Lanterns episode 3 was an exhilarating flashback, revealing John Stewart’s backstory – or so it appeared. Three episodes in, and it’s clear Lanterns isn’t your customary superhero TV present. This story doesn’t simply characteristic twists and turns; the script is smarter than that, with every twist subtly rewriting every part that got here earlier than. Relating to Lanterns, you actually shouldn’t take something as learn.
John’s Inexperienced Lantern story started when he was only a child, when his father was handed on for the Energy Ring. However for years, it appeared like nothing greater than an odd obsession; he had no thought the Guardians of the Universe had even seen him. Till, that’s, one of many Guardians approached him and transported John to some kind of liminal house. There, he was examined to see whether or not he was worthy to grow to be a Lantern. John apparently handed the take a look at. However was all this real, or was episode 3 hiding a a lot deeper thriller?
Lanterns Episode 3 Dropped an Necessary Clue… One Few Viewers Have Noticed
Lanterns episode 3 revealed that John entered what appeared to be an deserted shopping center, transported there by means of one of many Guardians’ black portals. Such liminal areas are usually essential in fiction, as a result of they function a bridge between two worlds; which means artistic groups are inclined to assume them by means of rigorously, and particulars might be crucial certainly. Say, for instance, a very important poster within the background of the shopping center; an commercial for “Janus Cosmetics.”
At first, I assumed this was only a little bit of humor. In Roman mythology, Janus was the god of beginnings, gateways, and transitions. We nonetheless bear in mind him right now; the primary month of the yr (its starting) known as “January” in his honor. I initially assumed the Janus Cometics nod was only a very sensible in-joke, a means of telling us this liminal house was a spot of transition and alter for John. However there’s a catch; for the reason that seventeenth century, Janus has been utilized in a very totally different means.
For the reason that seventeenth century, Janus has been seen as a picture of deception. To be “Janus-faced” is to be two-faced, to fake at friendship and benevolence whereas actually having a malevolent intent of some variety. Trendy viewers could acknowledge it from the James Bond movie GoldenEye, the place Alec Trevelyan goes by the codename “Janus.” Bond finally realized the codename foreshadowed his betrayal; “Therefore, Janus,” he famous. “The 2-faced Roman god come to life.”
What Does the Janus Reference Inform Us About John Stewart’s “Selecting”?
Lanterns is a present about duality. It’s seen proper from the beginning, as a result of the present positions two Inexperienced Lanterns in opposition to each other in an antagonistic relationship. But it surely’s additionally seen in every part from the Manhunters to the Guardians themselves – beings who apparently conceal their true natures, residing in human society as if they’re odd folks, whereas in actuality serving as highly effective alien threats. The Janus poster serves as a visible cue, warning us we must be very cautious with every part we see in that shopping center. This liminal house is in actual fact a deception.
Oddly sufficient, the present’s subtitles drop one other clue. They establish the Guardian who spoke to John; she’s named “Lianna,” and that’s not really the identify of a Guardian within the comics. Though she’s a member of their race, Lianna is distinguished by the very fact she’s far taller than the Guardians, and she or he went rogue. Lianna’s motivations had been by no means completely clear – she betrays the Guardians in a single story, by no means stopping to clarify herself – however she seems to have an excessive notion of order. In Lanterns episode 3, there’s a scene the place Lianna takes on her Oan kind – and she or he’s proven to be remarkably tall. This feels just like the DCU model of the character.
If that is certainly the character of Lianna from the comics, then it’s fairly doubtless John Stewart has been a pawn in a relatively extra malevolent sport than episode 3 appears to recommend. That will surely clarify why even Sinestro is outwardly involved about John, contemplating the risk he poses to be higher than even the Manhunters. It’s even potential she’s a part of a conspiracy among the many Guardians, the identical one which led Sinestro to kill a Guardian. One factor’s for certain; we shouldn’t assume episode 3 has closed the ebook on John’s origin story. It’s very doubtless that every part he believes about himself was a lie.