Lanterns Episode 3 centers John Stewart origin

comicsAug 31, 202633285

Episode 3 of Lanterns, titled OutKast, gives John Stewart a full origin story that reframes his character and foregrounds race. The episode opens with a young John waiting 24 hours for a Green Lantern interview after Lianna of the Guardians of the Universe tells his mother she sees potential in him. The story traces John’s strict upbringing under his parents Bernadette and John Sr., showing Bernadette pushing discipline and resilience while suppressing John’s interest in art, and includes a brutal training scene in which John is forced to shoot an apple from his father’s head. Critics and viewers praised the episode’s commentary on being Black in America and Aaron Pierre’s casting and performance, with several commentators calling it the best episode so far. At the same time, at least one review called OutKast a major step forward in John’s characterization but judged the filmmaking itself uneven, describing the leap as powerful in idea but only partly realized on screen. The episode’s origin focus prompted discussion about making this version of John canonical and prompted interviews and feature pieces with the cast and creative team.

Alan Sepinwall

@sepinwall.bsky.social

Thoughts on this week's Lanterns, part of a frustrating recent trend of serialized dramas putting the present-day story on hold for an episode-length flashback:

396h ago

Rick Schindler10

I don't feel at all frustrated. I feel satisfied and fulfilled by a well-told story.

cryonick.bsky.social7

I dont disagree, but the episode was really good

alessandro fillari5

I understand where you're coming from, but I felt this came in early enough in the season's storyline where it felt like an appropriate detour. And what a great episode this turned out to be.

Boogie5

Yeah but at least it wasn't through second to last one of the season!

Eric Metelka1

That was an incredible episode that made the John’s character and his relationship to Hal Jordan so much deeper. That the episode itself was entertaining and knowing how it will enrich the conflict the rest of the season, I think the flashback was a great idea.

William Budding1

It was a very good tv - I don’t mind when it’s good.

Parker Simmons

@parkersimmons.bsky.social

Lanterns is so damn good. I'm so happy that they are rewarding an entire generation who love John Stewart with quality storytelling!

285h ago

Jeff Harris

@nemalki.bsky.social

"Sometimes, a Black man has to raise his own hand. Doesn't mean you're not good enough, doesn't mean you're not better. It just means they don't see us. So, we make ourselves seen." Frick. That's it. That's the Black experience right there. Again, well done, #Lanterns. I feel seen tonight.

194h ago

Jenna Anderson

@heyitsjennalynn.bsky.social

#Lanterns just reinvented John Stewart’s origin story, and there’s a lot to unpack. My spoiler-filled breakdown of Episode 3 is here. 💖💚 youtu.be/CNw9fd3k_gs?...

186h ago

Giancarlo Volpe

@giancarlovolpe.bsky.social

Me when they asked me to work on Green Lantern the Animated Series

Screengrab from episode 3 of Lanterns where an undisclosed character asks “How do you make a Green Lantern?” (I wrote this vaguely on purpose so as to not spoil the episode)

184h ago

Travandboo

@travandboo.bsky.social

Tonight’s episode of #Lanterns really hit it out of the park. Exploring the racial element to fear was brilliant, timely, and dead on. So good.

124h ago

John Trumbull

@trumbullcomic.bsky.social

Watching the third episode of #Lanterns and it's really eerie how much Aaron Pierre looks like the #JusticeLeague version of John Stewart.

Aaron Pierre in a grey turtleneck and dark grey blazer.

184h ago

The A.V. Club

@avclub.com

There’s a stubborn, prickly nobility lurking inside John Stewart that hints there’s more to him than following orders. Read more of this week's #lanterns recap here: www.avclub.com/lanterns-rec...

106h ago

dog girl jesus

@doggirldotdyke.bsky.social

after everything john stewart has been thru i dont see how u can paint being a green lantern for him as a remotely good thing. thats what im worried about w leaning too far into the space cop angle, at a certain point u kinda wonder why we're supposed to b rooting for this at all

113h ago

Krystal

@kringless.bsky.social

#Lanterns Episode 3 was the best so far. I really recommend watching the podcast episode hosted by its writer and director, because there were a couple things about its depiction of John's parents forcing black excellence on him that went over my head. Never be afraid to educate yourselves, people!

45h ago

Carly Lane-Perry

@carlylane.bsky.social

Got a couple #Lanterns interviews rolling out for Episode 3, starting with my chat with Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre about playing in multiple timelines and why John is a volcano ready to “erupt”:

66h ago

Uhhhh,...Hi?

@themseries1.blacksky.app

Lanterns Episode 3 Writer Explains John Stewart's Radical New Origin share.google/MrM5cSicvL5g...

36h ago

Brent Simons

@brentsimons.bsky.social

Really dug that 3rd LANTERNS episode. Also, Aaron Pierre might be one of the best superhero casting decisions ever.

55h ago

Andy “voice of Brak” Merrill. 🦋🦋🦋🦋

@amerrill2.bsky.social

And seeing the making of afterwords showing that this was our first look at John Stewart’s origin was phenomenal. I can’t believe there wasn’t a comics origin. I’m really hoping that DC makes this canon.

64h ago

Lizzy Rose Oliver - Voice Actress

@lizzyrosevo.bsky.social

That new Lanterns episode was certainly something (positive). John Stewart's parents are awful and will never see the light of Heaven.

84h ago

3 sources

screenrant.comAaron Pierre Teases John Stewart's Role In Man Of Tomorrow christopheredwardrhodes.substack.comInvisible Lantern, Or The Miseducation Of John Stewart moviesr.net‘Lanterns’ Episode 3 Review - Big Ideas, Bland Filmmaking, Wasted Potential

Lanterns Episode 3 centers John Stewart origincomics

Lanterns Episode 3 centers John Stewart origin

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