Lazarus 1×7 Review: “Almost Blue”

Lazarus anime season one episode 7, titled ‘Almost Blue’, had the team track Skinner at four different locations while trying to understand the meaning behind his ominous message.

With the FBI having raided the cult living in the Tower of Truth, the authorities found out that while the AI Naga was modeled after Skinner’s brain, he didn’t have any involvement in its creation. However, the team still held on to the hope of finding some kind of a lead because they were able to retrieve Naga’s memory bank. Fortunately, it worked out in their favor (kind of). The memory bank shared some data. Doug realized that the numbers pointed to a bunch of locations, highlighting four areas connected to Skinner.

I liked the world-building featured in ‘Almost Blue’. It’s something I have wanted Lazarus to have more of. Even though humans had advanced a lot in terms of technology and medical breakthroughs, they were still living on a planet being destroyed by global warming. The episode showed the world losing the last icecap at the North Pole. Also, a bunch of islands had been submerged due to rising water levels. But of course, TPTB were focused on building more stuff and ignoring the natural disasters.

The locations revealed via Naga’s data were four of the submerged areas. It’s revealed that Skinner had bought land before they went underwater. It made sense for the team to check those areas out to not only find Skinner but also figure out why he bought land he knew was going to be flooded soon.

‘Almost Blue’ was the first episode we saw the team go their separate ways. At least they were able to remain in contact via earpieces and video calls. But, frankly, I’m more of a fan of seeing the characters work as a team in the same area instead of being spread out in such a manner. I understood why it needed to be done to cover four different locations around the globe. However, I have my fingers crossed it’s the last time they’re required to do so.

Visiting the four locations (somewhere near the Maldives, Tuvalu, Manila Bay, and Taketomi Island) allowed the team to think about what Skinner might be making them do or realize. Even though the areas were underwater, they retained a stunning beauty that wasn’t tarnished by human presence. Mother Nature’s ever ready to reclaim what’s hers.

Due to how smart Skinner’s been portrayed, it’s not far-fetched to assume that the hunt to track him down is a journey he designed for people to see what he saw when it came to warning humanity about the dangers of destroying nature. He predicted that the icecap at the North Pole would be gone in three years. And that indeed happened. Apparently, a bunch of people had been revisiting his years of warnings and considering them premonitions. With Hapna users running out of time, some people had even begun thinking of Skinner as a prophet or a God.

Only a handful of episodes remain. So, I hope we get to see the rise of a Skinner-centric cult. There’s also the brewing threat of a World War 3, that might end humanity before Hapna could. Again, I want to see these things portrayed in the anime instead of being randomly mentioned.

Though the team failed to find Skinner hiding out in one of the four locations (duh!), their mission did bring forth some developments. After talking to one of the local boatmen, Axel learned that a majority of the people on the island had analgesia (the inability to feel pain). Skinner was clearly interested in the population and their genetics linked to the creation of Hapna, a medication meant to suppress pain or feelings of sadness.

Not only that, but it’s also revealed that Hersch was one of the original researchers linked to the project. Eleina looked devastated after learning the truth. So, I’m looking forward to seeing how the team’s confrontation with Hersch will pan out.

As for Hersch’s past with Skinner and her focus on finding him, her conversation with Abel had her mention that she believed Skinner was the same passionate scientist he always was. Also, according to Hersch, Skinner wanted someone to find him.

I mean, that’s all fine and dandy, but it still doesn’t explain why Skinner won’t release the cure to Hapna already. How does being a passionate scientist connect with wanting to destroy humanity with a drug YOU created? Also, Skinner declared himself the Seventh Trumpeter in his message. But again, who gave him the right to play with billions of lives instead of simply being a messenger going on about the end of the world? I hope the writing team’s able to provide satisfactory answers down the line.

Coming back to Abel, his calm demeanor had raised rumors about him being an AI-powered android. I understand the technologically advanced world in Lazarus having robots and AI, but I think I’ll have to draw the line at humanoid androids walking amongst the crowd in secret. Introducing such a component would be a bit too much for a narrative that’s already struggling to talk about humanity vs Mother Nature.

I did enjoy the team bonding moments. Chris trying and failing to correctly guess Doug, Axel, and Leland’s ages was funny. While I wouldn’t have put Doug in his 40s (which he took personally!), I do agree with Chris and was also surprised when Axel mentioned he was in his early 20s. He looked and acted older.

Leland also brought up the fact that the team would disband after finding Skinner. The members had grown close while working together. So, it made sense for Leland to be emotional about the inevitable end. Also, while Eleina won’t ever say it, I think she felt similarly to how Leland did.

Another interesting scene was the appearance of a group of strangers also searching for something in the area Chris traveled to. The character design team made it obvious that the blond woman in the new team was somehow connected to Chris. And we got her reaching out to Chris at the end of the episode. I don’t know if they’re sisters or cousins, but I’m intrigued by how this particular development will progress. I just don’t want Chris betraying her current team. She joked about World War 3 ending humanity before the Hapna-related deaths began. She also pondered how Skinner might be right about how humans destroyed everything they touched. There’s clearly something going on with her.

What did you think of Lazarus anime season one episode 7, ‘Almost Blue’?

Let us know.

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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