After a controversial premiere that saw the shocking death of Hal Jordan, HBO’s “Lanterns,” the latest installment in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe, takes a more measured approach in its second episode. While still largely grounded in a small-town mystery, this week’s installment hints at the cosmic scope to come, setting the stage for Green Lantern’s full potential.
Hal Jordan Takes Flight
While Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) remains entangled in Sheriff Kane’s (Kelly Macdonald) affairs in Rushville, Nebraska, John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) embarks on a mission to retrieve his mentor’s lantern. This week, the show finally delivers on its promise of cosmic adventure. After John briefs Hal on the alien threat disguised as humans, led by Antaan (Paul Ben-Victor), Hal dons the Green Lantern suit for the first time (excluding the brief flashback). He doesn’t just head into space; he flies directly to Oa, the homeworld of the Guardians of the Universe and the heart of the Green Lantern Corps. His destination? A visit with his former mentor – and now incarcerated arch-enemy – Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen).
Hal Jordan’s first full suit appearance in “Lanterns” signals a shift towards the Green Lantern Corps.
This episode cleverly balances the grounded detective story with the inherent spectacle of the Green Lantern mythos. It avoids the trap of overusing the ring’s powers, instead using them strategically to enhance the narrative and character development.
The Ring: A Delicate Balance
“It’s like Kyle says in the bar in the pilot, ‘When and where to use the ring is the whole ballgame,’” showrunner Chris Mundy explained. The decision on when to unleash the Green Lantern’s full power was a conscious choice, carefully considered by the creative team.
“That was a character thing for Hal, but it was also sort of us talking to ourselves a little bit,” Mundy continued. “We wanted to earn the times we used it in a big way. We start small and start kind of playful with the $20 bill and all those kinds of things, so that each time we used it, people trusted us, like, ‘Oh, they’re not just plastering everything with it all the time.’ It’s those characters [deciding when to use it], and then because of that, those writers who are making those characters do that thing, they know when to employ it and when not to.”
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Mundy emphasized that authenticity was paramount. If a scene felt forced or out of character, the writers prioritized narrative integrity over flashy displays of power. The showrunners realized they could incorporate more of the ring’s capabilities without sacrificing the story’s natural flow.
“And then as we went, we realized the show could hold more of [the ring’s powers] than maybe we would’ve guessed at the beginning, which was great,” he said. “It felt good that we could use it a lot and it felt organic.”
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This article was written by Scott Collura. You can follow him on @scottcollura.bsky.social“>@scottcollura.bsky.social or listen to his Star Trek podcast, Star Trek podcast, Transporter Room 3“>Transporter Room 3.
Source: IGN
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