The Mysterious Enigma of Lazarus in Star Trek
Star Trek's Lazarus: A man whose internal turmoil becomes the Enterprise crew's burden in The Alternative Factor A clash between Starfleet and the unknown, Lazarus battles his alter ego, Anti-Lazarus, in an episode that stands out for its divergence from the Mirror Universe and mixed reception (341 characters)
Lazarus, portrayed by Robert Brown, was a troubled character in Star Trek who unknowingly transformed into an adversary that only his alternative counterpart could defeat, all in his desperate attempt to save the galaxy. The Enterprise crew initially perceived him as a disturbed man with a peculiar beard, unaware of the immense battle he was engaged in - a battle with himself. In the episode titled "The Alternative Factor" from season 1, episode 27 of Star Trek: The Original Series, the crew encountered Lazarus while conducting a scientific survey on an uncharted planet. Suddenly, the ship experienced two powerful disturbances, leaving Captain Kirk in an uncharacteristic state of panic as he sought answers from his First Officer, Spock. Spock explained that these disturbances seemed like the entire galaxy was on the brink of disappearing. Adding to the peculiarity, the once uninhabited planet now had a human presence on its surface.
Starfleet Versus the Unknown
Captain Kirk, like any exemplary Starfleet officer in Star Trek, led an away team on a mission of exploration. Their first discovery was a ship, followed by a peculiar encounter with its frantic owner who frantically urged them to prevent a looming disaster. Despite the unidentified man's cryptic message, the captain quickly realized that the Enterprise was still in grave danger.
The ship was rapidly depleting its Dilithium reserves, putting its engines at risk of failing. During a video conference with Commodore Barstow, Captain Kirk learned that this perplexing phenomenon had also affected the entire Starfleet. As a result, the commodore appointed the Enterprise to investigate the cause of this occurrence and devise a solution. The time had come for a face-to-face meeting with the enigmatic man himself.
Lazarus Versus Anti-Lazarus
"The Alternative Factor" may not be one of the most emotionally-charged episodes of Star Trek, but its conclusion left a rather disheartening impact. Lazarus, a scientist, was revealed to be in a continuous struggle against an alternate version of himself that he encountered while using an alternative warp to explore a parallel universe. The Original Series never delved deeper into this intriguing concept, and even within the episode itself, the explanation behind this peculiar phenomenon was limited to science fiction jargon. Nonetheless, it did provide insight into Lazarus' erratic emotional shifts while interacting with various individuals, from Captain Kirk to Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley).
Lazarus constantly vacillated between his rational self and the volatile anti-Lazarus inhabiting his body, as they engaged in a celestial battle that threatened to tear apart the entire galaxy. Thankfully, Lazarus eventually realized that the only way to stop the destructive chaos caused by his counterpart was to trap them both in the alternate timeline. This decision would forever bind them in eternal conflict, as aptly expressed by Captain Kirk.
“[...] at each other’s throats throughout time.”
Lazarus replies:
“Is it such a large price to pay [for] the safety of two universes?”
Not The Mirror Universe
One might mistakenly assume that the 'Lazarus vs Anti-Lazarus' scenario foreshadowed the mirror verse. This is due to the fact that both situations involve a character encountering an alternate version of themselves within a parallel world that is simultaneously similar and vastly distinct. However, it appears that the alternate universe and the mirror verse are actually distinct concepts. The most significant disparity between the two lies in the mirror verse's ability to coexist with the original timeline without causing any disruptions.
Meanwhile, the mere knowledge of the alternate universe consumed Lazarus with paranoid delusions, fearing that anti-Lazarus would single-handedly bring about the annihilation of his entire world. Consequently, he persisted in making progressively imprudent choices and embarking on unnecessarily extreme actions, including his ill-fated assault on Lt. Charlene Masters (Janet MacLachlan) in an attempt to pilfer dilithium crystals. However, in the Original Series, the mirror verse was unveiled in season 2, episode 4, "Mirror, Mirror," unveiling a world brimming with intrigue and betrayal. Interestingly, the act of traversing into this parallel realm did not induce hysteria in its individuals. Instead, it left them somewhat traumatized but significantly more appreciative of their own original universe.
An Unpopular Episode
Star Trek has a rich history of venturing where no other show has dared to go. From one series to another, the franchise takes risks with spontaneous episodes that either hit the mark or stumble on the plot. "The Alternative Factor" is unlikely to ever be featured on any mainstream list of the best episodes from The Original Series. In fact, it is more likely to be mentioned when discussing the series' most disappointing episodes. Many fans found the episode perplexing, lacking substance, and simply tedious.
While it may not be immune to harsh criticism, this particular content fragment stands apart from others by never experiencing a renaissance of changed hearts, unlike, for instance, season 2, episode 7, "Cat's Paw". Still, numerous devoted Star Trek fans find personal enjoyment in it. They understand that being a Trekkie sometimes entails embracing both the mundane and the thrilling, as well as the convoluted and the complex. Like Lazarus, they have learned to embrace the dual nature of their beloved franchise, even if it entails engaging in endless battles with the aspects they didn't enjoy as much as others.
Lazarus was completely consumed with destroying his alternate self, until he had a change of heart. He realized that he alone had the power to stop the anti-Lazarus by sacrificing himself for a greater cause. Interestingly, "The Alternative Factor" is disliked by many Star Trek fans, but its ending actually captures the essence of the series. Instead of a typical enemy and a simple problem to solve, it explores deeper existential themes. It raises thought-provoking questions about identity and emphasizes the moral strength required to prioritize the needs of the many over the few.
Some may argue that Star Trek should bring back the character, if only to provide an update on his containment with the anti-Lazarus. Lazarus was a troubled individual, fighting to prevent a disastrous event across the galaxy—or so he believed. Even in his worst form, he was striving for something good, although his methods were questionable. In his brief appearance in Star Trek, Lazarus embodied various qualities, but above all, he was simply a regular person going through an extremely difficult day.
