The third episode of Lanterns the highly anticipated DC Studios series on HBO Max has made a significant impact. Premiering on Sunday, August 30, the episode garnered an impressive 10 million viewers globally and 7 million in the U.S. within just three days, marking a new series high for the show.
Since its debut on August 16, Lanterns has been steadily gaining momentum, with its pilot episode now surpassing 20 million viewers worldwide. This remarkable performance has positioned Lanterns among the top five series launches in HBO Max’s history, making it the biggest premiere for a DC Studios show on the platform.
The Story Behind the Success
Episode 3 of Lanterns delved into the backstory of John Stewart portrayed by Aaron Pierre. The episode explored how John’s parents prepared him to take over the role of the Green Lantern from Hal Jordan played by Kyle Chandler. A pivotal scene featured John being questioned by one of the Guardians portrayed by Laura Linney to determine his worthiness to replace Hal.
Through a series of flashbacks viewers witnessed the rigorous training John endured under the guidance of his parents, John Stewart Sr. and Bernadette played by J. Alphonse Nicholson and Jasmine Cephas Jones respectively. The episode highlighted the theme of overcoming fear, a central element in John’s journey.
Controversy and Fan Reactions
Despite its critical acclaim, Lanterns has faced its share of controversy. The decision to kill off Hal Jordan in the series premiere has sparked debate among fans. Episode 3 further complicated perceptions of Jordan’s heroism and worthiness, as well as the portrayal of John’s parents, who some viewers found to be extreme in their methods.
In a recent interview with Collider writer Vanessa Baden Kelly addressed the backlash, stating, “It’s not my job to really judge characters. That’s what those characters decided to do, and that’s what they did. We can judge them if we want to, but as a writer, I’m not going to judge them.” She explained that the portrayal of John’s parents was inspired by real-life figures who pushed their children to exceptional heights, albeit through unconventional means.
The Creative Team Behind Lanterns
Lanterns is a collaborative effort by a talented team of writers and directors. The series is co-written by Chris MundyDamon Lindelof and Tom King who also serve as executive producers. James Hawes directed the first two episodes and is among the executive producers, along with James GunnPeter Safran and Ron Schmidt. Additional directors include Stephen WilliamsGeeta Vasant Patel and Alik Sakharov.
The series stars a talented ensemble cast, including Kyle ChandlerAaron PierreKelly MacdonaldGarret DillahuntPoorna JagannathanLaura LinneyJason Ritter and Ulrich Thomsen. Based on DC’s Green Lantern comic books, Lanterns follows the story of new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.
