Spoilers for Episode 6 of Lanterns observe.
Lanterns has spent the primary half of its season making one factor very clear: don’t belief what you suppose you recognize about Hal Jordan. The HBO collection launched Kyle Chandler’s veteran Inexperienced Lantern as an advanced mentor, then seemingly killed him off. Episode 6, “Dangerous Optics,” doesn’t precisely undo that. However it does depart behind a fairly huge clue that Hal’s story may not be over.
The Brightest Day Is Extra Than a Eulogy
Episode 6 jumps into the present’s 2026 timeline. Ten years after the occasions of the sooner episodes, John Stewart is now not a Inexperienced Lantern. Hal, in the meantime, is useless, and Sheriff Kerry Kane is investigating his homicide. Then we get Hal’s funeral. And the title of his eulogy? “The Brightest Day.”
Certain, that’s a part of the Inexperienced Lantern oath. So on the floor, it makes good sense. It’s precisely the sort of phrase you’d count on to listen to at a Inexperienced Lantern’s funeral. However comedian followers know these phrases have one other which means. Brightest Day was additionally a significant DC Comics storyline that adopted Blackest Evening and revolved round quite a lot of useless characters returning to life. Immediately, placing these phrases over Hal Jordan’s funeral feels rather less harmless. To not point out, Batman has already been name-dropped in Lanterns.
Does Lanterns Episode 6 Trace That Hal Is Coming Again?
That’s the massive query. Lanterns has gone out of its technique to make Hal’s demise really feel actual. John believes he’s useless, the investigation treats it as a homicide, and the funeral may be very a lot offered as a last goodbye. However then there’s the Halogram. John ultimately returns to Hal’s grave, takes his ring, and makes use of its remaining cost to summon the saved model of Hal. The Halogram appears immediately into the coffin, and his response is easy. That’s a terrific cliffhanger. Extra importantly, it provides the viewers one more reason to query whether or not Hal Jordan’s story is absolutely completed. A significant villain has already been confirmed in earlier Lanterns episodes.
Carol Ferris Seems in Lanterns
As if that wasn’t sufficient, Episode 6 additionally provides longtime followers one other little deal with: Carol Ferris is at Hal’s funeral. Carol is likely one of the most necessary characters in Hal’s comic-book historical past. She’s his longtime love curiosity and, ultimately, turns into Star Sapphire, considered one of Inexperienced Lantern’s most recognizable villains and allies.
The episode doesn’t affirm that Carol will turn out to be Star Sapphire. There’s no violet ring or transformation. For now, she’s merely Carol Ferris. However that’s what makes it such a enjoyable Easter egg. Perhaps “The Brightest Day” is simply an oath reference. Perhaps it’s a wink towards Hal’s attainable return. And perhaps Carol’s look is solely there for the die-hards. We have now already seen clues to five different Lanterns. Or perhaps Lanterns is quietly telling us that some essential items of Inexperienced Lantern historical past are about to come back again to life.
For now, Hal Jordan stays six toes underneath. However Lanterns might have left the door cracked open, and the sunshine continues to be getting by means of. Between a “Brightest Day,” a Halogram, and Carol Ferris ready within the wings, demise instantly feels much less last than marketed. Perhaps Hal’s story is over. Or perhaps, in true Inexperienced Lantern trend, it’s solely simply starting.