DEFIANCE

Ok, Defiance is a brand new original show by the SyFi Channel. Its based in a world where aliens have not only landed but they have terra formed earth into something partway between two worlds. The world is at peace, but only barely, and the 9 different sentient life forms (8 kinds of Voltans and Humans) are working out how to coexist in such a volatile and violent world. Set in the town Defiance where every species is represented in some way, Defiance is kind of a cross between the game Borderlands and the TV show Farscape. Unfortunately I don't think it will be as popular as either.

Being that we have only just seen episode six, we have about 5 different and complex plot lines happening, add to that an almost instantaneous love triangle between the main character and a pair of sisters (one the mayor and one a hooker) and finish it off with the main characters adoptive daughter having some kind of psychic ability that no one really knows much about.... I'm betting on cancellation.

Which is a real shame. Because there is nothing in particular that the show is lacking in. We have the strong and compassionate leader, the plays by his own rules lawman, the troubled yet vulnerable daughter, the spunky and fun loving prostitute, star crossed lovers and the manipulative and wily businessman with his even more so wife.

I mean, the places that you COULD take this show is just astronomical. However, the writing and the rush that the writers seem to be in, strips this possibly stellar show down to its skeleton which unfortunately isn't interesting enough. The only reason I am still watching is the cast and makeup department.

Julie Benz (Darla in Buffy and Rita in Dexter) is one reason to watch this show. She is just so good at what she does. I have no complaints where she is concerned. Jaime Murray (Lila in Dexter) is someone else whom I watch this show for because the two faced scheming wife she plays is so well done that I am in love with the character.

Its bizarre, the character backstories and possible character development is wonderful as is most of the makeup (yes you can see a few seams here and there but all in all quite original and a bit star treckky, which I love) but I do honestly think that the writers have no idea of where they are going and they should pick a couple of storylines and run with them or at least give us a few more episodes in which to get to know the characters. I mean, for goodness sake, the first episode had a cataclysmic battle between all the cast we met so far and a race of conquerors (practically undefeatable conquerors) that they won with only 41 casualties... come on. Too soon and too far fetched.

But hey, give it a go. I'm still watching despite my issues with the writers. And we are missing good old fashioned alien shows on the tube atm.