It was, as some would suggest, inevitable: A TV series complete with it’s own Massive-Multiplayer-Online gaming experience. And while you’d expect compromise in quality one for the other, Defiance proves it’s possible to deliver both in stellar fashion.
Starring Grant Bowler as loner cum shoe-horned/reluctant peacekeeper Joshua Nolan Defiance sets itself in the year 2046 and introduces an exotically transformed planet Earth following the sudden – and tumultuous – arrival of seven unique alien races. In this somewhat unpredictable landscape, a diverse and newly-formed civilization of humans and aliens must learn to co-exist peacefully. Graham Greene is a brilliant foil as Rafe McCawley (A futuristic Gina Hancock pushing his own agenda above those of the community they live in).
Though not quite as fast-tracked as some other US titles, Defiance premieres in Australia off the back of strong critical and viewer support after premiering Monday past. The thought of modern Sci-Fi TV producing legend Rockne S. O’Bannon at the helm offers great promise and the mix of real life with CGI/make-up immerses viewers in a surreal future world where, quite literally, the remnants of the seven races are learning to live together as they all start afresh.
Additionally the partner game extends the experience so that each week storylines continue to develop around and through the TV episodes. The integration has already proven to deliver an engaging tale of redemption, self-discovery and hope. Defiance is a show that is sure to please even the hardest sci-fi fan, particularly gamers.
Defiance – Thu 9:30pm, SF (Foxtel).