Lanterns' fifth episode, "Lights Out," brings the show's 2016 narrative to a dramatic climax, offering a significant increase in action and spectacle. The episode delves into the escalating conflict in Rushville, pushing characters to their breaking points and revealing difficult truths.
While previous episodes have been noted for downplaying overt superheroics, "Lights Out" rectifies this by featuring substantial Green Lantern action. Though Hal Jordan's (Kyle Chandler) use of his ring remains primarily focused on defensive shields and energy blasts, the larger scale of the battles provides a welcome shift. The episode also emphasizes the burgeoning tension and internal conflicts between Hal and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre), culminating in their separation and opposition.
Hal's character arc takes a dark turn as he betrays John, leaving him for dead and orchestrating a massacre for personal gain. This portrayal draws parallels to the controversial "Emerald Twilight" comic storyline, though "Lanterns" explores Hal's actions as a potential sign of deep-seated character flaws. Interactions with a holographic projection of a younger, more decent Hal suggest a significant fall from grace, raising questions about his past experiences, particularly his fallout with Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen), which the series may explore in future episodes.
The episode also develops Zoe's (Poorna Jagannathan) role in Rushville, showcasing her as a benefactor and protector of the community she built. The Lanterns' arrival disrupts her efforts, and her poignant instructions to her grandson, Noah (Cary Christopher), hint at future plot developments, possibly involving a return to the 2026 timeline.
Minor criticisms include the predictable reveal of the Manhunters' creators and an abrupt exit for Antaan (Paul Ben-Victor). His demise, involving self-destruction, feels anticlimactic for a character who had compelling scenes earlier in the episode. This also seems to dismiss fan theories regarding Antaan's potential connection to Atrocitus.
Despite these quibbles, "Lights Out" effectively concludes the Rushville conflict. John Stewart, after being manipulated, is forced to define his own principles, rejecting the blind obedience he has followed. His disillusionment with the Green Lantern Corps and its ideals becomes evident, potentially explaining his absence as a Lantern in 2026.
The final three episodes of the season are poised to explore the aftermath, likely jumping to 2026 while also delving into Hal's past. "Lights Out" successfully wraps up the immediate 2016 narrative while setting the stage for a compelling continuation, leaving audiences to anticipate the revelations to come.