Here’s my review of Lanterns S1E03 and if you have been following along, you know I like it a lot so far. So let’s get onto what I thought of this one. As always this is spoiler free. but I will at least expect you to have watched the first two episodes of Lanterns, if not, you should.

The timeline has been all over the place so far, which I have no complaints about. Episode 1 had us going from John as a boy, right through to 2026. Episode 2 on the other hand was entirely set in 2016. In Episode 3 we again move through many time periods as we explore the backstory of John, from before the glimpse we got in Episode 1 and on.

Oh and apologies this review is a day late. I was sick yesterday.

Was It Any Good?

It’s one of those where if you were not keen on the first two, there’s nothing that’s going to suddenly click for you here. Yet, if like me you are enjoying the show so far, it’s great.

I won’t get into how John’s backstory differs from the comics because frankly Green Lantern has never been popular enough outside comic books for it to matter. I’m also far less familiar with the John Stewart era than I was the Hal Jordan era. For me it works, in a ‘you people are all crazy’ kind of way. From a dramatic point of view, it makes for an excellent show and gives John a dynamic to his character.

RELATED: Lanterns S1E02 Review – Enter Sinestro (And Another Good Episode)

I’ve never felt any engagement to John as a character, maybe because I didn’t read his comics and only saw him in animation. This is the first media where I am engaged with John as a character. In Episode 1 I figured the dad was crazy, now I realise the mother is twice as mad.

Ultimately what we are watching is child abuse. Some vague promise ensuring John’s entire life has been one of abuse. I think it makes me feel sorry for him. Initially it appears like he is the solid rock to Hal’s loose cannon. Yet, I’m just waiting on the breaking point, whether that be positive or negative. I assume positive, given the character is in Man of Tomorrow, but I know get that John still has a lot to learn from Hal, like how to just be a normal Human.

An episode like this is great if there is a point to all this down the line. If not, it can feel unnecessary and written for shock value. Which of those is the case will depend on what happens from here on out. I don’t watch the previews but I’ll guess we go back to 2016 in Episode 4 and Hal visiting Sinestro.

Now we know who John is though, and he’s suffered in his life.

GRADE: B+

Not as enjoyable as the previous two episodes. However, an important backstory episode for me that allows us to truly connect the dots and get up to speed with where we are in this buddy dynamic. I do hope there’s more John’s development, but I’m happy to let that progress throughout the rest of the season.

As always, let me know your thoughts on Lanterns S1E03 or critique my review below.

 

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