HBO's Lanterns is weaving a dual-layered mystery across its narrative, with events in 2016 concerning an alien conspiracy in Rushville running parallel to a murder investigation in 2026. The most recent episode, number six, finally brings the present-day timeline into focus by exploring the death of Hal Jordan, though a definitive solution remains elusive. The series, set in a small town, uses its dual timelines to tell interconnected stories. In 2016, Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) investigated an alien conspiracy, identifying Zoe Macon (Poorna Jagannathan) as the Manhunter hiding in Rushville. This revelation escalated into a conflict that left the town a war zone. Following Zoe's death at John's hands and a brief period where he wielded Hal's Green Lantern ring before surrendering it, the narrative has now revealed that Hal, who took the blame and served 10 years in prison, was murdered shortly after returning to Rushville to reconcile with Sheriff Kerry Kane (Kelly Macdonald).
The Investigation Continues
Episode six centers on the aftermath of Hal's murder, with John Stewart rejoining Kerry in the investigation. John is deputized to gain access to Hal's autopsy, where the medical examiner determines he was shot at close range from the front. The absence of any defensive wounds suggests the killer was someone Hal knew or did not perceive as a threat. This leads to an examination of several potential suspects.
John Stewart
John Stewart emerges as an early, albeit likely, red herring. His architecture company is based in Midway City. A call from his mother, hinting at Hal's desire for an apology, prompts John to visit Rushville. Their meeting at a diner devolves into a physical altercation where John punches Hal, who appears to sustain a broken nose. The timing of this confrontation, occurring on the night Hal was murdered, places John under immediate suspicion, particularly if his altercation with Hal becomes public. However, the geographical distance between Midway City and Rushville, coupled with the time constraints of John's travel, makes his direct involvement improbable. The episode shows John returning home before traveling back to Rushville, suggesting insufficient time to commit the murder.
Sheriff Kerry Kane
Kerry Kane confronts the possibility of her own involvement, questioning John about it. Despite her previous use of her weapon against Hal, their relationship is portrayed as genuine. Hal had been writing to Kerry from prison and returned to Rushville specifically for her. Their relationship, however, was relatively new, and Kerry was separated from Billy Macon for three years prior. She had no apparent motive to kill Hal, especially given her past assistance to both Hal and John in 2016.
Maggie
Maggie, a waitress at the diner where John and Hal argued, exhibits suspicious behavior. She initially deflects Kerry's questions about Hal's final hours and later demands a significant sum of money from John, citing damages to her property from the 2016 destruction of Rushville. She reveals she was the young girl John encountered amid the wreckage after Zoe's death. While Maggie possesses a potential motive and opportunity, her actions could also be interpreted as an attempt to frame John or extort him, rather than direct involvement in the murder.
Billy Macon
Billy Macon harbors a deep-seated resentment towards Green Lanterns, particularly Hal, due to the destruction of his town and the deaths of his father and stepmother. His animosity is further fueled by Hal's relationship with his mother, Kerry. Billy is depicted joining a group of locals confronting John, though John easily incapacitates them. Despite his motive, Billy's character is often portrayed as cowardly, raising questions about his capacity for cold-blooded murder.
Noah Macon
Noah Macon, Kerry and Billy's son, presents as the most compelling suspect. He lost family members in the 2016 incident and experienced the town's subsequent destruction. His outwardly calm demeanor and friendly interactions, even with John after the altercation with his father, appear unnerving given the circumstances. The murder occurring in the bleachers of the town's football stadium, where Noah is a prominent player, adds a layer of thematic poignancy. Episode five included an ominous exchange between Noah and Zoe, where she instructed him to "remember everything I told you," including the Manhunter philosophy of "seeing without being seen." Noah's consistent, low-profile presence throughout the series aligns with this lesson. His apparent access, combined with a plausible motive and thematic significance, positions him as the leading suspect.
