Lanterns Season 1 Review: A Grounded Detective Story with Cosmic Restraint

Before the Premiere

I am not very familiar with the Green Lantern comics. I know the basics: who the Lanterns are, what they do, where they are headquartered, and who the main characters are. Beyond that, my knowledge runs out. I haven’t delved into the lore, perhaps because I’m not a big fan of cosmic stories; I prefer those set on Earth. That may be why I got excited when James Gunn and Peter Safran announced Lanterns, describing it as a grounded, True Detective-style mystery series, even though I couldn’t imagine how the two genres would blend. After all, when you hear about a Green Lantern show, you expect space travel, monster battles, aerial fights, and a ton of CGI.

After the first trailer, the mood was set. I had mixed feelings about whether the show would deliver, and about how its dark detective tone would fit with the rest of the DCU, which Gunn has named Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. That is hardly a “grounded” title. My only hope was the cast, which seemed well suited to the story the showrunners wanted to tell. Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart were welcome additions, but of course, a successful show is built on many things.

Season Synopsis (Spoilers Ahead)

So, was Lanterns worth the wait? Did these eight episodes restore my hope for Gunn’s DC Universe after the Supergirl movie? Before we go further, here is a synopsis of the season (spoilers ahead):

1. Pilot
Following a lethal shooting at a high school football game in Rushville, Nebraska, veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan and recruit John Stewart take on the case, determined to prove the attack was of extraterrestrial origin. Their investigation lays the groundwork for a tense working dynamic between the two.

2. Trust Fall
While Hal sends John on a side assignment to retrieve his ring’s power battery, he continues interrogating locals in Rushville. The tension escalates when alien invaders threaten the town, giving the Lanterns 48 hours to uncover a hidden Cosmic Hunter (Manhunter).

3. OutKast
This episode focuses on John Stewart’s background and origins. Flashbacks to the 2010s reveal his complicated relationship with his father, his time in the U.S. Marines, and his first encounter with Hal Jordan and the Guardians of the Universe before he received his ring.

4. The Weenie
With the 48-hour deadline fast approaching, John formulates a new theory about the Manhunter’s true identity and location. Meanwhile, Hal seeks answers from a jailed Sinestro, a visit that carries grave and unexpected consequences.

5. Lights Out
The truth about the Macon family comes to light as the threat looming over Rushville reaches its peak. Hal takes an all-or-nothing gamble to neutralize the enemy, culminating in a violent confrontation and a major shift in who wields the power ring.

6. Bad Optics
Years after the events in Rushville, John Stewart is trying to build a normal life as an architect. An unexpected call informing him of Hal Jordan’s death forces him back to Rushville, where he must face old enemies, new Lanterns (including Guy Gardner), and unresolved history.

7. The Jordan Boys’ Legacy
John uses a holographic construct containing Hal’s consciousness to investigate the true circumstances of his death. The investigation leads them off-planet, where they confront Hal’s family legacy and childhood traumas, and cross paths with Sinestro once more.

8. Dirt and Stars
In the season finale, the truth about the final Manhunter and Hal’s killer is fully revealed. Set against the backdrop of a crucial local football game, John Stewart makes his final stand, fully embracing his role as a Green Lantern while setting his own terms with the Guardians of the Universe.

Two Halves of a Season

Now, let me address what I liked and didn’t like about the series. First, some context: the season is divided into two parts. In the first (episodes 1–5), the mystery centers on finding the Manhunter; in the second (episodes 6–8), a murder investigation takes over. If I had to choose between them, the first part is far stronger, especially episode 5, which could be called a mid-season finale. The second part has its moments, but it is mostly about how Stewart acquires the ring. The story isn’t bad, but the season ends somewhat softly, without a real climax, and I expected more. The mid-season finale, on the other hand, is epic, full of action, losses, and difficult choices. It is the best episode of the series.

Where Are the Superheroes?

What about the superhero side? Honestly, we don’t see much of it, only glimpses of what the ring can actually do. The power of the Green Lanterns is mostly conveyed through exposition and references that you are left to imagine, and the characters behave like ordinary people. Is that a bad thing? It depends on your perspective. I wanted to see more, and I don’t just mean superpowers. It would have been great to meet an alien tribe or encounter something truly extraterrestrial, and the show certainly has the potential for it. However, the showrunners chose to be more grounded than they needed to be.

What Works: Story and Atmosphere

The strongest points of Lanterns are its story and its characters. The mystery and detective elements are all there, making every episode something to look forward to. There are not many plot twists, and most of them are fairly predictable, but it is fascinating to watch the plot unravel. As I said, the first half excels here too. I also very much liked the way John Stewart eventually received the ring and how he fits into Green Lantern continuity as the guardian of Earth. Don’t forget that in the Superman movie, Guy Gardner holds that responsibility.

I also wasn’t expecting the show’s occasional cruelty. In one episode in particular, we see a child being abused so that he can be made ready to take the ring. I’m not sure how I feel about that, but it certainly made me uncomfortable more than once. It adds to the series’ dark atmosphere, along with the gory scenes, the serious themes, and the bold, dramatic performances. Another vital element of the story is its many flashbacks, which are handled clearly and never leave you confused.

The Cast

Speaking of John Stewart, Aaron Pierre is the best casting I’ve seen for a DC character in a long time. He is impressive both as an actor and physically, and I could easily picture him standing beside Superman as one of Earth’s protectors. Kyle Chandler is also very good as a veteran Green Lantern, and the two work perfectly together. Their chemistry is excellent not only as mentor and trainee but also as rivals.

The other main characters complete the puzzle: Kelly Macdonald as the headstrong sheriff of Rushville, Poorna Jagannathan as the mysterious Zoe Macon, and Garret Dillahunt as the formidable local rancher determined to protect his town from alien threats. We also get to see Ulrich Thomsen as Thaal Sinestro, but unfortunately his screen time is very limited, and I wanted to see more of him.

The Score

Finally, as a Greek, I want to give a special mention to Stephanie Economou, the composer of the Lanterns score. Do yourself a favor and add it to your Spotify playlist. Its epic, slow-tempo themes remind me, to a degree, of Hans Zimmer. If I have one complaint about the soundtrack, it is that I wanted to hear more of it in the series.

Final Verdict

Overall, while far from perfect, Lanterns is the first thing I’ve seen from Gunn’s DC Universe that makes me hopeful for the future. I understand that the DCU’s tone will be more “colorful,” which isn’t to my taste, but John Stewart is a valuable addition: an anchor character who can balance humor and seriousness. The series did well in most respects, especially in delivering the True Detective-style mystery it set out to offer. Don’t expect your typical superhero show; it is something more alternative. It won’t blow your mind, but it offers a very interesting story, dark and contested stakes, and great acting. If you are a DC fan or simply enjoy detective stories, don’t miss it.