Lanterns Episode 1 Review

Lanterns Episode 1 Review

Author: Chris Jones, Derek O'Neill and John Harrison. TV Podcast Industries August 19, 2026 Duration: 1:32:50

Welcome to the podcast fellow guardians, we are finally back in the DC TV universe with Lanterns Episode 1 "Pilot". The brand new DC series on HBO Max.

Lanterns Episode 1 “Pilot” Synopsis

Episode Written by: Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof and Tom King

Episode Directed By: James Hawes

In 1996, the young John Stewart and his brothers watch on as Earth's only ever Green Lantern reveals his identity to the world. He is Hal Jordan and he was chosen as the successor of Green Lantern Abin Sur after he crashed his ship and died. He just had to answer one question "Is he afraid?". When John's father arrives home he asks the same question of his son while shooting an apple off his head.

Twenty years later, in 2016, John Stewart is now supposedly being mentored by Hal Jordan to become the next Green Lantern. When John received a cryptic message from a holographic projection of a kinder, younger Hal from inside the Green Lantern ring, it sends the duo to Rushville, Nebraska.

With little support from Hal, John helps the town's Sheriff, Kerry Kane to capture a suspect involved in a mass shooting at their town's football stadium. But Sheriff Kane forbids Hal from joining the investigation, believing the case has no extraterrestrial connection.

Trying to get close to the suspect, Hal gets himself arrested for a bar fight, but the Sheriff keeps him separated in jail until he is bailed out by lawyer, and Kerry's husband, Billy Macon. In return, Hal agrees to meet Kerry's father-in-law William Macon Senior, who arranges for Hal to interrogate the suspect, Waylon Sanders.

During the interrogation, Hal exposes Sanders as an alien; In retaliation the alien detonates a bomb in his body but Hal uses the last of his ring's power to contain the damage.

Ten years further on, in 2026, John Stewart returns to Rushville, where the Macon farm has fallen to rack and ruin. Back at the town's football station, Sheriff Kerry Kane shows him a dead and frozen Hal and John notices he's missing his Green Lantern ring.

Lanterns Episode 1 Cast

  • Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan
  • Aaron Pierre as John Stewart
  • Kelly MacDonald as Sheriff Kelly
  • Garrett Delahunt as William Macon
  • Jason Ritter as Billy Macon
  • Poorna Jagannathan as Zoe

Lanterns Redneck Bar Quiz

During each podcast we'll ask a question about each episode in our Lantern's Redneck Bar Quiz. You can send in your answers each week to feedback@tvpodcastindustries.com At the end of the eight episode series the fellow Lantern with the most correct answers will be in with the chance of getting their hands on some Lanterns goodies. All questions will be updated on: https://www.tvpodcastindustries.com

Question 1: What song does Hal Jordan play multiple times to get the attention of the local pub patrons?

Contact us and subscribe to the podcast

Thank you so much for listening to our Lanterns Podcast. Make sure you subscribe to the podcast through our website TV Podcast Industries.

Join Us On On Facebook or Discord

We want to hear your thoughts on the show and you can email us to feedback@tvpodcastindustries.com join us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/tvpodcastindustries or join us on our brand new Discord server at https://discord.gg/DyVtkuuWZP we'd love to see you wherever you want to join us.

Join us on TV Podcast Industries

If you want to keep up with us and all of our podcasts, please subscribe over at https://tvpodcastindustries.com. Where we continue to podcast about multiple TV shows we hope you'll love.

Next time on The Lanterns Podcast

The next episode will be released on the 24th of August so we'll chat all about The Lanterns Episode 2 on our next podcast.

Until then, Keep Watching, Keep Listening and keep guarding the universe.

Derek and John

TV Podcast Industries

All images and audio clips are copyright of Warner Bros. and their respective copyright owners.

The music for the episode is a clip of How to Train Your Dragnet by Ezra Lipp.


Join Chris Jones, Derek O'Neill, and John Harrison for a weekly deep dive into the shows everyone is talking about. TV Podcast Industries is your regular hangout for thoughtful, often spirited, conversations about the latest and most significant series across all platforms. Each episode focuses on a specific title, breaking down the storytelling, characters, and that week's big twists or revelations. You'll hear their detailed reviews and discussions on everything from major franchise entries like Marvel's Daredevil Born Again and The Boys to ambitious adaptations such as The Last of Us and The Sandman. They explore the vast landscapes of shows like The Rings of Power and the final frontier in Star Trek: Picard, while also keeping an eye on new arrivals like Alien Earth and Ironheart. The scope isn't limited to live-action; animated series and manga adaptations get their due attention as well, reflecting a genuine passion for the entire medium. This podcast feels like chatting with a few well-informed friends who are just as eager to analyse a brilliant scene as they are to debate a disappointing finale. It's a comprehensive and engaging listen for anyone who finishes an episode and immediately wants to hear a smart conversation about it. Tune in for their insightful, often funny, and always dedicated coverage of the television industry's biggest hits and hidden gems.
Author: Language: en-ie Episodes: 50

TV Podcast Industries
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