Defiance returns tonight for its second season on Syfy. T
he events of last season have had some lasting repercussions on the inhabitants of Defiance. In tonight’s episode, “The Opposite of Hallelujah,” we see more evidence that the town of Defiance is not what it was…
WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
When season two begins, we find that the Earth Republic has taken over the town and the mine, Amanda (Julie Benz) is in charge of the Need/Want, Datak (Tony Curran) and Doc Yewll (Trenna Keating) are in a prison camp, Nolan is still searching for Irisa (Stephanie Leonidas) and we are introduced to Niles Pottinger (James Murray) the provisional mayor of the town. The best way to describe this new character is that he is a pompous peacock obsessed with power. The “smug smile” he shows to the world hides the treachery in his heart. This guy is easy to hate, a villain in the truest sense of the word.
As the episode progresses you see just how much everyone has lost and how they are coping. As much as the town of Defiance has changed, the people we have come to know last season have changed even more. Rafe McCawley (Graham Greene) now is working in the mine he formerly owned and he looks like he has aged a decade. Amanda’s look has also changed. She has gone from the conservative mayor to dressing the part of a madam. Datak has gone from a man of power to having to scrounge for food at Camp Reverie, the prison camp. The mighty truly have fallen.
The person who seems to be benefiting most from this upheaval is Stahma (Jamie Murray). Last season Nolan (Grant Bowler) made a comment that Stahma is the real snake that needs to be watched. She is finally in the position of power; running Datak’s businesses with Alak (Jesse Rath) no more than a figurehead. Stahma may very well be more dangerous than her husband.
This episode does show us the end of Nolan’s quest, when he is finally reunited with his daughter, Irisa (Stephanie Leonidas). There is a 5 part web series that shows more of his adventure and what finally leads him to Chicago and eventually the west coast. Irisa is still dealing with the power inside her that is controlling her actions. Even though Nolan wants to distance himself from Defiance, Irisa insists that they return.
This episode sets the tone for the upcoming season. There is a darker feel with the town being controlled by an occupying army. Although the Earth Republic forces are the villains I am enjoying the addition of these new characters. I also have to admit I like the uniforms (as previously discussed with Ryan Murphy here). I predict that this will be another strong season for Defiance, one of the best offerings Syfy currently has running.
I am also enjoying the fact the show takes place outside the confines of the town. Since I do not play the game, getting to see other parts of the country on the show is a bonus. In the season premiere we see Angel Arc and Chicago and there is a promise of seeing New York later on this year. I can only speculate that as the season progresses and the characters take on their familiar roles things will reach a boiling point. On the surface right now things may appear to be normal but much like the darkness inside Irisa, eventually it is going to come out and death will follow.
