[DISCUSSION] Lanterns S01E03

Things I feel didn’t need to be changed are John Stewart’s origin, the way the Lanterns are selected, and the Guardians having empathy for how Humans see their form. The Guardians have generally been portrayed as extremely logical and not caring about reactions. It’s kind of the whole point of the emotional spectrum and how they affect different Corps.

That said, I am enjoying this series despite some of the changes being jarring to me. I’m curious to see where they go with this. I’m guessing Parallax will be released or something by the end.

Great episode!

Bits that remained with me:

• The interview was well done. Stoic enough to feel like a thousand year entity was chatting with someone who exhibits the "perfect soldier". We see John's mask but we juust about see glimpses of what John actually wants or where his principles are. Definitely feels like that chaotic "anti authoritarian" training Hal is performing will have benefits.
• I am appreciative of the racial focus taken (reading some reddit comments.. damn.. people be hating). You can't have an agent without an arena and that arena back in the day mattered. Also.. the guardians don't care about petty worldly squabbles but they sure can use any justified anger for their purposes.
• In the end, with the racial dynamics, superheroics, warring factions.. it boils to power and trust. John wields power being precise while Hal is chaotic and it was fun to see how John used what little power he wielded (guns, art, character). He didn't feel resentful and and angry. He was trained to trust while it seems Hal runs on suspicion. Which can juuust as easily turn into fear :)

One nice thing is that they've kept the suspense and each party has reasonable justifications for their actions. The newest one is how the guardians don't like the ring choosing their own candidates. They don't trust Hal due to his uncontrollable character and less so now that he may be tainted by Sinestro or AbinSur. Sinestro may have just cause in hating the guardians and their "rules"..

Let's see!

Predictably, a bird is not just bird. I guess it's a sense of safety since it means he's being watched. Or a sense of duty since he's fearless?

Last episode Hal told John to fly, but he subconsciously(?) disobeyed that order and instead created something to watch over him. He created a spy?

I also loved the line about how being programmed isn't the same as being raised. John's still human. He should be more of a mess of a person, but he's still deep down a person.

Also it sounds like Sinestro has only been imprisoned recently. At first it seemed like maybe Hal had done something back in 2006 (because it was our missing year) but instead it seems like it happened recently.

As much as I want the main story to move forward I hope next episode is all about Hal. Although we probably save that for later.

I loved the misdirect of the dad being a single parent and the mother being crazier.

Given the focus on art with John, I can’t see a world where Kyle would fit in these stories We’ll likely just have these three Lanterns until there is a reboot.

If the world does survive for long I hope they evolve the corp instead into “The ability to overcome fear”. Which would pace the way for Kyle, Jessica and others.

does anyone else feel like this John Stewart origin story actually diminishes the character a little bit? bear with me here, I promise this won't be a nonsense, "this show is too woke!" rant.

I liked the setup. I like the idea that Hal isn't necessarily exceptional, he's lonely, and he's more comfortable/privileged because.. well, yeah, he is. even if they gave him the saddest possible backstory, he'd still have a leg up growing up in America not constantly looking over his shoulder. he has the privilege of not being afraid.

but now, instead of John being an ideal candidate because of who he is as a person, he's an ideal candidate largely due to how he was raised? I liked when it felt like John was a paragon of willpower in his own right. he earned his place in the lantern core without setup or help.

again, I understand the message the episode was trying to convey, that even overly qualified black people oftentimes still need to make themselves known lest they be overlooked, and since we're only a few episodes in, there's still a chance this will all be made right or clarified in some way that makes me go, "ah, yeah, I'm dumb," but until then, I'm a little sour. I liked and appreciated the messaging, I just don't know if I agree with how it played out.

I think about that in contrast to someone like Nightwing - arguably raised from a similar age to be the ideal replacement for the bat, but he's a better hero not because of his training, but in spite of it. Bruce may be a superior tactician and detective (although the ladder is debatable depending on who's at the helm), but Nightwing is a better hero because of who he is as a person. he looked into the same darkness as Bruce, but still wakes up every day and chooses hope and human connection (even if Superman has definitely had a hand in that).

anyway, long rant.

tl;dr: I think the origin diminished John's story because it ties his qualifications as Green Lantern more to his upbringing than his character.

I enjoy the show and will keep watching, and I'd love to hear counter arguments! this is just my opinion, and I can definitely be wrong.