SPOILER ALERT: This article contains spoilers for the “Lanterns” finale, now streaming on HBO Max.
Have no fear, the “Lanterns” finale is here.
The season finale — or possibly the series finale, since HBO hasn’t renewed the show yet — wrapped up the mystery posed by the show’s premiere of who killed Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler). The episode, titled “Dirt and Stars,” also revealed the identity of the second Manhunter, and set up how John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) becomes Earth’s sole Green Lantern in DC Studios’ forthcoming “Superman” sequel, “Man of Tomorrow.”
Courtesy of John Johnson/HBO Max
In present day, back on the planet decimated by the Manhunters, John interrogates Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen) and learns that Noah freed the villain from prison. Sinestro reveals that he harnessed the fear-inducing gas from the planet to create a new, yellow ring for Noah. As comics fans know, Sinestro is the creator of the Yellow Lanterns, an evil group opposed to the Green Lanterns who derive their power from fear. Sinestro offers John the chance to charge his depleted ring from the sinister, yellow lantern, but Hal’s hologram stops him, and they leave Sinestro marooned on the planet.
Courtesy of John Johnson/HBO Max
Noah ambushes John when he returns to Earth, the two drive back to Rushville together. Noah reveals that he didn’t burn down Hal’s house, but says he was the one who killed him. He claims he couldn’t let Hal reveal his identity as a Manhunter and the yellow lantern to Kerry. Noah says he’s trying to overcome his violent Manhunter programming, and asks that John kills him to protect everyone from what he might do. John doesn’t answer, but lets Noah go and play one last football game for Rushville.
Courtesy of John Johnson/HBO Max
Courtesy of John Johnson/HBO Max
“In brightest day / in darkest night / I embrace my fear / I’ll do what’s right / I choose this ring / I choose this fight / in service to / this lantern’s light.
Courtesy of John Johnson/HBO Max
While there’s no word yet on “Lanterns” Season 2, despite the show’s strong ratings for HBO, we know that Pierre will reappear as John in next summer’s “Man of Tomorrow,” James Gunn’s “Superman” sequel. It may be an awkward reunion with Fillion’s Guy Gardner, but now we know how the two Green Lanterns from Earth have decided to split up their duties. How will things go when the two heroes come face to face? How will they team up with Superman, Supergirl and the fledgling Justice League when the alien Brainiac attacks? And could Chandler have a cameo as the hologram Hal within John’s ring? We’ll have to wait and find out when “Man of Tomorrow” continues the DC Universe’s story on July 9.
