Saagar Kote
Prime Video’s ‘Lazarus’ centers on Joel “Laz” Lazarus, a forensic psychiatrist whose life is thrown into disarray after his father, a psychiatrist named Jonathan Lazarus, is found dead in his clinic, an apparent suicide. Laz is also tormented by profound guilt over the death of his sister, Sutton, nearly 25 years prior, experiencing disturbing visions of her murder by an unknown assailant. As he grapples with these two family tragedies, Laz’s life takes a perilous turn when he begins to “see” his deceased father.
Haunted by both past and present, Laz faces mysteries and secrets that could alter the story of his life. One of the most interesting characters in the show is teenager Aidan Catton, who develops a complex relationship with the protagonist. In a show mostly focusing on the world of adults and their issues, Aidan is a unique and complex character who adds depth to the narrative. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Aidan’s True Parentage is Revealed in a Shocking Twist
In a shocking twist, it is revealed that Aidan is actually the biological child of Joel “Laz” Lazarus and Bella Catton. The two used to be married, but found each other drifting apart. This led them to divorce each other and move on with their lives. However, one of the biggest mysteries of the show comes to light in the aftermath of their relationship. Aidan initially develops a strong bond with Laz, especially after the protagonist saves him from some bullies. He develops an intense curiosity about his mother Bella’s past with the protagonist, and constantly questions the forensic psychiatrist about the same. He often contacts Laz for conversations, showing signs of real bonding, though it feels too rushed and unusual. During a visit to the protagonist’s house, the teenager manages to steal a toothbrush.
This leads to a shocking conversation between Aidan and Laz at a later stage in the narrative. Aidan approaches Laz’s car and lets himself in, and reveals that Laz is his biological father. He had believed throughout his life that Paul, Bella’s second husband, was his father, but that turned out to be untrue. He is able to find out his true parentage through a DNA test, made possible by Laz’s toothbrush that he stole earlier in the story. The teenager tells the protagonist that he was always curious about his parentage and that he was forced to secretly get the test done in order to ensure that he no longer faces doubts.
When the protagonist learns the truth, he is shocked, but manages to balance his emotions. When Aidan asks him if he would’ve accepted him had he learnt the truth at a young age, Laz wholeheartedly says yes. The main character expresses genuine love towards the boy, and also regrets the fact that he was oblivious to the truth for such a long time in life. The relationship between the two gets more complicated once the truth is revealed. Despite Laz being Aidan’s biological father, Paul is the one who raised and fed the boy. Thus, the secret adds a complex layer to the relationships between Bella and Paul, while giving Aidan and Laz a sense of closure.
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