Lanterns finale reveals Sheriff Kerry killed Hal Jordan; John Stewart becomes Earth's Green Lantern

HBO's Lanterns season 1 finale, "Dirt and Stars", revealed that Sheriff Kerry Kane shot Hal Jordan and that her son Noah is the second Manhunter. It ends with John Stewart taking the role of Earth's Green Lantern, and no second season has been announced.

8 outlets · 3L · 5C · 0R

First reported about 2 hours ago Account updated about 1 hour ago

Image: Variety

Image: Den of Geek

Image: The Hollywood Reporter

Image: Collider

Image: IndieWire

Image: Screen Rant

Image: Deadline

Image: /Film

1 / 8

The story, neutrally told

Mixed · 2The Lanterns season 1 finale, "Dirt and Stars", answered the mystery posed in the premiere: Sheriff Kerry Kane (Kelly Macdonald) shot and killed Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler). Left · 1According to the recaps, Hal confronted Kerry at the football field about her son Noah's true nature and urged her to run away with him. She panicked, drew her weapon and shot him as he said, "Goddamnit, I love you," and she regretted it immediately. Left · 2The episode also revealed that Noah (Shea Pritchard), Zoe's grandson, is the second Manhunter. He used Manhunter technology to heal Hal's burned body after his house was firebombed, and he freed Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen) from prison.

Mixed · 2Noah falsely told John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) that he had killed Hal and asked John to kill him, fearing his Manhunter programming. John instead concluded that Noah had fought off those instincts and let him live. Mixed · 2John did not turn Kerry in, reasoning that this was not what Hal would have wanted. Left · 1Sinestro had forged a new ring-charging lantern for Noah, powered by the fear-inducing gas of a planet the Manhunters destroyed, and he was left marooned there. Hal's hologram stopped John from charging his ring on Sinestro's yellow lantern.

Mixed · 2In the closing scenes John calls Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) to Rushville and names himself the Green Lantern of Earth with an "unsanctioned" ring and lantern, leaving Guy the wider sector. He also speaks a personalised oath that embraces fear. Mixed · 2Outlets say this sets up John's role in James Gunn's Superman sequel "Man of Tomorrow". Variety gives a July 9 release, while Screen Rant dates it to 2027. Left · 1At a finale press conference, showrunner Chris Mundy said there was never a more action-oriented version of the finale. Co-creator Damon Lindelof said episode five's "Battle of Rushville" was the series' version of the big action set piece, with the last three episodes serving as the coda.

Centre · 1Lindelof said the writers knew from early on that Hal's death would stick, with no fake-out. He said the story shifted from a whodunnit to a "why-done-it", and that Mundy was the one who proposed Kerry as the killer. Centre · 1Asked whether John can still bring Hal back now that the ring is charged, Lindelof declined to speculate and said he knows nothing about the creative plans for later seasons. Mixed · 2HBO has not renewed the show, and Variety notes the finale may be the series finale. Screen Rant says season 2 has yet to be announced.

Centre · 1Open questions include whether Hal could return. Screen Rant speculates that Sinestro may have lied about being unable to resurrect Hal.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.

Left3 outlets

Framing: Variety gives a detailed plot recap and Man of Tomorrow set-up. THR and IndieWire stress the finale's grounded, character-first approach, drawing on the creators' press conference and reviews.
Emphasis: The emotional and thematic choices (restraint, love over fear) and the creators' reasons for skipping spectacle.
Leaves out or plays down: Little on Guy Gardner's future role or on what the finale means for the wider DCU beyond Man of Tomorrow.
Charged language: “remixing”
For example: “it’s a rightfully grounded affair until then.” — The Hollywood Reporter

“The finale follows through on the season’s theme, even when it comes at the cost of flashy pyrotechnics.” — IndieWire

“Have no fear, the “Lanterns” finale is here.” — Variety

Centre5 outlets

Framing: Collider, Screen Rant and Den of Geek lead on the killer reveal, creator interviews and what comes next for John, Guy Gardner and the DCU, including Man of Tomorrow and season 2.
Emphasis: Ending explanations, franchise implications and speculation, including Hal's possible return and Guy Gardner's new role.
Leaves out or plays down: Less attention to the finale's themes or its pacing criticisms, which the left-leaning reviews cover.
Charged language: “Devastating Finale”
For example: “The massive DC Universe mystery of 2026 has finally been solved.” — Screen Rant

“This sets up John Stewart perfectly for Man of Tomorrow.” — Screen Rant

“Now, Season 1 of the series has finally drawn to a close, with the mystery behind Hal's murder finally solved.” — Collider