Lazarus: Season 1 Episode 6 “Heaven Is A Place On Earth” – Recap & Review (With Spoilers)
It’s an Eleina-focused episode as we learn about the cult she was raised in.
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Episode 6 “Heaven Is A Place On Earth” Details
- Available On: Adult Swim
- Public Release Date: May 11, 2025
- Director(s): Eiji Abiko
- Writer(s): Takahiro Ozawa
Episode 6 “Heaven Is A Place On Earth” Recap (With Spoilers)
Grasping At Straws: Doug
With a 15-year-old spiritual magazine, Doug presents the only lead the team has, and it is one that no one takes all that seriously. For the Tower of the Truth, a cult that worships AI, lives off the land, and is cut off from the world, it feels a bit too obvious to be the answer as to where Skinner is.
A Return Home: Eleina, Leland, Carla, Billy, Hanna
Yet, with Eleina having a connection to the place, there is hope that this could provide some clues or answers. We are about to enter less than 20 days before a massive amount of people will die, after all.
Alas, the only thing we see and learn is why Eleina left. People who are all one, to the point kids can’t even individualize their relationships with their parents, including Eleina with her mom, Carla. Then there is Hanna, presumably Eleina’s sister, but she can’t call her that.
But then there is Billy, the leader, who could potentially be Eleina’s father, who knows? The only thing that is clear is he is the madman with a direct line to Naga and who created this cult for people to pray to Naga – and it seems he is ready for it all to come to an end.
It All Comes to An End: Doug, Axel, Chris, Hanna, Carla, Billy, Eleina, Leland
As Billy is investigated further, it becomes clear he was once an associate of Dr. Skinner and part of a group working on an AI, which became Naga, modeled after Dr. Skinner. The AI was tasked with becoming a God, and Billy’s obsession with it led to its theft from the lab and its placement in a real-world environment—one that has attracted FBI attention.
Rightfully so, by the way, since Billy was going to kill everyone in a massive murder/suicide. But, first, he was going to have Eleina and Leland killed, for they were caught trying to hack Naga, likely due to Hanna snitching on them. Thankfully, though, while Hanna may have been jealous that Eleina got to leave and explore her feelings, she becomes their savior by throwing a smoke bomb that signals the Lazarus team to show up.
Now, unlike most episodes, this doesn’t mean Axel getting to whip ass and take names. In fact, this is probably his least flashy episode. But, after Leland and Eleina are rescued, and those who could be saved, minus Billy, who Naga’s processor crushes, Chris shares a sweet moment with Eleina, when they share a bed. Pushing the idea further that, while Doug and Hersch may just see those in Lazarus as co-workers, minions, or tools, Chris has real personal relationships or at least tries to.
“Lazarus” Character Guide
New Cast and Characters
Hanna (Shion Wakayama)
- Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
- Character Summary: Hanna appears to be Eleina’s sister, who has long been jealous of the fact Eleina left and got her freedom, while Hanna stayed behind.
Carla (Atsuko Yuya)
- Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
- Character Summary: Carla is Eleina’s mom.
Billy (Satoshi Hino)
- Check out other productions we’ve covered starring this actor: [Link to Actor’s Tag]
- Character Summary: Billy is a former MIT researcher who became obsessed with the AI named Naga, which was modeled after Dr. Skinner’s brain. Using the AI, he created a cult which, as of this episode, was on the brink of destruction due to a mass planned suicide.
Review and Commentary
Highlights
Furthering The Relationship Dynamics [82/100]
Chris’ relationships with members of the team have been a bit downplayed since the first episode created the possibility that she and Leland could be siblings. But, as shown, even if Doug asserts himself as one of the leadership, Chris could easily command the loyalty of her peers with ease. Eleina, perhaps the most distant of team Lazarus, asked if she could sleep in Chris’ bed.
It may not be a big deal overall, but I am starting to think that while Axel might be the flashiest of the team, Chris and what she is capable of and willing to do is the one to really take an interest in. For, at this point, this might become less of an obligatory mission for her and more about protecting and working with her friends, whom she might be willing to die for.
Low Points
Still No Closer To Finding Dr. Skinner And Now Coming Off Like There Is No Direction [63/100]
Doug literally pulled out a 15-year-old magazine for some kind of direction for the team. The desperation is high, and while it did set up getting Eleina’s backstory, it just makes me wonder how special we should see this team, never mind Hersch, if the best lead they have is a magazine article about some religious group? One that, surely, was already investigated, as shown, by the FBI.
On The Fence
A Piece Of Eleina’s Backstory [72/100]
Eleina’s backstory, like the rest of the cast’s, is something we’re interested in knowing, but I feel like, as a follow-up to Doug’s, this was another that didn’t feel like it told us much. Yes, it illuminated a chapter of her story, but it was also missing a load of details and emotions. What led to Carla joining a cult, was Billy Eleina’s dad, what led to Eleina ultimately leaving, never mind getting into hacking for a living or for survival?
Barely is the foundation even set to build off of, and with how Lazarus operates, this is likely the beginning and end of learning anything about this character. So while we enjoy a peek behind the curtain, I do find it challenging to have a long term investment in a character who we only get a hint of, in terms of who they are and why, rather than get to truly build a connection because we’ve gotten to know their story, what challenges they have faced, and how they overcame them.
Overall
Our Overall Rating [72/100]
Lazarus barely even comes off like it is finding its footing. More so, it seems firm in being more about style than substance and seems more than willing to live off the name of its creator than make this another feather in his hat.
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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