The Lab

The Lab

The Lab

Day 23

7.00AM After a late night of finishing their weekly research, the Subjects are awoken by an alarm sound of Morse code filling the sleeping quarters. Three of the more eager Subjects rush to grab a pencil and paper while the rest groan about beauty sleep.

11.55AM The Lab Technician calls the Subjects to their desks and sets them this week's puzzle challenge. The four Subjects lowest puzzle solve rating will be placed at the public's mercy later this week.

12.20PM While the majority of the Subjects appear completely stumped - with two seen head in hands - three have raced ahead in the challenge. If only the others had paid attention to the Morse Code alarm, the key to the first cipher would be a breeze.

5.25PM Subject Mikhail makes a breakthrough in his current research project, earning him guaranteed funding and protection from expulsion for the next week. In celebration, he openly runs to hug fellow researcher Stephanie. In the background, William attempts to hide his outrage and knocks over the flask he has been working with for the last hour.

General

• Hit reality television series
• Production company Fraction Media

• In its eighth season (as of 2005)
  • No official word on if the show is to be continued into a ninth season, but given it's popularity, it seems quite likely.
• Includes scientists, doctors, humanities students and a PCAG finalist

• Airtime is 7pm Friday evenings.

Descriptive

• The show has continually evolved, from a risky pilot to one of Perplex City's most watched shows.
• Twelve researchers are confined in a lab complex for months to conduct research.
• Producers make contestants compete for equipment, space and a share of the weekly budget
• Under constant threat of weekly eviction if they fail at puzzle challenges
• Performance is judged by guest professors from the University and the Academy.
• The constant pressure to achieve often results in outstanding research and blazing on-screen romances

2004 Season

Contestants:

• Evan Boch won last year's season, and will be covering the new season for the Perplex City Sentinel

2005 Season

• New season will began June 24 in "a special location north of the city."
• Weekly puzzle challenges will play a greater role and will involve more audience participation, as compared with past seasons.

Contestants:

• Kevin Alten, a proteomics graduate student from Marmalejo College
• Torin Cornforth, a history undergraduate from Perplex City University
• Ryman Gardner, senior PCAG player and visiting fellow at the Academy
• Louise Haydock, a neuroscientist from Perplex City University
• Shakti Sekand, epidemiology researcher at Marmalejo College
• Kalli Shepuse, a theoretical physicist at the Rose Institute

2006 Season

Unknown

2007 Season

Contestants include:

• Mikhail
• Stephanie
• William

A Sample episode clip goes about like this:

Day 23 7.00AM After a late night of finishing their weekly research, the Subjects are awoken by an alarm sound of Morse code filling the sleeping quarters. Three of the more eager Subjects rush to grab a pencil and paper while the rest groan about beauty sleep. 11.55AM The Lab Technician calls the Subjects to their desks and sets them this week's puzzle challenge. The four Subjects lowest puzzle solve rating will be placed at the public's mercy later this week. 12.20PM While the majority of the Subjects appear completely stumped - with two seen head in hands - three have raced ahead in the challenge. If only the others had paid attention to the Morse Code alarm, the key to the first cipher would be a breeze. 5.25PM Subject Mikhail makes a breakthrough in his current research project, earning him guaranteed funding and protection from expulsion for the next week. In celebration, he openly runs to hug fellow researcher Stephanie. In the background, William attempts to hide his outrage and knocks over the flask he has been working with for the last hour. --Season 2 Card #002 - Issue 1 - Break In, Reverse

References

• Perplex City Sentinel
  • article, 19-MAY-05 "New 'The Lab' Announced" link
  • article, 22-JUN-05 "Names of Six 'The Lab' Contestants Leaked" link

• Puzzle Cards
  • Season 1 Card #075 - Poison Pill
  • Season 1 Card #148 - Serious Scientific Sokoban
  • Season 2 Card #002 - Issue 1 - Break In Reverse