to Cylon leadership.
Defining moments include her defection from the Cylons, the revelation that she is actually a duplicate of the traitorous 'Boomer,' and the birth of Hera Agathon. Her journey forces characters like Admiral Adama and Commander Tigh to question their definitions of life.
Ultimately, Sharon's story is one of breaking cycles. By choosing love over programming, she helps end the war between humans and Cylons, proving that free will can exist even within artificial constructs.
Did You Know?
- Two prominent Number Eight copies serve at different times as Galactica pilots: Sharon Valerii (call sign "Boomer") and Sharon Agathon (call sign "Athena").
- Boomer is a sleeper agent initially unaware she is a Cylon, and her true nature is only revealed when she attempts to assassinate Commander Adama.
- Athena becomes pregnant with the first viable hybrid human-Cylon child.
- Boomer is killed on the Galactica and resurrected among the Cylons.
- Athena poses as Sharon Valerii for an unsuspecting Karl Agathon to help him escape Caprica.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sharon Valerii?
She is a Cylon of the Number Eight model who infiltrated the Colonial Fleet under human identities like Boomer and Athena. Her existence blurs the line between enemy combatant and ally, making her one of the most controversial figures in the war against the machines.
What identities did Sharon Valerii use during the series?
The character appears primarily as Lieutenant Sharon "Boomer" Valerii on Galactica and later as Captain Sharon "Athena" Agathon in the Colonial Fleet. Both versions are distinct instances of the same Cylon model with shared memories but separate experiences.
Who is Hera Agathon in relation to Sharon?
Hera is the human-Cylon hybrid daughter born from Athena and Lieutenant Karl "Helo" Agathon. This child becomes a central messianic figure for both humanity and the Cylons, driving much of the series' later conflict.
What happens to Sharon Valerii at the conclusion of the show?
After surviving the final battle, she remains alive on Earth alongside Helo and Hera while the other models face judgment. Her fate is left somewhat open compared to the rest of the fleet, but she secures a future for her daughter.
Why is Sharon Valerii considered pivotal to the Battlestar Galactica narrative?
Her defection provides early intelligence on Cylon plans, yet her betrayal as Boomer creates deep distrust within the crew. Ultimately, her journey explores themes of free will and identity beyond programming, challenging humanity's definition of life.
More in Characters
Elsewhere in the Battlestar Galactica universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record