The ninth episode of Lazarus, titled "Death on Two Legs," plunges viewers into a relentless storm of tension, betrayal, and escalating stakes. As the series barrels toward its climactic finale, this episode serves as a reminder that no one is safe—and nothing is what it seems.
A Silent Death March in the City
The episode opens with an eerie, dialogue-free sequence - a well-dressed man, calm and composed, dines alone at a steakhouse. There's nothing particularly striking about him—until he leaves. Cloaked in a long black trench coat, he calmly walks through the busy city streets, moving against the grain of chaotic traffic and hurried pedestrians, the only sound is an ambient score that grows increasingly unsettling.
As he continues his silent march, something horrifying begins to unfold: people around him start collapsing—one by one. At first, it seems coincidental, but soon, it becomes clear. Wherever he goes, death follows. Even a gunman who races past is not spared, falling mid-stride. The cause remains unknown, and the mystery of the trench-coated man, later revealed as HQ, casts a long shadow over the rest of the episode.
The Lazarus Committee Convenes
Cut to Washington D.C., where Abel, the enigmatic founder of the Lazarus group, is preparing to testify before a special government committee. This is no ordinary debrief—it's an inquisition. The committee seeks answers about the Lazarus program: its real purpose, the consequences of its operations, and the increasingly erratic trail it's leaving behind.
Meanwhile, Schneider, a high-ranking figure from Army Intelligence, begins to assert himself as a formidable antagonist. Initially appearing bureaucratic, he quickly reveals deeper intentions. Schneider seems less interested in oversight and more in control. His quiet intensity suggests he may have his own vision for what Lazarus should—or shouldn't—become.
Chris Awakens, Doug and Axel Reflect
Elsewhere, Chris regains consciousness after being rescued from the oil rig incident in the previous episode. Still recovering, her presence reminds the team—and the audience—of the physical and psychological toll this mission has taken on everyone involved.
In a car parked outside, Doug and Axel share a telling moment. Doug discreetly disables their monitoring equipment, signaling that this conversation is off the record. What follows is a raw exchange about their expendability. They realize that even as elite operatives, they know too much to be allowed to walk away when the mission ends. Axel verbalizes the chilling thought: “We’re not assets… we’re liabilities.” Doug doesn’t argue. There’s a quiet agreement in the air—paranoia has turned into grim certainty.
The Pentagon’s Interrogation Begins
The tension builds as the Lazarus team faces the special committee inside the Pentagon. Questions fly. Missions are dissected. Every decision the team has made is under scrutiny. The committee's tone is accusatory, their purpose clear—they’re looking to make someone accountable for the chaos surrounding Lazarus.
Shockingly, Leland, a former member of the Lazarus group, is revealed to be a mole. His testimony is damning. He exposes the group's secrets and alleged misconduct with surgical precision; this betrayal hits hard. It's not just a professional blow—it's personal.
But the moment that steals the breath from the room comes next.
Dr. Skinner’s Broadcast Shakes the World
Dr. Skinner, the man everyone assumed was in hiding—or dead—makes a surprise global broadcast. In a calm, unnervingly composed manner, he reveals that he’s been watching everything unfold. His words are chilling: there are only 10 days left. Ten days until a catastrophe will occur. And to drive home his seriousness, Skinner announces that he will be the first to die when the countdown ends.
His message is a call to action—but also a warning. It reframes the entire mission. Now, it’s not just about finding Skinner. It’s about preventing the collapse of something far bigger.
Abel’s Plea for the Lazarus Group
Abel, still addressing the committee, echoes Skinner’s sentiment but shifts the tone. He defends the Lazarus group not as rogue operatives but as the only hope of stopping what’s coming. He outlines their importance, their knowledge, and most critically, their irreplaceability. Without Lazarus, he argues, the world is staring down a barrel with no trigger guard.
After tense deliberation, the committee—perhaps reluctantly—agrees to let the Lazarus team continue operating. But the permission comes with a time limit; find Skinner within ten days, or it all ends.
Schneider and the Military Plot
Behind closed doors, Schneider and a high-ranking military commander begin crafting an alternate plan. The committee might have agreed to let Lazarus proceed, but Schneider isn’t so trusting. He’s determined to take matters into his own hands—and he’s ready to weaponize more than just politics.
This is where HQ reenters the story.
The Phantom Assassin: Shahu Unleashed
In a secretive park meeting, two government officials meet with HQ—the emotionless man from the episode’s opening scene. They’re not just curious about his abilities; they want to hire him. His price: $30 million. The ask: a demonstration before commitment.
HQ agrees, handing over a sleek business card and inviting them to witness what their money will buy.
Later that evening, in the grim industrial sprawl of Queensbridge Houses, a tactical unit storms a warehouse believed to house their target. But what they find inside isn’t just a man. It’s Shahu, the assassin HQ promised. In a jaw-dropping action sequence, Shahu eliminates the entire task force single-handedly, moving with terrifying speed and brutality. It’s a ballet of death—graceful, silent, and cold.
Once the slaughter ends, HQ calmly steps in, takes a phone call with Schneider and the Colonel, and seals the deal. They’re convinced. Shahu is hired.
And his target?
Axel.
The Trap is Set
Back at Lazarus HQ, Doug, Axel, Chris, and the team regroup. They examine a mysterious pill Chris recovered from Skinner’s home—one more breadcrumb in an increasingly cryptic puzzle. As they strategize, Leland—the mole—listens in from outside. He doesn’t interrupt. Instead, he eavesdrops, absorbing every word. His motivations remain unclear, but his presence is a red flag no one notices.
As the episode nears its end, the storm clouds gather. Shahu is on the hunt. Schneider and HQ have unleashed a monster. And Axel has no idea that death is now stalking him from the shadows.
The Endgame
Lazarus Season 1, Episode 9 masterfully sets the stage for the series’ climax. It’s a delicate balance of high-stakes political drama, intimate character moments, and pulse-pounding action. With only ten days until Skinner’s prophecy begins, the clock isn’t just ticking—it’s screaming.
The episode’s title, "Death on Two Legs," is no metaphor. Death has a name—Shahu. And he’s coming.
Read more: Lazarus Episode 2 Recap: A Thrilling Descent into Chaos
