The insight into Hal’s childhood probably explains where he got a lot of his attitude from, especially with his enabling father. It also explains his need almost obsession
, with holding onto things, even when he probably should let them go.
That ties in perfectly with the earlier episodes, particularly when Hal was supposed to be replaced and outright refused to give up the ring. But when your father is the way he is, what else can you expect?
Hal’s copy and John’s dynamic throughout the episode was interesting too. Especially the way the copy was nice to John and complimented him, in complete contrast to how the original Hal was almost incapable of showing him that kind of acknowledgement.
The planet that Hal’s copy and John explore also has me wondering what the original Hal was doing there. What was he up to?!
And now we know that Sinestro had been hiding there for the past ten years. Was Hal secretly meeting him there? If so, what exactly was going on between them?
Hal’s backstory is actually quite sad, man. He really is a troubled individual, and understanding where some of his behaviour comes from makes him feel much more complicated.
Just another good episode.
Yet again.
Peak DC.
This episode finally delivers on Hal’s death, which had been teased since Episode 1.
I found it interesting that Hal had been trying to make amends and start over. Almost commendable, honestly. But his conversation with John at the diner left me wondering who Hal was running from and whether he knew something was coming. His mother mentioning that Hal wanted to apologise only made that feeling stronger.
John, meanwhile, seems caught between the future he’s built for himself and being pulled back into the Green Lantern world through Hal’s death. He doesn’t seem completely devastated, but he clearly feels something.
Then there’s Sinestro. Did he have something to do with Hal’s death? And if so, why? And is he coming for John?
Maggie blackmailing John over being the last person to speak to Hal adds another problem to the pile.
And that ending was great. John digs up Hal, takes the ring, and Hal’s backup consciousness is still active inside it. Hearing him say “Goddammit” was hilarious and completely understandable. 😭
John and Hal are officially on bad terms now. Hal knows John kept Zoe’s identity as the Manhunter from him, and he sees John as someone who has been working to replace him.
Hal deliberately crashes their car and leaves John trapped inside, essentially taking him “off the gameboard.” The car slowly deteriorating and eventually catching fire made it feel like Hal was genuinely willing to let John die. When Zoe arrives, she initially just watches John burn, which makes the whole situation even more disturbing. She eventually saves him, but only because she has her own use for him.
Zoe reveals more about the Manhunters to John. The Guardians originally created them to enforce justice throughout the universe, but they became too brutal and were eventually shut down. Zoe is apparently the last surviving Manhunter. She also explains that she has spent years helping people in Rushville, creating relationships where people essentially owe her their lives, including Kerry and Will. Now she is calling in those debts to protect herself.
The town mobilising was another interesting part of the episode. Zoe has built so much influence over Rushville that she can effectively turn the community into her shield. There’s something unsettling about how the town isn't simply afraid of her, many of them genuinely feel indebted to her.
The exchange with Hal & Kerry also stood out because it showed how much pressure the town was under. Kerry knows what Zoe is capable of but is still protecting her because of what Zoe did for her in the past.
The heavy and serious atmosphere really worked for this episode. Everything felt like it was spiralling toward something inevitable. The Manhunter situation was no longer just a mystery, it was actively destroying the relationships and the town around it.
Hal also manipulates the situation by using Antaan and his forces as a distraction, directing them toward the Macon ranch while he tries to get to Zoe. His plan is ultimately selfish: he wants to capture Zoe and prove his worth to the Guardians, while also protecting his position as a Green Lantern.
Then everything completely falls apart.
John and Hal's confrontation at the motel becomes an actual physical fight. John nearly gets the ring from Hal, but one of Zoe's orbital attacks destroys the motel. Hal uses the little power remaining in his ring to protect them from the explosion, which was an interesting reminder that despite everything, there is still some instinct in Hal to save John.
John then uses Hal as bait for Zoe. He takes the sniper position and kills her when she arrives.
Afterwards, John takes Zoe's crystallised heart as proof of what happened and takes Hal's ring.
And then comes the part that really got me:
Hal's ring is finally in John's possession: the thing he's spent so much of his life working toward and he doesn't want it.
John puts it on, but the moment feels empty to him. When he later talks to the Guardian at the bar, he basically questions everything he thought he wanted. Hal had betrayed everything to keep the ring, and John seems to realise that he could end up doing the same.
So he takes the ring off.
After everything we've seen about John's upbringing and his lifelong dedication to becoming a Green Lantern, that decision feels significant. He finally gets the thing he was conditioned to want, only to realise that actually having it doesn't necessarily make him feel fulfilled.
This episode set up some really good stuff to come in the next few episodes, with the biggest thing being the reveal of the true Manhunter.
Now that Hal knows about John’s plan, I wonder if he has something up his sleeve or if he’ll let shit slide. We’ll see.
The same goes for John: what will his plan of action be when he finds out what Hal and Sinestro spoke about? But I think the more important question is will Hal actually act on it?
I did sense some hesitation from him, so I’m not sure. He’s clearly hell-bent on not giving up the ring, but I’d like to believe that beyond the overbearing ego, there’s still some good in him. Time will tell.
Their relationship constantly gives me whiplash. There are quiet and somewhat innocent moments where they seem to have some level of respect and cordiality towards each other, and then they immediately go back to trying to backstab one another.
Since we already know that Hal eventually dies, I just wonder whether they actually make up before that happens or if their relationship ultimately ends on another bitter note.
My main draw for me this episode was John’s upbringing.
John’s dedication towards becoming a Green Lantern stood out to me, especially when looking at where that dedication comes from:
• His father was rejected.
• The idea of asking a Black man in America if he is afraid.
It makes me wonder what that kind of upbringing does to someone’s psyche, and how it affects the other children.
If you were conditioned from childhood to want something or become something, do you genuinely want that, or were you simply conditioned to want it?
And if you were conditioned, what do you truly want? Who are you?
Are you the person you were told to become, or are you somebody you’re still figuring out for yourself?
John also seems very sure of himself and his capabilities, which is probably connected to his upbringing.
The writing was genuinely some of the best man. It's what's really drove home everything for me.
I’m still confused af about a lot of what Ergo Proxy is doing, but seeing Vincent actually transform and fight as a Proxy was such a huge moment.
The whole episode had this strange, almost religious feeling around the Proxies and “awakening,” and I’m definitely starting to feel like there’s a much bigger picture I’m not seeing yet.
Still confused, still asking questions, but I’m locked in now.
Episode 7??? 😭 I’m not even gonna lie, Ergo Proxy has me confused as hell, but there’s something about it that keeps pulling me in.
I feel like I’m catching pieces of what it’s trying to say about identity, consciousness and the Proxies, but I’m still very much putting the puzzle together.
And then RE-L DIES??? 😭 That ending genuinely caught me off guard.
I have so many questions right now, but somehow I’m still invested enough to keep going.
The thrill continues.
This episode was really good.
Wednesday and her need for control is going to be her undoing if she doesn't let that go. It's what's fucking up her powers and causing tension with her mom, who is lowkey just trying to help, but Wednesday is blinding herself from seeing that.
The crow mystery is still afoot, with them committing another murder — Tyler's dad, Galpin.
There was a student, an avian [a person who can control birds], who was enrolled at the school 10 years ago. Which makes me wonder: are there generally a few avians? Why has it been 10 years specifically? Why hasn't there been another one? What happened to that student? Are they Wednesday's stalker, or are they simply removed from what's going on?
Wednesday went to Tyler's holding place to ask for his help regarding the two murders and who the crows may be connected to. Instead, they have a heated exchange, with Tyler threatening to come for Enid once he's out of there. Overall, I do think he may be somehow involved with the crow situation.
Bianca is still facing pressure from the principal to get Morticia to contact her mom to secure a big donation for the school's event. Morticia is hesitant to contact her because they have a strained relationship, so the principal doubles down on Bianca to use her powers to make her do it, which she does. I do understand her motives for moving the way she is, but I'm not so sure Morticia will like that.
One of Wednesday's stalkers is revealed, and it turns out to be Agnes — an obsessed fanatic who creates an elaborate plan to kidnap Enid and send Wednesday on a wild goose chase to uncover the plan. Wednesday makes quick work of her, which is naturally to be expected from her.
Overall, this was a fun episode, man. The different plot points are progressing well. We're seeing where the different characters are and the journeys they may go through this season. The dynamics, like Wednesday and her mom, are always nice to see.
The writing and acting are still peak, and yeah, man. Let's see where the rest of the season goes.
This felt much more personal than the previous films, with the story placing the Warrens and their family much more at the center. I genuinely enjoyed getting deeper insight into their family dynamic.
Judy was my main draw, and I thought she was written particularly well. Ed and Lorraine’s fear of losing her, especially because of her stillbirth, created an interesting emotional thread throughout the film. I liked watching them confront that fear and seeing it come full circle toward the end of the third act.
The horror elements were largely what I expected from the franchise: lingering shots, moments held for emphasis, jump scares and creepy imagery. The Mirror Demon lore was probably the part I found most confusing. I initially interpreted its connection to Judy as the demon giving her part of its essence when she was brought back to life, only to return years later to claim what it was owed. I may have misunderstood that though.
The Smurls were a nice addition to the story. The bully sister, however, irritated the hell out of me. Her vomiting pieces of glass was an interesting detail, almost like a supernatural metaphor for the idea that words can hurt.
Franchises often struggle to deliver satisfying conclusions, but I think Last Rites made a solid attempt at wrapping up the Warrens’ story.
It wasn't perfect and had some weaker moments, but overall, this was a good movie. Fun, creepy and surprisingly emotional.
This is how you do an intro to a show.
Love the setup to the story and I'm particularly interested about the larger implications of the plot and how it's going to reverberating throughout time.
Hal & John have a pretty interesting dynamic. Looking to see some growth from that. Otherwise there's some character's I'm keeping my eye on.
A very interesting and good start to the season.
Interesting to see how the different plot points set up will be handled as the season progresses.
One thing I'm particularly interested about are the emotional arcs the characters will go on.
Either way, IM SAT!
