Watch Cold Lazarus

Cold Lazarus was a science fiction television show that aired on Channel 4 in 1996. The series was created by Dennis Potter and starred Albert Finney, Frances de la Tour, and Ciarán Hinds. The show takes place in two time periods: the near-future and the distant future.

The story begins in the year 1999, at the bedside of Roper (Albert Finney), a renowned writer who is dying of cancer. He is approached by a group of scientists who have a proposal for him. They want to extract his memories and thoughts and transfer them into a computer program, creating a virtual reality world in which he can live forever. Roper reluctantly agrees, and his consciousness is uploaded into a computer program.

The show then jumps ahead to the year 2368, nearly 400 years in the future. The virtual reality world created from Roper's memories has become a popular entertainment form. The world is controlled by a man named Jude (Ciarán Hinds), who is interested in uncovering the secrets of Roper's mind. He sends a team of archaeologists into the virtual world to explore Roper's memories and try to uncover the source of his creative genius.

The two main archaeologists are Fyodor (Henry Goodman) and Blinda (Frances de la Tour). Fyodor is a cynical and manipulative scientist who is interested only in advancing his own career. Blinda is a compassionate and idealistic researcher who is more interested in understanding Roper's humanity.

As they explore Roper's memories, several mysteries begin to emerge. There are gaps in his memories, and some of the events he remembers seem to contradict each other. It becomes clear that Roper was not as honest and open in his writing as people had believed.

At the same time, the virtual world itself begins to break down. Jude, who is revealed to have his own agenda, becomes more and more unhinged. The team of archaeologists is trapped in the virtual world, unable to escape.

Cold Lazarus is a complex and thought-provoking show that explores themes of memory, identity, and humanity. It uses science fiction as a framework to explore deeper philosophical questions about what makes us who we are.

The show is visually stunning, with impressive special effects for the time. The virtual world created from Roper's memories is beautifully realized, with a mix of futuristic and retro elements that create a unique aesthetic. The show also has a strong cast, with powerful performances from Finney, de la Tour, and Hinds in particular.

Overall, Cold Lazarus is a challenging and engaging science fiction series that is well worth watching. It is a thought-provoking exploration of the nature of consciousness and identity that will leave viewers thinking long after the final episode has aired.