Here’s my Lanterns S1E02 review and this was another good episode as Sinestro made his DCU debut. For those screaming spoilers, we did have Sinestro in the trailer already and the image above is from that trailer. This is a spoiler free review as much as it possible to do, so let’s get started.
Worldbuilding
I’m into my worldbuilding in a franchise and it cannot be denied that Lanterns has decades of comic book lore that it can pull from the comics. Often in a superhero show, the opening episodes give us a ton of exposition and then it builds up to a fight. I think some fans will dislike Lanterns being different, but I love it.
I know a fair amount of Green Lantern lore, but it wasn’t a comic I kept up with as a kid as often as others. My point is that for me, this second episode shows us that this is really a Green Lantern show. However, the worldbuilding is being done at a natural pace as if the viewer has never heard of a Green lantern before.
This is how you do worldbuilding effectively, Episode 1 didn’t go too deep, but this expands a little more in Episode 2. We get to see an actual Lantern, the name Manhunters comes up as a potential threat there’s more talk of Guardians and even a mention of Hal’s previous history with Sinestro, then we get to see Sinestro in his current situation, i.e. defeated and already in prison.
It feels paced to me a like a good book where there is all this backstory and lore, but we only get drip fed small details. As a reader/viewer this is what excites me to keep reading more. I want the information and it makes the main plot feel alive and just a portion of time we are stepping into with no preparation. Lanterns so far is pulling that off for me and this has not been the case outside a few comics in the past when it comes to this property.
RELATED: Lanterns S1E01 Review – Good Start
I’m not watching this because I’m already a fan of the IP, but the how is making me a fan of the IP by telling the story in a mature way.
As for the main plot, maybe it’s connected to some of the worldbuilding and maybe it’s not. It remains a mystery, though, we know mor than we did last week. Unlike Episode 1, this one is set completely in the 2016 timeline. So no, we don’t have a follow up to Episode 1’s ending and who knows when we will, but we will.
I really do love how they are using Sinestro in this Season. Perhaps he becomes a threat down the line, but for now he’s more like Hannibal Lecter to Hal’s Clarice and it’s an interesting dynamic when juxtaposed against Hal’s mentorship of John. We don’t get much, yet, but sometimes less can be more and I think that will be the case with this series.
I enjoyed this one more than last week’s premiere, therefore…
GRADE: A
Brilliant second episode for me and the perfect second episode in terms of introducing new fans to this IP and making that lore seem mysterious and hidden under the surface. The cast are great, the pace is nice and mystery remains mysterious despite advancing our knowledge just a little more.
Looking forward to Episode 3 next week. In fact, right now this is my favourite slice of the DCU since Peacemaker.
As always, leave you own thoughts on Lanterns S1E02 below, or what you thought of my take. See you next Monday.
