Looking for a new sci-fi series to dive into? You might want to check out The Lazarus Project. After watching the first four episodes of Season 1, I can confidently say this British sci-fi show, produced by SKY and available on TNT in the USA, is grabbing my attention for all the right reasons. With two seasons out so far and potentially more to come, this series is quickly becoming a must-watch for fans of Time Travel Shows.
What immediately sets The Lazarus Project apart from other time travel shows is its incredibly clever plot and sharp writing. The central concept revolves around a covert organization, the Lazarus Project, funded like a NATO operation. Members of this elite group possess a unique genetic alteration that allows them to remember events across repeated six-month time loops. When global catastrophes occur, time resets, and these agents relive the same six months, armed with the memories of previous iterations. They work tirelessly to avert disasters, events that, according to the show, have repeatedly led to the brink of civilization’s collapse. Nuclear fire, pandemics – you name it; the Lazarus Project has likely seen it and worked to prevent it, again and again, until they find the solution to ensure time can proceed beyond the critical “checkpoint.”
The show doesn’t shy away from the complex moral implications of time manipulation. Collateral damage is a recurring theme, and The Lazarus Project confronts this issue head-on, making it a central point of dramatic tension. It’s in exploring these ethical gray areas that the show truly shines, pushing beyond typical sci-fi tropes and into thought-provoking territory.
Adding another layer of intrigue, the series introduces characters like the protagonist, who are naturally occurring “mutants.” These individuals possess the ability to remember time loops without genetic modification, making them exceptionally rare and valuable assets to the Project. This element of natural anomaly versus engineered ability adds depth to the character dynamics and the overall mythology of the show.
However, the true strength of The Lazarus Project lies in its writing. The writers fully embrace the time travel premise, exploring its potential in fascinating ways. The show quickly moves beyond the typical “villain of the week” format often seen in time travel shows. Instead, it delves into much larger, more philosophical questions. What level of global threat justifies a complete time reset? Who gets to make that decision? And perhaps most compellingly, are the Lazarus Project truly the heroes, or are they, in some ways, the villains, blinded by their own power and justifications?
This inherent ambiguity permeates the show’s operational doctrine and the moral compass of its main characters. From the outset, they grapple with these weighty questions, challenging the very foundations of the Lazarus Project’s existence. This willingness to ask difficult questions, without necessarily providing easy answers, is what makes The Lazarus Project stand out in the crowded landscape of time travel shows. It’s a refreshing approach that elevates the series beyond simple entertainment and into a realm of compelling, philosophical sci-fi.
In conclusion, based on the first four episodes, The Lazarus Project is definitely worth watching for anyone interested in time travel shows. It boasts high production quality, a talented cast, and, most importantly, a genuinely intelligent and engaging narrative that keeps you thinking long after the credits roll. If you’re seeking a sci-fi series that offers more than just action and special effects, and are drawn to stories that explore complex moral dilemmas within a time-bending framework, then The Lazarus Project should be at the top of your watch list.
