‘Lanterns’ Episode 4 Achieves Highest Rating of the Season
‘Lanterns‘ has gradually captured the attention of both critics and fans during its first half-season, gaining momentum with each episode of HBO’s DC crime thriller. This past weekend, that momentum peaked as the fourth episode received some of the strongest feedback the series has experienced thus far.
Episode 4, titled “The Weenie,” continues the storyline introduced in episode 2’s cliffhanger featuring Sinestro, finally showcasing the long-awaited reunion between Ulrich Thomsen’s iconic Green Lantern villain and his former protégé, Hal Jordan. This confrontation sets the stage for an hour that critics have widely commended for enhancing both the show’s central mystery and the complex partnership at its heart.
“The Weenie” is now the highest-rated episode of ‘Lanterns’ to date, achieving an impressive score of 8.6, surpassing the previous high of 8.2 for both the pilot and second episode, and comfortably exceeding episode 3’s rating of 7.6. This positions the midseason installment as the show’s strongest offering yet as it approaches the latter half of the season.
Critics have echoed this enthusiasm across the board. One reviewer described the episode as possibly their favorite of the season, praising its balance of answers and new questions while providing meaningful character development for both Hal and John Stewart. Another critic noted how the episode finally allowed John Stewart to showcase his comedic side, which had been underutilized in earlier episodes.
Much of the acclaim focuses on the rising tension between Hal and John, whose partnership has become increasingly strained as both characters conceal secrets and receive conflicting advice about betraying one another. This friction is highlighted by a notably absurd scene featuring William Macon, played by Garret Dillahunt, who greets the two Lanterns completely nude during one of the episode’s more memorable moments.
The episode also provides significant screen time between Hal and Sinestro, a dynamic that multiple critics have likened to the manipulative mentor relationship between Hannibal Lecter and Will Graham. This confrontation reveals crucial insights into Sinestro’s psychological grip on Hal, including his past desire for Hal to kill him during their previous encounter.
Not all reactions have been entirely positive, with some reviewers noting that the episode leans more towards exposition compared to the tighter origin-story format of episode 3. However, even those more tempered reviews have consistently praised the chemistry between stars Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre as one of the show’s most dependable strengths.
With the Manhunter mystery now fully unraveled and the tension between Hal and John escalating, “The Weenie” seems to signify a pivotal moment for the series, both critically and narratively. The episode’s strong reception indicates that ‘Lanterns’ is building momentum as it moves into the midseason stretch.
Given the substantial ground covered in episode 4, expectations are understandably high for how the show will address its various unresolved threads, from Zoe’s true nature to the growing rift between its two leads. Whether the series can sustain this level of quality through its remaining episodes will be a key storyline to follow as the season unfolds.
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