The season finale of Defiance can be summed up in one word: implosion. The actions of the entire season count for little or nothing when the finale ends. Nolan and Irisa’s relationship has changed for the worst. Datak and Stahma’s power play has succeeded and failed at the same time. Everything in this world has fallen apart!

Short Recap

The episode begins with the election. Datak is under extreme pressure and Stahma is afraid that Datak will find out about her affair with Kenya. Stahma tricks Kenya into going into the woods. While there Stahma poisons Kenya by handing her a flask. She may be dead but it is not possible because Stahma may have feelings for her still. In short, Datak wins the election. The Earth Republic takes over the mines because there is a weapon that can be very useful to anyone with the artifacts. And this is where Irisa comes in. She has two artifacts in her body. So the Earth Reps invade Sukar’s camp and Irisa gives herself up to protect Tommy and the other Irathients. Then she is taken and experimented on by Doc Yewell. Doc Yewell works for the Earth Rep goons in order to protect herself. They want her to get the artifacts out of Irisa in order to control the weapon.

Nolan eludes capture and creates a makeshift rescue force with Rynn, Tommy, and Rafe. They save Irisa and she joins in to fight off the Earth Rep goons. Nolan and Irisa go together to find a rover to get Rafe out of the firefight because he was shot and injured. Then suddenly Nolan is shot and dies. His death prompt’s Irisa to enter the mines with the little girl she sees and give herself to Irzu. It is not sure if she dies but it is likely she didn’t. Nolan comes back to life because of her actions.

The episode ends with Datak and Col. Marsh. Datak kills the Colonel because the Earth Reps acted to quickly in taking the mines. Stahma comes into the mayor’s office and sees the blood splattered about the place. The irony is that Marsh’s troops await downstairs.

Season Review

Alright, it comes to this. I have reviewed every episode except for the pilot episode of Defiance. With each episode, I have become immersed in a strange and rich world that I want to know more about. The otherworldly cultures, religions, and languages bring a sense of authenticity to the town of Defiance. The production design is a mixture of retro-futurism and old-wild-west decor that gives the show a unique and beautiful look. When the actors are on real shooting locations, the cinematography is gorgeous to look at. However, when the actors are against a CGI background, it does not look so good.

As a first season to a show that is not based on a book or a preexisting concept of any kind, Defiance was an entertaining, thought provoking piece of TV that does not get the attention it deserves. Out of the 13 episode season, there are eight really well made episodes that deliver on an aesthetic and writing level. The Two part Pilot, “The Serpent's Egg”, “Brothers in Arms”, “Goodbye Blue Sky”, “If I Ever Leave This World Alive”, “The Bride Wore Black”, “Past Is Prologue”, and “Everything Is Broken” are the best episodes of the season. Other episodes do very little to carry out the main plot of the season which was dominated by Stahma and Datak Tarr. Those episodes were filler for the most part.

Jaime Murray and Tony Curran’s portrayal of the Tarrs are the best part of the show. They are ruthless and conniving but also sympathetic when the episode calls for it. I think that Stephanie Leonidas could be a close second in the acting department. She played the troubled-rebellious teen well and she showed elements of a softer side as well. I only wish she had more episodes that completely focused on her. The cast in general had chemistry but the writers did not write all of the characters that well.

Overall, the first season of Defiance gets an 8 out of 10.

Hopes for next season

I really hope Eddie returns. I would love to see Eddie and Nolan kick serious Earth Rep tail. Hopefully, we find out what happened to Kenya, Irisa, Amanda, Datak, and Stahma. I don’t know what will happen to Stahma and Datak but I hope they are central to the next season’s plot and action. Curran and Murray are just too good to waste.

Defiance returns to SyFy June 2014.

Image: NBC Universal