Battlestar Galactica is now entering the home stretch of its four-year run. Throughout the series, it's become obvious that there's only one way this amazing show can end: The Galactica and the fleet, if not the Cylons as well, are going to find Earth. Especially now that Kara Thrace has “been to Earth” and “knows where it is” it's become obvious that the four-year search will not end in vain.
I've heard many theories on what will happen as the series winds down. Theories range from Earth being populated by Cylons to Earth being technologically in the 1960's to William Adama obliterating Earth with Galactica's nukes once they get there. I think it's time to toss my two cents into this fray.
First, let's look at what we know. From the view of Earth we got at the end of Season 3, it at least resembles the Earth we know. Thanks to Kara's descriptions and flashbacks, we know it resides in our same solar system. Of course, that doesn't help much with the timeline. But we do know there was a comet in the area when Kara saw Earth. This could be significant, or it could just be a coincidence.
Let's also consider the Scrolls of Pythia. They've been remarkably accurate for the Fleet so far so it's probably good to take them at their word. If we do, we find that the 13th Tribe left Kobol for Earth at the same time the 12 Tribes left for the Colonies. If we take this to be true, it can be assumed that thousands of years passed for Earth as well as for the colonies. This would indicate that the 13th Tribe is likely at the same technological level as the Colonies.
This doesn't mean, however, that Galactica and the Fleet are going to show up at Earth and find a dozen Columbia-class battlestars and a horde of Vipers ready and waiting to fight off the Cylons. It's completely possible that Earth will be defenseless against the Cylons when they arrive. If we consider the original series, Galactica arrived at an Earth that was back in our relative past. They were forced to stay clear of Earth for fear of bringing a Cylon fleet down upon the helpless planet.
However, the new series has deviated enough from the old for me to feel that the new Earth won't be completely helpless, especially with the Temple of Five and its link to the Cylons. It is entirely possible that the people of Earth made the Final Five in the Temple and sent them back to guide the Colonists to Earth. This would mean that Earth could be as the Colonies once were: A planet of humans, served by mechanical Cylon slaves.
Just like Kobol.
After all, all this has happened before. And all this will happen again.
What if Kobol was the first Earth?...
