Did Kerry Kill Hal Jordan in ‘Lanterns’? The Sheriff Remains a Key Suspect

‘Lanterns’ begins with a shocking scene: Hal Jordan is found dead and without his ring on the bleachers of a football stadium in Rushville, Nebraska. Sheriff Kerry calls John Stewart back to town, and since then, the central mystery of the HBO series has been who is responsible for Hal’s death. With each episode, suspicion increasingly falls on the woman who made that fateful call.

So, did Kerry kill Hal Jordan? While the penultimate episode doesn’t reveal the killer, it does shift the focus of the investigation. Here’s what has unfolded so far and why Kerry remains a prime suspect despite no concrete evidence against her.

Sheriff Kerry Kane, portrayed by Kelly Macdonald, is the one who informs John about Hal’s death. She mentions that nearly everyone in Rushville disliked Hal, which prompts her to reach out to John, the one person she thought might care. On the surface, this seems like a kind gesture, but in a murder mystery, the person who discovers the body often warrants further scrutiny.

Kerry’s relationship with Hal adds another layer of complexity. She reveals that they eventually became romantically involved, and Hal’s persistence won her over. One source notes that no one had as much access to Hal as she did, making her a significant figure in the investigation.

Her role as the town’s law enforcement officer is crucial as well. Kerry’s familiarity with Hal and her position give her unique access to the investigation into his death. This combination of intimacy, opportunity, and authority causes viewers to closely observe her actions in every scene.

The strongest indication that Kerry may be involved comes from Hal himself—or at least his Halogram. After a tense moment in John’s truck, the Halogram becomes convinced that Kerry is responsible for his death. Given that the Halogram is a manifestation of the deceased, this suspicion carries significant weight.

However, the reunion between Kerry and the Halogram doesn’t play out like a guilty party confronting her victim. When the Halogram appears behind her and she hears Hal’s voice, her expression turns pale. This version of Hal is not the one who died but a reflection of him from earlier years.

John is skeptical of the murder theory as well. He suspects that Kerry might have hidden the weapon instead of using it. Kerry, on the other hand, defends John, insisting that he is not a murderer but someone trying to solve a case that has deeply affected everyone involved.

The penultimate episode also delves into Hal’s childhood, revealing a family history of tragedy. It opens in the 1970s with a young Hal and his father, Martin, who shares the legacy of the Jordan family. The episode uncovers that Martin died by suicide when Hal was young, hinting at a pattern of mental health struggles in the family.

This revelation opens up a new perspective. The Halogram tells John that Hal’s grandfather also took his own life, leading them to question whether Hal might have done the same. Under this theory, Kerry could have concealed evidence to protect Hal.

While this may seem far-fetched, hints were dropped early on. One critic suggested after the premiere that Hal’s fearlessness could indicate a desire for an end, raising the possibility of suicide. This adds a heavy twist to the superhero narrative, shifting Kerry’s role from potential murderer to possible cover-up artist.

Kerry isn’t the only suspect in Hal’s death. Her son Noah, along with his father, Billy Macon, who has his own complicated history with Hal, are also on the list. Additionally, Carol Ferris, Hal’s great love, appears just as the investigation kicks off, raising eyebrows among viewers.

John is also a potential suspect, despite his reluctance to accept that notion. Earlier episodes have established his resentment towards Hal, and he even punched Hal before his death, a fact that Kerry is aware of and wants him to clarify.

For now, the question of whether Kerry killed Hal remains uncertain, leaning towards no. The season finale is set to air on Sunday, October 4, and fans are left to ponder whether Kerry pulled the trigger, hid a secret Hal took to his grave, or if the show will surprise us with an unexpected twist.