For the past eight episodes, we the audience have been told to think two things.
1. Being a fearless Green Lantern is essential
2. People can change when circumstances change
In my opinion, this finale **really ****brought those statements to the forefront with the reveal of Sheriff Kane killing Hal in the heat of the moment, Noah being a compassionate Manhunter, and John becoming a Green Lantern, but on his ****own**** terms.
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****When John finally gets the approval he wants from the Halogram/Hal himself, after he charges the ring, and after he recites his own Lantern oath, this is a kind of confidence that John Stewart can call his own. This confidence doesn't belong to the Guardians; it doesn't belong to his mother & father; it ****belongs to him****. ****If he is scared of something, that's alright. Just don't let it usurp the mission at hand.
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****From the beginning of the show to the finale, we’ve only gotten the background of three characters. John, Hal, and Sheriff Kane (which is understandable because they are essentially driving the show forward) & one strength about all of them is that they are all damaged people who play very well off each other. But they definitely aren't who we started with in 2016.
Hal was a jaded, selfish, and semi-insecure space cop, but he was always willing to protect & serve. In 2026, he offered himself to the people of Rushville even though they hated him.
John was a stoic army man who was “burdened” with a life that he didn't necessarily choose. In 2026, he overcame his fear of fear & chose his destiny.
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****Sheriff Kane was a woman who was indebted to a Manhunter which made her feel trapped & bonded to a life she didn't want. In 2026, she's happier; she falls in love (even though she kills Hal), but she still plays by the rules which is always honorable.****
While everything fell into place, I wish that we could have seen an epilogue with Sheriff Kane & Noah. Did she actually turn herself in? Since the town of Rushville hates Hal, would they even let her turn herself in? Does Noah end up living his life as a secret do-gooder Manhunter? I understand that the show is called “Lanterns” and not “Sheriff Kane & Noah” but maybe that will be explained in a future DCU project.
Overall, I’m very happy that this series didn't rely on using the power ring every three seconds, it didn't feel too sci-fi, and it didn't rely on an easy arc like John & Hal vs Sinestro on a different yet interesting planet every week. It took a page from “Andor” and left the drama in the dialogue. Grade-A HBO series in my book.**
