Seriously. Were we supposed to know that eons-old shapehsifting robots could do the virgin-birth thing and make new shapeshifting robots who look, act, and age like humans? Because that feels like new news to me. Seems important! Maybe the Guardians should have mentioned it!
And yet you’re not going to see me complain about the twist any further, because the payoff is one terrific performance after another. Aaron Pierre is so rock solid as sleuthing, morally conflicted John Stewart that it’s as if he carries the weight of the whole show on his shoulders.
He’s complemented by Kerry Macdonald, rarely more beautiful than when she greets Hal upon his release from jail in a flashback, or more empathetic than when she explains to John that she killed him without thinking to protect her child’s normal life rather than live amongst the stars as fugitives.
Playing two alternate versions of the same character, the wizened and repentant Hal of 2026 and the affable digital backup Hal of 20-odd years earlier, Kyle Chandler perfects the character’s unique chip-on-his-shoulder charm. The real Hal dies trying to save Noah and Kerry, but also not listening to what Kerry is saying — classic Hal. His backup dies telling John Stewart “Love you too, Junior” after tricking him into saying those three little words — a very different Hal altogether.
I reviewed tonight’s Lanterns finale for Decider.
Tags: decider, lanterns, TV, TV reviews