RDM said/implied that the final cylon wasn't in the supper photo. This causes people to either A) assume he's lying or B) overlook a ton of possibilities.

That could well be the case if any of the characters in that photo were replaced by another, identical, character. So the original Starbuck (Cylon Kara) might be the final cylon while the new Starbuck (Human Kara) could be in the photo. Thus, RDM is technically accurate, we have a high drama reveal as Cylon Kara returns to the scene (a major character), and we have an interesting and unexpected plot twist as Human Kara is a true human (from Earth no less), and Cylon Kara is the cylon captured by Earth humans.

The cylon hybrids, however, would still view the Human Kara as the Cylon Kara (they can't tell the difference), who would have led the humans to their end. But, being replaced by Human Kara, she could lead them to their salvation. Yes another dramatic point that would be totally unexpected. "Follow the harbinger of death? Are you kidding me?!?"

It would also explain both the memory loss (and memory retraining from data dumps of the Cylon Kara) of the Human Kara (for everyone's protection no one can know that Cylon Kara has been replaced with a human) and the time period of absence (2 months to replicate a brand new ship and get her to where they know the fleet will be - probably a workable time period with an advanced civilization)

This internal conflict within Human Kara would also possibly lead to her currently displayed erratic behavior. I'm sure play acting like you are a cylon pretending to be a human is not an easy task, especially when the fate of humanity is in the balance, and you know that you are going to have to do some pretty damn dangerous things to make it all work out. That's a crapload of stress!

In addition, what does the first hybrid say regarding Cylon Kara: "She will lead the human race to its end" - Lead? As in 'have followers', as in 'the final four'? - Or lead as in 'traiblazing a path' - like Human Kara is doing now? Regardless of the term, it fits the presented data IF there is both Human and Cylon Karas.

Yes, it's out of the box. But it fits, has the necessary suprise factor, is a major character, meets all dramatic requirements, gives the franchise a way big opening to continue the story in the future, AND gives RDM a way to mislead us all without lying to us.

The Streaming Meanie