Lanterns Episode 5, titled “Lights Out,” has delivered the answer to a question DC fans have been asking since Superman hit theaters in 2025. The episode ends with John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) taking the Green Lantern ring from Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) but choosing to walk away from the Corps entirely. This decision directly explains why Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) is the Green Lantern of Earth in James Gunn’s Superman, a mystery that has lingered since the film’s release.
The fifth episode, which aired on September 13, 2026, on HBO Max, also brought the show’s 2016 timeline to a close with devastating consequences for the town of Rushville, Nebraska. The episode featured multiple character deaths, a brutal fight between Hal and John, and a shocking rejection that reshapes the future of the DC Universe.
What Happened in the Episode
The episode picks up with the Manhunter known as Zoe Macon (Poorna Jagannathan) revealing her true identity after rescuing John Stewart from a burning car. The alien strike team led by Antaan (Paul Ben-Victor) descends on Rushville to bring Zoe to justice for a past genocide. The town becomes a war zone, with shootouts, explosions, and the near-total destruction of the community.
Hal Jordan, meanwhile, is left vulnerable after his ring runs out of power. He retreats to his motel room to recharge it, but John attacks him before he can recite the oath. The two engage in a brutal fistfight, with John ultimately gaining the upper hand. Hal uses the last of his ring’s energy to protect John from Zoe’s laser attack, but John leaves him trapped in the wreckage. When Zoe approaches Hal to finish him off, John uses his sniper skills to kill her from a distance, saving his former mentor’s life.
John then takes Hal’s ring and power battery. At a bar, he meets Lianna (Laura Linney) , a Guardian of the Universe who has been guiding his path. She expects him to accept the ring and join the Corps. Instead, John places the ring on the table and walks away. “You know, I spent a lot of my life imagining what it would feel like to wear this,” John tells her. “Pride, gratitude, power? But then when I put it on, I just felt empty. Hal betrayed everything to keep this ring. His code, the oath, even himself, and it broke him.”
Why John Stewart Rejected the Ring
John’s decision stems from years of being groomed for a destiny he never truly chose. Both the Guardians and his own parents pushed him toward becoming the Green Lantern of Sector 2814, but the cost became clear when he witnessed what the ring did to Hal Jordan. Hal, once a respected mentor, had become reckless and corrupt, sacrificing his principles to hold onto the power.
John’s rejection is not just a personal choice but a rejection of the entire system that raised him. He sees the ring as a tool of manipulation rather than a symbol of heroism. By handing the ring to Lianna and leaving Rushville, John closes the door on a life he never wanted. His decision leaves Earth without a Green Lantern, creating an opening that will eventually be filled by someone else.
The Connection to Superman
The episode’s ending directly ties into the events of Superman, which took place in 2025. In that film, Guy Gardner was Earth’s resident Green Lantern, a brash and arrogant hero who clashed with the Man of Steel. Fans had wondered how Guy, a character traditionally portrayed as a backup Lantern, ended up with the ring when John Stewart was being trained as Hal’s successor.
The answer is simple: John Stewart said no. With Hal disgraced and John refusing the role, the Guardians of the Universe had to find someone else. Sometime between 2016 and 2025, they offered the ring to Guy Gardner, an arrogant gym teacher with no fear and a willingness to follow orders without question. The timing fits perfectly, filling the nine-year gap between the two storylines.
Who Is Guy Gardner?
In DC Comics, Guy Gardner is often depicted as the fourth human to join the Green Lantern Corps, after Alan Scott, Hal Jordan, and John Stewart. He is known for his abrasive personality, his bowl-cut hairstyle, and his willingness to bend the rules. Nathan Fillion portrayed him in Superman and will reprise the role in an upcoming episode of Lanterns.
Guy’s selection as Earth’s Lantern is not a triumphant moment but a practical one. The Guardians needed someone who would not question their authority, and Guy fits that description perfectly. Unlike Hal, who was broken by the ring, or John, who rejected it on principle, Guy takes the job without hesitation. His presence in Superman is now fully explained, adding a new layer of meaning to his brief but memorable appearance.
Related:
What This Means for the DCU
The reveal solidifies the shared continuity between Lanterns and Superman, confirming that the HBO series is not a standalone story but a key piece of the new DC Universe. The show’s 2016 timeline has now concluded, with the remaining three episodes expected to focus on the 2026 storyline teased in the premiere.
John Stewart’s journey is far from over. Having walked away from the Corps, he must now forge a new path for himself. The ring he rejected remains with Lianna, and its future bearer is already known to audiences. The question now is how the events of Rushville will shape John’s role in the larger DCU, and whether he will ever reconsider his decision.
Lanterns continues to air new episodes on HBO Max, with the next installment scheduled for release on September 20, 2026.
Also Read: Lanterns Episode 5 Deaths: Every Major Character Killed in Lights Out
For more recaps, release updates, and deep dives into the DC Universe, stay tuned to VvipTimes.
Leave a Reply