"Ostinato in White" is the 9th episode of Season Three of Defiance and the 34th episode overall. It aired on July 31, 2015 on Syfy.
Synopsis[]
Following a gruesome murder, Nolan and Irisa search for the unknown killer in Defiance, and Doc Yewll investigates the surprising victim. Amanda resists welcoming back Stahma and T'evgin learns an unsettling truth about his daughter.
Syfy's Fun Facts[1][]
- Most of the drawings on the memorial wall were created from photos taken of actors who "died" in the militia bombing and the NeedWant massacre. Also visible is Datak's campaign poster from Season One. The one exception is a photo of Glen Roemer, who is a member of Defiance's props department. Glen was on set the day of the NeedWant massacre and got pulled in to act as an extra. He died horribly (well) that day, so the art department only thought it fitting to add his photo to the wall.
- "Zero's rifle started its life as a 1950s Soviet-era PPSh-41 'burp gun.' We wanted something unique looking and a little retro. Our Props Master Charles McGlinn presented several possibilities, and the PPSh-41 was chosen." - Stephen Geaghan, Production Designer
- The local Irathient population has endured many injustices over the years, dating back before the town's inception. Shortly after the Pale Wars, Irathient homesteaders moved into the region formerly known as St. Louis. A number of them were driven off or killed by greedy prospectors looking to make a quick buck in the "gulanite rush" started by Rafe McCawley. A few years later, as the town grew, Mayor Nicky attempted to forcibly inoculate Irathient children, resulting in a riot in which many Irathients died and even more fled. Indur was one of the few Irathients who chose to remain a citizen of Defiance despite these conflicts. It's a shame that this is how he's rewarded for his loyalty.
- Ever wonder what silver Indogene blood is made of? According to Production Designer Steve Geaghan: "After several attempts, Marcus Rait (our Special Effects Coordinator) found a non-metallic cake decorating product that fit the bill.
- Bagra is a type of fungus indigenous to the Votanis System. It grows deep underground, thriving in dark environments such as Old St. Louis. When the Kaziri imploded, it took most of Old St. Louis with it, leaving only a few small pockets of open space, most of which are inaccessible. In addition, the toxic byproducts of gulanite mining make the environment dangerous for any extended period of stay. Suffice to say, it's not a very nice place to visit.
- "My hardest scene to shoot was anything outdoors in February because it was brass monkeys and I thought the crew was trying to kill me off but was too nice to tell me. Toronto was colder than the Arctic the day I shot the scene when the Omec landed on earth. -30C ... you don’t even want to translate that into Fahrenheit. It was cold. I’m too thin for that type of weather. I wanted some space debris to fall from the Tsuroz and put Kindzi out of her misery." - Nichole Galicia, "Kindzi"
- "The name of the Omec language, Kinuk’aaz, literally means 'our language.' The word 'nuk' means 'tongue,' and the derived term 'nuk'aaz' means 'language.' The prefix 'ki-' simply means 'our.' Randomly, there was a line I translated that used the words 'our language.' Thus you hear the name of the language—in the language itself—on screen." - David Peterson, Language Creator
- "Learning this language has been the biggest challenge of my career. I've basically become a fluent native speaker in a foreign language in four weeks. Try that at home. No really, try that at home! I need someone to learn some Kinuk'aaz so I have someone to chat with. Quick lesson ... Yes: 'vi.' No: 'ar' (your r's should sound like a lion's roar coming from the back of your throat). I will tweet more words as the season goes on." - Nichole Galicia, "Kindzi"
- Mourning tattoos are one of the oldest funerary traditions in Casti culture, dating back to the early days of their civilization. Few things are more loathsome to a Castithan of the shanje liro than marking up one's own skin, which makes these tattoos a great sign of respect toward the departed. In recent centuries, an ink blend was discovered that wears off after a short period of time, not unlike henna tattoos. This allowed body-conscious Castithans to revere their dead while also maintaining a flawless complexion.
- The Castithan Prayer of Emptiness is an ancient ritual that dates back to the early days of the liro system. It is only recited by members of the shanje liro. For while it may seem surprising for a shajifyo to even admit that the lower liros are necessary, they still believe that without their own "divine light," there would be no reason for the other liros to exist
Votan Translations[]
David J. Peterson, the creator of the Votan languages, has made translations available on his Archive of Our Own page.
Translations for the Votan spoken in this episode can be found at Conlang Dialogue: Defiance, Episode 309.
Highlighted Quote[]
STAHMA (CASTITHAN)
And so we praise you, Rayetso,
and wait for this darkness to pass...
TRANSLATION
Jeme favizwala do dhera je, Rayetso,
ka omáspa re giftu womuma...
STAHMA (CASTITHAN)
Though when it does...
TRANSLATION
Kworo usha ksa giftonje...
STAHMA (CASTITHAN)
... the skies will never be the same.
TRANSLATION
... ováshala ksa rono ugano yunda.
Trivia[]
- Because the first two episodes aired together as two hour premiere, they are sometimes referred to as a single episode (despite having separate episode titles), making this the eight episode to air, but ninth named, individual episode of the season.
- Season 3 regular, Anna Hopkins, does not appear in this episode