In brightest day, in blackest night, “Lanterns” is a true delight. Let those who worship action thriller television sit back and enjoy this show. 

The series follows two main characters, John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) and Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler). Hal is the superhero known as Green Lantern, the guardian of Earth from extraterrestrial threats, and John is in training to follow suit. 

The first episode starts with a flashback to John’s childhood as he watches an interview with Hal on TV. Since John was young, John’s father, John Stewart Sr., trained John to be the next Green Lantern, with tactics as drastic as shooting an apple off his head. 

This scene sets the stage for the rest of the series. Green Lanterns — space cops chosen by the Guardians of the Universe — are supposed to be fearless, clearly revealing why John is chosen as the next Green Lantern. The question “Are you afraid?” contextualizes every character and every story arc.  

The interview young John sees makes Hal seem noble and heroic. This illusion is shattered immediately as we jump to 2016 and see Hal training John. Hal is apathetic and vain, refusing to formally aid him. John is frustrated and expresses this, but still manages to maintain his composure. This dynamic and the banter that comes with it is a highlight of the season.

This episode also introduces the season’s two main mysteries. The first is a suspected alien presence in Rushville, Nebraska. The end of the episode, which takes place in 2026, introduces the second mystery: Hal has been shot dead.

The next couple of episodes focus on the first mystery while exploring John and Hal’s relationship. They have to trust and work with each other to solve the alien mystery while simultaneously working against each other. The Guardians explicitly tell John he must take Hal’s Green Lantern ring from him if he wants to inherit the mantle. Hal is aware of this and does his best to seem heroic and sideline John for self-preservation. 

The strength of the writing and performances shines with this relationship as Pierre and Chandler are both charismatic. Despite the relationship’s conflict, viewers can’t help but cheer for both. Decisions that both characters make are sometimes left ambiguous, leaving viewers wondering if their motives are fueled by a desire to save the day or possess the ring. 

By the end of episode five, their relationship reaches a low point, and John takes Hal’s ring. However, he refuses to accept the role of Green Lantern after seeing how the Guardians manipulate both him and Hal. 

The last three episodes take place in 2026 and focus on John uncovering who killed Hal. Hal’s absence is remedied with Halogram, a hologram of Hal’s consciousness from 1996. 

This non-bitter, more lighthearted version of Hal is not only a smart, fun way to keep Hal in the season, but also adds depth to his character. Through Halogram, the audience and John learn about Hal’s past and, as a result, build a deeper connection with him, making his death more tragic. When Halogram disappears in the season finale, Hal’s death feels absolute. 

John’s arc concludes in the season finale. In a satisfying ending, after uncovering who murdered Hal, John gets a new lantern battery and becomes a superhero on his own terms. 

John and Hal’s character arcs perfectly mirror each other. John is raised to be fearless and the perfect Green Lantern, following a destiny thrust upon him. His fearlessness ultimately is what separates him from his family and makes him more soldier than man. 

On the other hand, hereditary suicidal tendencies and the loss of his father at a young age leave Hal fearless. Similar to John, he has no close relationships until he opens up to Sheriff Kerry Kane (Kelly Macdonald). After Hal is dead, it is Halogram who tells John, “Don’t be afraid to be afraid.”

The plot also tackles the theme of nature versus nurture as characters wonder through the series if the manhunters — synthetic beings programmed to kill — can be capable of good. 

Racism is another theme that the series tackles well. In the ’80s, John Sr. was asked to be Green Lantern before Hal, but was rejected after being afraid when asked the question, “Are you afraid?” The show suggests that part of the reason John Sr. showed fear and Hal didn’t was because of the difficulties and struggles related to being Black in the United States.

John’s story also reflects the struggles of achieving Black excellence. His entire childhood is defined by one day being able to earn the mantle of Green Lantern, a position that Hal, a white man, could achieve without the same training.  

“Lanterns” sucks viewers in with a mystery and keeps them hooked the entire season. Are you afraid to start this series? You shouldn’t be.