'Defiance' Recap: 'Upon the March We Fittest Die'

All photos courtesy Syfy.

BY DAWN FEAKES

Hoo boy. The Omec are invading and Kindzi has discovered that a half-Casti baby would be both an appetizer and a fitting repayment for Stahma's stealing T'evgin's affection. I'm...not sure that's how it actually works, Kindzi. It's season finale time so let's do this.

Picking up right where we left off, Kindzi prepares to chow down on Luke when Stahma basically offers herself - will, body and soul in his stead. It's a good offer but she's not really into sloppy seconds and will still eat the baby. She didn't count on Datak who shows up and drives his knife-hand through here head, pinning her to the wall. Is she more hurt or angry? The jury's still out. Reconvening as the Lawkeeper's office with Stahma and Alak in tow, his murderous rage almost unleashes on Doc Yewll for, you know, drugging him to be Omec-chow. It's cool, Datak. She's  been rebooted and the vengeance subroutine is running strong. Okay then.

'Defiance' Recap: 'The Awakening'

All photos courtesy Syfy.

BY DAWN FEAKES

Holy shtako, y'all!  We're barreling towards the season finale and the Dread Harvest is nigh. Let's do this.

Take care of yourselves, Defiance as you do not want to be treated by Doc Yewll right now since that will most likely make you end up in a cage to be eaten by Omec. Like Datak but rather that crying about it, he's trying to find a way out. Doc can't help you though man; she's engineered for slavery. The Tarrs' reunion was short-lived as Stahma has lost Datak again, leading her to seek help from Nolan et al. Yeah, Kindzi probably has your husband because T'evgin is dead and she blames you and your not-so-magic chivo. Can we talk about this later? There are bigger problems right now. Like Omec sleep-pods landing on earth and with T'evgin gone, leadership falls to the very stable Kindzi. Thanks for finally contributing something useful Stahma, albeit a mite too late.

'Defiance' Recap: 'Of a Demon in My View'

The ladies will take care of this. All photos courtesy Syfy.

BY DAWN FEAKES

So last week Amanda found (and lost) another BFF (thanks, Nolan!), Nolan went off the reservation killing the VC Vice-Chancellor and earning himself and Irisa a one-way trip to South America, Kindzi used a hijacked Doc to unleash a mutiny on T'evgin, and Datak, for as much as his heroics helped, remained an asshole. Everyone ready? Let's do this.

A VBI truck trundles through the badlands and comes apart a burned-out convoy. Berlin is hunting finds the prisoner transport with all but Irisa dead which displeases her greatly. But we're all about personal growth so she frees Irisa who relates that the Rapture took Nolan. Or something like that. Point is, he was here and then he was gone but he's not far as she can feel him in her head. Who needs Lo-Jack when you've got Ark Tech! Thanks for not walking away - again. No problem.

'Defiance' Recap: 'Ostinato in White'

All photos courtesy Syfy.

BY DAWN FEAKES

In Defiance, when one threat is neutralized, another emerges. Here there be monsters. Let's do this.

Folks running about at night are rarely out for exercise and this is no different  as an Indogene that looks suspiciously like Doc Yewll is tracked then ripped limb from limb. It's not her but it's really weird. Do all Indogenes look alike? Asking for a friend. Amanda eulogizes the fallen soldiers and Nolan is almost incoherent with grief and guilt. He accepts the blame for it but really, you've got bigger things to worry about. Like non-existent stasis nets and no defenses of which to speak.

Thanks to Stahma's all-powerful chivo, T'evgin is now the go-between for her and Alak. That will be difficult given that he'll kill her if she comes near him or Luke. Well, this isn't awkward at all. T'evgin brought news of the funeral and Datak's sacrifice to Stahma, telling her that her pardon was part of his condition for doing it. He did it not only to cleanse his honor but for her. I actually prefer Datak to Stahma right now and hate myself very much for it, seeing as she's been hiding with the Omec this whole time while he's off trying to atone for his sins.

'Defiance' Recap: 'My Name Is Datak Tarr and I Have Come To Kill You'

Photo courtesy Syfy.

BY DAWN FEAKES

There is so much awesome going on with this title that I don't even know where to begin. But to refresh: Berlin bailed on the town with Conrad, Nolan issued his "Independence Day" speech to rally the town to defense mode, Stahma is incredibly unconcerned about Datak seeing as Kindzi's looking for an excuse to eat her and Datak? Well, he's just hanging around...on the shaming rack. After weeks of preparing we might finally see some action. Y'all ready? Let's do this.

Opening with a flashback to Datak as a kid bodes well. He's basically the alien Inigo Montoya, but instead of his father being dead and practicing fencing, his father is very much alive and displeased to find young Datak playing with a charge blade. I agree, Daddy Tarr (or Datak 1.0); at that age blow guns are much more appropriate. No matter how painful the past, it has to be better than the pain of the present because shaming rack. With everyone so focused on the punishment of Datak, no one sees the VC advance guard arming themselves right down the street. This will probably come back to bite you. Just saying. All this torture is making me peckish, dinner? Amanda and Nolan don't get to finish though as the VC burst in, ordering the humans to line up on their knees behind the bar. I'm betting it's not for shots. To be shot though, that's a likely possibility. All of this pomp and circumstance is really just so Tak can demand the town's surrender. Amanda takes the 'offer' really well which means that a fire fight breaks out, killing every human in the bar except Amanda and Nolan. She's going to have a helluva time finding new staff as no one will be caught dead working there now. They had a little help though from a mysterious stranger who looks a lot like the disguised Bebe but sure, we'll take him at 'face' value. (I am sorry for so much in that last paragraph.)

'Defiance' Recap: 'The Beauty of Our Weapons'

All photos courtesy Syfy.

BY DAWN FEAKES

Looks like we're finally going to get that war Rahm Tak has been yakking about. Will anyone remember to check on Amanda? Will the injury to Stahma force T'evgin's hand? Will the Tarrs ever be a happy family again? Let's do this.

Amanda has a helluva headache and is recounting Datak's crimes to the council. The hatred she has for him and Stahma is so deep, it's like flames on the sides of her face. High treason tends to do that to a person. Her vote is for conviction and we are all shocked by this pronouncement. Even with Doc Yewll on the council, the vote is unanimous. I guess that having to live in the town outweighs any lingering resentment of the whole 'skinning alive' thing. You may make a brief statement to the council if you wish so of course he goes the insult route. Don't ever change, Datak.

'Defiance' Recap: 'Where the Apples Fell'

All photos courtesy Syfy.

BY DAWN FEAKES

Last time Nolan and Irisa were discovered to be forever bound to each other by the remaining ark-tech in their brains, negating the whole 'give each other some space' plan, Alak freed himself from Rahm Tak's camp then proceeded to hold Stahma at knifepoint because oh yeah, you killed his wife, and T'evgin's resistance to Kindzi's plan to use Doc Yewll's bionetwork is surely the work of that sweet, sweet Castithan chivo. Y'all ready? Let's do this.

 For all of his grumbling about the Enchanted Purple Penis, Datak was very much not amused to find Alak holding a knife to Stahma's throat. Advantage: Datak. Not to be outdone, Stahma joins in the fighting fun, telling Alak that he's nothing but a spoiled brat and she did what she did to protect his son. Who, oh yeah, is there and fine and Alak cares about nothing else at this point. Maid Andina ran to Nolan during the fight and the whole ugly truth comes out courtesy of Alak: Datak and Stahma are spies for Rahm Tak and they blew up the Arch. We have runners!

'Defiance' Recap: 'History Rhymes'

All photos courtesy Syfy.

BY DAWN FEAKES

Pottinger is now really, truly dead, Defiance still has no weapons, Stahma is all out of effs to give to anyone by T'evgin, and Nolan and Irisa are being slowly killed by the mother of all migraines and/or a Votan mind meld. Could go either way. Y'all ready? Rahm Tak is on the move, so let's do this.

Irisa goes into Nolan's memories of when the Votans first arrived. Uh, okay. Flashbacks it is. Nolan is crashing when Amanda gets him to Doc Yewll who is so very delighted to see them, you know, what with the skin harvesting thing and all. Back in happy memory land, Nolan and his sister are protecting the ammunition position - they're Nolans so they have one rule: We live together, we die together. Or by ourselves when our brother falls for the Irathient enemy sob story. Well done, younger Nolan! Your reward is watching your sister die again.

Stahma heads back to Datak, why is T'evgin not dead? Well see, he's old and powerful and really good in bed.... Datak doesn't want to hear it and jeebus Stahma, now you've woken the baby what with your purple enchanter penis obsession. Oh we finally remembered Luke exists.  Let's not kill T'evgin, let's get him on our side and use Tak's fear of the Omec to secure Alak's (and my continued) release . Trust me Datak. Sure. He'll get right on that. Or not because Omec. Speaking of Alak, remember him? Your son? He's chopping the heads off of bodies so could really do with some rescuing right about now because he's a delicate snowflake.

'Defiance' Recap: 'Dead Air'

All photos courtesy Syfy.

BY DAWN FEAKES

When we were last in post-apocalyptic St. Louis, Alak was a hostage of the Almost-Butcher of Tulsa. Rahm Tak, Stahma began Operation: Seduce the Omec, Datak bugged the armory, rendering all of the weapons stored there useless but hey, also get on blowing up the Arch, and Irisa continued to suffer from PTWDS (Post Traumatic World Domination Syndrome.) Let's do this.

Amanda speechifies from the Arch, reassuring the people that they got this, depleted weapons stash be damned (thanks Datak!) Pouring over old records, Nolan comes across a possible salvatin then boom goes the Arch. Well, the Tarrs certainly didn't waste much time there but man is Alak going to be pissed. Instead, let's give a warm Defiance welcome to our new hologram-Overlord...Rahm Tak! I notice how he left out the part about killing all humans in his 'there's nothing to worry about here' introduction. Politicians, man. At Lawkeeper central, Nolan and Amanda decide to roll the dice and chase after the possibly non-existent weapons stash, leaving Irisa and Berlin to search for clues as to who blew up the Arch. Hard to say which of them is least excited about this plan. That's what you get for choking with the game on the line, Irisa.

'Defiance' Recap: 'Broken Bough'

The art of alien seduction. All photos courtesy of Syfy.

BY DAWN FEAKES

After the blood-bath that was last week, will we get a bit of a break with the carnage? Well, except for Pilar; I don't mind if she dies. If she hadn't kidnapped Christie and Alak, Christie and Quentin would undoubtedly still be alive. But family first yo, right? Let's do this.

So the novelization of Irisa's life is going to be a thread throughout this season and Nolan aces Dad 101 by performing a dramatic reading from it to Irisa. You can pretty much expect nothing for Father's Day this year Nolan. Knock if off you guys, we've got company at the stasis nets. Eh, it's just the wayward Tarrs. Can we shoot them now? Only after Doc fixes up Datak. Sure, she'll be delighted, you know, after you skinned her and all last week. You better continue to sleep with one eye open for the rest of your life Nolan. We know you left with Rafe McCawley, where is he? Dead. They're all dead. The VC massacred them. And kill the waterworks in 3...2...1.... Nolan's on the hunt but Amanda just wants his ass (and assorted other parts) back in one piece. Think he can count on Irisa to not have her weapon 'jam' again? Place your bets now.

'Defiance' Recap: 'The World We Seize' and 'The Last Unicorns'

Courtesy Syfy

BY DAWN FEAKES

At the end of Defiance's last season, Pilar kidnapped Alak and a pregnant Christy, Irisa blew up New York but saved the world and Datak, Rafe, and Stahma undertook an epic roadtrip of true odd-couple proportions. Let's do this.

Seven months have passed after the mine caved in and oh look, new aliens are in orbit complete with daddy issues and power needs. Maybe the new girl and Irisa can have some angsty teenager bonding. Amanda's back in power after the Earth Republic left town following the loss of the mines, the opportunistic assholes. Because the mines are buried, there is no power source so the stasis nets are down. Huh, maybe the ER had the right idea after all.

Never fear though, the Need/Want still has power thanks to the girls who are between clients and some strategically placed bikes. Doc Yewll is gambling, desperate people are robbing, and the town is a hairsbreadth away from complete anarchy.  The new aliens in town find the Votan ark buried under the mines and the dying safety pods. They release the pod with Nolan and Irisa, saving them but then the girl tries to eat Nolan and take his gun. Waking up, he gets knocked out (again) and is left in the snow. Man, he's had a really bad year.

Syfy's 'Dominion' and 'Defiance' Returning in 2015

Photos Courtesy Syfy

Two popular Syfy programs have been renewed and will return in 2015. According to Entertainment Weekly, Syfy announced that its angel-war thriller, "Dominion" will be back for season two and the alien drama, "Defiance" will return for a third run. Both shows will receive 13-episode orders from Universal Cable Productions.


The shows produced decent ratings and EW mentions that "Dominion" had "more tweets on Thursdays nights this summer than any other drama series." We'll keep you posted on the return dates for the shows.

-Larissa Mrykalo

'Defiance' Recap: 'I Almost Prayed'

Courtesy Syfy

BY DAWN FEAKES

Here we go, the second part of the "Defiance" season finale. Let's do this.

Picking up right where we left off, the onslaught of purple fire continues burning and destroying New New York. Nolan tries to explain to Cai what is going on: in a nutshell, you and Irisa are connected and controlled the Arkbrain. She's got both keys now so we have to get one out and you are the way to do that. Aren't you lucky?

Datak is in a great mood - he's returning home. But oh, Pilar came to pay a visit and she wastes no time taunting Datak and Stahma about their mean beginnings as a magician and a toilet bowl cleaner. I'm not scared of you two; that's wonderful Pilar. Now take your unfortunate son and get out of town. Yes, I'm sure that will work very well, thanks for that Datak.  Pilar gives Alak and Christie a civics lesson on what whill happen to their half-breed child but hey, there's a utopia only 300 km away. And they have horses. Horses I tell you! She let's slip that Datak has been welcomed back home and they rush home to do...what? Not sure but Quentin calls his mother out on making up utopia. She doesn't deny it and clearly Pilar's elevator doesn't go all the way to the top. Christie is apoplectic that Datak is welcomed back after what he did the Alak and Stahma and way to go guys, you just made them both Team Pilar as there is no way Alak is now going against his wife.

'Defiance' Recap: 'All Things Must Pass'

Courtesy Syfy

BY DAWN FEAKES

Last week on "Defiance," Christie offed Treasure Doll and Nolan's energy disruptor fixed everyone but Irisa who took it out on Tommy after he did nothing but love her. Good going Irisa. Let's do this.

Stahma won't let Datak back in the house but has no problem letting him in...other places but it's to further her agenda which Datak actually seems to get. The sticking point? Her running the business; having his wife pretending she's smarter than him smarts. Oh Datak, there is no 'pretending' involved here.  His feelings hurt, he throws Stahma and they both get kidnapped. A house divided against itself blah blah blah.

Nolan's dragging Tommy through the woods to get him back to Defiance for healing. Things aren't looking good as Tommy hallucinates about when he first met Nolan and what a dick he was. Tommy, you're not wrong. Taking a break, he reveals Irisa's diary with Cai's picture and we get a flashback to Cai and Irisa being joined in the Arkbrain. Cai jerks awake. Oh, hello there!

'Defiance' Recap: 'Doll Parts'

Courtesy Syfy

BY DAWN FEAKES

Last time Quentin freed Mom but betrayed Rafe and Irisa betrayed everyone and freed no one. Let's do this.

Treasure Doll seems to have gotten over the breakup with Alak as she's very happy to see someone visiting her in the Arch whilst doing her radio show. That someone isn't that happy to see her as she gets tossed of the top of the Arch. Hm. I wonder who it could be? Amanda is called to identify the body and wants Nolan to investigate but no can do sweetheart. His mentally disturbed daughter has gotten hold of a terrasphere so that kinda takes precedence over a dead hooker. Well fine, give me a badge and I'll do it. All righty then, Deputy Amanda Rosewater is on the case. First stop the Arch where there are the remains of a special picnic. Alak, were you sleeping with her? Huh? No, no, she was just an employee. So you won't mind if we look through this hidden video camera...after we find the memory card. If Alak could grow paler, he would.

'Defiance' Recap: 'Bottom of the World'

Courtesy Syfy

BY DAWN FEAKES

And we're back! Picking up steam here so buckle up and hold on tight. Let's do this.

At the E Rep field office, Operation Silver Tongue is "go." This involves Irisa stealing a glowing orb and she would have gotten away with it too if it wasn't for that damned father figure. Oh girl, you are so grounded. But Dad, I needed it to cure Sukar. You need a Terrasphere to cure Sukar. How's that going to work? It's, uh, complicated. Irisa, you keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

I'm glad to see Alak taking time from his busy shtupping schedule to announce that Ambassador Kennedy has arrived. Oh, you remember her; the delightful lady with two disposable husbands. Fortunately, she buys in bulk at Costco. Anyway, Treasure Doll wants more than just his kit and kaboodle but ain't nobody got time for that. He loves his wife and see ya. Oh snap, it's about to get Fatal Attraction around here because she won't be ignored Dan Alak.

'Defiance' Recap: 'Painted From Memory'

Courtesy Syfy

BY DAWN FEAKES

Last week, "Defiance" brought us the rescue of Kenya Rosewater, the calling of the metallic undead to Irzu/Irisa and Datak and Stahma reconnecting. Let's do this.

Hey Kenya, welcome home darlin' now how about a nice long interrogation. Nolan needs answers, dammit but she can only recall bits and pieces. Mostly, Goggles wanted to know about Amanda. Ah, the side braid works its magic once again. Doc tries to intercede but Nolan isn't buying any of it. Oh, you can accept a demon-god thing co-habitating in your daughter's body but the miracle return of your sometimes-girlfriend's sister is beyond comprehension. Got it.

Stahma heads to the Need/Want for the weekly payment but oh, Treasure Doll gave it to Alak. How enterprising of him. Stahma is clearly overjoyed a prostitute is working for her son. Oh hon, your day's about to get a whole lot worse because guess who's back in town? I'd say that Stahma turned white as a ghost but that isn't saying much. The old gal can move fast though, I'll give her that much. It's weird, Kenya's happy to be home but it doesn't feel...real.

'Defiance' Recap: 'Slouching Towards Bethlehem'

Courtesy Syfy

BY DAWN FEAKES

Last week on "Defiance," Professor Hathaway dressed in drag and sang a ballad, Votan eyes were a hot commodity and Datak and Stahma started reconnecting over vengeance. Let's do this.

Nolan makes terrible decisions but with a bit of trickery is able to discern Irisa's secret without her saying a word. Of course, then he goes and mucks it up by yelling at Irzu to leave his little girl along or Irzu will rue the day. I'm sure that went over swimmingly well. No time to dwell though because strange things are afoot at the Need/Want which required a SWAT team to take down one of Amanda's most popular workers, Mesuvis, for being a Votan Collective spy. They're...not wrong.

But what's the rush? There's a bomb planted somewhere in New York that is primed to detonate within the next 12 hours and Mesuvis is the best lead to stopping it. Difficult enough as it is and then Amanda gets a call saying that if she doesn't bust Mesuvis out, he'll kill her sister Kenya.

Wait, what?

'Defiance' Recap: 'If You Could See Her Through My Eyes'

Courtesy Syfy

BY DAWN FEAKES

I know this "Defiance" recap is late but I was on vacation with some of the crappiest wifi ever and you know what? That's not important. I'm back so let's do this.

After a hard night at the club, one of Stahma's handmaidens, Jalien, sees Christie in the remnants of the white Castithan make-up. She'd be more interested but she's got a hot date with Datak who is getting off on her chanting 'Stahma'. That's apparently a bad omen as he awakes from his drunken stupor to find the girl dead on his doorstep missing her eyes. And good morning to you sir! You know how that old saying is that a best friend will help you hide the bodies? Yeah, Doc Yewll isn't that friend but she'll give you a drink and an 'atta boy; I have faith in you.' She is still my spirit animal.

Irisa is drawing a man in her journal and sharpening her knife...to slice her wrist. As we know, Izru isn't done with her so it's clearly not a suicide attempt. It is however, a gateway to visions to complete her drawing. In the midst of this, Rynn appears and asks for help in finding Sukar when she notices Irisa's drawing and wonders why Irisa's drawing her companion, Cai. Cai is less than thrilled to be left alone with Irisa and her creepy stare but that's not important; what is important is that Stahma can't find her handmaiden and asks Nolan for help. Nolan suspects Irisa after the Bertie incident and we've got ourselves a great big pot of shtako now.

'Defiance' Recap: 'This Woman's Work'

Courtesy Defiance/Syfy

BY DAWN FEAKES

Last week on "Defiance," Amanda learned to say 'no' to drugs and Datak's plotting landed him in bed with some strange fellows. Literally. Let's do this.

Berlin is videotaping Tommy sleeping then keeps it up during sexy times. Berlin dear, that's called an unhealthy addiction to technology and is certain to end up on FaceSpace and possibly land you a reality TV gig. Step carefully. (I'm totally trademarking that by the way.) But during these shenanigans, there was another Ark fall. Scavengers, ho!

Enter the Viceroy. Mercardo's in da house! He wants the fuel cell from the Ark and makes Pottinger take the expert scavenger-turned-lawkeeper with him. You know, the one with whom he's competing for Amanda's affections. Pottinger sulks but follows orders. Sit Pottinger, sit. Good boy.

And the winner of the race to the Ark-fall is...Hellbugs! If by 'winner' you mean 'first to be fried by blue electricity' of course. Wait. When did the Emperor get to town?