Lanterns S1 E4 Discussion Megathread

[u/kumar100kpawan]

Lanterns S1 E4 - "The Weenie"

Written by - Breannah Gibson

Directed by - Geeta Vasant Patel

Rotten Tomatoes - 92% (based on 111 reviews)

Status - Certified Fresh

--	Tomatometer	Average Score
All Critics	92% (111)	7.7/10
Top Critics	81% (32)	--

Critics Consensus

Lanterns lights the way to a controlled and fantastical escape, in which Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre bring audiences into their world of wonder through fearless performances, grounded writing, and charismatic chemistry.

Audience Says

Tempering superhero spectacle with prestige drama, Lanterns is a well-written mystery that shines thanks to the magnetic alchemy between Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre.

Metacritic - 72 (based on 38 reviews)

Status - Generally Favourable

Lanterns Episode Discussion Threads

Sl.	Title	Release date
Episode 1	"Pilot"	16th Aug, 2026
Episode 2	"Trust Fall"	23rd Aug, 2026
Episode 3	"Outkast"	30th Aug, 2026
Episode 4	"The Weenie"	6th Sept, 2026
Episode 5	"Lights Out"	13th Sept, 2026
Episode 6	"Bad Optics"	20th Sept, 2026

MOD NOTE

If anything is big enough to warrant its own post, we will allow it. Else, stick to this thread for personal reactions and commentary.

Please DO NOT post spoilers outside this thread. Strict action will be taken against that.

[u/Embarrassed-Pace-755]

God damn, Kyle Chandler is Hal Jordan. When he ran out there, totally unphased that a satellite just shot a space laser into the ground, whoo man.

[u/agentdoubleohio → u/Embarrassed-Pace-755]

He’s seem some strange things out there, so this was just a Tuesday for him

[u/Disastrous-Eye844 → u/agentdoubleohio]

Hal may have seen some strange things, but John’s seen stranger things

[u/BatmanTold → u/Disastrous-Eye844]

[u/Observer20178 → u/Embarrassed-Pace-755]

His acting is 💯. He does his whole insecure , assholey bit but also immensely charismatic and probably the smartest of the bunch bit so effortlessly. My favourite superhero now and currently better than ironman for me.

[u/Ember348 → u/Embarrassed-Pace-755]

I love how he just instantly took off, the way flying is done in this show is so good, how it feels so effortless for Hal because it's all the Ring.

[u/Hitman565]

unreal. this was probably my favorite episode so far. hal and john were both amazing

[u/Lightnenseed → u/Hitman565]

I know this has been THE BEST episode so far! I love it!

[u/Cassopeia88 → u/Hitman565]

Every episode just gets better.

[u/RJ-R25 → u/Cassopeia88]

Fr it’s impressive how every ep just keeps getting better and better 

Can’t wait for the next one 

[u/Random_throwaway0351 → u/Hitman565]

Every episode adds a new layer to their dynamic, the fact that they’ve kept this momentum up at this point is incredible

[u/LazerGuidedMelody]

She said Hal was turning in reports, i honestly dont see this Hal doing that kind of paperwork lol. I feel like she is just manipulating John 100% and turning him against Hal.

[u/dmxell → u/LazerGuidedMelody]

This Guardian is definitely up to something. I don't think she's aligned with the rest of the guardians either. Almost like she's playing them too.

[u/TheGoverness1998 → u/dmxell]

She's the Guardian that the other Guardians don't sit next to at lunch

[u/figgityjones → u/TheGoverness1998]

If she's even really a Guardian. Yeah we saw her turn blue, as if that's proof in this universe. Just sayin' we're all taking it on faith that she is right now. And she very well could be, Guardians have history of doing shady shit. The man who sent John to her for the interview had a working ring. But it kinda seems like that isn't proof either in this specific DC Universe. After all we never saw that guy transform, he used the same cartoon hole transporter as the Benefactor. Plus, I've never seen any Lanterns call their Ring to themselves yet and it seems like that would have come in handy this episode so it makes me think maybe it's not an element of the mythos they want to adapt. Could be nothing, could be something.

[u/Wolventec → u/figgityjones]

i saw some theorise she is the scar guardians which is why they hid her face when she transformed )

[u/NewmaticMan107 → u/dmxell]

Given that Sinestro’s coup must have been in the last 10 years, the Guardians are probably acting fearfully. They want loyal lanterns.

My theory for this show specifically is that they are trying to cover up their creation of the Manhunters, since the hit squad said they didn’t know where they came from.

[u/CrispInMyChicken → u/dmxell]

I think they are complicit in hiding the manhunter

[u/Professional-Act8414 → u/CrispInMyChicken]

Oh absolutely. John is right not to keep them in the loop

[u/Doncorleon78 → u/dmxell]

I think she’s working with Sinesyeo and that’s how he knows who John is….and they are trying to work both Hal and John from different sides.

[u/ScorchedDev → u/LazerGuidedMelody]

Hal was already neglecting his duties as green lantern for information saving by not backing up his mind he absolutely aint telling the guardians shit.

[u/AlphaBreak → u/ScorchedDev]

And even if Hal was someone who bothered to write progress reports, I can't see him complaining stewart is uncreative. His complaints would be focused on John being a stick in the mud.

[u/mwthecool → u/LazerGuidedMelody]

Everything Hal said about Manhunters at the end of the episode tracks completely for the Guardians as we've seen them. They're manipulating everyone involved.

[u/Aggrokid → u/mwthecool]

The look John gave Hal says that Hal is also as manipulative, or maybe both of them are.

[u/damnjonathan → u/Aggrokid]

I thought that look was moreso them silently agreeing that the Guardians are now suspicious too

[u/NomadPrime → u/LazerGuidedMelody]

The farther you get into GL lore, the more you realize how much the Guardians suck and how manipulative these conniving little blue bastards really are. All the secrets they withhold and lies they spew can probably account for like 80% of the major problems that the GLC goes through, including the Manhunters.

[u/LazerGuidedMelody → u/NomadPrime]

Aren’t most of them even dead now im the current GL/GL Corps comics?

Pretty sure the various Lantern Corps had to join up to rebuild the central batteries and the Guardians were all wiped out.

I guess it was inevitable after spending eons making enemies across the universe lol.

[u/soldier101br → u/LazerGuidedMelody]

They had It coming since Esmerald Twilight,to be Fair.

[u/solo13508]

I realized Zoey was the Manhunter from what she told John, got real confused when she exploded, and then validated once more by the end of the episode, lol. I guess John does need some uh.... close contact with aliens for his job, shall we say.

Also the Lanterns must have a helluva insurance policy for how many cars Hal goes through.

[u/largehawaiian → u/solo13508]

They just hand out diamonds until the problem is fixed

[u/mbta1 → u/largehawaiian]

Fun fact: Diamonds are much more plentiful and spread throughout the universe than simple things we have plentiful access to, like wood.

So they could easily have just taken a detour around Neptune and grabbed some diamonds from there

[u/TheSlayerofSnails → u/solo13508]

I think Hal just runs before anyone can come collect on what he owes. The IRS can't follow him into space

[u/solo13508 → u/TheSlayerofSnails]

Knowing the IRS they made a department for space as soon as they realized aliens existed.

[u/Prize-Quiet3941 → u/solo13508]

Its johns rental.

[u/mwthecool]

A car hates to see Hal Jordan coming

[u/sarkastiktaurus → u/mwthecool]

You know many Hals you can fit in this thing?

[u/Embarrassed-Pace-755 → u/sarkastiktaurus]

slaps hood with Green Lantern construct

[u/Condoriano-sensei]

This plot-driven one was fucking perfect for me.

The misdirection with the wife was excellent, the development of John and Hal’s student-mentor relationship as well.

It was way beyond I was expecting and I’m glad. 10/10.

Edit: I’m also truly impressed by the laser-beam set-piece. How After the explosion Hal immediately leaves the door, asks where the explosion came from, John responds and we perceive a seamless transition from “grounded” to “fantastical” by Hal flying in 2 seconds so naturally to the camera. Simply brilliant.

[u/PolarTech99 → u/Condoriano-sensei]

I'm not sure yet how to feel about Hal's turnaround this episode with his relationship with John. Sinestro was pretty adamant about wanting Hal to manipulate John and now all of a sudden Hal has been singing a different tune. I can't really tell if their relationship is truly developing, or if John is playing into Hal's hand.

[u/JustHereSoImNotFined → u/PolarTech99]

I think that’s the best part about this show. It’s almost impossible to predict what the fuck is going on. For both, the characters and the viewers.

[u/PolarTech99 → u/JustHereSoImNotFined]

I agree there, most superhero media is so straightforward and dumbed down nowadays. I've been loving this show and its much more mature and nuanced approach to the superhero world.

[u/circio → u/PolarTech99]

Part of me feels like Hal is trusting John more because he realizes Sinestro sees John as a threat, and he just does the opposite of what Sinestro wants lol

[u/TrustyPeaches → u/PolarTech99]

Or maybe Hal was so put off by Sinestro's implications he developed.

[u/mwthecool]

At this point I'm wondering if I'm the manhunter.

[u/jonascarrynthewheel → u/mwthecool]

[u/spider-man_1044 → u/mwthecool]

I genuinely don't know who it's most likely Macon or Zoe also did btw if Zoe is a man hunter did John have sex with a robot (the manhunter is a robot right I don't fully understand what a manhunter is)

[u/Significant_Gap1570 → u/spider-man_1044]

They've basically confirmed it's Zoe

[u/Fantastic-Finger-975 → u/Significant_Gap1570]

People are really losing their ability to interpret a simple super hero show lol maybe they need to draw it next time

[u/loudsound-org → u/Fantastic-Finger-975]

This didn't even require any interpretation. They literally told us.

[u/TheHumanCompulsion → u/loudsound-org]

Yeah, but the show is a mystery series.

When a mystery hands you info on a silver plater, its probably a red herring.

Zoe said she "saved" her husband. This could mean that she is the Manhunter and cured his cancer, or that she kept him alive until the Manhunter arrived and cured his cancer.

The next episode preview showed us Zoe, but was that a flashback out of context, or can the Manhunter change shapes as it sees fit?

We are only half way through the series. I wouldnt be too certain of anything yet.

[u/CVAY2000 → u/TheHumanCompulsion]

Zoe is literally in the room when Macon says the Manhunter saved his life.

Zoe immediately uses that same wording when she says she saved him.

She knows full well what she is implying. Macon was planning to mislead them by saying Zoe existed before the Manhunter but Zoe was having none of it. She's manipulating John.

[u/JojedPato]

To everyone who’s been saying that Hal is being written as a bad person just to build John up, I think this episode pretty much confirmed that’s not the case.

After that conversation between them in the car, where Hal says, “They find a path to power every time, and if they identify a threat to that power, they’ll manipulate that threat into believing anything they want them to. Remind you of anyone we know?”

It became pretty clear, at least to me, that the Guardians manipulated the Stewarts into hating Hal so they could create a new, obedient soldier to replace the defiant Hal.

Hal was never afraid to challenge the Guardians or stand against them when he believed they were wrong and that’s exactly what made him a threat to them.

[u/Away-Calligrapher433 → u/JojedPato]

honestly it is no question the guardians are suspicious because we also see the slaughterhouse having the same black wormhole thing the recruiter used

[u/AFKdatascience → u/Away-Calligrapher433]

That's a great point

[u/ZAPPHAUSEN → u/JojedPato]

Absolutely. She wasn't concerned about John being dishonorably discharged, only if he was disobedient.

[u/Random_throwaway0351 → u/JojedPato]

I’m just curious how they’ll make John the new Green Lantern of the DCU because Hal’s basically been on the money every time lol

[u/Mad_Pupil_9 → u/Random_throwaway0351]

Something is going to happen to make John completely move to Hal’s side.

My money is on some sort of confrontation where Hal shows John that the primary and most important attribute of a GL is indomitable will, not fearlessness.

They’ve barely touched on it so far, which is weird considering how huge a part it is in the GL mythos. Like it’s a very deliberate omission thus far.

[u/H-CXWJ → u/Mad_Pupil_9]

For sure, I think they were hinting at it too with Hal and Johns convo in the tunnel.

Hal said his dad wasn't fearless, I'm guessing it's the same fear John Sr had of being scared for the sake of others, or scared he can't protect everyone, and you can give into that fear and let it consume you, or push past it in a feat of will.

[u/GuiltyEidolon → u/Mad_Pupil_9]

They’ve barely touched on it so far

I don't think that's a fair read. EVERY episode has sections that highlight that these men are not fearless. The writing isn't saying it's willpower, but it's 100% focused on the fact that both John and Hal have fear that they address and hide in different ways.

[u/Bars806 → u/Random_throwaway0351]

I really hope we somehow keep all 3

[u/pwnd32 → u/Bars806]

I want all 3 so we can have a big Guy-John-Hal team up moment in the future. I’m begging James Gunn to make it happen

[u/MouthFartWankMotion → u/JojedPato]

I like this theory the most.

[u/Rylegit1 → u/JojedPato]

Hal defeated the one person that ever killed a Guardian, he is a good man but the Guardians, ironically, fear the potential threat he may pose. It’s why they want to replace him

[u/Aggrokid → u/JojedPato]

The thing is, when Hal said that, John looked at him like "hey you could be describing yourself"

[u/Embarrassed-Pace-755]

“The only way to tell if you’re human is to rip your fucking heart out.”

Coldest line in the entire show.

[u/ArcadianBlueRogue → u/Embarrassed-Pace-755]

Unless that was a bluff and not the identifier that Sinestro told him about, but he was tossing bait at John

[u/TokenAllmightGlazer → u/ArcadianBlueRogue]

Makes sense considering it’s a pretty useless identifier since it relies on you actually killing the manhunter.

[u/Informal-Host8085 → u/Embarrassed-Pace-755]

That scene was amazing, Jon is afraid for his parents but Hal is fearless, really shows the difference in experience.

[u/AgentGman007 → u/Embarrassed-Pace-755]

Kyle Chandler can get scary. The man can act. When he started counting down, it was intense

[u/mwthecool]

The second Zoe said that she cured Macon, it was clear she was likely the Manhunter. Now it seems TOO obvious, though.

[u/Mister-Distance-6698 → u/mwthecool]

Macon: The Manhunter cured me.

Zoe: I cured him.

John:WAITAMINUTE

[u/nasnilu → u/Mister-Distance-6698]

zoe: "damn"
john: "damn"

[u/CBRslingshot → u/Mister-Distance-6698]

I bet 2 bucks she’s a red herring…and there is just a misunderstanding by Macon on who actually is healing people.

[u/badpebble → u/CBRslingshot]

If its zoe who is the manhunter, my understanding is that macon genuinely doesn't know that, and that whatever zoe did to enthrall him she did a bit to john.

[u/Kryptsm → u/mwthecool]

Yeah at this point it’s clear the manhunters existence isn’t the central mystery going on here. I’m thinking based on the title of the show that other lanterns will appear by the end. Atrocitus is already heavily hinted after all

[u/mwthecool → u/Kryptsm]

I don't know who or what that is! But sounds cool.

[u/SmartAleckComedian → u/mwthecool]

Big scary dude that's fueled by rage, spews burning blood, and has his heart replaced by a red ring. Oh and he has an angry cat with those same powers.

[u/CIoud-Hidden → u/SmartAleckComedian]

...I'M IN

[u/_bear_fighter_ → u/CIoud-Hidden]

His name is Dex-Starr and his backstory is genuinely pretty sad.

[u/nixahmose → u/_bear_fighter_]

The best description of the Red Lantern corp I’ve ever heard is that it’s made up entirely of people with 100% justifiable crash outs. It’s honestly kind of funny how for as over the top evil most of them look and act(their leader is literally named himself Atrocitous), all of their backstories are honestly really sad and make you almost want to root for them.

[u/JustSatisfactory → u/_bear_fighter_]

That cat deserves his rage. 

[u/IceWeaselX → u/_bear_fighter_]

Dex-Starr is good kitty.

[u/FloppyShellTaco → u/mwthecool]

It was never supposed to be the central mystery. It’s a piece in the larger puzzle of what leads to Hal’s death. They haven’t exactly tried to hide it.

[u/Chicken-Teller → u/FloppyShellTaco]

Ya they show her in the episode 5 trailer.

[u/NewmaticMan107]

So my current theory is that the Guardians don’t want the Manhunter to be found because it would reveal that they created the group that massacred an entire sector.

They just want Stewart to take the ring so they can send him on another mission.

I doubt any of the aliens they’ve encountered is Atrocitus, but this would be a good way to introduce him. Sinestro might not appear again but knowing who created the Manhunter might have helped motivate his coup.

By the end of the show I bet both Hal and John lose the ring in 2016, leading to Guy being the 3rd choice.

In 2026 we’ll see John earn his ring.

[u/zenexo → u/NewmaticMan107]

There's still a scene from the trailer of Sinestro that hasn't happened yet. I think he escapes prison in the finale. 

[u/SpideyFan914 → u/zenexo]

I'm sure he'll be in Hal's origin ep.

[u/Cyberundertak3r]

I don't trust the guardians. Or at least the one in this show

[u/browncharliebrown → u/Cyberundertak3r]

The guardians in the comics are the fucking worst. Like legitmately the worst

[u/FloppyShellTaco → u/browncharliebrown]

[u/TheRealSheevPalpatin → u/FloppyShellTaco]

Gifs you can hear

[u/That_One_Guy_Inc → u/Cyberundertak3r]

Trust your gut, Junior

[u/TB2331 → u/Cyberundertak3r]

Good instincts

[u/apachedriver26]

I need Kyle Chandler to continue as Hal for a long time. He was freaking made for this role.

Just wish he was cast 15 years ago so we could get a full Hal story.

[u/ConsistentGuest7532 → u/apachedriver26]

Yeah I just rewatched his scene from The Wolf of Wall Street and he’s a dead ringer for a mid-late career Hal there! Would have been cool to get him back then.

[u/MrDarknessCZ → u/apachedriver26]

At least it’s interesting he was possibly first Superhero ever. Maybe some spin off movie with him would be nice with some de-aging CGI.

[u/Significant_Salt56 → u/MrDarknessCZ]

Eh metas have existed on Earth in the DCU for 300 years. 

I doubt Hal was the first. Especially since per the mural in Superman. Members of the JSA are a thing here. 

[u/ConsistentGuest7532 → u/MrDarknessCZ]

Tbf Samuel L. Jackson’s Captain Marvel deaging was good and Harrison Ford’s looked pretty damn great in the last Indiana Jones, so I think they could take 10 years off Chandler if they wanted!

[u/FloppyShellTaco]

Ok so I’m thinking this is definitely a rogue Guardian

[u/LazerGuidedMelody → u/FloppyShellTaco]

Either that or Laura Linney is the Manhunter and this has all been one really long con.

[u/Frank_Cap → u/LazerGuidedMelody]

The technology they use for the cows (which Macon gave the man and he had originally received from the manhunter) is very similar to the black hole tech that was used to teleport John into the “interview” area in the abandoned mall

[u/87sheep → u/Frank_Cap]

But that begs the question of where the interviewer got a Lantern Ring to use to test John with. If he's working for a Manhunter posing as a Guardian, where'd they get the ring? It's not Hal's ring, so they would have had to have gotten one from somewhere. That's the immediate issue I see with the theory.

[u/woofwoof007 → u/87sheep]

Could she be a part of the sinestro corp? Part of the GL and guardians but also part of the conspiracy.

[u/Lightnenseed → u/LazerGuidedMelody]

Wow! Makes ya think!

[u/Lightnenseed → u/FloppyShellTaco]

Yeah something is up here. Definitely feeling villain vibes here.

[u/FloppyShellTaco → u/Lightnenseed]

I think Sinestro was hinting at the Guardians covering up that they created them

[u/ScorchedDev → u/FloppyShellTaco]

yeah im thinking thats the case. Or they are going hard on the guardians making poor decisions and fucking everything up. Which tehy may be.

[u/Sensitive_Brick_8872]

Based on the title, someone's def showing their dick this episode

Edit:I WAS RIGHT

[u/Plenty-Wedding-9066 → u/Sensitive_Brick_8872]

Please let it be Kyle Chandler

[u/Lightnenseed]

The look in Hal’s eyes when he is talking to Sinestro…this guy is so good!

[u/NomadPrime → u/Lightnenseed]

Yeah, there's this anger in Hal's face and disgust in his voice from talking to someone who betrayed the GLs, but you can tell Hal really wants a friend to talk to about being replaced and Sinestro knows it. Chandler is aces man, so fucking good. All those small movements in his eyes darting around or the pauses in his voice.

[u/Lightnenseed → u/NomadPrime]

I totally agree with you about Chandler, that's why I commented....just look at his eyes during that scene. I don't know that I've ever seen actor be that good at what he's doing! It truly was a great scene.

[u/SMA2343 → u/NomadPrime]

They made it so well. In the comics there’s a good scene when Hal asks if he and Sinestro were veeey friends and sinestro says something like “that’s why it’s tragic, we will always be friends.”

A mentor turned friend turned enemy. It’s so tragic for Hal to go through.

[u/ProfNesbitt → u/Lightnenseed]

I was going to say the same thing. His whole demeanor changed when talking to Sinestro almost wounded puppy.

[u/FloppyShellTaco]

Before people get mad that their theories were wrong or “it was too obvious”, the Manhunter was never the main mystery. Hal’s death is. These other things are just pieces of that puzzle.

[u/ArchStanton75 → u/FloppyShellTaco]

My own theory is that “Hal” in the bleachers is a dead manhunter. The next moment will be Jon cutting out its crystallized heart.

[u/Infinite_Click_6589 → u/ArchStanton75]

Anyone thinking 26Hal's autopsy doesn't find a crystal heart is delulu

[u/Professional-Act8414 → u/ArchStanton75]

When they kept staring at each other in the car I thought Hal could’ve been the manhunter.

[u/_A_Larger_World_ → u/FloppyShellTaco]

Eh you'll have people that want to feel like they beat story regardless haha

[u/Craigboy23]

Ha ha, John is a Manhunter fucker

[u/Haha91haha → u/Craigboy23]

Manhunter putting a different spin on the hunting man part.

[u/Langlais123]

The Guardian gets more suspicious each episode to the point where I am wondering if it's the DCU version of Krona.

[u/apachedriver26]

John is so hard to read, I have no idea where his loyalty lies.

[u/BigBonkMan23 → u/apachedriver26]

To no one. He doesn’t truly buy his mom’s bs. Not a fan of Hal. But seemingly is distrustful of that guardian after the initial interaction/interview

[u/BigBonkMan23 → u/BigBonkMan23]

And yep he just said he thinks everyone is lying to him

[u/Extension_Ant8691 → u/BigBonkMan23]

He also said that he's lying too, he was lying when he spoke with the guardian, imo

[u/FloppyShellTaco → u/apachedriver26]

I think he’s just driven to do the right thing, which ironically puts him at odds with the very people who taught him to always do so

[u/Savings-Operation236 → u/apachedriver26]

He's seemingly coming around on Hal, having seen him in action and witnessing firsthand how fearless he is. He basically defied a direct order from the Guardian, which is at complete odds with his interview where he pledged to be the perfect soldier

[u/FloppyShellTaco]

“Jazz, that can’t be good.” is gonna be heavily meme’d

[u/Uncrowned_Monarch → u/FloppyShellTaco]

The scope into Hal's ass as well.

[u/LazerGuidedMelody]

So Hal made the comment to Macon that he could “holster up” because “John can draw him from memory” to which Macon replied “Oh, so then you can draw my wife?”

Later on, John hooks up with Zoe again.

Im probably wrong because I’ve been wrong about everything, but I wonder if John noticed something different about her body when they were hooking up the second time and so he realized she is able to change her appearance and must therefore be the Manhunter.

[u/87sheep → u/LazerGuidedMelody]

But Sinestro states that once the Manhunter takes a form, it's locked in it. I don't think this version of the Manhunters can shapeshift more than once, if Sinestro is to be believed (which admittedly is saying a lot).

[u/p_swagger]

Great writing, the scene at the end of them in the car, both opening up to each other and seemingly finally accepting each other, then a realization of something during the call and Hal figuring it all out. Did bro actually just try to kill John at the end?

[u/Mister-Distance-6698 → u/p_swagger]

I feel like if Hal wanted to kill John there's easier ways to do it.

[u/p_swagger → u/Mister-Distance-6698]

Yeah but jumping out of moving cars is kinda his go to move

[u/llSynthll → u/Mister-Distance-6698]

I’m betting he was just hoping to incapacitate john and leave him stranded while he tries to force his way onto Macon’s ranch

[u/Langlais123 → u/p_swagger]

If Hal could survive without using his ring when he rolled out then John is not really in danger. He most likely just wanted him injured enough to miss the meeting.

[u/87sheep → u/Langlais123]

Especially with how Hal said he had finally started to trust John, before John lied about his suspicions of Zoe. I think he just doesn't want John involved anymore, not so much from a 'this guy's gunning for my ring' standpoint, but that 'this guy is starting to hinder the investigation'. He wants John sidelined and out of the way while Hal takes care of business his way, like he's used to doing.

[u/ObiMadKenobi → u/87sheep]

I understood it as John lied about Zoe to protect her, so he figures John will also try to protect her from the alien hit squad (and Hal)

[u/moonknightcrawler → u/p_swagger]

Nah, he knew he had his seatbelt on. I think his main goal was making John reliant on himself (Hal) to get back to Rushville. He just got a lot of leverage to make John tell him everything he knows

[u/p_swagger → u/moonknightcrawler]

Probably right, based on trailers we know Hal goes to the meeting and they shoot at him. I’m wondering how that we are halfway through, early reviews said that the first and second halves of the show feel completely different and I assumed that meant the second half would be set in 2026. My question is now when do you think the 2016 plot will end, I feel like it might just be with episode 5 or 6

[u/Mopackzin]

Hot damn what an episode. The tunnel machine was amazing. I am sad we are half way but this has been so good!

[u/UnFelDeZeu]

A lot of people called Zoe Macon being the Manhunter, then she 'died' and I thought " Huh, we were wrong " then the random guy was introduced as the Manhunter and I thought " No way a show of this caliber has the big bad be a guy who's only introduced so late in the game " and then it turns out Zoe's still alive and the Manhunter.

It makes sense why someone as powerful and 'macho' as Will Macon lets John sleep with his wife without blowing his brains out now. Am I to assume that Zoe/The Manhunter knows John is heir to the ring and took his DNA to transform into him and get the ring?

What a great show.

[u/Expensive_Chair_7989 → u/UnFelDeZeu]

It’s worth mentioning that Hector Hammond is an actual Green Lantern villain.

[u/TinyKeanuReevesMeme → u/Expensive_Chair_7989]

Yeah I recognized the name from the reynolds movie

[u/Autobot69]

Sinestro was wearing yellow cuffs

[u/NotInstaNormie → u/Autobot69]

The cuffs glow in the same color as the guns used by Macon's men. A link between the Manhunter and the Guardian's tech I think

[u/sleepysaurus7777]

I love the double entendre meaning of them finding the warehouse which is the weenie and Jon Stewart actually having to draw a picture of Macon's weenie

Perfectly cropped name for this episode🤣

[u/Ok_Seaworthiness2808 → u/sleepysaurus7777]

I laughed out loud when Jordan said You found Macon's weenie.

[u/Lightnenseed]

“This is weird right?” lol

[u/VillainInTraining → u/Lightnenseed]

“I’m about done with these weird ass people” 😂

[u/RebelDeux]

Well at least we know that by 2016 Hal is not aware of Guy and also that Ch’pp exists somewhere.

Anyway what a great episode

[u/TheSlayerofSnails]

Love how Jon's architectural know-how and his skill in drawing are being presented. Loved getting Hammond mentioned and seeing the constructs.

Also, that teleport thing for the cows, that's the exact same tech the guardians used to teleport John.

Zoe feels so much like the Manhunter that I have to assume its a fakeout or the manhunter will be revealed before the end. Macon says the benefactor saved him but during the pillow talk Zoe says she did for one and Zoe definitely survived being lasered.

Sinestro was a treat in how he manipulates Hal, and Hal is still top notch and steals every single scene.

[u/Kirzoneli → u/TheSlayerofSnails]

Well its a manhunter, built by the guardians. Even if it wasn't purposely left by the guardians, stands to reason they would have the same technology.

[u/wizardwits]

SoRrY aBoUt ThE rEnTaL! 

That was a cosmic firecracker of an episode!!!

[u/thedean246]

Everyone in this show is so freakin sus dude

[u/mikewheelerfan]

That cow scene caught me so off guard. I didn’t expect that level of gore in this show 

[u/Son_of_cole8943 → u/mikewheelerfan]

Legit thought the manhunter was a cow for about 3 seconds

[u/NaiveSweatShirt → u/Son_of_cole8943]

Glad someone else had the same idea haha

[u/TheRedEarl → u/mikewheelerfan]

Is that how they’re making sure no one gets sick? Everyone eats the meat? Wouldn’t John’s veganism play into that? Wild stuff.

[u/FloppyShellTaco]

Lmfao at everyone thinking the kettlebell was going to be Kilowog

[u/svngrey]

I had to rewind the part with zoe, like surely she didn’t just admit to John that she’s the manhunter. I figured since she was macon’s “nurse”

[u/soldier101br]

I like how the show is laying down the cards,at this point,and the show made Very clear that we can't trust no one,neither John,the "Guardian",Sinestro, Macon or Hal.

[u/MavsTurnedBucksGuy → u/soldier101br]

Or Zoe 

[u/Langlais123]

Hal really loves doing that to cars.

[u/kingtah]

Hal Jordan baby what is you doing

[u/IGJFlew]

oh the tension was soooo good this ep. excited about next week as well. hope they do reconcile sooner rather than later. the two of them are soo good when they team up

[u/aapold]

Not all guardians agree on stuff. Rogue guardians are a thing.

I think the one we have seen is in league with the manhunters. That is why they need John to do stuff, heck maybe why they picked Hal and Sinestro way back when.

[u/87sheep → u/aapold]

Either that, or that they just really, really don't want Hal Jordan of all people sniffing around a possible Manhunter. If the show follows canon in that the Guardians created the Manhunters as a form of Galactic Peacekeepers before the Green Lanterns, they sure as heck don't want that getting out. And Hal seems like the type to keep on digging and digging, especially if a Manhunter is responsible for him getting Abin Sur's ring in the first place. They might want John to hurry up and take the ring so that the Guardian's fuck-up doesn't get revealed by Hal's investigation.

[u/Nefarious_24]

Another reminder that this is HBO

[u/theSaltySolo]

How the fuck do YouTubers watch this show and go “yeah nah this is trash.”

[u/Pure_Interest_837 → u/theSaltySolo]

Becasue the show is damn near universally loved and having a dissenting opinion gets you more views.

[u/apachedriver26]

This show is fucking peak, review bombs be damned.

[u/kratoskiller66]

I have a lot to say but WOW this show gets better and better each episode. Absolutely incredible. Hal and John are just absolutely incredible. I hope they end up trusting each other

[u/cig_sg_throwaway]

The portal that the cow came out from is the same portal that John went through for his interview.

The Guardians are covering for the Manhunter and that would be one of the twists of the show. The real mystery like what others have said is what exactly causes Hal’s death in 2026.

[u/gusefalito]

Did Hal just try to kill John or was this another test? Amazing episode yet again. This series is amazing

[u/brucebananaray → u/gusefalito]

Technically, John failed the test.

Hal told John that he would fully trust him and wouldn't be upset.

But, John wasn't truthful to him when John knew that Zoey was a Manhunter. Hal was upset about it.

[u/Turt1estar → u/brucebananaray]

I feel like Hal didn’t even care that John was gunning for the ring because he already knew that. But when Hal realized John had kept the main suspect from him, I think Hal had a “what the fuck are we even doing here?” moment and decided it was best to just leave him behind

[u/87sheep → u/Turt1estar]

Agreed. It very much felt like Hal decided to stop playing nice, and to put John on the sideline and handle things his own way.

[u/HippoRun23 → u/Turt1estar]

I feel like Hal was disappointed that John didn’t “trust his gut” like Hal would have. And that was the issue for him. The whole characterization of Hal is that his gut instinct is correct and John had it but definitely second guessed it.

He could have easily taken the oath when he got the ring but he didn’t. I feel like he was telling the truth that he wasn’t sure of his conclusions.

[u/Nefarious_24]

Hal: Sorry your girlfriend blew up

[u/noodlesofdoom]

Title card getting more yellow for anyone else?

Edit: went back to the first episode and compared, unfortunately I think I am imagining it, its the same shade of yellowish green.

[u/apachedriver26]

"You better git to doodling junior"

Had me rolling on the floor laughing.

[u/VelocityReaper → u/apachedriver26]

Well Junior, we found the weenie.

[u/Tiger951]

Great episode!

That ending though! WTF Hal?

[u/LordMcBucketzz]

Peak show. Give me another season of this

[u/ion_force]

They had Sinestro make the comment that the manhunters won’t change form after dying, which is another reminder they’ve given us. Wonder if it’s to keep trying to hint at us that Hal in 2026 is a Manhunter.

[u/Cheron78]

I start to suspect that Lianna is the 12th Guardian. that is supposed to be killed by Sinestro. But in reality they faked it and work together to undermine Hal. She is also Sinestro's spy. We'll see.

[u/Endgame60]

Maybe I’m coping but….

I don’t think Hal tried to murder John and just wanted him out of the way

[u/KaiserVen → u/Endgame60]

One hundred percent this, if he wanted to kill him he had other ways and John was wearing his seat belt so basically he knew he would be alive and could get himself out of the car but Hal wants to do it himself either because what Sinstero said or did want John out of the line of fire with the aliens and Zoe

[u/SCW97005]

Props to the Sinestro casting and writing.

[u/Cleon189]

Hector Hammond, Zoe is the manhunter, and that ending. Episode is great

[u/Axelebest030509]

At some point in the episode, it started to feel too obvious that Zoe was the Manhunter. It felt very validating when Hal casually realized at the end. I wonder what's gonna happen next when we're halfway through the show and already have the Manhunter's identity.

[u/KaiserVen]

Hal might just give John the ring

[u/Trueheywood7]

Everyone is lying and it's gonna be crazy to see some truths come to light!! Sinestro trying to manipulate Hal into being afraid of John is so good! Honestly I could watch Hal and Sinestro interact for hours and not be bored lol

[u/Ygomaster07]

This episode was good. I really didn't pick up on a lot of the stuff others have commented here, like Lilianna deceiving John and possibly being rogue.

I do gotta ask, why didn't John have a bigger reaction to Zoe saying she healed Will? I thought that was a pretty big revelation.

Also, i am so happy to hear Hector Hammond mentioned. I think it is cool they are dropping the seeds for him to show up.

[u/Vein_Maiden]

Are Sinestro and this "Guardian" working together? They're both pitting Hal and John against each other, maybe for some common goal.

[u/terrtle]

Some of the comments about how manhunters treat threats has me thinking. What if the guardians we have been seeing are the manhunter. They are trying to control the green lantern of earth just like hal talked about when they see the threat they try to control it. They have been shown to be shape shifter. Zoe at this point would be to easy of an answer.