(SPOILERS) HBO’s Lanterns Series: EP1&2

WARNING: This contains spoilers for episodes 1 and 2 for the new “Lanterns” series on HBO! I’ll be discussing the plots of these episodes, my thoughts about them, and a couple theories I have. This is NOT meant to be a critique for the show, it is just my (mostly positive) thoughts about it. I suggest not to read this before watching the episodes yourself if you are going to end up watching the show! *Also includes MAJOR spoilers for Superman (2025) and BRIEF discussion regarding Supergirl (2026).

EPISODE 1: My Initial Thoughts

*WILL contain spoilers about EP2 as well. This section isn’t solely things from EP1.

I began watching episode 1 with excitement but little expectations. While I’ve enjoyed the majority of recent DECU cinematic projects, they do tend to have parts that I don’t love. I’ll like them, but not everything will “click” with me. For Superman (2025), I had an issue with his parents practically having been transformed into “space Nazis” (as said by another DCEU fan I saw discussing the movie). It, to me, felt as if a lot of their allegorical importance (representing being parents of an immigrant through Clark Kent/Superman)—that has been established/interpreted for decades—had been undermined. In Supergirl (2026), I also had issues regarding changes from the Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow comic. In my opinion, they aren’t as huge as the change to Superman’s parents, but the things that were changed for her story were just as unsatisfactory. Tangent aside, “Lanterns” had been something I’ve been waiting for, but it wasn’t something I expected to be great. 

When I actually sat down to watch the episode, the bar was most definitely raised. I hadn’t watched any trailers or teasers, so seeing John Stewart was a very pleasant surprise considering the DCEU had already established Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern in Superman (2025). I thought that the show would perhaps explore the relationships between all the Lanterns, but I hadn’t expected it to start from earlier in the timeline; so, having the show focus on Stewart and Jordan first made the watch interesting.

Talking about Stewart and Jordan, I do really enjoy how their dynamic is going. I’m only well-read in The Flash and Superman comics, but I hope their relationship is like how it is in the show—they’re entertaining. It’s a fun dynamic to see on screen with them not (yet) getting along and not knowing each other well enough. The wittiness is especially good; perhaps, there could be more, and I wish there was a bit more whimsy in it. So many superhero series try to be dark, edgy, and “realistic”, but I find that the small moments of lighthearted humor and pure fun elevate scenes extremely well. The show doesn’t have much of this (yet?), but I do think it had enough to help me get through the first episode and push away my doubts. 

Quick thoughts, since I don’t want to make this extremely long: 

• I LOVED the scene introducing young Stewart, a glimpse of his upbringing, and the admiration that he has for Jordan. Hearing him call his dad “sir” and then older Stewart repeatedly saying “Yes, sir” to Jordan during their first car ride made me so unexpectedly giddy. 
• Jordan interacting with his fans at the taco place was interesting. I enjoy seeing those interactions, and I think Lanterns did a good job at showing different facets of Jordan through them. 
• Skipping a bit later into the episode, Jordan getting beat up in the bar. VERY funny, probably the funniest bit in the entire episode. It reminded me that Jordan is still just a regular human, and what sets him apart is that he had a magic ring given to him by an alien.
• After the bar scene, with Zoe Macon and Stewart, I was, uh, uncomfortable. I am never fond of sex scenes, and I think hooks up are irresponsible (both in fiction and real life); however, I think them hooking up plays into building character for Zoe Macon, knowing that she is married to William Macon (as we find out later in the episode and getting more insight in episode 2).
• Court scene—no notes. Just hilarious. Got a nice laugh out of me.
• Getting to the ranch (where are all the animals? It looks like a good amount of unused, profitable land!), Stewart playing with the Macon/Kane child was adorable. Maybe sets up him mentoring other Lanterns in the future? Again, I don’t know much about Green Lanterns lore that hasn’t been mentioned in The Flash or Superman comics. I hope we get more of the little Macon/Kane kid.
• Overall: good mystery (I am VERY intrigued), the dynamics are nice, the cursing can be toned down a bit (it is in episode two!), only wish there was a bit more whimsy, where’s Kyle Rayner?

EPISODE 1: SOME THEORIES I HAD (very little)

I’ve changed my mind about a few of these. I’ll expand more below!

• Zoe Macon knows more than she lets on. From a cinematic standpoint, the way they introduce her to how her character is portrayed, it seems as if she’ll play a huge role. We find out she’s William Macon’s wife, but maybe she’s heavily involved with the alien business like he is?
• Zoe Macon is an alien. Maybe a Manhunter? 
• The aliens that had been shot are Manhunters (EP2 spoiler: they weren’t.)
• SINESTRO CAMEO SOON (EP2 spoilers: YES!)

EPISODE 2: My Initial Thoughts

I’m typing this out without much forethought, so I hadn’t realized what a tangent I went on during the first section about episode one. For this, I’ll try keeping it brief. Really, I will try to have it short. 

• I was confused by the time jump back into where we left off before the times skip at the end of episode one, but I felt glad that we’re getting to know what happened. I am still curious to how Jordan ends up as he does, but I suppose I simply have to keep watching! 
• First scene really has Jordan being a not-so-great teacher/mentor as usual. It was funny, but I had to pause a few times to laugh when Stewart was trying to fly. 
• Jordan nearly kills Stewart (the car crash), makes fake money (the bar), and now steals corpses… wow. Very funny watch. The struggle to drag the bodies once again made me remember he’s a human guy. 
• Earl is so amazing! As soon as Stewart asked about if Earl was a pet like a cat or dog and then opening the fridge to see it full of raw meat, I was theorizing what it could be. When we see he’s housed in a greenhouse, I thought maybe a snake at first, but then I guessed a venus fly trap sort of plant. I was correct with the second guess, I think. Maybe Earl is connected to Poison Ivy? That would be nice. 
• On the ranch again, and Jordan getting shot, I could only think about how similar it looked to Area 51. The gates, the open land, the warning to be shot. And Jordan does get shot. I didn’t laugh, but I did think it was funny. I knew he’d be stubborn, but I didn’t know this much. 
• Hospital scene was nice, it had more characterization for Kerry Kane. I think the female characters in this series are interesting, maybe a bit more than William Macon himself. Also, I laughed when she had told Jordan to listen and he said “yes, ma’am”. 
• Finding out Kerry Kane is from Gotham was SUCH a delight. It makes me think about how she mentioned a “Barbara”. Maybe she’s in cahoots with the Gordons? Potential YURI?? (That last bit is a joke.)
• I will be honest. I did NOT enjoy the interrogation scene with the aliens as much as I wish I could have. I personally felt that there could have been a lot higher stakes, the conversation between the leader and Stewart could have been tenser, and showing more affects of Stewart being shown those memories/images would have been great (I don’t think they needed to show what those memories/images are, just make them have more obvious weight on Stewart’s psyche). HOWEVER, this scene included some good whimsy. The bird, the short banter, Aaron Pierre/Stewart’s gorgeously long eyelashes…yes, it is still a not-so-terrible scene in my opinion. 
• Quicker things: enjoyed how Zoe Macon had more characterization and her nudging Stewart to make his own conclusion/question Jordan, loved Jordan putting on the suit (even though I don’t enjoy the design of it), LOVE the MOGO cameo, and I got VERY excited for the SINESTRO REVEAL!
• Overall: mystery is still strong and intriguing, laughed a lot (there was more comedic bits in this episode, which I loved), and I only have nitpicks but not serious complaints. Still, where’s Kyle Rayner?

MY THEORIES NOW (based on these EPs)

I think I was going somewhere with all the alien suspecting, and I hit the jackpot with suspecting Manhunters! Now, I think the whole town (minus Kerry Kate, presumably the sole person not from there) are aliens, or Manhunters. At least, I think they all have something “wrong” with them. Maybe they don’t know it themselves, but the hospital scene and the town feeling unlived/empty makes me think that may not be the case. 

Other throwaway thoughts that I don’t feel that strongly towards: 

• Lex Luthor is William Macon’s benefactor. It would explain the technology and alien-hating ordeal (+the Superman connection ties into some immigrant/colonization themes as William Macon keeps bringing up).
• Zoe Macon is a Manhunter specifically from the comics. Again, I’ve only read The Flash and Superman comics. I could be wrong about my assumption.
• Martian Manhunter might show up……really, this is what I want to happen. I enjoy Martian Manhunter a LOT.

FINALLY THOUGHTS

I am enjoying the Lantern series a huge amount. I hope the next six episodes will live up to the expectations I’ve, unfortunately, developed. Even if they won’t, I am still glad for the Green Lantern content. Because when there’s Hal Jordan, there will probably be The Flash too, soon. And boy do I LOVE Barry Allen The Flash!!!!!!!!!!

If this felt more like me saying everything I like about the series rather than actually bringing up good talking points, I am so sorry. I’m not good with discussing the DCEU projects, and I’m still feeling a bit too giddy after watching episode 2 to form any concrete arguments about it. I wish I could because I think a ton of things can be argued, whether it be about the story or the writing itself. I also wanted to mention things about the budget and how the series looks as a production, but I have a lot more important work to do. Maybe I’ll revisit this after more episodes come out.

Sorry for my bad English, and I am sorry this is needlessly long. I’ll try to do better next time!