‘Lanterns’ Episode 5 Release Date and Director Discusses John Stewart’s Decision

Laura Bais
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‘Lanterns‘ has spent its initial episodes building tension between Hal Jordan and John Stewart, the two Green Lanterns whose rivalry has been a focal point of the HBO series since its debut. The mutual distrust regarding each other’s capability with the ring has simmered beneath the surface of the show’s murder-mystery narrative set in Rushville, Nebraska.

In Episode 5, titled “Lights Out,” this tension finally comes to a head. Directed by Geeta Vasant Patel, this episode serves as a semi-finale for the ongoing 2016 storyline, tying up various plot threads while dramatically impacting the town of Rushville.

Patel spoke with TheWrap about the challenges of staging the episode’s significant set pieces while maintaining a focus on character development. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that emotional arcs were present even amidst chaos, as action that lacks character depth can easily become mere noise.

This balance was particularly crucial during the climactic fight between Hal and John, which strips away the typical ring-powered spectacle in favor of a raw, powers-free confrontation. Patel described this scene as her favorite in the episode, noting that it cuts to the essence of both characters and the overarching narrative the show has been crafting all season.

To capture the emotional essence of the fight, Patel and star Kyle Chandler drew inspiration from an unexpected source. “I looked at it with Kyle, and we started thinking, wait a minute, let’s think about ‘Cool Hand Luke,’” Patel shared, explaining how the film’s theme of resilience influenced Hal’s mindset throughout the brutal exchange.

According to Patel, Hal’s defining characteristic—his refusal to give up—becomes both his strength and his downfall in that moment. He taunts John during the fight, repeatedly getting back up instead of conceding, until John ultimately overpowers him and claims the ring and lantern.

Screenshot 2026 08 29 at 08 35 14 Lanterns Rotten Tomatoes

What follows the fight delivers the episode’s most poignant moment. Instead of celebrating his hard-earned victory, John takes a long, silent walk through the devastation of Rushville to report to Lianna, one of the Guardians portrayed by Laura Linney, with Hal’s parting question, “Was it worth it?”, echoing in his mind.

Patel vividly described this imagery. “I think that rings in John’s ears the entire way, and that’s why we wanted to have that long walk,” she explained, noting that the destruction serves as a visual metaphor for John’s introspection. “We decided that the long walk was going to be through the rubble through the wreckage as a metaphor for John taking survey of everything in his life.”

This introspection culminates in a striking image: John turning back to gaze at the devastated town, half of his face illuminated and the other half in shadow. Patel framed this moment as the instant John recognizes his transformation and rejects it, ultimately opting to relinquish the ring and lantern instead of embracing the legacy Hal fought to protect.

This moment serves as a powerful inversion of the typical superhero coronation scene, and Patel’s direction makes it clear that this choice was intentional rather than incidental. After five episodes that have explored the complexities of earning the ring, John’s decision to walk away stands as the show’s most significant statement yet.

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