Who Killed Hal Jordan? A Recap of HBO’s Lanterns

The mystery surrounding Hal Jordan’s murder has been a central plot point in HBO’s Lanterns, captivating viewers since its premiere in late August. Tonight, the truth finally unfolds—though not without some misleading confessions along the way.

**Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Lanterns Episode 8, now available on HBO Max**

In the first episode, John Stewart (played by Aaron Pierre) returns to Rushville after a decade following the tragic events of 2016. He meets Sheriff Kerry Kane (Kelly Macdonald), who bears the grim news: Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) has been killed. Driven by a sense of duty, both John, who admired Hal, and Kerry, who had feelings for him, take it upon themselves to find the culprit. However, it’s worth noting that many in Rushville had motives to want Hal dead, especially since he was tied to the deaths of numerous locals, including their beloved hero, Zoe (Poorna Jagannathan)—although John was technically the one who ended Zoe’s life.

In a clever move, John tricks current Green Lantern Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) into bringing Hal’s suit and ring to Rushville for a proper burial. The catch? John digs up Hal’s body to take the ring—not for its power, but to access the “Halogram,” which unlocks Hal’s voice-activated vault. Inside, John discovers a portal leading to a distant, post-apocalyptic planet. He and Halogram venture to a lonely island, across a frightening water barrier, only to find Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen) waiting for them, having escaped from prison.

We learn that Kerry’s son, Noah (Shea Pritchard), is partly Manhunter. When he discovers his abilities, he hatches a plan to release Sinestro in return for a custom lantern. Despite being made with fear-infused dirt, this new lantern can still power a traditional Green Lantern ring, like Hal’s.

Once back in Rushville, John is confronted by Noah, who confesses to killing Hal. He grapples with his dual identity as a Manhunter and the values instilled in him by his mother. In a moment of desperation, Noah asks John to end his life, similar to how Zoe died, but requests just one last game of football with his team before leaving the ring and lantern in John’s possession.

So, why did Noah claim to kill Hal? Was it really revenge for Zoe’s death, or is there more beneath the surface?

Unraveling the Truth: The Real Killer

As it turns out, Noah didn’t kill Hal after all; he lied to protect the actual murderer—Kerry.

In a tense confrontation, Kerry reveals to John that she was Hal’s killer. Upon learning of Noah’s plot, Hal approached her with a plan for the three of them to go on the run. In a moment of panic and rage, Kerry shot Hal point-blank in the head. Almost immediately, she regrets her action, which prompts her to seek out John, knowing he has the ability to piece everything together.

Does John Become Green Lantern?

In a sort of way? The first season of Lanterns concludes with John claiming Hal’s ring as his own, along with Sinestro’s lantern. He brings Guy Gardner back to Rushville to inform the Guardians that while Guy remains in charge, Earth is now under John’s protection.

John bids farewell to the Halogram and charges the ring with Sinestro’s lantern. He even adapts the Green Lantern oath to reflect his new direction:

In brightest day, in darkest night

I’ll embrace my fear, I’ll do what’s right

I choose this ring, I choose this fight

In service to this Lantern’s light

So, is he truly a Green Lantern now? In his own words, he sees himself more as an “independent contractor”—and there’s also the potential for him to transition into a Yellow Lantern, a group known for their fear-based approach, led by Sinestro in the comics.

What’s Next for Lanterns?

While HBO hasn’t issued an official statement about a second season of Lanterns, there’s a possibility that both the show and John Stewart could make a return for another round. We do know that John will appear in the upcoming sequel to Superman, titled Man of Tomorrow.