In the HBO series "Lanterns," episode three, titled "OutKast," delves into the origins of John Stewart's journey to become a Green Lantern, specifically his selection as a potential replacement for Hal Jordan.
The episode clarifies that it was John Stewart's mother, Bernadette, who influenced his path. Learning that a Guardian had once considered her husband for the role, she made a direct appeal to a Guardian, disguised as Laura Linney, to grant her son an opportunity. This led her to raise young John, portrayed by Cairo Cash Lee, with a focus on instilling unwavering fearlessness.
Aaron Pierre, who plays the adult John Stewart, believes the character was inherently fearless but that his parents nurtured this trait through unconventional methods. "I believe that John was born fearless and then his parents, arguably through very questionable methods, managed to keep that fearlessness instilled in him through his childhood, through his adolescence, and into his adulthood," Pierre told Decider. "At which point he takes the reins and he continues keeping himself fearless."
Pierre highlighted a specific scene in episode three that he finds particularly heartbreaking. It occurs when John's mother informs him that the Guardians are dissatisfied with his progress, relaying a message they received from the birds. John's response, "Well, the birds are lying," deeply affects Pierre.
"It breaks my heart because this kid is maybe this high [mimes short height] and he believes that the birds are the narrators and the storytellers and the direct ear to the Guardians," Pierre explained. "And he feels betrayed by the birds. How could they lie and say that I am not giving everything that I possibly can? I’m having guns aimed at me routinely. An inch south and I’m out of here, I’m out of here! Like how can they say I’m not pouring myself into this?"
This moment, according to Pierre, marks the genesis of a profound internal turmoil that continues into John's adulthood. "I think that is what is the beginning of this raging sea that stays with John all the way through his adulthood," he said. "And I believe has not — even when the series ends — [it] is still there and he’s still contending with it."
Pierre described his character as someone who skillfully projects an image of composure, but internally grapples with significant emotional challenges. "He has a very excellent way of outwardly making it seem that everything is smooth sailing, but he’s a raging sea internally, and he wrestles with that relentlessly."
"Lanterns" continues to explore John Stewart's development into a man defined by his lack of fear, a trait intertwined with intense inner fury. The series airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.