Watch the First Four Minutes of 'Defiance,' Episode 5 [Exclusive Video]

Previously on "Defiance," Rynn (Tiio Horn), an Irathient Spirit Rider -- on a mission to avenge her parents' death -- was arrested after using Hellbug pheromones to attack and kill the men who murdered them. She then built and used a pheromone bomb against the rest of Defiance. Sukar (Noah Danby) -- who leads the boho, steampunk-esque Spirit Riders -- confirmed that Irisa (Stephanie Leonidas) has been touched by the Irathient gods and has "the sight." Irisa was able to save the town using her visions, which had been dismissed by her adoptive dad, Nolan (Grant Bowler), as post-traumatic stress.

In this exclusive four-minute sneak peek at Episode 5, "The Serpent's Egg," Amanda (Julie Benz) warns Nolan that Defiance's hopes and future well-being are contained within the briefcase he's holding. In other words, things are about to go horribly wrong. This is confirmed when Rynn (now a prisoner), whom he's transporting along with the all-important briefcase, is spotted concealing a pen that will likely double as a key to her cuffs and a weapon.

[Related: 'Defiance' Executive Producer Michael Taylor Exits]

The fiery dread-headed Irath is in perfect contrast to the diplomatic Amanda. Amanda outwardly smiles but surely is screaming expletives on the inside when she's chatted up by Olfin Tennety (Jane McLean), a snarky Earth Republic (E-Rep) ambassador who wants a mutual securities pact with Defiance.

Apparently, women such as Tennety wear the pants in the future, taking multiple husbands who must lack as much in brains as they make up for in muscle. Nolan's slip-ups suddenly make much more sense now. The future belongs to women! They are the brains behind every operation of worth, including the attempted destruction of Defiance by the town's former female mayor. They are also the "real" bosses, such as Datak's wife, scheming to get what she wants as her gruff husband childishly loses his temper every 5 seconds.

[Photos: Syfy's 2013 Upfront Event]

The highlight: When Nolan leaves Irisa to watch over Defiance while he's gone. It seems that he's finally laying off, not pushing her to be something she's not. He sends Irisa off with wise yet sarcastic words of wisdom to stay out of trouble -- plus a warm hug.

After their goodbyes, Irisa gets the creeps -- and a vision -- courtesy of a mysterious Indogene man who passes by. In the vision, the man conceals his face with a mask, and a snake slithers nearby. Is the snake literal or is that symbolic of the man's intentions? Either way, he is likely in town to cause major stress for Deputy Irisa.

Watch "The Serpent's Egg" on Monday, 5/13 at 9 PM on Syfy.