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The Best Episodes of Defiance

Every episode of Defiance ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Defiance!

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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Defiance Season 3 Episode 8 - My Name Is Datak Tarr and I Have Come to Kill You
    8.8/10(485 votes)

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

    S3:E8

    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.

    Director:Mairzee Almas
    Writer:Kevin Murphy

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  2. Defiance Season 3 Episode 13 - Upon the March We Fittest Die
    8.5/10(462 votes)

    #2 - Upon the March We Fittest Die

    S3:E13

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

    Director:Michael Nankin
    Writer:Kevin Murphy

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  3. Defiance Season 2 Episode 13 - I Almost Prayed
    8.2/10(444 votes)

    #3 - I Almost Prayed

    S2:E13

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

    Director:Kevin Murphy
    Writer:Michael Nankin

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  4. Defiance Season 2 Episode 3 - The Cord and the Ax
    7.9/10(411 votes)

    #4 - The Cord and the Ax

    S2:E3

    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.

    Director:Michael Nankin
    Writer:Allison Miller

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  5. Defiance Season 2 Episode 11 - Doll Parts
    7.9/10(391 votes)

    #5 - Doll Parts

    S2:E11

    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.

    Director:Andy Wolk
    Writer:Phoef Sutton

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  6. Defiance Season 2 Episode 12 - All Things Must Pass
    7.9/10(387 votes)

    #6 - All Things Must Pass

    S2:E12

    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.

    Director:Michael Nankin
    Writers:Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Defiance

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  7. Defiance Season 3 Episode 1 - The World We Seize
    7.9/10(469 votes)

    #7 - The World We Seize

    S3:E1

    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.

    Director:Michael Nankin
    Writer:Kevin Murphy

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  8. Defiance Season 3 Episode 2 - The Last Unicorns
    7.9/10(409 votes)

    #8 - The Last Unicorns

    S3:E2

    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.

    Director:Michael Nankin
    Writer:Kari Drake

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  9. Defiance Season 3 Episode 6 - Where the Apples Fell
    7.9/10(346 votes)

    #9 - Where the Apples Fell

    S3:E6

    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.

    Director:Félix Alcalá
    Writer:Paula Yoo

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  10. Defiance Season 2 Episode 4 - Beasts of Burden
    7.8/10(393 votes)

    #10 - Beasts of Burden

    S2:E4

    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.

    Director:Allan Kroeker
    Writers:Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer

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  11. Defiance Season 2 Episode 7 - If You Could See Her Through My Eyes
    7.8/10(394 votes)

    #11 - If You Could See Her Through My Eyes

    S2:E7

    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.

    Director:Allan Arkush
    Writers:Brusta Brown, John Mitchell Todd

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  12. Defiance Season 3 Episode 12 - The Awakening
    7.8/10(318 votes)

    #12 - The Awakening

    S3:E12

    Nolan, Amanda and Irisa search for a way to stop Kindzi from transporting more Omec to Earth; Datak tries to escape from an Omec compound; Stahma asks for forgiveness.

    Director:Michael Nankin
    Writers:Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer

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  13. Defiance Season 1 Episode 11 - Past Is Prologue
    7.7/10(485 votes)

    #13 - Past Is Prologue

    S1:E11

    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.

    Director:Michael Nankin
    Writer:Michael Taylor

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  14. Defiance Season 2 Episode 9 - Painted From Memory
    7.7/10(358 votes)

    #14 - Painted From Memory

    S2:E9

    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.

    Director:Larry Shaw
    Writer:Kevin Murphy

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  15. Defiance Season 3 Episode 4 - Dead Air
    7.7/10(348 votes)

    #15 - Dead Air

    S3:E4

    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.

    Director:Larry Shaw
    Writers:Geoffrey Tock, Gregory Weidman

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  16. Defiance Season 3 Episode 5 - History Rhymes
    7.7/10(345 votes)

    #16 - History Rhymes

    S3:E5

    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.

    Director:Félix Alcalá
    Writer:Anupam Nigam

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  17. Defiance Season 3 Episode 10 - When Twilight Dims the Sky Above
    7.7/10(327 votes)

    #17 - When Twilight Dims the Sky Above

    S3:E10

    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.

    Director:Allan Arkush
    Writer:Brian A. Alexander

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  18. Defiance Season 3 Episode 11 - Of a Demon in My View
    7.7/10(306 votes)

    #18 - Of a Demon in My View

    S3:E11

    Nolan is freed from custody; Amanda, Irisa and Berlin try to release Nolan from Kindzi's clutches; Datak regrets seeking help.

    Director:Thomas Burstyn
    Writer:Nick Mueller

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  19. Defiance Season 1 Episode 9 - If I Ever Leave This World Alive
    7.6/10(521 votes)

    #19 - If I Ever Leave This World Alive

    S1:E9

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

    Director:Allan Kroeker
    Writer:Bryan Gracia

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  20. Defiance Season 1 Episode 12 - Everything Is Broken
    7.6/10(471 votes)

    #20 - Everything Is Broken

    S1:E12

    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.

    Director:Michael Nankin
    Writer:Kevin Murphy

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  21. Defiance Season 2 Episode 1 - The Opposite of Hallelujah
    7.6/10(487 votes)

    #21 - The Opposite of Hallelujah

    S2:E1

    Nolan's desperate search for Irisa yields vital information which takes him south; back in Defiance, the Earth Republic has installed Mayor Pottinger, a charming, calculating and ambitious man who takes control.

    Director:Michael Nankin
    Writer:Kevin Murphy

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  22. Defiance Season 2 Episode 2 - In My Secret Life
    7.6/10(409 votes)

    #22 - In My Secret Life

    S2:E2

    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.

    Director:Michael Nankin
    Writer:Michael Taylor

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  23. Defiance Season 2 Episode 6 - This Woman's Work
    7.6/10(378 votes)

    #23 - This Woman's Work

    S2:E6

    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.

    Director:Allan Arkush
    Writer:Brian A. Alexander

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  24. Defiance Season 3 Episode 3 - The Broken Bough
    7.6/10(365 votes)

    #24 - The Broken Bough

    S3:E3

    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.

    Director:Larry Shaw
    Writers:Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer

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  25. Defiance Season 3 Episode 7 - The Beauty of Our Weapons
    7.6/10(330 votes)

    #25 - The Beauty of Our Weapons

    S3:E7

    A visiting arms dealer divides Amanda, Nolan, and Berlin. Nolan recruits a militia, but the people need convincing. Datak and Alak have a reckoning. Stahma's presence causes strife.

    Director:Mairzee Almas
    Writers:Jordan Heimer, Manuel Figueroa

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Best Episodes Summary

"My Name Is Datak Tarr and I Have Come to Kill You" is the best rated episode of "Defiance". It scored 8.8/10 based on 485 votes. Directed by Mairzee Almas and written by Kevin Murphy, it aired on 7/24/2015. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "Upon the March We Fittest Die".