A certain faction of DC fans hates the shocking death in the first episode of Lanterns, but writing off the show as a whole would be a mistake.
Lanterns is a show set with two mysteries on different timelines: one in 2016 and one in 2026. Yet it’s the 2026 timeline generating the most discussion following the premiere episode.
In the episode’s final moments, John Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre, returns to Rushville, Nebraska, in 2026 and reunites with Sheriff Kerry Kane (Kelly Macdonald) at the football field. The duo walk up the snow-covered bleachers and see Hal’s dead body. A frozen Hal (Kyle Chandler) no longer has his power ring, and there is a bullet through his head.
The polarizing decision to kill Hal has not sat well with the character’s fans. On X, @daveoreally wrote, “Now you don’t have to watch this bulls—” after Hal’s death. @skyraiderG7 wrote, “That Hal Jordan death better be a fake out man.”
While speaking with EW, executive producer Damon Lindelof explained why the show made this controversial creative decision to kill Hal.
“It focuses the show on John,” Lindelof said. “And although the show is called Lanterns and it is a buddy-cop construct, when you leave these episodes you’re going to be leaving them with John Stewart. We want you to get your brains around that. We want you to know it coming in.”
Lanterns’ death is the perfect swerve to build intrigue
Green Lantern is something that has previously not worked at the live-action level. Ryan Reynolds’ 2011 Green Lantern movie killed any momentum for the character. It sort of made it a toxic property.
After watching the first episode of Lanterns, the show is clearly on the right track to success. First of all, Hal is not disappearing in the show. Hal is still a major part of the 2016 timeline, and who knows, maybe the 2026 death is a fake-out, and the character will return in some capacity. It’s more of a reason to continue watching the show.
DC fans need to trust the creative trio of Lindelof, Chris Mundy, and Tom King. Fans were worried that Lindelof would ruin Watchmen. Yet all he did was craft one of the most critically acclaimed superhero projects ever. Mundy — Ozark and True Detective — and King —Batman and Supergirl comics — also have proven resumes.
Lanterns is a television show. Therefore, the creators will implement plot devices, including a non-linear narrative, to make a better product. So far, the decision to kill Hal was a brave swerve that builds immediate intrigue. Disappointed fans should trust the process because Lanterns feels like a special show.
