Lazarus – Episode 07

Episode Synopsis:

Doug decodes the data recovered from Naga and discovers coordinates to four islands Skinner purchased. These islands have sunk into the ocean currently so the crew decides to split up and explore them for clues. Axel goes to The Maldives, Christine goes to Tuvalu, Doug goes to Manila Bay (Philippines) and Landen goes to Ishigaki Island (Japan). Elena monitors them from the base and eats snacks.

Review:

Outside of Eleina’s adorkable “party for one” at the base, the rest of this episode is rather existential.

Episode 07 starts with news about the last of the Arctic ice caps melting (something Skinner predicted 3 years prior). Each of the islands Skinner purchased have sunk as a result of the ocean water levels rising over the last decade or so. The four Lazarus members come up empty handed in their search for clues but begin to wonder if the chase they are on is secretly guided by Skinner himself.

• Perhaps he wants to show them how beautiful the world was without human inference?
• Perhaps he wants to show them why decided to pull a Thanos and wipe out large swaths of the population?
• Perhaps he’s just cruelly showing them what the world can be like if most of humanity is wiped out?

Some of the crew ponders this while Landen in particular wonders about the fate of the team after their mission is complete. The calm surroundings give everyone something to contemplate.

I guess I shouldn’t say the crew comes back completely empty handed. Axel’s island was previously inhabited by a group of people impervious to pain. They have a syndrome called __ which Skinner studied extensively and apparently based Hapna’s effects on.

The interesting pieces of Episode 07 are all happening outside Team Lazarus. Hersch and the President walk through and art museum and their conversation brings up vague but not at all subtle hints that Axel is the key to this whole puzzle. On a random note, I was seriously impressed that they didn’t just show top shots or blurry color blobs to indicate the Rembrandt Art they were discussing. Like, just LOOK at this:

This segues me nicely into talking about the art as a whole. I think I’ve settled on the idea that this show puts lots of effort into scenery and backgrounds, as it really sells the worldbuilding. Shots of humans are basic at best and slightly janky with minimal or no facial features at worst. In a way it’s almost complimentary to the show’s message about Skinner’s feelings on humanity versus the beautiful Earth we inhabit. I’m sure that’s not the intention but I draw a parallel regardless. Musically, the show is a little too on the nose for me here. The melancholy choral music that depicts both wonder and sadness is perfect, but a touch…too perfect I guess? I would have expected something more subtle to allow the viewer to decide what they want to feel about the natural beauty of these underwater areas that used to be inhabited by humans.

Moving back to plot related affairs, Hersch’s background is unearthed through Eleina’s data hunts. While it should be obvious to anyone watching the show that Hersch was ties to Skinner or Hapna’s development in an intimate way, it remains to be seen what she actually did as a scientist on his team. Whatever it is, it weighs heavy on her consciousness and she knows way more than she’s letting on to the rest of Lazarus. Also Christine (or should I say Alexandria?!) is in hot water. I’m excited to see what happens next.

Summary:

There’s existentialism abound in this episode. We come away with very few clues but a lot to think about as we head into the latter half of the show. I have a prediction that our crew will find Skinner and he’ll have indeed been leading them on this whole time. He’ll appeal to them and ask if they REALLY want that antidote because…don’t you ever wonder how beautiful the world could be if we just got rid of most of humanity…?