Defiance Episode 13 Review: To Infinity And Beyond (Season Finale)

We have reached the end of another season of "Defiance". That went by way too quickly. SyFy has thus far not renewed the show. I cant imagine Friday nights without our favorite aliens. I really hope we get at least one more year. But if not, "Upon The March We Fittest Die" serves as a satisfying series finale.

Thanks For The Burrito

Last week Kindzi welcomed more Omec from the orbiting ship. It's been a long voyage and they're famished. Yewll procures snacks including Datak and Samir. Luckily none of the main characters die. Datak spikes an Omec with his bionic arm and runs off. Samir is rescued by Nolan and crew right before hes about to be eaten. Yewll joins the good guys again when Amanda pulls the Omec control stem out of her neck. Meanwhile Kindzi is obsessed with revenge against Stahma for the death of her father (which is funny because Kindzi is the one that killed him). When we last see Kindzi she is holding baby Luke and things arent looking good.

Stahma is BEGS Kindzi to spare her grandson. She will do anything-- up to and including being Kindzi's sex slave and/or dinner. Kindzi thinks that's a good idea but she's going to eat Luke anyway. Just then, Datak runs in and spikes Kindzi in the neck. The Tarrs make a speedy escape as an even more angry Kindzi tries to free herself.

Sorry, I'm Shipping Amanda And Stahma

Yewll devises a plan to stop the Omec. She, Nolan, Amanda and Datak will travel to the ship via their transport pods. TeamEarth will set it to self destruct and then hope they can escape in time. But while they are planning, the Omec in Defiance are wreaking havoc. Amanda jumps in the way and gets sliced in the belly. Yewll saves her. Amanda and Nolan share a quiet romantic moment. Then its off to the ship. Irisa will take Amanda's place.

When Is Yewll Going To Get Credit For Saving The World?

The four board the ship. Nolan heads to the engine room. Datak and Irisa plug Yewll into the ship's control system. This is why Yewll was so tight lipped about her part in the plan. She has no delusions of returning.

I'm Just Gonna Take A Little Nap

Back on earth Stahma and Amanda exchange words as Stahma bandages Amanda's wounds. These two have a very contentious relationship (and rightfully so since Stahma killed Amanda's sister Kenya). Stahma complements Amanda but can she be trusted? I'm never sure. Amanda is in a semiconscious state when Omec arrive and drag everyone outside. One hovers over Amanda but decides she's "spoiled meat". Amanda somehow drags herself outside (blood dripping from her wounds at each step). The remaining citizens are being herded into the back of a truck. Amanda shoots the three Omec in the head and collapses into Stahma's arms. Apparently Omec (like zombies) can only be killed with head shots. I was SERIOUSLY worried Amanda was going to die. On a side note, is anyone else shipping Amanda and Stahma now?

Kindzi arrives on the ship and sees what the four are up to. She and Nolan fight. The slapfest was a bit hokey at times but we'll let it slide. Right when Kindzi is about to kill Nolan, she says "You're no better than me" and that he's a "natural born predator". Nolan agrees and stabs her in the head with her own knife. He then throws Kindzi into the propulsion system where she is ripped to pieces. Well, that's one way to make an exit. I still think the buildup to the All Mother's demise should be been better. First she wont die no matter how many times she's shot. Now she's beaten in a fist fight.

The plan is close to completion. Irisa however decides at the last minute that she wont return to Earth. She doesnt want to kill a ship full of beings (including children). Come on Irisa. Get a grip! The Omec want to eat you. Nolan surprisingly agrees but he has a trick up his sleeve. He stuns Irisa with the Omec taser and puts her in the return pod. He will stay, (along with Yewll) and take the ship far, far away from Earth. Perhaps they can show the Omec there is another way. I personally doubt it (but no one asked me). They travel through worm hole after worm hole into deep space. Those were fun graphics.

On earth ix weeks later, the citizens rededicate what's left of the St Louis arch to Nolan. Irisa says in a voice over that Nolan always wanted to go into space and now he has his chance (plus hes still wanted by the VC for murder so nows a good time to skip town). He also wanted to be a good father and Irisa confirms he's the best. We see Amanda has survived her injuries. Thank goodness. She continues as mayor (although she misses Nolan). And end scene.

The New Joshua Nolan Arch

Favorite Quotes:

"I am uncomfortable with the reality that the person I most admire, the woman I respect more than any other, despises me."- Stahma to Amanda.
"You coddle that kid of yours."- Yewll to Nolan when he takes Irisa's place to save the Omec ship.
"Stick it to me sailor"- Yewll to Datak on plugging the last of the ship's lines to her (thus ensuring this is a suicide mission).
"You stupid piece of schtak"- Yewll to the Omec ship.
"It's entirely possible I've done this before."- Yewll on her plan to destroy the Omec ship.
"You're a real person with enormous honor and infinite soul."- Datak to Yewll after he learned of her suicide mission. Remember, last week when he was in a cage, he said "you have no soul".

Grade: 4 3/4 Monsters (out of 5). And excellent season (and possible series finale). The only reason I didnt give it a "5" is because of the fake-ish fight scenes between Kindzi and Nolan (and that Irisia's decision to save the Omec ship seemed contrived in my book). Other than that, it was perfection.

I'm glad Yewll finally got to be center stage. I just love her character! The redemption of the conniving Datak was super fun. Stahma continued to kill it in every scene. And Kindzi was an amazing addition. She was sexy and scary and compelling all at once. Great job by Nichole Galicia!

And I've said it several times before but the live tweeting by the cast makes the show even more enjoyable. Watching Jaime Murray (Stahma), Julie Benz (Amanda), Nichole Galicia (Kindzi), Trenna Keating (Yewll), Jess Rath (Alak), Tony Curran (Datak), Kevin Murphy's (producer), David Peterson (writer and language creator), Stephanie Leonidas' (Irisa) and Anna Hopkins' (Berlin) trade snarky comments takes "Defiance" to a whole 'nother level. Favorite topics include: the side braid of justice, Stahma's magic chivo, and the Omec obsession with pancakes.