The first season of HBO's Lanterns concluded with a finale that addressed key questions surrounding John Stewart's transformation into a Green Lantern and the ultimate fate of Hal Jordan. In a press conference following the broadcast, cast members Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler, alongside executive producers Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, delved into the creative decisions behind the season's somber yet satisfying conclusion.
The New Green Lantern Oath
John Stewart ultimately embraces his destiny as a Green Lantern in the finale, but on his own terms. Wielding Hal Jordan's ring and a fear-infused Lantern forged for Noah, John operates as an unsanctioned Lantern. To reflect his unique status, he recites a new oath:
In brightest day, in darkest night, I'll embrace my fear, I'll do what's right. I choose this ring, I choose this fight, In service to this lantern's light.
Executive producer Chris Mundy explained that this modified oath was a deliberate choice to mirror John's unconventional path to becoming a Lantern. "The ring didn’t choose him, he was interviewed, he was kind of raised for it," Mundy stated. "He was having to choose this thing, then he decided not to do it, and then decided that he needed to do it on his own terms." The new oath is respectful of the original but tweaked to incorporate themes of fear and personal choice, reflecting the season's narrative.
Damon Lindelof added that John's journey culminates in a position that is not entirely aligned with the traditional Green Lantern Corps, making a unique oath fitting. "What we see at the end is that John is not a hundred percent a Green Lantern anymore, he has a Lantern that has a bit of yellow in it, has a bit of fear in it, and it’s not, you know, it’s an unsanctioned Lantern," Tom King elaborated. He further noted that John's oath is distinct because he is "utterly unique creation that he has not been given to him, that he is not chosen for but that he... chose for himself."
Hal and John's Mutual Love
The finale also provided a poignant moment between John and Hal Jordan before the latter's presence was purged from the ring. Both characters express "I love you" to each other, signifying the profound bond that developed despite their tumultuous relationship throughout the season.
Kyle Chandler described the scene as a "human factor" and a "purely honest, open moment" for the actors. Aaron Pierre echoed this sentiment, noting that while his dynamic with Chandler was often "tumultuous" and "volatile" on set, the script's emotional beats brought them together. "There were moments in the script that made us stop that and really lock into the emotional beat, that was really quite moving for us," Pierre said.
The Finale's Emotional Focus
Contrary to expectations of an action-packed climax, the Season 1 finale focused on John Stewart's emotional journey. The producers confirmed that a more action-oriented ending was never the intention.
"There was never a version of the finale that was more action-oriented," Mundy stated. "This story was about these two guys. And so, we knew that if we landed it emotionally with them, we would have done our job." He added that an action-heavy finale would have been "distracting" and prioritized "incident instead of emotion."
King emphasized that avoiding clichés was a "sticking point from day one" for the series. He argued that an emotionally resonant ending, even without spectacle, is more powerful than action sequences involving characters the audience doesn't care about. "It’s not what you expect, and that’s entirely what this show has been and is sort of what we’re always going to do," King concluded.
The Fate of Hal's Pet Plant Earl
In response to a fan query, the cast and crew addressed the fate of Hal Jordan's beloved pet plant, Earl. While the finale shows Hal trapped in a burning house, the producers indicated that Earl is likely resilient.
"I don’t think Earl needed to be reskinned; I don’t think Earl goes down that easy…" Mundy speculated. Lindelof added, "Earl probably has the thickest skin of anybody on the show, I would imagine." This suggests Earl could return in a potential second season.