Defiance, “This Woman’s Work,” was written by Brian Allen Alexander and directed by Allan Arkush. This was the first time on Defiance, the series, for both. Arkush has also directed Heroes, The Client List, and Crossing Jordan. Allan did write “The Searcher” minisode for Defiance: The Lost Ones. He also wrote for Valentine and Desperate Housewives.
This episode does not feature the series’ best special effects. Certainly, the ark itself was quite disappointing. However, the episode’s title is a reflection on the work we see the women do: Stahma (Jaime Murray) resorts to extreme measures to maintain her newfound power; Irisa (Stephanie Leonidas) continues to be forced to infect others; Christie (Nicole Munoz) resorts to extreme measures to better learn how to be a good Casti wife; Amanda (Julie Benz) continues to run the Need/Want and provide for her customers.
I was disappointed to see a rift forming between Tommy (Dewshane Williams) and Nolan (Grant Butler). Of course, the show has been moving in that direction with Tommy siding against Nolan. I have to say that Berlin (Anna Hopkins) and Nolan hooking up came completely out of left field for me, particularly as she starts the episode in bed with Tommy and planning to leave Defiance with him.
We’ve seen that Tommy still has feelings for Irisa and cares about her, so it’s logical that he would go and tell her he was leaving. Irisa easily trusts Tommy with her secret. She also asks about how Tommy met Berlin. He does seem to genuinely love Berlin, but is still drawn to Irisa. Not surprisingly, even though he says he’s staying because a “friend” needs him “as a friend,” when Tommy refuses to let her help him with Irisa, she calls him on it. I loved the shot of Irisa in the background, crouching above them in the dark. Once again, her passive face shows that she really doesn’t quite understand human emotions.
As usual, the most interesting part of the episode for me was Stahma. As she confronts High Priest Kurr (Dominic Cuzzocrea), we get a real taste of how far she’s come as she slips back into her coquettish subservient role as a Casti woman. Murray is simply wonderful in this role as her posture, movements, and voice completely change. The show is incredibly interesting in how characters are rarely black or white. Stahma is running a band of criminals, yet it’s impossible not to root for her to prevail and break the bonds of her patriarchal culture.
I loved the scene between Amanda and Stahma as they commiserate about men – particularly when Stahma doesn’t understand the men are from Mars, women are from Venus reference. Amanda supports Stahma’s trying to break free of the archaic rules of her culture, telling her she’s not alone. Once again, Stahma grows closer to a Rosewater woman – moreso than with the women of her own culture. It’s ironic that as Amanda urges Stahma to become more human, Christie is striving to become more Casti.
Stahma appeals to the other Casti women, who are clearly being abused by their husbands, but to no avail. I had to wonder if she would have spared them if they had agreed to join her. Would she ever have been able to truly trust them? However, it was pretty chilling to watch her kill them in cold blood.
I also do like, in general, that alliances shift. Seeing Rafe (Graham Greene) and Datak (Tony Curran) forming an alliance opens up all kinds of possibilities. Their scene follows right after Stahma and Kurr discuss whether assimilation is natural or not, and their new relationship demonstrates that natural or not, it is occurring – and this is a theme throughout the episode.
Again, the scene between Datak and Stahma is a highlight of the episode. It would seem that Datak is coming around to the new Stahma – though he tells her she’d look pretty on the shaming rack – and he clearly enjoys the difficult she’s found herself in. I just adore Curran – and he delivers a terrific performance every time. Their final scene was equally strong as Datak points out that Stahma could have easily framed him as they watch Kurr on the shaming rack. Stahma doesn’t want to admit that she still loves Datak – if she even does – but it’s clear that the two of them belong together.
Mercado’s return (William Atherton) is interesting mainly for the reveal of his particular kink in dressing up like a Castithan. In general, I haven’t been especially impressed by the character. His ultimate goal is clearly to take credit for Pottinger’s accomplishments – as Pottinger suspects. I’m hoping something will prevent him from actually heading off to the Dakotas.
I was very sad to see the end of Churchill (Rob Archer). Of course, we didn't actually see a body... Once again, the characters aren’t black or white, and we once again see Pottinger (James Murray) humanized by his attachment to Churchill. Not surprisingly, Nolan doesn’t want to identify in any way with Pottinger and refuses to see any parallel between the two of them. Pottinger knows exactly what’s in the ark but doesn’t tell Nolan or truly understand the danger they are in until it’s too late.
It is clear that Pottinger really does feel bad about Churchill, even promising to go out with him for dinner and a few pints when they get back. Killing the energy alien creates a bonding moment for Nolan and Pottinger, however. Pottinger’s banishment and his showing up to share a drink over Churchill with both Nolan and Amanda solidfy his move from bad guy to the good guys.
Once again the episode ends with a number of scenes without dialogue set to music. We see Berlin and Nolan sharing an intimate night – this can’t sit well with Tommy and Amanda. I doubt this relationship will go anywhere past the physical – Nolan doesn’t form ties with anyone other than Irisa, and Berlin was clearly looking for a way to hurt Tommy. We see the “speciality” club where humans dress as aliens – and the super creepy scene of Mercado coming on to Christie.
What did you think of the episode? Do you think Datak and Rafe will really work together? Do you think Christie is treading a dangerous path? Will Stahma let Datak back into her life? Should she? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! I apologize for the lateness of this review – but look for my coverage of Defiance from Comic Con coming to the site this weekend!
