Season 1 Episode 3 – After a lifetime of preparation, John finally gets his chance to interview for the Guardians.
Please note that our reviews are based on likes and dislikes. These contain significant spoilers. If you haven’t already watched the episode, we recommend that you click off the article and come back once you have watched the episode. Enjoy!
Highlights
1. We get to see the actual structure behind how John is chosen to become a Green Lantern. He has to attend an actual interview with a Guardian instead of the usual “chosen by the ring” style we’ve seen before. I absolutely loved how this episode opened up. We also learn that John’s father was actually offered the ring before Hal was… “Are you afraid?”
2. John’s dad struggles with the rejection from the Lanterns, although John’s mother has a meeting with the Guardian who mentions conditioning John from a baby to get him into a position where he could eventually be considered for the Green Lantern role. It’s interesting because that’s what has led to this moment, while also explaining why John’s father was so tough on him growing up. He even sadly admits to his wife that John will hate him because of it.
3. Five-year-old John, on his birthday, is when the training begins. His parents already begin conditioning him to become a Green Lantern, even explaining to him that this is his destiny. We even get a glimpse into why John has an apple shot off his head alongside the question, “Are you afraid?” This is the backstory we needed.
4. As the episode progresses, we learn that perhaps it isn’t John’s father who has been the harshest on him, it’s his mom. She’s seemingly so desperate for John to become a Lantern that she’s actually neglected being a mother, whereas his father at least treats John to food when he’s done a good job. She even wants John to shoot an apple off his father’s head, although thankfully he refuses. However, after a brief conversation between John and his mom, he requests to take the shot with the apple on her head instead. He actually hits the shot too.
5. Another flashback has been filtering through in the background. John is sent on a job to scope out a mansion, with no idea how long he’s going to be there. He’s injured on arrival but sets up in a small wooded area and remains there for a long time. It shows just how conditioned John actually is. However, once his target finally arrives and he’s about to pull the trigger on his sniper rifle, Green Lantern takes over. This is ultimately why John was dishonourably discharged.
6. The Guardian’s mission is simple: go under Hal’s wing with the impression that he’s his backup, when in actuality, John has been given the job of replacing him. When John excitedly heads home to tell his parents, Hal is already there waiting for him and completely spoils the surprise. He even tells John to his face that the only way he’s getting the ring is over his dead body. Talk about immediately creating tension between the two.
What I Didn’t Work
Nothing to report this week.
Standout Character
It’s of course John. This is his story this week, his backstory and ultimately his origin. He was absolutely brilliant throughout, with the episode offering a huge insight into why his personality is the way it is, why he does the things he does, and even why he’s so miserable working under Hal’s wing.
Everything from his childhood conditioning to his military career and eventual selection as a Green Lantern helps us understand the John Stewart we’ve been watching over the last two episodes on a much deeper level. He’s easily the standout character of this episode, and honestly, there isn’t another character that comes close.
Favorite Moment
Beautifully, after everything John has gone through, once he’s forced to leave the military, his mom actually helps him join art school. It’s so he can still have a purpose and be happy, while she continues holding onto the hope of his original destiny of becoming a Lantern. It’s great when everything finally comes to fruition, as he’s approached at school and asked to draw objects from memory. It turns out to be a test of his ability to project constructs from the Lantern’s ring, which ultimately leads into the interview. Incredible!
Verdict
Story - 10
Action - 5
Characters - 10
Entertainment - 10
Quality - 10
9
Amazing
An incredible episode this week that answers so many of the questions the series began with. I normally dislike it when a series dedicates an entire episode to flashbacks, as it can sometimes feel like the main story has been put on hold, but this was done extremely well. Everything we learn about John adds so much more depth to the character and helps explain the person we've been watching over the last two episodes. It never felt like an unnecessary detour and instead felt like an episode the series genuinely needed. Three episodes in and Lanterns continues to impress me. I cannot wait for the next episode.
