The WORST episodes of Defiance

Every episode of Defiance ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst 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: 11/29/2024Network: SYFYStatus: Ended
The Devil in the Dark
star
7.36
4386 votes

#1 - The Devil in the Dark

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/29/2013

Irisa is forced to confront a disturbing power; at the same time, Defiance is invaded by a swarm of menacing Hellbugs.

Directors: Omar Madha
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Down in the Ground Where the Dead Men Go
star
7.36
4558 votes

#2 - Down in the Ground Where the Dead Men Go

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/22/2013

Nolan and Datak clash over an ancient ritual, while the hunt for a killer is on.

Directors: Michael Nankin
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The Broken Bough
star
7.47
1406 votes

#3 - The Broken Bough

Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/19/2015

Amanda negotiates with the Omec, a new alien race, for the future of Defiance; and the Tarrs return to find much changed and their loyalties tested between the humans, the Omec, and the Votanis Collective. Meanwhile, Nolan and Irisa encounter a survivor of Votanis Collective atrocities that can aid their first strike against Gen. Rahm Tak's oncoming army.

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If I Ever Leave This World Alive
star
7.52
3303 votes

#4 - If I Ever Leave This World Alive

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 6/17/2013

A deadly plague threatens the town; racial tensions rise when the Irathients, who are immune to the virus, are quarantined.

Directors: Allan Kroeker
Writer: Bryan Gracia
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The Serpent's Egg
star
7.54
3690 votes

#5 - The Serpent's Egg

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/13/2013

Irisa faces a threat from her past while Nolan and Amanda lead an expedition outside of Defiance.

Directors: Omar Madha
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A Well Respected Man
star
7.54
4074 votes

#6 - A Well Respected Man

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 5/6/2013

Kenya is kidnapped, while Rafe moves a step closer to learning the truth about his son's death.

Directors: Michael Nankin
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Brothers in Arms
star
7.57
3488 votes

#7 - Brothers in Arms

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/20/2013

An old war buddy catches up with Nolan at the same time a Castithan criminal with a history of violence enters the picture.

Directors: Andy Wolk
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Ostinato in White
star
7.58
1367 votes

#8 - Ostinato in White

Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 7/31/2015

A gruesome murder is committed by an unusual beast that's on the loose and being hunted down by Nolan and Irisa, while Doc Yewll delves into the surprising victim. Elsewhere, Amanda resists welcoming back Stahma; and T'evgin learns an unsettling truth about his daughter.

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The World We Seize
star
7.61
1427 votes

#9 - The World We Seize

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/12/2015

Nolan and Irisa are mysteriously rescued from their underground confinement just in time to discover that enemy forces are marching on the town of Defiance, which has fallen on hard times following the collapse of the gulanite mines. Meanwhile, Datak, Stahma and Rafe run into deadly complications on their quest to reunite their family; and Alak comes to realize just how unstable her mother-in-law is during their journey through the woods.

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The Bride Wore Black
star
7.61
3245 votes

#10 - The Bride Wore Black

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 6/24/2013

The town of Defiance is shocked when the remains of a leading businessman who went missing almost six years ago, are discovered hidden in the walls of the NeedWant.

Directors: Todd Slavkin
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Pilot
star
7.62
5724 votes

#11 - Pilot

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/15/2013

The arrival of the mysterious Nolan and his charge Irisa to the town of Defiance marks a threat to the fragile peace that exists between the residents in the premiere of this futuristic drama, which is set in the year 2046, more than 30 years following a war between humans and aliens that left Earth forever changed.

Directors: Scott Stewart
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Goodbye Blue Sky
star
7.64
3288 votes

#12 - Goodbye Blue Sky

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 6/3/2013

Interesting relationships develop when the residents of Defiance are forced to stay indoors as a threatening Razor Rain storm approaches. Meanwhile, visions lead Irisa to the Spirit Riders and Sukar, who has fallen under the influence of a strange and mysterious force.

Directors: Andy Wolk
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I Just Wasn't Made for These Times
star
7.64
3430 votes

#13 - I Just Wasn't Made for These Times

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 6/10/2013

Following the big storm, Nolan and Tommy find an American astronaut who has been in an induced sleep for the past several decades.

Directors: Allan Kroeker
Writer: Clark Perry
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The Last Unicorns
star
7.65
693 votes

#14 - 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.

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The Opposite of Hallelujah
star
7.65
2318 votes

#15 - 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
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Where the Apples Fell
star
7.66
1378 votes

#16 - 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.

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History Rhymes
star
7.66
1363 votes

#17 - 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.

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The Beauty of Our Weapons
star
7.67
1387 votes

#18 - 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.

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Dead Air
star
7.67
1409 votes

#19 - 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.

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Put the Damage On
star
7.68
1985 votes

#20 - 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
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When Twilight Dims the Sky Above
star
7.69
1294 votes

#21 - 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.

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Past Is Prologue
star
7.70
3253 votes

#22 - 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
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Of a Demon in My View
star
7.71
1299 votes

#23 - 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.

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Everything Is Broken
star
7.72
3007 votes

#24 - 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
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Slouching Towards Bethlehem
star
7.75
1923 votes

#25 - 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
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