‘Lanterns’ Introduces Carol Ferris Is Hal Jordan’s Old Flame Becoming Star Sapphire?

Carol Ferris has made her debut in HBO’s ‘Lanterns’, appearing at Hal Jordan’s funeral in Episode 6. Her casting was not confirmed or hinted at beforehand, making her arrival a surprise for viewers. For a character with such a rich history, it was a moment that resonated strongly.

Carol Ferris in ‘Lanterns’ has a brief yet impactful appearance with significant implications. The episode titled “Bad Optics” jumps ahead ten years and revisits the murder of Hal Jordan. Here’s what we know about her character, the actress portraying her, and potential future developments.

The role is played by Amie MacKenzie, known for her performances in ‘Dexter’, ‘Better Call Saul’, and ‘Monster’. This impressive résumé adds weight to a character that fans have eagerly anticipated in this new continuity.

She takes over the role from Blake Lively, who portrayed the character in the 2011 ‘Green Lantern’ film. Until now, Carol had not appeared in the new DCU, making her absence quite noticeable as the universe continues to expand with cosmic characters.

Fans quickly took to social media to express their excitement, with one post combining a still from the episode with Star Sapphire comic art garnering over 323,000 views. This buzz indicates that audiences were primed for her appearance, even if it was just a fleeting moment.

At Hal Jordan’s sparsely attended funeral, Kyle Chandler’s character wrote his own eulogy, expecting a grand farewell, but only John Stewart, Sheriff Kerry Kane, Guy Gardner, and Carol were present. This small gathering amplifies her presence, highlighting the significance of someone from his past attending when so few others did.

Carol mentions that Sheriff Kane invited her, referring to her history with Hal simply as that—history. She also makes a pointed remark about the only lasting friendship being the one represented by the ring on his finger, hinting at unresolved feelings.

John Stewart recognizes her immediately, and the dialogue suggests that she and Hal had a relationship that ended poorly. This compact storytelling effectively allows viewers to infer the details, especially those familiar with the comics.

Carol Ferris was created by John Broome and Gil Kane, making her first appearance in ‘Showcase’ #22. As the daughter of aerospace mogul Carl Ferris and an executive at Ferris Aircraft, she hired Hal as a test pilot, establishing a long-standing connection.

Initially, she served as the Lois Lane equivalent in the Green Lantern universe, a spirited coworker unaware of Hal’s secret identity. However, she later became one of Green Lantern’s most formidable adversaries, adding complexity to her role as a love interest.

In the comics, their relationship has been tumultuous, with on-again, off-again dynamics that persist even through her villainous phases. This complicated history makes her appearance at the funeral particularly poignant.

Will Carol Ferris evolve into Star Sapphire in ‘Lanterns’? In the comics, she was infused with power by the alien Zamarons and brainwashed into battling Hal, eventually leading the Star Sapphire Corps, whose violet rings are fueled by love. In contemporary DC Comics, she is portrayed as a hero and even a Justice League member, presenting a rich narrative path for the show to explore.

As of now, there are no confirmations regarding MacKenzie’s Carol becoming Star Sapphire, and the series has yet to indicate a superpowered identity for her. Her brief appearance suggests that there may not be plans for her character beyond this moment, especially with two episodes remaining.

GamesRadar expressed a more pessimistic outlook, suggesting that with Hal’s storyline seemingly concluding this season, there might be no further narrative for Carol beyond her short funeral scene. They also noted that more focus was given to Guy Gardner, who fits less naturally into this narrative than Carol could.

Nevertheless, the DCU has a vast universe to expand, and a character of Carol’s significance is unlikely to remain sidelined indefinitely. Fan theories are already circulating that Hal might not be truly dead despite the casket. So, if Carol Ferris only had this one scene at Hal’s funeral, do you think it was a farewell or the beginning of her journey towards a violet ring in the DCU?