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Towards the end of the fifth episode of Lanterns, I had to convince myself that this was not the end of the first season. It might be easy, but no, we have three more episodes to go. But until then, we got a very action-heavy episode that introduced a lot of plot points in the 2016 plot line. So was it all action and no substance, or did the episode deliver?
We pick up where we left off last week, with John crushed in the car wreck against the power pole. Unfortunately for him, the car flipped out and exploded with him inside. Of course, we know he’s not dead or in grave danger, as we see him in the 2026 segment in the season opener. But move a dick on Hal’s part, leaving John dead like that. Luckily for him, Zoe came to his “rescue”, but he made a point of remaining to cook in the car just long enough to peel off his skin and serve his nerve endings. She can fix it, but at what cost? Hal of course, it’s the cost and considering how he left John for dead, maybe it wouldn’t be stupid for John to give himself the ring, leave Hal for dead, and accept the mantle of Green Lantern.
But Iain is getting really frustrated this week. Not only did Hal leave him for dead, but he learns that the Manhunters are actually the Guardians’ own invention. Between these messages, the anger he felt when he was told that he had to take the ring from Hal to win the place, and the violence that came to the town of Rushville, John basically gives up. He eventually takes the ring from Hal and kills Zoe, but ultimately resigns as a Lantern-to-be (thus paving the way for Guy Gardner to become a Lantern in Superman). John probably feels like many Hal Jordan fans feel to be honest, jaded. The move is very out of character, and I can’t help but wonder why they thought it was acceptable to kill John.
We got a lot more context for Zoe this week before she met her finale. She is the supporter and protector of the town, and as Sheriff Kanementions, they were getting along well before Hal and John showed up. They had health and security. Sure, it was in exchange for holding an intergalactic war criminal, but Zoe hasn’t committed any crime in Rushville, it seems. She was totally using them as a human shield, but for decades, they were safe, so you have to wonder if Hal was right to want justice against the Manhunter here. I especially liked the opening scene, which flashed back to Sheriff Kane trying to escape from Gotham’s criminal underbelly, just to save Zoe. The cost? She was willing to remove her own finger, which she did. Little did she know that Zoe would grow back to her, but the conviction was enough to form an alliance between the two of them.
In fact, between Antaan tearing the town apart looking for the Manhunter (whom they believe is Macon due to Hal’s deception) and Macon issuing a kill order on Hal, Rushville becomes a war zone, with laser missiles destroying entire buildings and armed aliens blowing themselves up. Total chaos. We learned that Antaan was once married to the person called Zoe, but he didn’t buy that the man he loved was Macron, ultimately ripping his heart out to prove his humanity. In the end Hal gets rid of Antaan but it felt a bit laissez-faire and unbelievable.
With the 2016 story arc seemingly wrapped up, my guess is that we will now move into the 2026 plot and find out who wanted Hal dead. My opinion: Noah. His grandparents were killed this week, and it may be very difficult for Hal as a result. He had a short scene with Zoe about the importance of listening and staying hidden, and I think that was more for the benefit of the audience. Plus, he might become part Manhunter if he inherits some of Zoe’s DNA. Keep an eye out!
