In the third episode of Lanterns, titled “OutKast,” an as-yet-unnamed (as long as you don’t read the subtitles or the credits) Guardian of the Universe played by The Truman Show‘s Laura Linney asked John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) whether he harbored any “ill will” toward Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), the Green Lantern of Earth. John responds in the negative, but that isn’t the most notable thing about the exchange. No, the most notable thing is that three episodes and more than two-and-a-half hours into Lanterns, this line represents the first time anyone has talked about “will” — and that’s even with it being the “twisted” by the prefix “ill” … Despite “will” being a key part of the Green Lantern mythology.
Being “fearless” used to be a lot more relevant to the job of being a Green Lantern. It slipped out of common use in the 1990s, when Kyle Rayner’s ring was said to be limited only by his “willpower and imagination.” During the era when Geoff Johns was writing the title, fearlessness as a concept was replaced with the capacity to overcome fear. Meanwhile, Jessica Cruz is famously a Green Lantern who is constantly overcoming fear. And with the introduction of the “emotional spectrum,” including the Red, Orange, Blue, Indigo and Violet Lanterns, the importance of will has expanded.
In Lanterns, from what we know so far, the Green Lantern ring chooses candidates who are fearless — full stop. The only question it asks is “are you afraid?” John Stewart’s father, traumatized by being attacked by a glowing green orb in his bedroom in the middle of the night, answered he was afraid — but Hal Jordan wasn’t, and that’s what paved the way for his 30-plus year career as the Green Lantern.
In “OutKast,” Laura Linney’s Guardian asks John what the difference is between being programmed and being raised. John can’t sufficiently explain it, assuring her only that “there is” a difference. I would argue that the true difference between being programmed and being raised is free will. In the comics, it’s willpower that drives the ring’s constructs and allows a Green Lantern to bring their power to bear.
On the one hand, it’s easy to think Lanterns might be changing the way the rings work altogether — resetting the clock, so to speak, and making fearlessness more important. This could be a great way to set up a version of the Parallax story (essentially: evil Hal Jordan) or introduce the Sinestro Corps (a yellow, villainous Green Lantern Corps powered by fear) next season, since going head to head with Lanterns whose power centers on their ability to instill fear could be treacherous.
On the other hand, the conspicuous absence of even the word “will” feels like it means something in and of itself. After all, this is a show that’s using atmospheric lighting and wardrobe wear-and-tear to imply Hal might be “slipping.”
There are a couple of possibilities here: one is that the power of willpower might “trump” fearlessness and make John a unique “chosen one,” not unlike how Monsters Inc. changed from scream power to laugh power at the end of the movie.
Another possibility is that Laura Linney’s Guardian and her bearded recruiter are not what they seem. If they are in fact either not really Guardians, or a splinter group of Guardians with a different agenda, it’s entirely possible they could be withholding information from John for one reason or another.
John Stewart’s art skills and the borderline-messianic role he’s implied to be playing lines him up, at least somewhat, with the role Kyle Rayner played in the comics. Linney’s role, as credited, is also one that has close ties to Kyle Rayner (via writer/showrunner Tom King), so there’s that aspect to consider, as well.
In the first episode of Lanterns, Sheriff Kane (Kelly MacDonald) suggests that being “fearless” means you have no human connections, and really it’s an indicator of loneliness. In that same episode, an alien prisoner suggested that Hal might have a death wish. John Stewart, as per this week’s episode, was raised in a way that eradicated not only fear, but most of his ties to his family. It’s an interesting approach, considering that the Green Lantern rings are part of an “emotional spectrum” in the comics. John and Hal both being essentially unemotional tells us… Something.
Is it possible the Guardians of this Universe don’t actually know how the rings work until John comes along? Could the absence of willpower be not by design, but due to ignorance — once again, in the same way Monsters, Inc. worked?
Certainly, whatever is happening, it’s worth noting that willpower has played a very small role so far in Lanterns.
New episodes of Lanterns drop weekly at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.
Lanterns Premiere Dates And Episode Guide:
New episodes of Lanterns premiere Sundays on HBO and HBO Max at 9 p.m. ET. Here’s what we expect from the full list of episodes in Lanterns with premiere dates.
- Sunday, August 16, 2026: Lanterns, Episode 1: “Pilot”
- Sunday, August 23, 2026: Lanterns, Episode 2: “Trust Fall”
- Sunday, August 30, 2026: Lanterns, Episode 3
- Sunday, September 6, 2026: Lanterns, Episode 4
- Sunday, September 13, 2026: Lanterns, Episode 5
- Sunday, September 20, 2026: Lanterns, Episode 6
- Sunday, September 27, 2026: Lanterns, Episode 7
- Sunday, October 4, 2026: Lanterns, Episode 8 *Season Finale*
Where To Watch Lanterns
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