When you hear "Green Lantern," your mind might jump to power rings, emerald suits, or maybe that 2011 movie with Ryan Reynolds. But HBO's new series Lanterns is here to flip those expectations. This isn't your typical intergalactic romp. Instead, it's a gritty, grounded take that feels more like True Detective meets Training Day, with veteran Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) mentoring rookie John Stewart (Aaron Pierre). The premiere episode sets a deliberate pace, but it's building toward something big.
A Cold Open That Sets the Stage
The episode opens in 1996, where a young John Stewart (Cairo Cash Lee) watches Hal Jordan on 60 Minutes, learning that Hal is Earth's first Green Lantern, chosen for his fearlessness. But the real tension comes when John's father (J. Alphonse Nicholson) arrives home and, in a chilling display of tough love, shoots an apple off his son's head. Young John doesn't flinch, answering "No, sir" when asked if he's afraid. It's a haunting glimpse into his upbringing.
Fast Forward to 2016: A Rocky Mentorship
Twenty years later, John is training with Hal, who shows up late and hungover after "achieving peace" on an alien world. Their dynamic is strained: Hal's reckless, John's rigid. Hal's idea of training involves jumping out of a moving car and sending John off a cliff. John survives using his ring to create a makeshift cushion, then calls his dad for reassurance. Meanwhile, a "Halogram"—a backup of Hal's consciousness from 2006—delivers a cryptic message: "There's hail in Rushville, Nebraska."
A Murder Mystery in Small-Town America
Hal takes off immediately, and John follows. In Rushville, they find a crime scene: a shooting at a high school football field. Local sheriff Kerry Kane (Kelly Macdonald) is less than thrilled to see them, insisting they have no jurisdiction. But Hal's stubbornness and John's need to prove himself keep them on the case. John spots a suspicious bystander—a man in short sleeves on a cold day—and a chase ensues, ending with the suspect arrested. Hal, frustrated, heads to a bar.
The Twist That Changes Everything
At the bar, Hal reveals how he got the ring: abducted by a green bubble, he was taken to Nebraska, where he met the dying Abin Sur, who passed on the ring. Hal suspects the Guardians never wanted anyone near Earth, and that Abin Sur's crash was intentional. But the real shocker comes when Hal, after playing "Brand New Key" on the jukebox three times, picks a fight with a local. The episode ends with Hal's fate seemingly sealed, but the twist—which we won't spoil here—redefines the series' trajectory.
This premiere is a slow burn, but it's a smart one. It grounds the mythos in a way we haven't seen before, and the chemistry between Chandler and Pierre is electric. If you're a fan of grounded takes on superheroes, this is one to watch. And for those who love a good mystery that rewards a second viewing, Lanterns is already delivering.
