'Lanterns' Season 1: Episode-by-Episode Re-cap and Review
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
By Jack Ransom - September 8, 2026
TV - Premium TV
The third DCU project to hit the small screen after Creature Commandos and season two of Peacemaker. After a divisive couple of first trailers which seemed to abandon any essence of the colour most associated with the two lead characters, a few weeks ago a final trailer arrived which seemed to flick the positivity switch into overdrive and immediately increase the anticipation and stakes around this project given the middling reception to Supergirl on the big screen at the end of June.
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Episode 4 - "Weenie" 4.5/5
The halfway point of the season has been reached. With the 48-hour deadline about to expire, John develops a new theory about the whereabouts of the Cosmic Hunter, which leads him and Hal to present their next plan to Sheriff Kane. Meanwhile, Hal's visit to Sinestro has consequences.
Taking things fully back to 2016 after last week’s excellent flashback episode centred around John Stewart. A slower-burn fourth instalment sees Hal & John peel back another layer on who the mysterious Manhunter could be. With the former heading to his arch nemesis for information and the latter growing increasingly pressured by the Guardians to seize the ring. The chemistry between the lead pair remains unbeatable and the final third sees an eerie trip to a slaughterhouse that’s not for the squeamish.
Once again Lanterns reinforces why a weekly release model absolutely keeps you hooked. Bring on next week!
Where to watch 'Lanterns' Season 1? Episode 4 is streaming now on HBO Max.
Episode 1 - "Pilot" 4/5
The pilot episode begins after a fatal shooting, both Green Lantern, Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), and new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) set out to prove it was an extra terrestrial event. The pilot seamlessly establishes a brilliant dynamic between Hal and John: the former a jaded, snarky, effortlessly brash veteran and the latter a stoic, dry-witted, motivated and rule-abiding trainee. The blend of mutual respect and irritation is a pairing that I am already hooked on and eager to see continue over the course of the show. The episode divides into three time periods (1996, 2016 & 2026), which builds character, small town intrigue and a final shot that certainly already establishes wider repercussions and ideas for the DCU going forward.
This is a strong pilot episode that impressively grounds and explores the idea of Green Lantern in a murder mystery that I hope keeps up the mystique, whilst also tapping into a potential wider galaxy to explore along the line. Like Peacemaker (and what Clayface also looks to be delivering) it also showcases how these projects can feel distinct in their stylistic and dialogue choices, yet also understandably feel like they are in the same universe as Superman & Supergirl.
Episode 2 - "Trust Fall" 4.5/5
Picking up after the pilot’s intriguing cliff-hanger. Episode 2: Trust Fall sees the duo on separate paths: John's initially middling errand ultimately proves eventful and Hal makes waves in Rushville – which only inspires him to dig deeper.
Ohh boy this is the good stuff. After the solid foundation of the pilot, this second episode pretty much nails the tone and balance between grittier, small town mystery and the wealth of cosmic potential on display. Comic fans will no doubt have hairs-raised as John is introduced to the existence of ‘Manhunters’ and in particular the final five minutes which wipes away any doubt of commitment to the source material that the initial trailers may have established. The lead duo dynamic is still a winning one, the wider DCU implications begin to creep in and there is certainly something strange going on in Rushville. Bring on next week.
Episode 3 - "Out Kast" 4.5/5
Episode 3: Out Kast opens the doors on John Stewart’s backstory. When his father misinterprets the Guardians' contact, John becomes the next choice for Green Lantern. After years of preparation, he finally gets to interview with the Guardians.
Moving away from the ongoing mystery established in the previous two episodes for a switching time period flashback episode provides a welcome insight into what made John Stewart the man he is today and (without spoiling) heightens the stakes and tensions between he and Hal’s relationship. We are also introduced to the mysterious Guardians (the overseers of the Lantern core), which once again taps into the wide DCU cosmos. However the core of the episode is the relationship with John and his parents as they push him to become fearless and construct his personality to aim for the mantle of Green Lantern. Particular praise should be given to Jasmine Cephas Jones who delivers a fierce, driven performance as John’s mother Bernadette.
Out Kast is an engrossing peel back behind the curtain of John Stewart’s origins that adds another layer to why this mantle is so important to him, as well as bringing in the ever watching Guardians to the fold. The final scene is a doozy as well, great needle drop.
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