‘Lanterns’ Season 1, Episode 3 Review: A Deep Dive into John Stewart’s Origin

Three episodes into ‘Lanterns,’ I found myself settling into the show’s unique rhythm. Set in a small Nebraska town, the story unfolds with a dead superhero, a rookie cop grappling with a ring he barely understands, and an alien conspiracy lurking in the background. This series offers moody, patient storytelling, trusting its audience to ponder unanswered questions rather than rushing toward easy resolutions.

So, it was surprising when the third episode, titled “OutKast,” abruptly shifted gears. There’s no mention of Rushville, no Manhunter, and no progress on who shot Hal Jordan. Instead, the episode dedicates its entire runtime to John Stewart, challenging whether this bold choice pays off.

It certainly does. “OutKast” begins with Stewart plummeting through darkness onto a stack of mattresses in an abandoned shopping mall, eventually finding himself in a job interview with a Guardian. The episode unfolds as a nonlinear exploration of his life, weaving together his childhood, military service, and art school experiences within the context of that single interrogation.

What struck me most is how the structure reflects its subject. Stewart has spent his life being pieced together for a singular purpose, and the episode mirrors this assembly, revealing fragments until the full picture emerges in the final moments. This daring narrative choice for only the third episode of a freshman season works effectively, as every flashback serves a purpose rather than merely extending the runtime.

Aaron Pierre carries the weight of this episode, and it’s here that I finally grasped why he was cast. In the first two episodes, he appeared coiled and restrained, but in this installment, he reveals the toll of that discipline—the child trained never to flinch, the sniper who waited nine months for a shot he never took, and the man who claims to hold no anger toward the one who ended his career. His performance relies heavily on what Stewart chooses not to articulate, making it resonate even more.

The episode also offers more than just a simple sob story. It reveals that Stewart’s parents intentionally shaped him from infancy to be worthy of a Green Lantern ring, with the Guardians subtly orchestrating the conditions for that plan to succeed. Beneath the inspirational surface lies a real discomfort, suggesting that Stewart’s identity was crafted by others’ agendas long before he had any say in the matter. The show wisely allows this tension to remain unresolved rather than neatly tying it up.

If there’s a flaw in the episode, it lies in its pacing rather than execution. Spending an entire hour on backstory this early on risks alienating viewers who tuned in for the murder mystery and cosmic stakes, and Hal Jordan barely registers here beyond being an obstacle in Stewart’s journey. While I understand the desire to slow down and build empathy before the season picks up speed, this gamble only pays off if the remaining episodes leverage what this one establishes.

For now, I’m willing to extend that trust. “OutKast” takes the most significant structural risk of the season so far and connects on nearly all fronts, using a bottle episode format to deepen a character I thought I understood. It reframes everything that has come before and heightens the stakes for what lies ahead.

Taking this episode on its own terms, I consider it the strongest hour ‘Lanterns’ has produced yet, landing on a score of 9 out of 10. It’s patient, formally confident television that relies on a subtle performance to carry the weight, and it largely earns that trust.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!