‘Lanterns’ Writer Vanessa Baden Kelly Reacts to Episode Three’s Impact

HBO’s ‘Lanterns’ has taken its time in the first two episodes to build a slow-burn mystery, but episode three hit viewers with a surprising twist. Titled “OutKast,” this episode focused entirely on John Stewart’s origin story, prompting a significant reaction from fans and critics that even the episode’s writer felt compelled to address.

Vanessa Baden Kelly, a co-executive producer and writer for both “OutKast” and the earlier episode “Trust Fall,” has found her work at the center of discussions surrounding ‘Lanterns’. Much of the acclaim has centered on her ability to intricately weave John Stewart’s complex backstory—covering his childhood, military service, and an unexpected detour into art school—into a cohesive narrative within a single hour.

Following the episode’s release, Baden Kelly took to her Instagram Story to respond to the overwhelming viewer reactions. She expressed gratitude for the emotional impact the episode had, noting that she could only manage to read a fraction of the responses due to the sheer volume, before signing off with a heartfelt thank-you to all who watched.

Baden Kelly’s engagement with fans is not a new occurrence; she has been open about the creative decisions behind John Stewart’s reimagined backstory. “OutKast” portrays him not as a natural hero but as someone conditioned into bravery by parents who were warned by the Guardians of the Universe about his destined role.

Not all feedback has been positive, and Baden Kelly has addressed this as well. In an interview with TheWrap, she responded to fans who labeled the series as “woke,” referencing old comic panels being shared online as evidence against the show’s direction. “I stumbled across some people calling the show ‘woke,’ and there were people putting panels in the reactions and the comments, and they were panels from the 1970s John Stewart,” she remarked, highlighting the character’s early depictions.

Instead of viewing this history as a contradiction, Baden Kelly utilized it to support the narrative choices made in “OutKast,” asserting that John Stewart’s engagement with race and politics has been integral to his character since his debut in 1971. Critics have largely praised this approach, noting that the episode’s exploration of race, familial sacrifice, and inherited trauma represents some of the strongest material the series has offered.

The positive reception is reflected in the ratings, with “OutKast” reportedly becoming the highest-rated episode of ‘Lanterns’ so far. This marks a significant shift for a series that initially focused on the small-town mystery of Rushville rather than deep character exploration. Critics have commended both director Stephen Williams and Baden Kelly for effectively using the television format to deliver a superhero origin story that feels authentic and well-paced.

As John Stewart’s journey to becoming a Green Lantern is still set about a decade away from the current timeline of the show, “OutKast” has raised expectations for the remainder of the season. Baden Kelly’s appreciation for the fans indicates her awareness of the episode’s significant impact, even as she acknowledges the challenge of keeping up with every single reaction.

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