Lazarus: Season 1 Episode 3 “Long Way From Home” – Recap & Review (With Spoilers)
As a major breakthrough is made to find Dr. Skinner, more gets revealed about Doug and even past associates of Axel.
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Episode 3 “Long Way From Home” Details
- Available On: Max
- Public Release Date: April 20, 2025
- Director(s): Yohei Tsuchiya
- Writer(s): Takahiro Ozawa
Episode 3 “Long Way From Home” Recap (With Spoilers)
How To Disappear: Elaina
According to Elaina, there are over 100,000 Dr. Skinners on the various surveillance cameras across the world and she believes only three hackers are capable of this kind of job. Herself, Popcorn Wizard and Doctor 909. It isn’t clear which of the two it could be but Elaina sets traps to pin down which it could be.
Looking Back To See Forward: Doug, Jill, Claude, Axel
With no clear leads, Doug decides to look up his former university professor, Claude Cline, since he used to work with Dr. Skinner. Unfortunately, the man has hit hard times in trying to keep up with Dr. Skinner and ended up homeless. This is when Axel steps in for while Doug is very much about getting the job done, it could be submitted that without clear direction, if something throws off what he planned to do, he can ends up in analysis paralysis or worst.
Thankfully, through his many prison stints and adventures, Axel met Jill, and she runs the local homeless camp and even knows Claude. This allows for Doug and Claude to talk while Axel beats someone in basketball using his acrobatic moves. Now, unfortunately for Doug, the only thing Claude can relay to him is how he ended up in this situation, for he wasn’t close to Dr. Skinner. But, with mentioning Dr. Skinner’s grandmother and how he would praise her baklava, that is taken as a potential lead.
It Wasn’t Like I Was Hiding: Grandma Billinda, Leland, Elaina, Axel
With Grandma Billinda the only lead Lazarus has, Leland and Axel fly to Istanbul and things are rough at first. Leland decided to wear traditional attire, and Axel sure as hell did not, and they are instantly targeted since Grandma Billinda doesn’t live in the best area. However, with mentioning her name things quickly chill out and they are taken to her and she talks about Dr. Skinner and even shows a video message from three years ago.
With that, Axel knows there has to be a hidden camera, he finds it, and threatens what he assumes is Dr. Skinner, thus lighting up the traps Elaina put down and her being able to know it is Doctor 909 doing the worldwide hack – thus giving them the best lead they ever got.
“Lazarus” Character Guide
New Cast and Characters
Jill (Yuichi Nakamura)
- Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
- Character Summary: Jill is a friend of Axel, who he knew before they were reborn as Jill. She currently leads a local homeless camp and has an affectionate relationship with Axel. Someone she met when she was building her own rap sheet.
Claude (Yutaka Nakano)
- Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
- Character Summary: Claude is a former professor who taught at the same university Doug went to and even went to bat for Doug after a racist incident led to Doug losing his ability to attend school.
Grandma Billinda (Toshiko Sawada)
- Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
- Character Summary: Grandma Billinda is the one who raised Dr. Skinner, whom he loves deeply, especially for her baklava.
Review and Commentary
Highlights
Getting More Of Doug’s Background [82/100]
While we didn’t learn something that felt major, earth-shattering, or emotional, knowing even just a bit of Doug’s background did feel a tad like a gift. Mainly since it seems like he is very much about the work, not about the socialization, so being let in to know his struggles as a academic, especially a black one, was nice and setup that this production isn’t going to just have characters who look different, but also have their cultures come with them.
The Diversity [84/100]
I would even double down on appreciating Jill being a transwoman, and how Axel switched quickly from their former name to calling them Jill, Leland trying to be respectful, even if through his ignorance, in how he dressed in Istanbul, and just an overall sense that Lazarus isn’t trying to be for everyone, but does want to make clear that, in a connected world, everyone is welcomed.
Overall
Our Overall Rating [83/100]
Though I understand diversity isn’t as big of a deal in the creation of anime compared to American animation, it is nice, a bit wild, but also something to be grateful for. To see a Black presenting character say he is Black, acknowledge his struggles, and on top of that, the same episode introduces a trans woman who people adapt to as soon as they are clear on their identity. It all feels so out there and different, since it is far from the norm, but at the same time, it pushes Lazarus to feel different in ways that are beyond the superficial and really make you see this as something new, and not just a remix of familiar characters and a different take on a potential doomsday story.
Additional Links
Lazarus: Season 1 Episode 13 “The World Is Yours” – Finale Recap & Review
In its series finale, Lazarus tries to wrap up its storylines and explain why this ragtag group was selected – but is it good enough?
Lazarus: Season 1 Episode 12 “Close To The Edge” – Recap & Review (With Spoilers)
In the penultimate episode of the series, not season, we learn Lazarus barely missed Dr. Skinner in a previous episode.
Lazarus: Season 1 Episode 11 “Runnin’ With The Devil” – Recap & Review (With Spoilers)
As we approach the last days before Dr. Skinner estimates the first people to take Hapna will die, the effects are starting to show in our heroes.
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