Defiance & Falling Skies Return: This Week’s Sci-Fi Television
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Orphan Black wraps up its second season on BBC America this week, and Continuum is in the final stretch of its third on Syfy. We need some more science fiction TV to entertain us during the brutal summer heat, when it’s too hot to go outside without one of those reflective suits from Sunshine. Thankfully both Defiance and Falling Skies are kicking off their new seasons this week
Defiance returns to Syfy this Thursday night, June 19. I’ve been rewatching the first season in preparation and I’m enjoying the show a lot more than I did initially. I still think it’s got potential it hasn’t reached yet, so hopefully season two is where it will really hit its stride. The show will also be growing its cast this year, adding several newcomers including Terminator icon Linda Hamilton, who will be guest starring as Pilar McCawley, the ex-wife of Rafe (Graham Greene). Showrunner Kevin Murphy said Pilar “will simultaneously make you cry and scare the crap out of you.” If you didn’t check Defiance out last year, it’s available for streaming exclusively on Amazon Prime. Here’s the official synopsis for Defiance season 2:
As the story of Defiance resumes, the lives of the townspeople are in drastic turmoil. The Earth Republic has assumed control of the town, with far-reaching consequences including a new mayor. Nolan (Grant Bowler) traverses the badlands to find a lost Irisa (Stephanie Leonidas), Amanda (Julie Benz) has an unexpected new role in the town as she searches for Kenya and the Tarr family desperately tries to keep control of their criminal empire in the midst of dramatic changes. Joining the cast this season are James Murray as new mayor Niles Pottinger, Anna Hopkins as Earth Republic soldier Jessica ‘Berlin’ Rai and William Atherton as Earth Republic official Viceroy Mercado.
Meanwhile, TNT’s Falling Skies will launch its fourth season Sunday night, with Tom Mason and the rest of the 4th Mass still having pretty much the same shitty luck they’ve had all along. Now they’re up against a devastating new Espheni weapon, which, I’m guessing, probably doesn’t fire adorable puppies. If you want to play catch-up…well, you’ve got three seasons to get through, so you’d better hustle. But all three seasons of Falling Skies are also available streaming on Amazon Prime.
TUESDAY
The Wil Wheaton Project (Syfy, 9/8c) — “A Nightmare on Wilm Street 4: The Dream Master”
WEDNESDAY
Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman (Science, 10/9c) — “Does the Ocean Think?”
Oceans are explored. Included: an investigation into whether oceans have an immune system capable of annihilating all other life on earth.
THURSDAY
Defiance (Syfy, 8/7c) — “The Opposite of Hallelujah”
Season premiere!
Nolan’s search for Irisa leads him to ‘New Chicago’ and ‘Angel Arc’ Los Angeles. Meanwhile, back in Defiance, the Earth Republic appoints a charming, calculating and ambitious man named Niles Pottinger as mayor.
FRIDAY
Continuum (Syfy, 10/9c) — “The Dying Minutes”
Kiera and John Doe work together to put an end to the Freelancers; Scar Alec is rescued and reunited with Emily; and Carlos finally pulls himself together and resolves to take control of the VPD from Piron and Dillon.
SATURDAY
Orphan Black (BBA America, 9/8c) — “By Means Which Have Never Yet Been Tried”
Season finale!
The war with Dyad is all but lost when Rachel’s latest ploy forces a broken Sarah to concede. The Clone Club springs into action, uniting in a reckless gambit to save Sarah. As they fight to gain their freedom, Sarah encounters a new ally and uncovers a terrifying new dimension to the conspiracy.
SUNDAY
Falling Skies (TNT, 10/9c) — “Ghost in the Machine”
Season premiere!
Season 4 begins with the Masons and the 2nd Mass under brutal attack by a new Espheni war machine and a menacing creation. Before long, the Masons must each establish new relationships and survival techniques.
Halt and Catch Fire (AMC, 10/9c) — “Close to the Metal”
When a crisis threatens the project’s future, the entire time is needed to save it.
The Last Ship (TNT, 9/8c) — “Phase Six”
The crew of a lone naval ship try to save humanity when they discover a deadly virus has wiped out most of the population in the series premiere of this drama. Executive producers include Michael Bay.
