The BEST episodes of Defiance

Every episode of Defiance ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Defiance!

In the near future, planet Earth is permanently altered following the sudden—and tumultuous—arrival of seven unique alien races. In the boomtown of Defiance, the newly-formed civilization of humans and aliens must learn to co-exist peacefully.

Last Updated: 2/29/2024Network: SYFYStatus: Ended
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Upon the March We Fittest Die
star
8.17
1421 votes

#1 - Upon the March We Fittest Die

Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 8/28/2015

Omec hunts Defiance citizens; Nolan, Amanda, and the others undertake a potential suicide mission to end the threat once and for all.

Watch Now:Amazon
I Almost Prayed
star
8.12
1333 votes

#2 - I Almost Prayed

Season 2 - Episode 13 - Aired 8/28/2014

The fate of Defiance hangs in the balance; Nolan must fight against the republic and old friends to stop Irisa.

Directors: Michael Nankin
Writer: Kevin Murphy
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Doll Parts
star
8.11
1900 votes

#3 - Doll Parts

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 8/21/2014

With Nolan searching for Irisa, Amanda is forced to take on the badge as Deputy when the shocking murder of one of their own rocks Defiance.

Directors: Andy Wolk
Writer: Phoef Sutton
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
My Name Is Datak Tarr and I Have Come to Kill You
star
8.03
1400 votes

#4 - My Name Is Datak Tarr and I Have Come to Kill You

Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/24/2015

Defiance is under siege. As Nolan, Amanda, Irisa and the militia defend the town against the Votanis Collective, Datak recalls his father's chilling lessons and makes a pivotal decision, while Stahma takes an unexpected trip.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
All Things Must Pass
star
7.97
1763 votes

#5 - All Things Must Pass

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 8/28/2014

Nolan races to save Tommy’s life and stop Irisa before her growing forces can put their devastating plan into motion. Meanwhile back in town, Amanda learns the heart-breaking truth about her sister’s murder leading to a daring showdown between Amanda and Stahma.

Directors: Michael Nankin
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Beasts of Burden
star
7.88
1920 votes

#6 - Beasts of Burden

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 7/10/2014

After his caravan is viscously attacked in the badlands, a badly shaken Pottinger orders Nolan to hunt down and destroy those responsible. Nolan’s manhunt implicates one of Rafe’s miners causing tensions to explode.

Directors: Allan Kroeker
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
In My Secret Life
star
7.82
2094 votes

#7 - In My Secret Life

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/26/2014

Irisa returns to Defiance and is arrested; Mayor Pottinger offers Nolan her release in exchange for capturing those responsible for nearly killing him; Stahma plots to keep Datak behind bars.

Directors: Michael Nankin
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Cord and the Ax
star
7.81
2000 votes

#8 - The Cord and the Ax

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 7/3/2014

Irisa’s terrifying black-outs escalate, driving a wedge of secrecy between her and a worried Nolan. Meanwhile, the Tarr family business thrives under Stahma’s self-appointed direction while an increasingly suspicious Datak remains in jail.

Directors: Michael Nankin
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
This Woman's Work
star
7.81
1824 votes

#9 - This Woman's Work

Season 2 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/24/2014

After an Arkfall crash, Pottinger recruits Nolan to lead their salvage mission but his secret agenda puts them in grave danger against an Alien race they’ve never encountered before.

Directors: Allan Arkush
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Awakening
star
7.80
1336 votes

#10 - The Awakening

Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 8/21/2015

Nolan, Amanda and Irisa search for a way to stop invulnerable Kindzi from waking and transporting more Omec to Earth; Datak seeks escape from a deadly compound; and Stahma implores Alak for forgiveness before it's too late.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Bottom of the World
star
7.78
1897 votes

#11 - Bottom of the World

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/21/2014

Nolan and Rafe race against the clock to rescue Amanda and Pottinger trapped in a deadly mine collapse.

Directors: Andy Wolk
Writer: Anupam Nigam
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
If You Could See Her Through My Eyes
star
7.77
2070 votes

#12 - If You Could See Her Through My Eyes

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/31/2014

Datak is framed for a bizarre murder and turns to an unlikely ally for help; Irisa discovers more about her destiny after encountering a mysterious stranger.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Painted from Memory
star
7.77
1877 votes

#13 - Painted from Memory

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 8/14/2014

Kenya’s earth-shattering return continues sending shock waves through Defiance as Stahma tries to reconcile Kenya’s reappearance, while Doc Yewll works to keep her own dark secret hidden.

Directors: Larry Shaw
Writer: Kevin Murphy
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Slouching Towards Bethlehem
star
7.76
1915 votes

#14 - Slouching Towards Bethlehem

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 8/7/2014

Nolan interrogates a suspected Votanis Collective spy in order to prevent a catastrophic terrorist attack on New York.

Directors: Larry Shaw
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Everything Is Broken
star
7.72
3000 votes

#15 - Everything Is Broken

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 7/8/2013

The citizens of Defiance prepare to cast their votes for mayor; Nolan’s past violently rears its head; Irisa must decide whether or not to embrace her destiny.

Directors: Michael Nankin
Writer: Kevin Murphy
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Of a Demon in My View
star
7.71
1291 votes

#16 - Of a Demon in My View

Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 8/14/2015

Nolan is unexpectedly freed from Votanis Collective custody, at which point Amanda, Irisa and Berlin rush to save him from Kindzi's clutches. Elsewhere, Datak regrets seeking Doc Ywell's help against the Omec; and something startling is witnessed in the mines.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Past Is Prologue
star
7.70
3246 votes

#17 - Past Is Prologue

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 7/1/2013

Amanda’s mayoral campaign is threatened when Nolan is involved in an accident on the eve of the election, prompting the town to question Amanda’s decision to appoint him as Lawkeeper.

Directors: Michael Nankin
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
When Twilight Dims the Sky Above
star
7.69
1287 votes

#18 - When Twilight Dims the Sky Above

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/7/2015

Amanda decides to ignore Nolan's skepticism and welcome an encouraging Votanis Collective delegation to Defiance. Meanwhile, Stahma's loyalties are tested by an unexpected arrival; and T'evgin takes another step towards acclimating to life on Earth.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Put the Damage On
star
7.68
1977 votes

#19 - Put the Damage On

Season 2 - Episode 5 - Aired 7/17/2014

Amanda is terrorised by a stalker but the true reasons behind her frightening experiences have far reaching ramifications not only for her but for Pottinger and Doc Yewll as well.

Directors: Allan Kroeker
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Dead Air
star
7.67
1400 votes

#20 - Dead Air

Season 3 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/26/2015

Nolan and Amanda are captured while excavating a buried weapons cache; Berlin investigates a Votanis Collective bombing in the heart of Defiance and sees an opportunity to get revenge on Irisa; Stahma's clandestine relationship with the mysterious Omec leader T'evgin takes a turn.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Beauty of Our Weapons
star
7.67
1381 votes

#21 - The Beauty of Our Weapons

Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/17/2015

A visiting arms dealer changes Defiance's fortunes, and divides Amanda, Nolan and Berlin; at the same time, Nolan encounters difficulty recruiting a militia to fight the oncoming Votanis Collective army. Elsewhere, Stahma's presence causes strife among the mysterious Omec; and Datak and Alak have a reckoning.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
History Rhymes
star
7.66
1354 votes

#22 - History Rhymes

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 7/3/2015

Amanda and Doc Yewll must enlist the Omec for help rescuing Nolan and Irisa, who have fallen into an unexpected and potentially fatal tour of their own past. Meanwhile, Datak and Stahma prepare a decisive move against Gen. Rahm Tak, leader of the Votanis Collective.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Where the Apples Fell
star
7.66
1369 votes

#23 - Where the Apples Fell

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/10/2015

Nolan and Berlin pursue the Tarrs after their connection to the Votanis Collective is exposed; at the same time, Alak comes to grips with his future as a father.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Opposite of Hallelujah
star
7.65
2313 votes

#24 - The Opposite of Hallelujah

Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/19/2014

Nolan's search for Irisa leads him to New Chicago and AngelArc. Meanwhile, back in Defiance, the Earth Republic appoints a charming, calculating, and ambitious man named Niles Pottinger as mayor.

Directors: Michael Nankin
Writer: Kevin Murphy
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Last Unicorns
star
7.65
685 votes

#25 - The Last Unicorns

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/12/2015

T'evgin comes to Defiance seeking his daughter, who Nolan and Amanda offer to release in exchange for some gulanite; at the same time, Alak and Pilar head off alone to protect the baby; and Datak and Stahma are threatened into helping Gen. Tak's assault.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV