Episode 4 of Lazarus, titled “Don’t Stop the Dance,” propels the team further into their quest to find Dr. Skinner, the creator of the potentially catastrophic Hapna drug. This installment blends action, intrigue, and social commentary, solidifying Lazarus‘s unique identity within the anime landscape. The episode dives deeper into the world’s reliance on technology and the potential dangers of unchecked power, all while showcasing impressive animation and fight choreography.
The Hunt for Dr. 909
The episode opens with a prologue narrated by Eleina, setting the stage for the episode’s central theme: technology. Team Lazarus is now focused on tracking down Dr. 909, a hacker of immense skill believed to be aiding Skinner in evading capture. Eleina traces 909’s cryptocurrency transactions, leading them to Sam Stephenson, a stock trader and club owner whose financial moves seemed to predict Hapna’s rise and fall with unnerving accuracy. The team surmises that Sam and 909 may be connected to Skinner.
Club Infiltration
The team decides to infiltrate Sam’s nightclub in Babylonia City to gather information. This leads to some interesting character dynamics, with Chris embracing the femme fatale role and Leland reluctantly dressing in drag as a backup plan, unsure of Sam’s preferences. Axel and Doug, meanwhile, provide support and comic relief.
The club itself is a visual spectacle, blending impressive 2D animation for the interior with CGI for the exterior. As the team navigates the vibrant club scene, Axel discovers a restricted VIP area accessible only with a special digital tattoo.
Confrontations and Revelations
As Chris distracts Sam, who is revealed to be drugging women in the VIP area, she discovers she’s somehow immune to the drug and swiftly subdues him. Meanwhile, Eleina identifies Dr. 909 as none other than DJ Visionary, the club’s headlining DJ.
A fight ensues as the team tries to apprehend Sam and Visionary. The action choreography, overseen by Chad Stahelski (director of John Wick), is a highlight, with Axel showcasing his parkour skills and Chris demonstrating her fighting prowess.
Sam and Visionary attempt to escape in a helicopter, but Axel leaps onto it in mid-air. After a struggle, Axel shoots down the helicopter, sending it crashing into a canal. Interrogating Sam and Visionary, Axel learns they have no direct connection to Skinner. However, they reveal that Visionary gained his insider knowledge about Hapna stocks by hacking into the servers of Delta Medicinal, a pharmaceutical company.
The Trail to Delta Medicinal
With Sam and Visionary apprehended for insider trading, Team Lazarus shifts its focus to Delta Medicinal, suspecting they had prior knowledge of Hapna’s dangers. The episode ends with a glimpse of captive monkeys in a lab, with one collapsing, suggesting that experiments are underway, possibly to find a cure for Hapna.
Themes and Analysis
Lazarus Episode 4 explores several key themes:
- The Perils of Technology: The episode highlights how technology, particularly AI, can be misused for exploitation and profit. Sam’s reliance on AI for stock trading and DJ Visionary’s use of AI to create music without genuine passion underscore this point.
- Social Commentary: The episode critiques misogyny and the abuse of power, exemplified by Sam’s treatment of women and the indifference of those who profited from Hapna’s distribution.
- The Nature of Addiction: The episode touches upon the appeal of Hapna as a means to escape sadness, highlighting the underlying societal issues that drive people to seek such escapes.
Character Development
While the main focus remains on the mission, Episode 4 provides further glimpses into the team’s personalities:
- Chris: She takes center stage, showcasing her fighting skills and moral compass.
- Leland: His discomfort with cross-dressing provides a comedic element, while his drone skills prove invaluable.
- Doug: His awkwardness and nerdy tendencies are further emphasized.
- Axel: Remains the action-oriented member, displaying impressive physical abilities.
- Eleina: continues to be the tech support for the group, and is critical for their success.
Critical Reception
Critics have praised Episode 4 for its action, animation, and exploration of relevant themes. Some have noted the episode’s formulaic structure, but many agree that it is one of the strongest episodes of the series so far. The episode’s blend of style and substance has been lauded, with some comparing it favorably to Shinichiro Watanabe’s previous works like Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo.
Conclusion
“Don’t Stop the Dance” is a compelling episode of Lazarus that advances the plot while delivering exciting action and thought-provoking social commentary. The team’s pursuit of Dr. Skinner leads them to new clues and new dangers, setting the stage for further exploration of the world and its characters. With its stunning visuals, engaging story, and relevant themes, Lazarus continues to solidify its position as a standout anime series.
