Episode 5 of Lazarus, titled “Pretty Vacant,” sees the team attempting to lure Skinner out of hiding, but instead encountering a new, formidable threat. The episode aired on May 4, 2025, and continues the countdown to the impending deaths caused by the Hapuna drug.
Synopsis of “Pretty Vacant”
The episode begins with Axel reflecting on Hapuna’s spread through prisons and his own experience with it. He reveals the drug had no effect on him, though he may still face dire consequences.
Investigating Delta Medicinal
The Lazarus team focuses on Delta Medicinal, the company spearheading Hapuna’s trials, suspecting their involvement with Skinner. Elina discovers Delta Medicinal’s president, Ahmed Rahman, sending data seemingly to attract Skinner. This data includes images of clinical trial data uploaded as songs to SoundCloud.
The Fake Cure Trap
The team devises a plan to bait Skinner by announcing a fake cure for Hapuna. They organize an emergency meeting with medical professionals, showcasing vials that appear authentic but contain saline solution with GPS trackers. Security is heavily reinforced, including a Faraday cage to prevent hacking.
Popcorn Wizard’s Entrance
During the meeting, Elina detects a hacking attempt and traces it back to a mobile camper outside the Islamabad stock exchange in Pakistan. Instead of Skinner, the mysterious elite hacker Lin, known as Popcorn Wizard, appears. Popcorn Wizard’s superior hacking skills outmatch the Lazarus team, disrupting their plans. One of the rogue scientists injects himself with the fake cure before being isolated.
Ahmed Rahman’s Role
Axel confronts President Rahman, who claims to be as desperate as everyone else to contact Skinner. Rahman reveals that Delta Medicinal was unaware of Hapuna’s lethal effects, having only tested it on monkeys. The team learns the monkeys’ eyes displayed a starry night pattern before death, explaining a strange picture found in Delta Medicinal’s files.
Key Events and Plot Points
- Fake Hapuna Cure: The Lazarus team attempts to lure Skinner out by announcing a fake cure, hoping he will try to confirm it himself.
- Delta Medicinal’s Involvement: The team investigates Delta Medicinal, uncovering data that suggests a connection to Skinner.
- Popcorn Wizard’s Arrival: The elite hacker Lin, also known as Popcorn Wizard, unexpectedly appears, disrupting the team’s plan and posing a new threat.
- Ahmed Rahman’s Perspective: President Rahman claims to be ignorant of Hapuna’s lethal effects and eager to contact Skinner.
- Hapuna’s Lethality: A lab monkey dies from Hapuna, confirming the escalating danger of the drug.
Character Developments
- Axel: Axel is still a central figure, though episode 5 gives him less of a central role compared to previous episodes.
- Elina: Elina’s hacking skills are tested against Popcorn Wizard, highlighting her importance to the team.
- Popcorn Wizard: The introduction of Popcorn Wizard adds a new layer of complexity to the story, with her motivations and relationship to Skinner remaining unclear.
- Ahmed Rahman: His character is fleshed out, showing him as someone desperate for a cure and possibly manipulated by Skinner.
Themes and Analysis
Lazarus continues to explore themes of desperation, manipulation, and the consequences of unchecked scientific advancement. Episode 5 emphasizes the cat-and-mouse game between the Lazarus team and their adversaries, highlighting the challenges they face in uncovering the truth about Hapuna and Skinner’s motives. The introduction of Popcorn Wizard suggests a deeper conspiracy and a more complex network of individuals involved in the Hapuna crisis.
Reception and Review
Some reviews note that Lazarus is slow-paced. Others point out that while the cyberpunk aesthetic and the central drama surrounding Hapuna and Skinner are compelling, the dialogue and character development can be lacking. The introduction of Popcorn Wizard is seen as a positive development, adding intrigue and tension to the series.
Looking Ahead
Episode 5 leaves viewers with several unanswered questions:
- What is Popcorn Wizard’s relationship to Skinner?
- What are Popcorn Wizard’s goals?
- Will the Lazarus team be able to overcome Popcorn Wizard’s hacking abilities?
- How will the team adjust their strategy after failing to bait Skinner?
As the countdown to the Hapuna deaths continues, the Lazarus team must adapt to new threats and unravel the mysteries surrounding Skinner and his deadly drug. With the introduction of Popcorn Wizard, the stakes have been raised, and the team’s mission has become even more challenging.
