Lanterns has emerged as a significant success for DC and HBO, with the series credited for restoring faith in James Gunn's DCU following the perceived misstep of Supergirl. It also successfully introduced Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, establishing the character for his upcoming appearance in Gunn's Man of Tomorrow. While HBO has not officially greenlit a second season, writing for the next installment is reportedly underway. However, the prospect of more Lanterns also brings a need for profound change, as the series cannot simply replicate its first season's formula.
Can Lanterns Work Without Hal Jordan?
The dynamic between John Stewart and Kyle Chandler's Hal Jordan was a primary draw for Season 1. The contrast between the idealistic John and the gruff Hal proved compelling, with the casting of both actors widely praised. However, the season finale revealed Hal's death in 2026, and his consciousness was ultimately purged from John's Green Lantern ring. While flashbacks and a "Halogram" kept Hal present throughout the first season, his continued absence poses a significant challenge for Season 2.
The series may have faltered slightly when Chandler was less prominent in Episode 6, highlighting his importance to the show's dynamic. John Stewart's stoic nature necessitates a counterpart to provide emotional contrast and fill narrative space. Should Hal Jordan no longer be available, another character must assume this role. This could involve elevating Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner to a more central position, exploring his complex relationship with John now that John commands Earth's sector. Alternatively, the series might shift John into a mentor role for a new aspiring Lantern. Potential candidates from the comics include Kyle Rayner, Jo Mullein, or Simon Baz. Given John's acceptance of fear, a dynamic with Jessica Cruz, who battles anxiety, could be particularly interesting.
Season 1 also presented avenues for Hal's potential return. John's ability to create constructs that persist without the ring raises the question of whether the Halogram could endure. Furthermore, Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen) explicitly stated in Episode 8 that he knew a way to resurrect Hal. This plot thread remains unexplored and could lead to Hal's return as a villain, perhaps even as a host for the fear entity Parallax, mirroring events from the comics. Regardless of the chosen path, Season 2 must introduce new elements rather than rely on the established formula.
From Murder Mystery to Superhero Adventure
Lanterns initially surprised audiences by adopting a murder mystery format rather than a traditional sci-fi adventure. While this approach ultimately succeeded, some viewers may still desire a more direct adaptation of the Green Lantern mythos. Season 2 should aim to satisfy this audience by moving beyond a simple repetition of the Season 1 formula. The murder mystery served as a vehicle for John's development and his confrontation with fear, an arc that has now concluded.
The series should now lean more into the expansive, cosmic elements of the Green Lantern lore. While the practicalities of depicting a character who can create anything with his mind present a challenge for an HBO budget, the show needs to find ways to visualize John's powers and adventures. The grounded, Earth-centric approach of Season 1, while effective, may have been partly dictated by budget constraints. The decision to have most alien characters disguise themselves as humans further suggests this practical limitation.
With John Stewart's role in the DCU likely to continue on television, Season 2 faces the delicate task of balancing cosmic scope with budgetary feasibility. The writers must depict John as a Green Lantern in his prime, not as a reclusive figure, while remaining within the practical limits of production.
Focusing on Ulrich Thomsen’s Sinestro
A potential path forward for Lanterns involves elevating Sinestro, who served a more limited, Hannibal Lecter-esque role in Season 1. The character's narrative threads offer numerous opportunities for Season 2. Sinestro's alliance with Noah, the last Manhunter, presents a complex situation regarding Noah's programming and potential for good. The aforementioned tease of Sinestro's ability to resurrect Hal also holds significant promise.
Sinestro's current state of limbo on a dead alien world can easily be resolved, allowing him to resume his conflict with the Guardians. The past relationship between Sinestro and Hal Jordan, marked by Sinestro's rebellion and Hal's subsequent actions, was hinted at in Season 1 and could be further explored. Despite being a pivotal Green Lantern villain, Sinestro's journey into embracing fear and potentially forming the Sinestro Corps has yet to be fully depicted in the DCU.
Sinestro could also fill the void left by Hal Jordan. The nature of his relationship with John, whether adversarial or one of reluctant kinship due to John's acceptance of fear, remains an open question. The inclusion of Noah in this dynamic further complicates matters. Sinestro's prominence could indeed illuminate the path forward for the Lanterns series.