Lanterns Episode 7 Arrives Tonight — and Fans May Finally Learn Who Killed Hal Jordan
HBO’s Lanterns is almost finished, and the show’s biggest mystery is about to be tested. Who murdered the original Green Lantern from Earth, Hal Jordan? The first season finale airs Sunday, October 3 at 9 PM ET on HBO and HBO Max, and tonight’s episode, “Bad Optics,” could finally reveal the answer. The show has eight episodes in total, and the final two will determine whether the story ends here or continues.
The Suspects and the Tin Foil Hat Theories
Since Lanterns debuted in August, fans have been wondering who killed Hal Jordan. The main suspects include John Stewart (Aaron Pierre), Hal’s trainee and rival, and Sheriff Kerry (Kelly Macdonald), his 2016-era crush turned 2026 girlfriend. Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen) has also been eyed as a possible mastermind behind the murder.
Then there are the wilder theories. Some fans think Kerry’s son Noah (Shea Pritchard) might have done it — possibly even as the secret son of Poorna Jagannathan’s fallen Manhunter Zoe. It’s a tin foil hat theory, but the internet loves a good conspiracy.
Tonight’s Episode 7 and the Finale Countdown
“Lanterns” Episode 7 premieres Sunday, September 27 at 9 PM ET on HBO and HBO Max. It’s the penultimate episode, and it arrives with the promise of answers. The show has eight episodes in total, and the final two will determine whether the story ends here or continues.
Here’s the full episode schedule:
- Episode 1 “Pilot”: Sunday, August 16
- Episode 2 “Trust Fall”: Sunday, August 23
- Episode 3 “OutKast”: Sunday, August 30
- Episode 4 “The Weenie”: Sunday, September 6
- Episode 5 “Lights Out”: Sunday, September 13
- Episode 6 “Bad Optics”: Sunday, September 20
- Episode 7: Sunday, September 27
- Episode 8: Sunday, October 4
The season finale, Episode 8, is set for Sunday, October 4 at 9 PM ET. But the question of whether the show returns hangs over the whole thing.
The Season 2 Question
Will there be a Lanterns Season 2? HBO has not announced anything yet. The show could end as a limited series, or it could continue. Either way, fans will have to wait and see.
Aaron Pierre will return as John Stewart in the Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow, due out next summer. That gives Stewart fans a reason to keep following Pierre’s career beyond this show.
How to Watch Lanterns
Lanterns streams exclusively on HBO Max. New viewers can sign up for as low as $10.99/month with ads, or pay $18.49/month for an ad-free subscription. For those who want more, the discounted Disney+ Bundle with Hulu and HBO Max costs $19.99/month with ads or $32.99/month without.
The streaming options are simple, but the mystery is not. Since the show debuted in August, fans have been wondering who killed Hal Jordan.
What Happens Next
The next two weeks will settle the matter. Whether it’s Stewart, Kerry, Sinestro, or a tin foil hat theory, the truth is coming soon.
The question is whether anyone will believe it.
Source material: “How Many Episodes are in ‘Lanterns’? Will There Be a ‘Lanterns’ Season 2?,” Decider.
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