An intriguing Lanterns continues to tease us with what we think we want
Even when Kyle Chandler finally suits up, we’re left dangling.
In the second episode of "Trust Fall," Lanterns, Hal Jordan has to recharge his ring by holding it up to its power battery, which looks like an old railroad lantern, and reciting an oath. The oath is a mix of rousing and corny, reminding us of a simpler time when Green Lanterns were proud to wear tight-fitting space suits. However, Hal Jordan is presented here as dressed down in dusty jeans and a leather jacket, reciting his oath in a mumble, almost embarrassed to do so.
The presentation of superheroing in the episode is also apologetic, with elements like origin stories and the unveiling of super abilities deliberately undercut. John Stewart, perhaps the most upright and gung-ho potential Green Lantern, follows Hal's orders dutifully but feels disappointed by the demeaning tasks given to him. When he discovers Hal's Green Lantern suits, his wonder returns, hinting at a wish for Hal to step up to some overt superheroism.
In Rushville, the sheriff presides over a town meeting as Hal's presence causes growing unease. Hal's relationship with Kerry, the sheriff's wife, is tense, with both of them making snarky remarks to each other. Hal's response to the Guardians of the Universe potentially being behind the alien threat is defensive, showing that he's not completely abandoned his faith.
Meanwhile, John is captured by aliens and tortured, only to be saved by Hal with the help of a memory/exposition gun that reveals the true nature of the alien threat. The episode ends with Hal and John having 48 hours to find and kill the shape-shifting alien before it can cause more harm.
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