From AV Club · · 1m 30s
Lanterns Finale Pays Off Mission
John Stewart becomes Earth's Green Lantern through human choices, not power.
In brief
John Stewart becomes Earth's Green Lantern through human choices, not power. John Stewart chooses humanity over superheroics after Hal Jordan's death. Originally reported by AV Club.
Lanterns mission
Lanterns pays off its mission with heroic grace by focusing on human choices over superheroics.
“In the end, the withholding was the message.”
John Stewart's choice
John Stewart chooses humanity over power after Hal Jordan's death.
“No Guardians, no Corps, you take the stars, have fun. I’ll take the dirt.”
Kerry's heartbreak
Kerry processes Hal's death with fear and love, breaking her own heart.
“Fear and love make people scared, and scared people can do anything.”
Hal Jordan's fear
Hal Jordan's rigid confidence hid his fear of failure and being forgotten.
“Hal Jordan was proud-to-boastfulness of never being afraid.”
Noah's role
Noah, a Manhunter, seeks to protect his family through love and fear.
“He finds it in Noah, his grandmother’s alien descendant.”
Kerry's promise
Kerry promises to turn herself in for Hal's murder but John rejects it.
“Not what Hal would have wanted.”
John's humanity
John Stewart embraces his mother's apology with warmth and forgiveness.
“I’ll embrace my fear, I’ll do what’s right.”
Halogram's advice
Halogram tells John he will be better at being Green Lantern than Hal Jordan.
“My gut tells me you’re gonna be better at this job than I ever was.”
John's pledge
John writes a new Green Lantern pledge focused on fear and love.
“Write your own fuckin’ oath.”
Lanterns' legacy
Lanterns redefines superhero narratives through human choices.
“I choose this ring, I choose this fight/ In service to this lantern’s light.”
Noah's choice
Noah chooses to play for Nebraska over the Naval Academy.
“Noah: 'It’s tough to field a good marching band in a small town.'”
John's victory
John lifts himself off the ground without superpowers, proving his humanity.
“No big green fists, no protective force bubbles.”
Kerry's forgiveness
Kerry forgives Hal Jordan after understanding his fear.
“I lost as much as any of you 10 years ago and I forgive him.”
What happens next
John Stewart appears in next summer's Man Of Tomorrow with a hard-learned sense of humanity.
“John Stewart will appear in next summer’s Man Of Tomorrow.”
The essence
John Stewart chooses humanity over superheroics after Hal Jordan's death.
