<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

Battlestar Galactica Character
Galen Tyrol
Status	Alive
Gender	Male
Species	Cylon
Origin	Gemenon
Portrayed by	Aaron Douglas
First Appearance	Miniseries
Profession	Chief Petty Officer - Galactica
Relatives	Cally Tyrol (wife) Nicholas Tyrol (son)
Special Features	Highest ranking non-commissioned officer on Galactica

Chief Petty Officer Galen Tyrol (played by Aaron Douglas), on The SCI FI Channel TV series Battlestar Galactica, is the highest ranking non-commissioned officer on the Galactica. Rugged, with the worn look of someone who has spent a lifetime working around big machines, he's the kind of man for whom his crew would do anything.

History

Tryol has served on battlestars since the age of eighteen including 'the battlestars Columbia, Atlantia Pegasus and Valkyrie. He garners considerable respect from his deck crew and in turn deeply respects his commander, William Adama. Tyrol is responsible for the maintenance of the Vipers and Raptors on the Galactica. Tyrol is close to and very concerned about his crew. His concern occasionally goes too far and the loss or potential loss of people he's responsible for sends him over the edge and causes him to behave irrationally.

Prior to the Cylon attack, Tyrol and Sharon Valerii were engaged in an affair that violated protocol that they were ordered to end. His crew was aware that the two continued their relationship, disobeying orders. Following the Cylon Aaron Doral's intrusion and suicide bombing, an investigation was led to discover how he was able to get on board, kill a guard and steal explosives. Tyrol's crew attempted to cover up Tyrol's location, trysting with Valerii, at the time of the attack. Their lies were revealed and Specialist Socinus was jailed for dereliction of duty and Tyrol was forced to live with the guilt of knowing his actions had led to that. He broke off his relationship with Valerii. Tyrol also began to wonder to himself if Valerii might be a Cylon. He dismissed the idea until she shot and almost killed Adama.

Season 2

Tyrol fell under suspicion as well and was accused of being a Cylon. Following Sharon's murder, he was proved human but he mourned her loss. His grief turned to confusion when another copy of Sharon, pregnant with Helo's child returned from Caprica with Helo and was imprisoned. He and Helo were initially at odds but they eventually came to terms with the odd situation. The two rescued Sharon from her near rape by a Pegasus officer who was accidentally killed during the rescue. They were court martialed and slated for execution. Adama faced off against Pegasus to have his men released. They were eventually released following the death of Admiral Helena Cain.

Tyrol eventually came to believe he may be a Cylon sleeper agent and considered killing himself. He suffered nightmares, one of which caused him to brutally attack Cally. He sought help from Brother Cavil who helped him realize Cally was in love with him and that he wasn't a Cylon. A second meeting with the priest helped him realize Cavil was a Cylon. ("Lay Down Your Burdens, Part 1")

Season 3

Tyrol settled on New Caprica and married Cally. She gave birth to their son, Nicholas. Tyrol became president of the Worker's Union and a vocal opponent of Gaius Baltar's presidency. Following the Cylon's arrival, Tyrol joined the resistance movement and participated in bombings and other sabotage. Following the rescue of New Caprica, he was appointed by President Tom Zarek as a member of "The Circle", a six person tribunal that tried and executed those suspected of collaborating with the Cylons. Tyrol had doubts over many of his decisions and appeared to be somewhat relieved when the tribunal was ended by Roslin and amnesty declared for the collaborators. ("Collaborators")

Tyrol's parents were a priest and an Oracle. The religious influences of his past helped him identify the significance of a vast mountain chamber with five pentagonal obelisks discovered on a planet being harvested of algae to feed the fleet. The Temple was of colonial origin known as "The Temple of Five". He was assigned to discover the temple's secrets but was unable to do so in the limited time.

Tyrol resumed the role of a representative for workers in the fleet in "Dirty Hands". After witnessing the terrible conditions in the fleets only Tylium refinery, he called a strike to improve conditions. He argued for a more fair distribution of labor with President Laura Roslin. Roslin agreed with his assessment.

In the Season 3 finale "Crossroads, Part 2", Tyrol was plagued by a mysterious piece of music. The music led him to meet up with three others. The meeting led them to realize that they were Cylons.