Lanterns Episode 5 Ending, Explained: Who Dies, and Who Becomes the Next Green Lantern?
After last week’s Manhunter reveal and Hal’s duck and roll, the stakes were unbelievably high for Episode 5 of Lanterns.
Luckily, the episode really didn’t disappoint, proving to be the most action-packed instalment of the series yet. As is the nature of this type of article, spoilers are everywhere, so if you haven’t had a chance to watch the episode, I would look away now. Don’t say I didn’t warn you…
What Happens in Lanterns, Episode 5?
This Lanterns episode feels like everything the series has been building up to so far. With Hal Jordan knowing who the Manhunter is, he has made it clear he’ll stop at nothing to get them. Even if that means leaving his protege/replacement John Stewart to be burnt to a crisp and putting everyone in Rushville in danger, all so he can deliver the Manhunter to the Guardians and presumably regain their favour.
With Antaan and his men on the way, and the net closing in on Zoe Macon (she’s the Manhunter, ICYMI). In turn, Rushville gets rocked with a devastating standoff primarily between the innocent community and Antaan’s ruthless, quite literally self-destructing army. The only way to describe the episode is brutal.
Does John Stewart Die?
Almost. After Hal leaves John trapped in the car, it catches fire. In the nick of time, Zoe shows up, and it seems like John is saved… Only for her to let him sizzle. It’s unclear why she did this considering she ends up saving him anyway with her alien technology. Presumably it’s all part of her tactics to get people on her side.
We already know she cured her husband Will Macon’s cancer in return for his loyalty (which he ends up dying for this episode). But what we didn’t know she also saved Kerry Kane’s life, leaving her similarly indebted. Zoe has really been pulling the strings here more than anyone could ever imagine, and with her gone, the town is almost wiped out, too.
Does Zoe Macon Die?
After the Episode 4 fakeout, the answer here is finally: yes. Having performed his part well, John ends up playing Zoe at her own game. Following a furious showdown with Hal that culminates in him taking the ring, he uses his severely beaten former mentor as live bait for the Manhunter.
As she approaches the disgraced Green Lantern to kill him, Hal points out that if John really wanted to kill him, he would’ve done it there and then. But he doesn’t. As it turns out, Hal was right, and for the first time in the series, we see Zoe’s mask slip slightly. John uses his sniper skills to shoot her in the head.
When he checks her body, he takes out her crystallised heart, which confirms her status as the Manhunter they were looking for.
Who Becomes The Green Lantern?
By the end of the episode, John has everything he wants: the ring, the Power Battery, and the Guardians’ favour. All he has to do is say the Oath, and he’s officially the new Green Lantern of Earth. There’s just one problem.
After putting on the ring, he didn’t feel the way he expected to. Instead, he tells Guardian Lianna that he feels “empty.” Seeing the amount of destruction wrought, and the way the ring “broke” Hal, John determines that the very thing he worked for his whole life isn’t something he wants anymore.
Many have said that this episode felt like a series finale, and it’s easy to see why. But with three episodes left, there are still plenty of stones left unturned. It’s clear, however, that the 2016 era of the show is over.
