For the primary six episodes of Lanterns, issues have been just a little busy. Even after the primary episode ended with the tease of a significant thriller within the type of Hal Jordan’s obvious dying, the sequence spent little time digging into it in a significant approach for greater than half of the present itself, with the Manhunter storyline taking priority. Even with that narrative unfolding, followers have been nonetheless pondering again to that surprising reveal that the Inexperienced Lantern comedian readers had come to like was lifeless instantly after his debut within the DCU and after ready greater than a decade for a brand new tackle the character in live-action.
Because the thriller acquired deeper, fan theories started to pop up, with some questioning if the Hal that we see within the first physique was some sort of alien copy (a line of dialogue in Episode 1 revealed some extraterrestrials can replicate human anatomy with out being detected), whereas others have develop into satisfied by the “Hal clone” idea that has popped up. This week’s episode of Lanterns didn’t actually provide a solution come what may, although, but it surely did make a reveal about Hal Jordan’s early household life that makes his dying very, very sophisticated, on high of being a giant change from what comedian ebook readers learn about his historical past. Spoilers for Lanterns comply with in addition to discuss suicide.
Hal Jordan’s Household Historical past Complicates His Demise
Although particulars of Hal’s youth earlier than he was Inexperienced Lantern have been hinted at within the sequence, this week’s Lanterns flashes issues again some to point out us Hal Jordan as a younger man and the way his relationship along with his personal father put him on a path towards turning into the guardian for sector 2814. We see not solely a headstrong Hal as a child, however a dad whose take-no-crap angle was clearly handed all the way down to his son. That mentioned, there’s additionally one thing of a darkish facet.
In a second late within the episode, the assemble of Hal that comes from the Energy Ring confides in John Stewart about how his father died, revealing that he took his personal life. Jordan says that his dad’s dying got here whereas appearing as a take a look at pilot, so it was assumed that it was simply an accident, however that Hal had info that made it clear to him that it was one thing extra. Hal revealed that his father instructed him a month earlier than he died a few secure in the home that he ought to open if something occurred to him, and inside he discovered a be aware.
For DC Comics readers, that is one thing of a change. Within the pages of comics, Martin Jordan, sure, died in an accident whereas appearing as a take a look at pilot, however the concept there might need secretly been a plan to commit suicide whereas performing his job has by no means been touched at all around the years. It’s a fairly drastic change, and one with much more particulars, but it surely begs the query if the reveal from this week’s legacy is definitely a solution for Hal’s dying or is the present providing a significant misdirect forward of the finale?
Is The Jordan Boy’s Legacy a Pink Herring?
As Hal is recounting the tragic story of his Father’s dying, he reveals that contained in the field left behind for him by his father was a be aware. Within the message from his dad, Martin Jordan revealed a depressive angle. He believed his household could be higher off with out him. Not solely may he not conceal it anymore, but it surely was getting worse with time. To make it much more weird, although, it apparently runs within the household, and the identical circumstances occurred with Martin Jordan and his father.
Hal reveals that this depressive feeling has been handed down from era to era and even has a reputation, “The Jordan Boys Legacy.” He notes that this generational cycle of melancholy may truly be the explanation he’s Inexperienced Lantern, revealing, “I’m not fearless as a result of I’m courageous; I’m fearless as a result of I’m damaged.”
The results of this reveal is that it places every part about this episode into perspective. After John learns that Hal has died, one of many first issues he discovers is a key (with a chook on it) to a field that has led him to this second. It’s the sequence pointing towards the potential for the reveal that Hal truly killed himself and the circumstances of this complete episode have been about discovering no matter his “be aware” is, buried in a field like his dad.
There’s only one downside with this pink herring in Lanterns, although, and it’s that Hal Jordan’s dying was attributable to a single gunshot to the brow. Certain, in idea, one may do that on their very own, but it surely’s fairly unusual, and it suits the sample of 1 assailant murdering Jordan with a shot to the pinnacle. On high of that, the closest factor that Jordan and Stewart discover to a be aware is…Sinestro, contemporary from his captivity and hiding on a lifeless planet. All of this appears to be pointing to the concept this episode was throwing chilly water on the theories about Hal’s dying, be it clone or in any other case, however the reality is that it simply made issues much more fascinating for idea crafting forward of the season finale.
Should you or somebody you recognize is contemplating suicide, please name the Nationwide Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), textual content “house” to the Disaster Textual content Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org. An inventory of worldwide suicide hotlines might be discovered right here.