Episode 5 of HBO’s Lanterns delivered an action-packed installment, seemingly wrapping up a major plot point. But with three episodes remaining, it reveals plenty of mysteries remain unsolved.
Following John and Hal’s explosive revelation that Zoe Macon is the Manhunter, we open “Lights Out” learning about our other lead female character’s backstory. In 2007, a young Kerry Kane is fleeing someone or something when her car loses fuel in Rushville. As her pursuant finds her in the local diner, Zoe saves her from a definite death. However, her protection comes at a cost.
Flash forward to 2016, an embittered Hal abandons John in the wrecked car, refusing to be replaced. He plans to deliver the Manhunter himself while deflecting Antaan and his team toward William Macon, all while avoiding an immediate kill order on his head.
Meanwhile, Zoe saves John’s charred body from the flaming wreckage. Here, she explains the Manhunters origins as the Guardians’ first option for protection, until the creation went wrong. She promises John a savior scenario where he earns the ring and Hal can die a hero. But John objects, escapes his captives — barefoot — and tells his parents his prepared for battle.
At the compound, Antaan takes Hal’s bait only to discover William isn’t the Manhunter. With her protection dead, Zoe goes on the offensive, raining lasers from the sky upon downtown Rushville. Simultaneously, Hal arrives bombarded by a tactical attack from Macon’s men and Antaan’s team who begin self-detonating. Fortunately he prevails, only to meet John’s thirsty fists.
The two duke it out for the ring as Zoe arrives to finish Hal off. But John uses his trainer as bait, and snipers Zoe off from a distance. In the end, he takes the ring, the lantern and the Manhunter’s inaccurate heart to Lianna. And in a moment of truth, John realizes how empty he feels with the ring on his finger and denounces the Green Lantern mantle.
“Lights Out” was a complete banger of an episode that managed to juggle its multiple mysteries and comic action with ease. Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre deliver great work in their tumultuous relationship. Viewers find themselves rooting for Hal one second, and then rooting against him for John’s sake. In the end, its clear both men have been pawns in the Guardians grander scheme, which makes Stewart’s rejection of the ring surprising, but expected.
Despite her death, mystery lingers in Zoe’s absence as many decipher what “miracle” she bestowed to Kerry for her protection. Amidst the carnage, rubble and another decade, the truth sits somewhere in-between, meaning the next episode cannot come fast enough.
Rating: 9/10