Warning: This episode contains MAJOR spoilers for the first six episodes of Lanterns.
The DC Universe just released its first stand-alone live-action series in the form of Lanterns, a gripping mystery that truly seemed to reach its climax during the events of episode 5. Rushville, Nebraska, switched from a quiet town where no one even got sick to a devastated battlefield at the center of a war between the Manhunter and Antaan. Blood was spilled, dozens were killed, and the Manhunter was ultimately shot dead by John Stewart.
Many tragedies unfolded in episode 5 of Lanterns, but perhaps one of the most shocking moments came when John took the Green Lantern ring from Hal Jordan's hand. But instead of using it to become one of Earth's most powerful protectors, he simply gave it back to the Guardian, turning what was supposed to be a heartfelt and ceremonious victory into a bitter memory.
In the span of five episodes, the Manhunter mystery seemingly came to an end; John and Hal both lost the ring, and the aliens hidden in Nebraska were all presumably killed. So, where does the show go now? Well, ten years into the future, of course. At long last, we'll circle back to the shocking ending of episode 1, where it was revealed that Hal was shot dead. But is that really the case, or is there more to this mystery than it appears at first glance? Let's find out as we recap the events of "Bad Optics" LIVE as they happen.
An unfriendly reunion
After living 10 years in the past, we finally cut back to the present, where we see John Stewart in a business meeting, trying to persuade Midway City's council to give him the 30 million dollars that the city receives in federal funds—intended to be used to buy guns—and use it to build large, impenetrable panic rooms instead. John argues that events such as the Metropolis attack or the Rushville incident showcase that tragedy can strike at any moment. As such, his company, Stewart Brothers, could build 40 bunkers with sustainable air, water, and food.
Unfortunately, the council can't approve the pitch on their own. A board member confesses that the military controls the cash, so John will have to pitch his idea to Colonel Draycott. While this is a step in the right direction for John, the taste of victory doesn't last for long. Stewart receives a call from his mother, who confesses she has been talking to Hal Jordan ever since the Rushville incident. Hal was locked up after all the tragic events that decimated the city, and he wants to apologize to John now.
Reluctantly, John goes back to Rushville to the iconic coffee shop where everything first started. Hal is waiting there at a table. Earth's first Green Lantern says that he isn't there to apologize, contrary to what his mother said. Jordan argues that he was the one who "took the fall" and had to serve the time for both of their actions, meaning they should be "square." John doesn't agree, but the conversation quickly derails into a discussion about the new Green Lantern, Guy Gardner.
After talking a bit about Gardner's prowess and how he set up a Green Lantern signal in Rushville, Hal asks John why he didn't keep the ring. Before the former trainee could answer, Hal says that maybe it was because he was "scared." John didn't take this comment lightly and punched Hal before storming out of the coffee shop. However, before he stepped out the door, Hal asked him not to tell anyone that the two were ever there.
Moments after John arrives at his home, he receives a call from Sheriff Kerry, who lets him know about Hal's death. The audience then re-watches the final moments of Lanterns episode 1, where John arrives at the football stadium to see Hal's corpse. Since the security cameras are only on for game days, there's no footage of how the Green Lantern's death occurred.
Hal's reason to return to Rushville was finally revealed
Kerry reveals that Hal wrote her letters for a long time after the Rushville incident. The Sheriff never answered except for one time when she asked him to stop writing. After that, Hal moved to the decimated town to try to make "amends." He started knocking on people's doors to ask them if there was anything he could do to help. While he was met with a lot of rejection, he never stopped.
Kerry then gives John the keys to a place Hal rented in town. When the former Marine Corps sniper arrives at the location, he finds it was booby-trapped in case anyone wanted to break in. After all, a lot of people hated Hal after the Rushville incident.
John receives a call from his brother, who asks him to return home and reminds him about the meeting with Colonel Draycott. After the call, John falls asleep at Hal's place, and the next morning, he goes for breakfast at the local Coffee shop with Kerry.
Kerry receives a message asking her to come to the morgue to identify Hal's body. John accompanies her, and the two come face-to-face with Hal's corpse. The former Green Lantern was shot in the head with a nine-millimeter. According to the investigation, the body wasn't moved, and Hal must have been looking at the killer due to the trajectory of the bullet.
Hal had a broken nose at the moment of death (which was the result of John's hit). As part of the investigation, a sample of Hal's nose blood was sent to the FBI in an attempt to determine if there was DNA from whoever punched him in the first place. Luckily for John, the results will take four months to come back.
This article is being updated live. Refresh for more updates as episode 6 unfolds.
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