Lanterns Episode 5 was a serious turning level for the sequence, to say the least. All season lengthy, the present has been pushed by the thriller of the Manhunter hiding out in Rushville, Nebraska; nonetheless, that storyline got here to an epic, bloody finish as Inexperienced Lanterns Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) pressured a showdown between the Manhunter and the armed militias that had been both looking or defending her. To the shock of many viewers, the storyline got here to a decisive remaining ending; there are nonetheless three extra episodes of Lanterns that may air on HBO within the coming weeks, and all of the sudden some questions and mysteries that had been left on the again burner are coming again to the forefront.
Under is an inventory of about eight completely different questions which can be burning in our heads as Lanterns enters the following stage of a cosmic investigation that’s clearly greater than only one Inexperienced Lantern or planet.
8. Who Killed Hal Jordan?
The Manhunter is useless (proper?), the 2016 storyline has largely been wrapped up, so now we soar again to 2026, and this is as soon as once more the only largest query we now have to reply. Hal Jordan’s obvious demise was an enormous cliffhanger twist for Episode 1, and the truth that the thriller feels new over again is a testomony to how effectively the makers of Lanterns are managing this story.
Is there a second Manhunter that Hal uncovers? Is there one thing associated to the Guardians or the Inexperienced Lantern Corps that value Hal his life? Or may Sinestro be free by 2026 and discover a new energy supply that the Guardians ought to… worry? Numerous Lanterns‘ legacy rests on how the present solutions this query, and what function Hal’s demise serves. Up to now, we now have no motive to consider they will’t stick the touchdown.
7. Will John Stewart Develop into Inexperienced Lantern?
It’s been exhausting to pin down Lanterns‘ storyline, because the present retains including or revealing layers that complicate our preliminary impressions. After 5 episodes of character-building, John Stewart defied all expectations when he rejected the Inexperienced Lantern ring and membership within the Corps, regardless of killing the Manhunter and taking the ring from Hal Jordan.
Now, the 2026 timeline is a lot extra intriguing. John’s return to Rushville comes with so many extra questions, however the largest one we need to know is what he did within the decade between leaving the ring behind and returning to research Hal’s demise. That can assist inform the place the ultimate arc of the present is headed, which is revealing whether or not or not John Stewart chooses to change into an official Inexperienced Lantern.
6. How Does Sinestro Determine Into All This?
Lanterns has walked a tightrope of preserving diehard followers intrigued by new spins on previous lore whereas additionally drawing mainstream viewers into this fantastical sci-fi nook of the DC Universe in a grounded manner. Nevertheless, one space that each camps have been essential of is the present’s depiction of Thaal Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen), Hal’s mentor and former companion within the Inexperienced Lantern Corps.
Up to now, Sinestro has had one scene with Hal Jordan, and the remainder has been exposition associated to his character and backstory. It’s not sufficient of the epic villain character followers know and love, and never sufficient for newcomers to truly get to know Sinestro, or why he’s one of the vital compelling characters in Inexperienced Lantern lore. We don’t suppose the makers of Lanterns (Watchmen‘s Damon Lindelof, comedian author Tom King, and Ozark‘s Chris Mundy) are going to drop such an enormous ball. There are already hints that Sinestro is wrapped up on this “case” greater than he lets on; the large query is: how so? DC comedian guide followers know that reply may probably lead to an enormous DCU occasion, so how Lanterns performs it will likely be key.
5. How Does Man Gardner Develop into The Inexperienced Lantern?
Superman (2025) already revealed that by the 12 months 2025, Man Gardner (Nathan Fillion) is serving because the Inexperienced Lantern for Earth’s sector. Nevertheless, we additionally be taught that Man is a servant of a special grasp, having contracted himself to be a member of industrialist Maxwell Lord’s “Justice Gang” alongside Hawkgirl and Mister Terrific. We all know this query will quickly be answered: the preview for Lanterns Episode 6 has already teased Man displaying as much as confront John Stewart.
The main points of how Man Gardner acquired the ring are essential to each Lanterns and the bigger continuity of the DCU. The character represents a serious wedge between John Stewart and his inheritance of the ring, and with one human Lantern getting assassinated, we are able to’t assist however surprise if John’s path to the ring has to run over not one, however two useless our bodies…
4. Are Zoe (& Kerry) Hiding One other Secret?
There has all the time been one thing actual bizarre in regards to the Macon household, and we’re not simply speaking about William Macon’s (Garret Dillahunt) inventive tastes and views on sharing. Even with William and Zoe Macon (The Manhunter) each useless, it doesn’t really feel like each secet of the Macon household has been uncovered but.
Lanterns Episode 5 made positive to pepper in some cautious clues and reminders: Weapons star Cary Christopher made one other look as Noah Macon, Zoe’s grandson, whom we be taught she has mentored intently. Each Noah and William’s son, Billy Macon (Jason Ritter), had been forcibly prevented from becoming a member of the battle, and had been sequestered away – why? Some followers additionally consider that John didn’t get the drop on Zoe like he thinks; that the Manhunter sacrificed itself to finish any investigation into it, or what it was doing on Earth.
Regardless of the backstory intro to Episode 5, followers consider that Sheriff Kerry Kane (Kelly Macdonald) means one thing deeper than a brand new begin and new identification when she tells Hal Jordan she “owes” Zoe. Understanding how Manhunter expertise can repair the human physique in just about each manner our science can not, and a few massive references to a Manhunter breeding agenda in Episode 5, there are massive questions in regards to the Macon bloodline and Zoe’s affect over it. Is Noah (a star athlete in 2026) one thing greater than human? And what mom (or grandmother) wouldn’t cowl for him? Is the following massive twist Lanterns has in retailer for us?
3. Is There One other Alien Risk Hiding On Earth?
This can be a broad query that may be utilized in a number of methods to the present subplots and characters of Lanterns. There are different questions that feed into it, reminiscent of why the Manhunter selected Earth, or what what used to kill Hal Jordan. But when the Manhunter was actually the one alien risk hiding out on Earth, then this story would’ve ended with its demise.
Zoe had a very long time, and made intensive preparaations throughout her time in Rushville. Based mostly on Hal’s demise, it’s extremely attainable she was rising a weapon (organic or in any other case) that would destroy the Guardians and the Inexperienced Lanterns. Or, given the character of what a Manhunter is, Zoe may’ve come to Earth understanding there was one thing (or somebody) on the planet that would assist defend her and/or get revenge. The risk is clearly greater than what we’ve seen to date, that’s all we all know.
2. The place Are the Remainder of the Guardians & Inexperienced Lanterns?
We perceive that Lanterns has been fastidiously doling out its Inexperienced Lanterns lore, making an attempt to maintain the sequence grounded in a True Detective-type thriller procedural mainstream viewers relate to. Nevertheless, that is a kind of circumstances the place budgetary or narritive constraints could also be creating a much bigger sense of thriller than there must be. As a result of proper now, it’s trying increasingly conspicuous that the Inexperienced Lantern points being labored on Earth are completely disconnected from the Guardians’ homeworld of Oa, and the remainder of the Corps.
The dearth of Guardians and Lanterns additionally makes Lianna’s (Laura Linney) presence and story exhausting to take at face worth, and Johns function as candidate into query. Sinestro is aware of greater than he ought to from a jail cell, Hal is seemingly estranged from the Guaridans, and his demise doesn’t appear to be setting off the form of Inexperienced Lantern Corps alarm bells it ought to. That’s quite a lot of circumstantial proof that there’s a massive twist with what’s actually occurring offworld with the Guardians and the Corps. A visit to Oa is shortly turning into very mandatory.
1. How Does Superman & Man of Metal Issue Into All This?
Should you’ve been invested within the bigger DCU franchise, it’s getting exhausting to not discover that Superman, Supergirl, and the Kryptonian agenda (as outlined by James Gunn’s imperial model of Jor-El) flies within the face of an Earth sector Inexperienced Lantern’s policing duties. So how did Superman and his cousin Supergirl get a cross? And is their Earth-pass nonetheless good after Jor-El’s message of conquest was performed for your complete world?
James Gunn’s Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow, will carry Brainiac to Earth. Lanterns star Aaron Pierre is confirmed for that movie, so the query of what John’s standing can be, and if/how your complete Inexperienced Lantern Corps responds, already makes the connection between DCU film and TV properties as thrilling and related as followers hoped.
Lanterns airs on HBO and streams on HBO Max.