HBO's 'Lanterns' Debuts With Time Jumps and a Cosmic Mystery

HBO's new series "Lanterns" opened its run with a premiere episode that utilizes time jumps and a complex mystery to establish its characters and central conflict. The narrative unfolds across different time periods, beginning in 1996 with Hal Jordan as Earth's first Green Lantern, a celebrated hero and test pilot.

The series quickly shifts to 2006, depicting Jordan as an older, dutiful figure. By 2016, however, Jordan is portrayed as bitter, reckless, and possessive of his role as the sole Green Lantern on Earth, resistant to training his successor, John Stewart.

The present of the series, 2026, finds Stewart as Earth's second Green Lantern, with Jordan having met a frozen demise in Nebraska. The premiere episode, titled "Pilot," seeks to explain Jordan's dramatic fall from grace and his ultimate fate.

Co-created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, "Lanterns" presents itself as a superhero mystery. The immediate plot point involves an alien shootout at a Nebraska high school football stadium, but the larger question revolves around Jordan's character arc. The episode also delves into Stewart's upbringing, revealing an intense military father who trained him to overcome fear.

Jordan's reluctance to train Stewart is evident, as he frequently abandons his protégé, forcing Stewart to rely on his ring for survival. A cryptic message from Jordan's past self, delivered through Stewart, prompts Jordan to investigate an area in Nebraska near where an alien crashed, leading to the shooting incident.

Upon arriving in Nebraska, Jordan clashes with local Sheriff Kerry Kane, played by Kelly Macdonald, who questions their jurisdiction. Jordan's suspicions are confirmed when the sole surviving victim of the shootout reveals himself to be an alien intent on war before self-destructing. Jordan's power ring is crucial in mitigating the immediate danger.

The episode further develops the plot with Jordan's arrest after provoking a bar fight and Stewart's unexpected encounter with a woman named Zoe, played by Poorna Jagannathan. This encounter sets up complex relationships with local figures, including a wealthy militia leader, William Macon, and his lawyer wife, Sheriff Kane.

The series employs a "superheroes-plus" approach, blending superhero elements with genres like murder mystery and police procedural, drawing comparisons to "True Detective." The performances of Kyle Chandler as Jordan and Aaron Pierre as Stewart, along with Macdonald and Jagannathan, are highlighted for their charisma. Garret Dillahunt also features as Macon Sr., a character with anti-alien sentiments.

The narrative structure, with its time jumps and interwoven storylines set against a rural American backdrop, contributes to its television-oriented feel. The episode references comic book creators Martin Nodell, Bill Finger, John Broome, Gil Kane, Dennis O’Neil, and Neal Adams for their contributions to the Green Lantern characters.