The season finale of "Lanterns" delivered on its promise to uncover the killer of Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and unmask the mysterious second Manhunter. The shocking truth revealed that Sheriff Kerry (Kelly Macdonald), Hal's love interest, was responsible for his death. In a tense flashback, it's shown that Kerry, fearing what her son Noah (Shea Pritchard) — who was revealed to be a Manhunter — was planning, shot Hal as he tried to reason with her, uttering his final words: "Goddamnit, I love you." Noah, it turns out, was born a Manhunter after Kerry's previous encounter with the alien technology.
Adding another layer to the intricate narrative, Noah was not only the second Manhunter but also became the recipient of a sinister new power. The villainous Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen), freed by Noah from imprisonment, harnessed fear-inducing gas from a decimated planet to forge a yellow power ring for him. This creation marks a pivotal moment, as comic fans recognize Sinestro as the architect of the Yellow Lanterns, a fear-powered counterforce to the Green Lantern Corps. While Sinestro offered John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) a chance to charge his depleted ring from this malevolent yellow lantern, Hal's holographic presence intervened, preventing John from succumbing to the temptation and leaving Sinestro stranded.
John Stewart's journey culminates with his full embrace of the Green Lantern mantle. After confronting Noah and learning of his internal struggle with the Manhunter programming, John chooses not to kill him, instead allowing Kerry to continue raising her son. With his resolve solidified, John calls upon Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), presenting his "unsanctioned" ring and lantern inherited from Hal. He declares himself the Green Lantern of Earth, establishing an "independent contractor" role, and tasks Guy with protecting the stars while he safeguards the planet. Hal's hologram offers parting words of wisdom, affirming John's readiness for the immense responsibility.
The finale also sees John making amends, dropping off restitution money to Maggie (Hannah Christine Shetler), whose family was lost in a Manhunter attack, and reuniting with his estranged mother, Bernadette (Jasmine Cephas Jones). In a powerful moment, John personalizes the classic Green Lantern oath, emphasizing his newfound acceptance of fear:
"In brightest day / in darkest night / I embrace my fear / I’ll do what’s right / I choose this ring / I choose this fight / in service to / this lantern’s light."
Though a second season for "Lanterns" remains unconfirmed despite strong ratings, Aaron Pierre is set to reprise his role as John Stewart in James Gunn’s upcoming "Superman" sequel, "Man of Tomorrow." The series finale effectively lays the groundwork for John's integration into the wider DC Universe, setting up intriguing dynamics with Guy Gardner and the potential for a cameo by Hal's hologram. Fans will eagerly await the film's release on July 9 to see how John Stewart's heroic journey continues.