Lanterns Season 1, Episode 4 Review & Recap

I feel similarly about the other key GL villain introduced in Episode 4, Jason Manuel Olazábal’s Hector Hammond. We basically get one good, solid sequence out of Hector and that’s it. The standoff between Hector and Hal/John (Aaron Pierre) is tense and stressful in the best way, but it’s also over very quickly. At that point, we learn that Hector is really just Hector Gutiérrez, another fakeout used by the Manhunter to throw our heroes off their scent. And unlike Sinestro, there’s not even any prior history between Hal and Hector in this universe. This is a major DC villain who’s being effectively wasted as a one-off misdirection.

So there’s definitely a newfound element of frustration to Lanterns in Episode 4. Up till now, I haven’t minded the series’ decision to downplay some of the franchise’s more fantastical trappings. It’s necessary from a practical TV-making perspective, and it suits the story being told. But seeing such major GL characters being introduced and then whisked off the board so unceremoniously is harder to stomach.

Fortunately, Lanterns still has its biggest selling point to fall back upon – the eternal friction between cantankerous veteran Hal Jordan and ambitious rookie John Stewart. That strength remains fully on display in Episode 4, which manages to deftly balance the inherent comedy of this pairing and the simmering tensions within Rushville. In the case of the former, we get a lot of fun banter between the two characters, and even some good jokes regarding John’s dour, stoic demeanor. Plus, there’s the heightened nature of their latest, very awkward meeting with a proudly naked Will Macon (Garret Dillahunt). Investigating Macon’s Weenie indeed.

Episode 4 is at its best when it highlights the growing friction between Hal and John. Both men are increasingly at odds with one another. Each is hiding things from the other. Moreover, each has been given clear advice to betray the other and elevate their own station. The question of whether John will backstab Hal and claim the ring hangs over every scene that follows his conversation with the Guardian Lianna (Laura Linney). We’ve seen that years of abusive parentage and single-minded training have molded John into a man who follows orders without question. Is that blind obedience what the Guardians crave, more than fearlessness? What happens when John is inevitably forced to choose between his desire for the ring and his loyalty to Hal? Does that loyalty even still exist following this episode’s dramatic final scene? A lot to ponder heading into Episode 5.

Also of note is that we seem to have our answer regarding the mystery of the undercover Manhunter. Despite the giant red herring that was Zoe’s “death” scene, she’s been revealed as Macon’s mysterious benefactor. As far as twists go, this one is pretty obvious, so it’s just as well the writers didn’t drag things out any longer. Predictable or not, it’s a reveal that works, and I’m excited to see where things go now that the Lanterns (and Antaan’s crew) know who their quarry is. We may be only halfway through the season, but the 2016 conflict sure is heating up.