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Episode 5 “Pretty Vacant” Details

• Available On: Adult Swim
• Public Release Date: May 4, 2025
• Director(s): Kazuo Miyake
• Writer(s): Tsukasa Kondo

Episode 5 “Pretty Vacant” Recap (With Spoilers)

The team ends up on a wild goose chase in yet another episode. The target was the Delta Medicinal president, Ahmed Rahman, who presumably had some sort of contact with Dr. Skinner. Elaina even discovers him uploading files as songs to SoundCloud that are actually images of the clinical trial data, seemingly to draw Dr. Skinner out. But, even with Axel making his way to President Rahman and getting him to work with Lazarus, they don’t draw in Dr. Skinner.

However, they do catch the attention of Popcorn Wizard, aka Lynn, a Pakistani person, who, when Delta announces they had a cure for Hapna, was able to get their attention. Now, Elaina, as masterful as she is, doesn’t catch Lynn, but does get her respect for getting really close. Now, was Lynn the one helping Dr. Skinner mask his identity? Who knows. But now there is no lead, and Lazarus has to head back to the drawing board, just as Hersch’s boss needs results.

“Lazarus” Character Guide

New Cast and Characters

Delta Medicinal President Ahmed Rahman (Daisuke Ono)

• Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
• Character Summary: The president of Delta Medicinal, Ahmed Rahman, despite his assumed influence and powers, is as desperate as the rest of the world, not only for a cure, but to make contact with Dr. Skinner. But, upon meeting Lazarus, he goes from losing sleep and going a bit mad, to actually trying to fight back and do something, to maybe push Dr. Skinner, or another party, to reveal themselves.

Lynn aka Popcorn Wizard (Neeko)

• Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
• Character Summary: One of the few hackers Elaina sees as her peer, Lynn appears to be Pakistani, has an obsession with saying HARDCORE, and it seems that while she might be hard to find, she has access to Elaina when she wants to reach out.

Review and Commentary

Highlights

On The Fence

Increasingly Wishing This Was A Binge Watch [75/100]

Lazarus isn’t really going anywhere fast, and each episode is a dead end. Now, does this make it appear Dr. Skinner is more crafty and genius than originally let on? Yes. However, I’d submit that the consolation prize for the team not getting any closer to Dr. Skinner is a bit weak.

Yes, is Popcorn Wizard, someone named dropped before, being physically introduced, noteworthy? Yes. But whether they are helping Dr. Skinner or not isn’t made into a fact. For what we know, they wanted a cure as much as the next person, and the hack could have been purely about wanting to get insider information. Then, when it comes to the team, Axel still largely eclipses them, personality-wise, with no one given much to stand out with.

I’d even say, with so little given to who Hersch’s superiors are, it just furthers the need for there to be something big to happen soon. Though I’ll admit, maybe my patience is wearing thin because there is far more style than substance so far.

Overall

Our Overall Rating [75/100]

I’m hoping Lazarus isn’t becoming one of those shows where we’re supposed to just trust, in the long term, that all of this will pay off. It’s starting to come off like it may hold the best for last or make it so you have to stick around, longer than you should have to, for some type of reward.

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