John Stewart Sr. in ‘Lanterns’ Explained: J. Alphonse Nicholson’s Impactful Role

HBO’s ‘Lanterns‘ has surprised comic fans with an in-depth exploration of the complex family history behind Earth’s second Green Lantern. J. Alphonse Nicholson portrays John Stewart Sr., the father of the show’s protagonist, who grapples with a legacy he never chose. His portrayal in episode three quickly became one of the most discussed aspects of the season.

The episode, titled ‘OutKast’, redefines everything fans believed about John Stewart’s journey to becoming a Lantern. Instead of presenting him as a naturally fearless hero, viewers discover that Abin Sur’s ring initially sought out John Stewart Sr., enveloping him in a green bubble and questioning his fear. This pivotal moment alters the entire course of the Stewart family’s narrative, with Nicholson at its heart.

When the green light sweeps over the family home, John is just an infant in his crib, causing his father to panic. Since Lanterns are expected to embody fearlessness, this reaction leads to John Sr. being overlooked for the ring. This failure haunts him deeply, culminating in a moment where he shoots the family television during a news segment about the Green Lantern.

Despite his background as a Marine, John Sr. cannot escape the shame of his perceived failure, leading those around him to think he has lost his grip on reality. Eventually, his wife demands he leave the house temporarily, a decision that significantly alters the family dynamic.

‘Lanterns’ does not sugarcoat this backstory. The series portrays John’s childhood as marred by real abuse stemming from his parents’ unresolved traumas. This bold choice adds a depth to Nicholson’s performance that is seldom seen in superhero narratives.

The ring test serves as the emotional centerpiece of the episode. When asked if he was afraid, John Sr. shouted yes, resulting in the ring moving on without him. This single word shapes the entirety of his character arc.

Nicholson has expressed how significant this moment is within the broader context of the show. In an interview with TheWrap, he articulated his gratitude for the writers addressing the complexities of fear, particularly for Black men in America. This rare instance allows a genre show to engage directly with real-world experiences.

John Sr.’s rejection by the Guardians becomes a central wound around which the entire family attempts to heal.

Following the failed test, Bernadette, portrayed by Jasmine Cephas Jones, and John Sr. begin training their youngest son to be fearless from a young age, effectively grooming him to become a Green Lantern candidate, similar to how elite athletes are raised. The show draws parallels to the upbringing of sports icons like Tiger Woods, Serena Williams, and Stephen Curry.

On John’s fifth birthday, his parents explain his destiny, informing him that he will be educated separately from other children. They even tell him that the birds around their home are watching over the family and reporting back to the Guardians.

The couple eventually gifts young John a Lantern costume and a gun, leading him to place an apple on his head for his father to shoot off in the backyard. This scene directly connects to the shocking William Tell moment viewers witnessed in the season’s pilot episode.

Bernadette articulates to the Guardian, played by Laura Linney, how unjust it is to ask a Black man in America whether he is afraid, given the daily realities of persecution. This line reframes the entire notion of fearlessness that the Lantern Corps demands from its members.

Nicholson, recognized for his role in ‘P-Valley’, has openly discussed how he draws from his own life experiences to portray John Stewart Sr. He begins with his own journey as a father, acknowledging the feelings of inadequacy and failure that can accompany parenthood.

He also noted that upon reading the script, he sensed it had been penned by a Black woman who truly understood him. That writer is Vanessa Baden Kelly, who crafted the crucial episode.

Interestingly, Sherman Augustus later takes on the role to depict an older version of John Sr., meaning Nicholson’s portrayal captures the character during the most formative and painful period of his life.

The response to episode three has been overwhelmingly positive, and Nicholson is eager for more. In a conversation with ScreenRant, he highlighted the episode’s impressive viewership as justification for a second season, expressing his desire to delve deeper into John Sr.’s redemption arc and the evolving relationship with a teenage John.

He also pondered how John Sr. could ever have a genuine conversation with Hal Jordan after being overlooked for the ring twice in his family’s history. Whether the show addresses this in a potential season two remains uncertain.

For now, John Stewart Sr. stands out as one of the most profoundly affecting characters in ‘Lanterns’, a man whose moment of vulnerability altered the fate of his entire family. What do you think John Sr. deserves most in a possible season two: a genuine reckoning with Hal Jordan or a chance to finally reconcile with the son he pushed so hard to become a hero?