Defiance Reporter 45 – Final Countdown

Defiance Reporter – MMO Reporter

Ben and Michelle break down the finale for Season 2, ponder the fate of the show, and have a little preview of what will be coming with the game’s upcoming patch.

Audio Only

DRAMA IN DEFIANCE
EPISODE 12 “All Things Must Pass”

Datak and Stahma are attempting to negotiate a truce (they’ve clearly decided to resume conjugal visits at Datak’s bachelor pad), but the terms that Stahma proposes don’t sit well with Datak. As Stahma flees Datak’s place, they’re both caught by surprised and kidnapped by an unknown perpetrator. In future scenes, we see them tied in the bottom of an old water tower or silo, still trying to work out their marital problems.

Nolan is trying to get Tommy back to Defiance for some much needed medical help. Along the way, we see flashbacks from Tommy’s perspective, which give more depth to both his relationship with Nolan and with Irisa.

Pilar is back in town and visits Rafe at Camp Reverie, where their reunion is both poignant and heartbreaking. It’s clear that they both value the love and life that they once had, but that their priority is now their children. Pilar lets Rafe know that she will be visiting Christie, and he lets her know that if she feels unwell, he can get her some help. They end the scene with a kiss, which looks more like a goodbye kiss than anything that will rekindle their relationship.

Doc is down in Old St. Louis, and she has her EGO implant, Lev, to keep her company. They stumble upon the kaziri ship and realize that Irisa has activated it, which means she has both keys inside her and will attempt to destroy anyone who isn’t “saved”. Irzu hacks into the EGO implant in order to convince Doc to let this discovery slide, but Doc destroys the EGO.

Pottinger is busy trying to woo Amanda. First, by cooking her dinner, and then, by taking her to an old silo where he’s taken Kenya’s murderers. He says that the Tarrs’ servant, Raiga, told him all about Kenya’s murder and who was behind it in an effort to take down the family (it looks like Raiga is no longer a fan of Stahma’s). Pottinger hands Amanda a gun and gives her the opportunity to take her vengeance. Amanda is about to kill Stahma, but in the end decides against it. And she’s not very happy with Pottinger about giving her the opportunity in the first place.

After trying his best to keep Tommy alive, Nolan realizes that the Deputy has died before they get back to Defiance. Needless to say, Nolan is heartbroken by Tommy’s death. So is Berlin, who meets them at the stasis net and immediately knows that Irisa had something to do with his death.

Datak meets up with his old cronies for a game of cards, but ends up pulling a Stahma when it turns out the cards are poison – looks like the Tarrs are back together again!

Meanwhile, Irisa/Irzu is controlling the newly activated ships in space, sending terraspheres down to destroy Manhattan.

The history of the Kaziri as explained outside the show:

• Three thousand years ago, a secret council of Indogenes built the Kaziri to terraform the Earth before the rest of the fleet arrived. Ashi and Reimlu volunteered for this mission, unaware of what it entailed. When they awoke in Earth orbit, they realized the planet was inhabited and decided to mutiny rather than commit genocide.
• When Ashi and Reimlu, the Irathient mutineers who disabled the Kaziri, took the tendril-artifacts into their bodies, the artifacts became imprinted with their DNA. This bond was passed down from generation to generation. That’s why Irisa and Kai share visions of events that happened thousands of years ago. Irisa and Kai are direct descendants of Ashi and Reimlu.
• The survivors of the Kaziri crash went into hiding. They realized that if they revealed their existence to mankind it would jeopardize the rest of the Votan fleet’s chance for survival when they arrived in 2013. Most of them died off over the years, though at least one of them wrote down their experiences. These documents were transcribed over the years and the message became garbled. During the Pale Wars, a Castithan named Daigo discovered these writings. Taking them as prophecy, he founded a snake cult which began to experiment on young Irathient girls in search of a messiah who would bring about the end of the world.

EPISODE 13 “I Almost Prayed”

Nolan hunts down Cai, the Irathient Jewish lawyer we met a few episodes ago who is tied to Irisa by his ancestor and the kaziri. He’s reluctant to help.

Pilar pays a visit to Stahma and Datak, requesting that Alak and Christie live with her for awhile. When her offer is refused, she wastes little time in reminding the Tarrs that they weren’t always at the top of the caste system. Stahma used to be a housemaid (she even cleaned the McCawley mansion once) and Datak used to do card tricks. Still, it’s a new world, and the Tarrs quickly kick her out of their house.

Pilar takes her efforts straight to Christie and Alak, telling them of a community that prides itself on harmony among the races (like what Defiance was supposed to be). If that sounds to good to be true, it’s also a research facility (they’ve managed to breed horses there). Alak doesn’t fall for any of this. Pilar lets it slip that Datak is back at home, which sends Christie and Alak back to the Tarr house, where Christie confronts Datak about his misdeeds. He, in turn, reminds her of that pesky little murder she committed.

The town gets word that New York is gone and Viceroy Mercado sets up a command center in Defiance. Nolan shows up with Cai and tries to convince E-Reps that this isn’t part of the Cold War, this is all the kaziri. Once the Viceroy finds out that Votan-controlled Belize is also taken out, he believes Nolan and gets rid of Pottinger.

Doc goes back to Defiance and offers her services in killing the kaziri, but her plan will also kill Irisa. Nolan won’t have this, but Amanda gives Doc the go-ahead. Nolan pulls out a gun on Viceroy Mercado in hopes of getting the E-Reps to do things his way, but Amanda puts a letter-opener to Cai’s neck. The faceoff ends with Nolan surrendering. Doc plants the cognitive data crystals that will destroy the key inside a rifle so that they can be shot into Irisa. Amanda volunteers for the task.

Meanwhile, Pilar convinces Alak and Christie to visit that supposed commune, but when the weather starts to get a little terrasphere-y, Alak thinks maybe they should wait. Pilar and Quentin, acting out of desperation, kidnap the couple. The new handmaiden breaks the news to Stahma and Datak, who immediately grab their guns and seek out Rafe at Camp Reverie – they have impeccable timing, as both Berlin and Rafe are facing a firing squad. Unwittingly, they end up saving both of them.

Nolan frees himself from jail and prevents Amanda from shooting Irisa. He knocks out Yewll and Pottinger in an effort to get Cai and Irisa together again. One of the keys is transported back into Cai’s body and Irisa is herself again, but they still have to stop all those activated terraspheres. They head down to the kaziri, where despite Irzu’s best efforts, they do manage to dismantle the arkbrain and reverse the terraspheres so that they fire into orbit rather than toward Earth. Before Nolan and Irisa can leave, the ship crumbles around them. They manage to find shelter in one of the pods, but as far as anyone above ground knows, they are dead.

Favorite Scenes and Dislikes

Michelle:

• Both episodes play together very well – that’s what we were hoping for – they answer many questions, but also leave an enticing few
• The Tarrs were consistently entertaining in their scenes, but after the third one, I was ready to move on and get them out of that silo. But, the scene with the cards was a fantastic parallel to the first season and a great compromise on Stahma’s part (she initially didn’t want Datak killing Raiga and the guys, but after their betrayal, she’s all for it)
• So many good lines in both of these episodes: “It’s not like I dropped a whore from the top of the Gateway Arch, now is it?”
• The scenes with Pilar delivered – each and every one, especially the one where she visits Stahma and Datak. It’s nice to watch dialogue give some exposition on what the Tarrs were like when they first arrived in Defiance. And did Stahma really blow Rafe?

Ben:

• Best scene was the firing line at Camp Reverie where Berlin, always the good soldier, tried to intercede but ended up getting herself lined up too.
• Save Irisa or save the town.. While I hated seeing this scene play out, it really was genius. Amanda, always the pragmatist, would never have held someone hostage in season 1 to do the right thing. She would have just be vocal and loud about it. Kevin Murphy summed up this scene best on twitter when he said “Amanda will always do the smart thing, even if it isn’t right. Nolan will do the right thing, even if it isn’t always smart.” I hadn’t been rooting for Nolan most of Season 2 until this point. We all know Nolan finds a way. Why didn’t Amanda…
• Also loved the nod to the gamers who are familiar with the oft repeated Trion and Syfy anecdote about mounts and travel in the game.

Speculations and unanswered questions

• Really, Doc decided to protect Pottinger? Shouldn’t she be on the side of the Viceroy and Amanda?
• Where is Pilar taking Christie and Alak?
• Holy shtako, what will happen to Nolan and Irisa? Will all those pod people be preserved until they are broken open? Sukar will rise again!

Predictions

• The Earth Republic’s new home base will become Defiance
• Nolan won’t easily forgive Amanda for her betrayal (if he ever gets a chance to do so) – what if the E-Reps find Nolan and Irisa, but hide the discovery or want to do research on the pods? I can imagine Irisa and Nolan breaking free together and fleeing Defiance for some other territory.

MVPs For the Episodes and the Season

• Michelle’s Picks:
  • Ep 12: Doc Yewll
  • Ep 13: Nolan
  • Season 2: Amanda
• Ben’s Picks:
  • Ep 12: I wont award anyone with MVP this episode. Torn between the scenes with the Tarrs and Tommy’s flashbacks.
  • EP 13: BRING IT HOME NOLAN!
  • Season 2: Amanda. Consistent Roller Coaster ride with her and she really has learned to grab her balls and take charge!

Awards, just for fun:

1. Most likely to run for Mayor of Defiance – Stahma
2. Best Relationship in Defiance – Young Tarrs
3. Most Clueless Player in Defiance – Kai
4. Most Likely to be the Star in Season 3 – Berlin
5. Most Likely to Screw Up and Never Get Blamed for It – Doc Yewll
6. Person(s) Who Least Deserved What They Got – (Churchill/Raiga/Kenya/Tommy/Jared)

OFF THE SET

• No news on renewal, but it should be coming soon – initially we heard by the end of August, but that deadline has passed.
• Meanwhile, you can relive Defiance by rewatching with those in the UK! The second season starts there on September 18.

Favorite Tweets

Tweeting is so much harder now that I have no idea what’s going to happen! #Defiance

— kristina pesic (@kristina_pesic) August 29, 2014

Kim Dawson @kdawson424 For the love of god, someone take the food away from Datak.

And now we know Yewll has crush on Amanda. Only your imaginary dead wife will give it to ya straight! #Defiance — Kevin Murphy (@kevinmurphyhc) August 29, 2014

“I will not be handled” – that’s not what you said in Prison, Datak. #Defiance

— Bo-Tan-O-File (@thebotanophile) August 29, 2014

@DewshaneW

@DewshaneW

You know, if the whole thing with Irisa doesn’t work out, I’d say yes. #Defiance

#Defiance

— Analisa Digati (@Lonely_Nerdette) August 29, 2014

Wait a second… it’s 2047, @NicoleMunoz94 and @JustinRain__ are her kids. She IS the mother of the future! #T2 #Defiance

— Brian Alexander (@hotshtako) August 29, 2014

Holy Shtako, Is Nolan crying, there’s no crying in #Defiance !! — Shannon O’Hara (@syfygurl) August 29, 2014

DRAGON-CON

• Four panels – two with the entire cast (and even though the finale aired during DragonCon, the panels were kept spoiler free)
• Nothing new here folks, other than the cast is getting even better at bringing the humor into panels AND involving the audience (especially Jesse and Tony)
  • We did learn that Jesse and Tony are quite diva-ish with their wigs
  • There are so many facets of the set that we haven’t even seen onscreen (like a basketball court with nets at Sensoth AND Liberata height)
  • Tony phoned Dewshane Williams during one of the panels just to say hello
• Some repeat cosplayers, who were just as awesome this year as they were last year – an Amanda cosplayer played her as Madame one day and Mayor the next. Also, we had a Tommy cosplayer that caught the attention of the cast during one of the panels.

PAX PRIME

http://mmoreporter.com/2014/08/30/pax-2014-defiance-interview/

• AfterMath update hitting in the end of September
  • Final 7 Missions
  • 3 New Missions
  • New Enemies
  • Will wrap up Season 2 storyline in the game.
• Dodge Hellfire Durango
• Trick shows off some of the new synergies and effects in game
• Still finalizing the details of the Xbox F2P conversion but it should be out shortly before the Aftermath update.
• Are working on producing their own Season 3 content.

LAST MINUTE ANNOUNCEMENTS

• THIS WEEKS ARKHUNTER CODES ARE:DEFIANT and WINDFALL
  Make sure to enter it at Defiance.com/Ego to get this weeks reward of a Defiant Few Outfit and a Tier 4 Lockbox. Remember to redeem these codes by Tuesday September 16th and Friday September 19th to claim your in-game loot!
• For those listeners who stuck around, here’s your chance to get an in-game exclusive PAX VibroBlade by entering the following code: CW2R-T997-ZFTX-CGTJ-EL2X
• Join Defiance Reporter’s PC clan IGNI FERROQUE! No registration is required, just look for me Corso Vanlocke in-game.

CONTACT US!

Email: [e-mail]

Website:defiancereporter.com

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Twitter: twitter.com/defiancepodcast or @defiancepodcast

Michelle: twitter.com/womenofdefiance

twitter.com/womenofdefiance

Ben: twitter.com/NebsiNsaNe

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