Review: 'Lanterns' Episode 7 Explores Legacy and Regret

Episode 7 of HBO's "Lanterns," titled "Jordan Boys," grapples with the pervasive theme of legacy and paternal relationships, a narrative device frequently employed in genre fiction. Co-creator Damon Lindelof, alongside writer Tom King, explores the concept of "daddy issues" through the character of Hal Jordan, drawing parallels to previous works like "Lost" and "The Leftovers."

The episode features flashbacks to a young Hal Jordan, played by Henry Samiri, whose experiences with his father, Martin Jordan (Jake B. Miller), mirror his present-day struggles with the Green Lantern power ring. These flashbacks, including Hal's childhood distress over a baseball game and his father's cryptic instructions about a failsafe, are presented as heavy-handed and overdetermined, a critique the review suggests is a departure from the series' otherwise naturalistic performances.

Despite these criticisms of the flashback sequences, the present-day narrative is highlighted for its strength. The interactions between Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan, and Kelly Macdonald as Sheriff Kerry are praised for their depth and nuance. A significant plot point involves a duplicate Hal, a version from 2006, interacting with both John and Kerry. This duplicate Hal, unaware of his death and the circumstances surrounding his reputation, offers a more cooperative and emotionally open persona, leading to compelling scenes. His interaction with Sheriff Kerry, whom he meets with a newfound vulnerability, is described as a "fascinating little scene" that transcends its sci-fi premise through emotional resonance.

The episode also progresses the main storyline as John and the duplicate Hal discover a portal within a vault, leading them to the devastated planet Zoe. The desolate environment, marked by the lingering effects of fear gas, forces John to confront hallucinations of his father and younger self. The narrative reveals that Martin Jordan's death was a suicide, a fact Hal spent years concealing, and that this struggle with depression is a generational legacy within the Jordan family, termed the "Jordan Boys Legacy."

The journey culminates in the discovery of Sinestro on a debris-filled island, setting up future conflict. The review emphasizes that the strength of the series lies in its lead actors. Pierre, Chandler, and Macdonald are lauded for their ability to imbue their characters with charisma and relatability, making even their flawed and unusual personas compelling.

"Lanterns" is a science fiction drama series exploring the lives of Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart. The series, which premiered on HBO, has been noted for its blend of cosmic adventure and personal drama, often delving into the complexities of heroism and responsibility. The "Jordan Boys" episode continues this trend by examining the psychological impact of family history on its characters. The show is co-created by Lindelof and King, known for their work on acclaimed television series and comic books.