12 Episodes
Short on time? Here's the essentials:
In the frontier town of Defiance, Nolan, a former soldier, and his adopted daughter Irisa, an Irathient, arrive seeking a fresh start. Defiance is a fragile alliance of human and alien communities built on the ruins of Old Earth, constantly threatened by external dangers and internal power struggles. Nolan wants peace and stability for Irisa, while Irisa grapples with her heritage and growing powers. The town is led by Mayor Amanda Rosewater, who tries to maintain order amidst the competing interests of powerful families like the Castithan Tarrs, led by the ambitious Datak and his manipulative wife Stahma.
The season's central conflict revolves around maintaining Defiance's independence and survival. Early on, the town faces a devastating Volge attack, forcing Nolan to step up as lawkeeper. Key turning points include the discovery of a dangerous alien assassin designed to replace humans, a mysterious plague that decimates the human population, and the revelation of Irisa's connection to ancient Votan technology. Throughout these crises, Datak Tarr consolidates his power, often through ruthless means.
The season ends with the Earth Republic seizing control of Defiance, leaving its future uncertain. Kenya is poisoned by Stahma, Colonel Marsh is murdered by Datak, and Nolan is seemingly killed protecting Irisa, who embraces her destiny as a powerful Votan weapon wielder.
Season 1 of Defiance covers episodes 1-12. Here's everything that happened:
Season 1, Episode 1: Pilot - Nolan and Irisa arrive in Defiance after a dangerous Arkfall salvage, only to be drawn into the town's escalating feuds and a looming Volge attack. Lawkeeper Garret Clancy is accidentally killed during a confrontation, and the town's shield generator is sabotaged, leaving Defiance vulnerable. Ultimately, Irisa rallies the Irathients, and Doc Yewll uses salvaged technology to repel the Volge. Nolan accepts the role of lawkeeper, and Irisa becomes his deputy.
Season 1, Episode 2: Down in the Ground Where the Dead Men Go - Nolan and Rafe pursue Ben into the ruins of Old St. Louis to stop him from detonating a nuclear reactor. Meanwhile, Irisa intervenes in a Castithan ritualistic torture, leading to the arrest of Elah Bandik. Ben ultimately commits suicide to prevent Rafe from having to make a choice, and Elah is later seen departing with Datak.
Season 1, Episode 3: The Devil in the Dark - When two men are murdered by Hellbugs, Nolan and Irisa investigate, discovering the victims were targeted with pheromones. Irisa experiences visions of the past, leading them to Rynn, an Irathient seeking vengeance for stolen land. Rynn is captured, and Rafe McCawley returns the land to the Spirit Riders, resolving the immediate conflict.
Season 1, Episode 4: A Well Respected Man - Nolan intercepts a weapons shipment, unaware it was a secret deal by the town council. Kenya and another woman are kidnapped by Ulysses, a bioman working for Datak, who is harvesting adrenaline for a drug. Kenya escapes and kills the scientist Miko, while Nolan and Amanda rescue her. Datak is appointed to the town council, and Nolan realizes Stahma is the true manipulator.
Season 1, Episode 5: The Serpent's Egg - While Nolan and Amanda escort a prisoner and town funds on a dangerous overland journey, Irisa captures a Castithan she believes tortured her as a child. The Castithan confesses under duress, revealing Irisa was meant to be a sacrifice, but she ultimately spares him. Meanwhile, the overland journey is ambushed, leading to the discovery that Ambassador Olfin was the mastermind behind the hijacking, intending to steal the funds for a rail link.
Season 1, Episode 6: Brothers in Arms - Nolan's old war comrade, Eddie, arrives seeking the war criminal Pol Madis. Madis, a weapons designer, is captured, but escapes and causes chaos. Nolan ultimately kills Madis to prevent further destruction. Eddie, seeking bounty money, is arrested by the Earth Republic, but escapes using an explosive, leaving Nolan to face a bounty on himself.
Season 1, Episode 7: Goodbye Blue Sky - A dangerous "razor rain" storm approaches Defiance, forcing residents indoors. Irisa's visions lead her to Sukar, who is seemingly killed by falling debris. However, Sukar is resurrected and, with Irisa's help, hijacks the radio station to redirect a falling Ark, saving the town but resulting in Sukar's apparent death at Nolan's hands. Stahma and Kenya share an intimate encounter.
Season 1, Episode 8: I Just Wasn't Made for These Times - Nolan and Tommy discover astronaut Gordon McClintock alive in an arkfall, who was presumed dead in 2013. Doc Yewll reveals Gordon is an Indogene prototype, an alien assassin designed to replace humans. Gordon escapes and, after a confrontation with Rafe, leaves Defiance to find his wife, implying he chose to live out his remaining time with her. The episode concludes with a mysterious plague spreading through the town.
Season 1, Episode 9: If I Ever Leave This World Alive - A mysterious plague strikes Defiance, affecting only humans and causing widespread panic. Nolan and Connor Lang venture into the dangerous badlands to retrieve a vital cure, facing an Earth Republic blockade. Meanwhile, Datak and Stahma Tarr maneuver for power as Amanda falls ill. The episode concludes with Connor Lang's death during a tense standoff, and Datak Tarr, aided by Stahma, solidifies his political ambitions by announcing his intention to run for governor.
Season 1, Episode 10: The Bride Wore Black - A murder investigation into Kenya's abusive ex-husband, Hunter Bell, uncovers a conspiracy. Dr. Yewll murders Nicky, revealing Nicky was an Indogene who killed Hunter after he discovered her secret. The episode culminates in the wedding of Alak and Christie, which proceeds despite Datak's objections, and Yewll covers up Nicky's murder, making it look like a suicide.
Season 1, Episode 11: Past Is Prologue - During a mayoral debate, Nolan shoots a young Castithan, who turns out to be part of a prank by Alak. This disgraces Nolan and leads to Datak revealing Nolan's violent military past to the town. Meanwhile, Doc Yewll's experiments on an artifact reveal a disturbing connection to Irisa's own body. Nolan resigns and, with Irisa, decides to leave Defiance.
Season 1, Episode 12: Everything Is Broken - Datak Tarr becomes the new mayor of Defiance, but his victory is overshadowed by the Earth Republic's increasing presence and interest in the town's mines. Nolan is seemingly killed while trying to protect Irisa, who embraces her destiny as the wielder of an ancient Votan weapon. Kenya is poisoned by Stahma, and Colonel Marsh is murdered by Datak. The episode concludes with the Earth Republic taking control of Defiance, leaving the town's future uncertain.
