“You talk too much,” Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) says early in the finale. In the season one finale of Lanterns, titled “Dirt and Stars,” Sheriff Kerry Kane is revealed as the person responsible for the death of Hal Jordan.
The Identity of the Second Manhunter
The episode clarifies that Noah, the son of Sheriff Kerry Kane, is the secret second Manhunter operating in Rushville. Noah was created using the same alien technology that Zoe Macon used to heal John Stewart and replace Kerry’s finger, though his existence as a child was an unexpected result of that process. Noah struggles with his synthetic origins, ultimately seeking to reconcile his human upbringing with his dangerous, programmed nature. While he possesses the capacity for violence, he ultimately chooses to relinquish the ring and lantern he obtained, asking John Stewart to kill him rather than allow his darker impulses to take control.
Sinestro’s Role in the Yellow Lantern Origin
While searching for answers regarding Hal’s death, John Stewart and the consciousness of Hal—known as the "Halogram"—encounter Sinestro on a ruined planet. John and the Halogram had ventured to the last alien world Manhunter Zoe Macon had destroyed. This inclusion serves as a narrative bridge to the broader DC lore, as the yellow color is historically associated with fear and the Sinestro Corps. Despite Sinestro’s attempts to manipulate John into using the fear-based power, John chooses to forge his own path, distancing himself from the traditional constraints of the Green Lantern Corps.
John Stewart Embraces Fear in His Final Lesson
The finale concludes with John Stewart deciding to operate as an independent entity. John rewrites the traditional Green Lantern oath to incorporate his acceptance of fear, a move described as a "remix" of established lore. The "Halogram" provides a final moment of closure for John before fading away, having successfully guided his successor to embrace the complexities of the mantle. Before disappearing, Hal tells John, “Don’t be afraid, to be afraid.” When Hal asks what his last words to Kerry were, John replies, “I love you.” Hal responds with a smirk and his final lesson: “I love you, too, Junior.”
Creative Approach to the Finale
The finale focuses on the theme that with great power comes the responsibility “not to use it,” even if that means sacrificing flashy pyrotechnics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hal Jordan coming back to life in a future season?
Why did Kerry Kane shoot Hal Jordan?
Kerry killed Hal in a moment of panic after he confronted her about Noah’s identity as a Manhunter. Kerry feared that Hal would expose her son and end the life she had built in Rushville, leading to an impulsive and fatal decision.
What is the significance of the yellow-streaked lantern?
The lantern, forged by Sinestro using fear-inducing residue from a destroyed planet, represents a power source based on fear rather than the traditional willpower of the Green Lanterns.
Has HBO renewed the series for a second season?
HBO hasn’t renewed the show yet.
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