The season finale of HBO’s Lanterns, now streaming on Max, delivered long-awaited answers regarding the murder of Hal Jordan while simultaneously laying the groundwork for John Stewart’s future in the DC Universe. Titled “Dirt and Stars,” the episode functions as a potential series conclusion since HBO has not yet announced a second season renewal.
The mystery opened in 2016 Rushville following the initial Manhunter attack. Sheriff Kerry, played by Kelly Macdonald, discovers Hal in the wreckage and later picks him up from prison a decade later in 2026. Despite enduring hostility from townspeople who blame Hal for the tragedy, Kerry defends him publicly, and the two begin a romantic relationship. However, Hal’s home is firebombed overnight. He survives but wakes up in a laboratory where his son, Noah (Shea Pritchard), explains that he utilized Manhunter technology to reconstruct Hal’s burnt skin—a method previously used to heal John Stewart.
As online speculation had suggested, Noah is revealed to be the secret second Manhunter. Meanwhile, back on the devastated planet where the Manhunters originated, John interrogates Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen). The villain confirms that Noah was responsible for freeing him and explains that Sinestro created a new yellow ring for the young Manhunter using fear gas, establishing his legacy as the founder of the Yellow Lantern Corps. Although Sinestro offers John a way to recharge his depleted green ring via the yellow power source, a hologram of Hal intervenes, and the pair abandon Sinestro on the planet.
Upon returning to Earth, Noah ambushes John and confesses to killing Hal, claiming he acted to prevent Hal from exposing his identity to Kerry. Noah asks John to kill him to stop his violent Manhunter programming, but John refuses, allowing Noah to play one final football game instead.
The episode’s climactic flashback reveals the true circumstances of Hal’s death. It is disclosed that Kerry has known about Noah’s nature since he was born—his creation resulting from Manhunter technology interfacing with her system after she lost a finger. Fearing Noah’s plans, Hal confronted Kerry, proposing they flee together. When Kerry refused and hesitated, she accidentally shot and killed him. Hal’s final words were an expression of love.
In the present, John promises Kerry he will not kill Noah, who goes on to play football at the University of Nebraska. The episode concludes with John assuming the role of Earth’s Green Lantern, recruiting Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) to watch over space while John handles planetary defense. John visits the family of a waitress killed in the Manhunter attack and reunites with his estranged mother, Bernadette (Jasmine Cephas Jones).
John also redefines the traditional Green Lantern oath to reflect his personal journey with fear:
“In brightest day, in darkest night,
I embrace my fear, I’ll do what’s right,
I choose this ring, I choose this fight,
In service to this lantern’s light.”
While Lanterns Season 2 remains uncertain, Aaron Pierre is confirmed to reprise his role as John Stewart in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow, scheduled for release on July 9. The film will explore how the two Earth-born Green Lanterns navigate their split duties and eventually face the alien threat of Brainiac alongside Superman and the emerging Justice League.
Noah playing football instead of dying seems like a bit of a letdown. I wanted more justice or consequences for his actions.
Is this really it for the show? Unrenewed after such a solid finale feels like a missed opportunity for deeper Manhunter lore.
Guy Gardner recruited by John? Finally some good Green Lantern team-up news. The future of Earth’s defense looks strong.
The twist that Kerry accidentally killed Hal is devastating. I wasn’t expecting such a tragic end for the character.