Here’s my belated Lanterns S1E05 review and just over mid-way we have what feels like a min-Season finale, or at least that level of episode. As always this is spoiler free but I will at least assume you have seen 1-4. Now let’s get started.
Conclusion Of A Timeline
So far Lanterns has had several timelines for us to follow and ultimately Episode 5 concludes the 2016 portion of the series. In other words, the one we’ve been following the most with the Manhunter. I won’t get into details, but for me it was a very satisfying conclusion and yet teases much more.
It could have almost been an end of Season 1 with teases for Season 2, but of course we know the story now needs to progress to 2026. In this timeline Hal has been killed and John has turned up to investigate. Clearly that must be where we go next?
There’s a lot to unpack in Episode 5, some good action and VFX and most importantly some dramatic turns in character arcs. John’s arc really impressed me the most in terms of expectation. I kinda knew there had to be a big shift somewhere and the writers in my opinion landed this one. The Manhunter is also so well done and so manipulative, but can she be outmanoeuvred? As for Hal? Well, if he really is dead (in the future), we surely need some flashbacks. If, (as I suspect) Hal is not dead… who knows?
I won’t get into how the dynamic between Hal and John shifts further this week. However, I will say I hope to see this relationship develop over more than just one season. Therefore, I kinda hope Hal is up to something, rather than being dead. Yet, we shall see over the course of the next three episodes how Season 1 concludes.
RELATED: Lanterns S1E04 Review – Great Dynamic Between Hal And John Ramps Up
Episode 5 is mature (not simple), subtle at times and also very violent compared to previous episodes. It works though and really does all feel like a Season finale to the 2016 part of the story, with a new, (only teased thus far)story beginning next week.
Lanterns is definitely in my view the best DCU project so far, the one that has ticked the most boxes for me and makes me want to see more. I’m excited to see where the rest of this season takes us. I have a few ideas based on what we saw this week. However, given this is a spoiler free take I’ll talk about them somewhere down the line when they happen or not.
Oh and one final thing, I love all the cast of this show, not equally, but there’s no one I dislike or think was miscast. Special praise though for me goes to the two leads and one I haven’t mentioned too much in my reviews so far, Laura Linney.
Linney with a smile on her face brings that sense of sinister and wrong that her late Seasons Wendy Bird did in Ozark. You get the feeling this woman/alien could watch you be dissected alive for science and fix you with a smile. The Smiling Assassin indeed. Linney was phenomenal casting and plays one of the (shades of grey, not black and white) Guardians so well it makes the world feel alive.
I have no idea how Season 1 will conclude, but I can’t see me not wanting more from at least the two leads and Linney in the future by the time we finish.
GRADE: A+
Really good conclusion to a lot of the plot points set up so far. Dramatic character arcs shifts and emotional and physical turmoil. Violence begetting violence and a change in the future status quo. Brilliant episode and perhaps my favourite of the Season so far.
Can’t wait to see where the story goes next.
As always, leave your own thoughts on Lanterns S1E05 below, or your take on my review of the latest episode.
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